Sipadan Midreef

As you descend along the vertical wall of Sipidan Midreef, drifting along with the current, you have every opportunity to explore the masses of soft corals, navy knotted sea fans and orange gorgonian fans, which drape the ledges, buzzing with pygmy gobies and whip gobies. Forsters hawk fish rest amongst sponges, and five-lined cardinal fish and harlequin sweet lips meander between ledges, and small schools of Sulu fangblennies, which are only known in Northern Borneo and the Sulu Archipelago, congregate between the corals. Cold-water thermoclines can rise from the depths and create strong currents, pushing divers upwards. Despite the difficult conditions, the abundance of life, which the currents support, makes the dive worthwhile. Schools of Moorish idols, red tooth triggerfish, unicorn fish and banner fish race along the wall, as well as smaller schools of round batfish and occasional Napoleon wrasse. Ideal breaks from the dive conditions come in the form of the six-meter hard coral flats which top the reefs. Stubbly table corals and porites corals dominate; forming the ideal habitat for bump head parrotfish, making safety stops a pleasure.