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Dive the most biodiverse seas on earth, home to pristine coral reefs, manta rays, whale sharks and spectacular species - deep in the heart of the coral triangle...
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Tropical island allure and exhilarating marine life encounters - the Maldives delivers both five-star luxury and affordable, authentic experiences, above and below the waves. ...
Explore beaches, culture and dramatic landscapes, and dive the Philippines exciting reefs and wrecks, with rare sharks, turtles, muck critters and more!...
Thailand has long been a firm favourite of divers who come in search of some of Asia’s most accessible diving and beautiful sites, famed for their colourful coral reefs, abundant marine life, and stun...
The Pacific is a vast blue wilderness punctuated by isolated arcs of green - chains of islands that rise from the oceanic depths as towering pinnacles of rock, coral and lush forests. Visitors can div...
Explore coral reefs, venture deep inside shipwrecks and caverns, and come face to face with sharks, in this extraordinary and adventurous dive destination....
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One of the world’s youngest nations, Timor Leste remains untouched by mass tourism that has swept much of Southeast Asia. Inquisitive travellers will relish the pristine empty beaches, rugged landscap...
The serene water village of Kapalai Dive Resort boasts uninterrupted ocean views as far as the eye can see. Standing in perfect isolation at the end of a mile-long sandbank, Kapalai balances exceptional diving with unquestionable luxury, all justa boat ride away from the islands of Sipadan and Mabul.
As the only resort in Kapalai, this haven sits alone on the shallow sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs, surrounded by seemingly endless turquoise waters. The water village resort boasts a picturesque, mile-long sandbank as well as a fabulous house reef, which is just a swim away from the dive centre pier. The Kumpung style chalets are connected by miles of wooden walkways, providing non-stop views of fish, turtles and stingrays dancing in the shallow waters beneath.
The environmentally friendly Kapalai Dive Resort is the perfect option for guests seeking a 'getaway' experience, with complete immersion in a true paradise setting. Although the amazing diving is the highlight of Kapalai, there are plenty of other relaxing past-times which cater to all types of guests, including beach volleyball and sea kayaking. For those looking to begin their scuba diving adventure, Kapalai Dive Resort provides PADI certified courses including Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Introduction to Night Diving. Kapalai dive resort can be accessed from the nearby port of Semporna, where the Pulau Sipadan Resort and Tours jetty office are located.
Kapalai Dive Resort’s 59 elegant wooden chalets, with both twin and triple sharing, stand above the water on stilts and neatly line the walkways. Each luxurious chalet includes a balcony with sitting area that provides plenty of privacy for sunbathing or enjoying the ocean views. The accommodation also incorporates an ensuite bathroom equipped with a shower, bathtub, hot water, towels and basic toiletries. All of the spacious chalets are fan cooled, boast impressive sea views from the windows and encompass a pleasant seating area. Rooms are supplied with coffee and tea making facilities and fitted with 220 volt power points and bedside lamps.
Sumptuous buffet-style meals are served in the central, open-plan restaurant and bar which serves Chinese and Western cuisine, seafood dishes, salads and barbecues on request. Incorporated into the bar and restaurant is a large wooden terrace, where guests can congregate to chat about dives, share underwater images and videos or read peacefully in the cooling sea breeze. The terrace faces west, creating a superb spot for soaking up spectacular tropical sunsets over an evening drink.
The allures of Kapalai Diving Resort extend beyond diving and guests can explore the mile-long sandbank or do some swimming, snorkelling, play beach volleyball and go sea kayaking along the reef. The resort additionally provides a variety of indoor pastimes including a pool table, darts, table tennis, board games, satellite TV and a souvenir shop. Internet access, including personal laptop connectivity, are also available along with an international telephone and fax. For parents who wish to take part in activities, babysitting can also be arranged.
Generally, diving around Kapalai is both shallow and easy. The resort has its own house reef, incorporating several dive sites which are just a swim away from the dive centre jetty. Night dives, day dives and sunset dives are available from the resort, free of charge with your dive buddy. Kapalai’s reefs are rich with macro life such as flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarinfish and frogfish - just some of the amazing species waiting to be found. Those who wish to explore further have the options of Sipadan and Mabul, both just a short boat ride away from the resort. Mabul, famous for its macro and muck sites, is a favourite among divers of all abilities due to its diverse and plentiful macro-life. Sipadan can be slightly more challenging, with its wall and drift dives, but divers are rewarded with schooling fish, sharks, turtles and large pelagics.
The monohull, twin-engine speed boats at Kapalai Dive Resort can hold 10 divers, which is the maximum group size for one of their experienced, English-speaking divemasters. Post-dive refreshments are provided on board the boats, and unlike other operators in the area, they return to the resort between dives. Diving packages and multi-dive trips are also available. In case of emergency, oxygen kits are located on each boat, with an additional supply at the resort. The nearest re-compression chamber is located in Semporna, on the Sabah mainland. Kapalai Dive Resort offers PADI courses for those looking to begin their diving adventure or upgrade their skills. These include Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Introduction to Night Diving.
No. of Rooms: 59
Dive Center Affiliation: PADI
Official Dive Center Rating: 5 Star
Courses Offered: DSD, Bubble Makers, Open Water, AOW, Rescue
