Sipadan and Kapalai. May 2003

Having visited in August 2002 for the first time, I was so impressed with the underwater environment that when Erik had time to sort out another trip, it seemed a no-brainer to go. It would be interesting to see what it is like at a different time of year.

We stayed on Sipadan island itself at Pulau Sipadan Resort and on Kapalai.

The contrast of seeing large critters swimming off 600 metre vertical drop offs versus the smaller life at 30 metres was excellent.

Clown Frogfish.

Clown Anemonefish.

Clown Anemonefish.

Humphead Parrotfish.

At 5am before the sun comes up, single humphead parrotfish that are upto 1.5 metre long and almost 1 metre tall wake up.

Humphead Parrotfish.

They start swimming in an orderly lined-up fashion at about 6 metres down. They all swim to a particular point off Sipadan and wait.

Humphead Parrotfish.

There were at least 150 fish gathered in a school before they all started swimming out into the blue. Quite a breathe taking event to witness and well worth giving up a couple of hours sleep!

Batfish.

Juvenile Batfish.

Teira Batfish.