MV Celebes Explorer 9

MV Celebes Explorer 9 is a renowned liveaboard dive vessel, providing a top-notch diving experience in the waters around the iconic Sipadan Island. This 35-meter motor yacht was launched in October 2019, offering the ultimate diving adventure for up to 16 fortunate guests. Departing on both Tuesdays and Fridays, it provides flexibility with various cruise durations, accommodating divers of different preferences.

Dive Overview

For those fortunate to venture to Sipadan Island, a wealth of incredible marine life awaits, but it's essential to note that limited access encourages numerous scuba divers to dedicate a substantial portion of their time to investigating the dive sites of Mabul and Kapalai nearby. These locations provide world-class critter diving experiences in their own regard.

[See: Sipadan Dive Travel Guide]

Accommodation Overview

Aboard the MV Celebes Explorer 9, guests have the option of two types of cabins to choose from for their liveaboard diving experience. The first choice is the Double Bed Cabins, which come with spacious rooms featuring double beds and large sea-view windows. These cabins provide a cozy and comfortable space, making them an ideal choice for couples or anyone who prefers a double bed arrangement. The second option is the Twin Bed Cabins, offering twin beds and portholes that allow for natural light to filter in. These cabins are perfect for friends or diving companions seeking a shared space.

Food & Drinks

On the MV Celebes Explorer 9, guests can look forward to buffet-style meals, offering a diverse range of options to cater to various tastes and preferences. The menu includes local cuisine, allowing guests to savor flavors of the region during their journey. For those who appreciate a cold beverage, beer is readily available onboard, providing a relaxing option to unwind and enjoy the moments between dives. Additionally, snacks are accessible throughout the day, ensuring that guests have energy-boosting bites to keep them fueled and refreshed during their underwater explorations.

Dive Information

The enchanting island of Sipadan is situated off the southeast coast of Sabah, a captivating province of Malaysia located on the exotic island of Borneo. Renowned as a 'mecca' for dive travel, Sipadan has held its reputation as a world-class dive destination since the early 1980s when it received a visit from the legendary Jacques Cousteau.

Sipadan is celebrated for hosting one of the most bountiful marine habitats globally, featuring an astonishing array of over 3,000 fish species and hundreds of coral species, creating a vibrant and diverse ecosystem. Being Malaysia's sole oceanic island, the nutrient-rich waters of the Celebes Sea serve as a magnet for an abundance of marine life. Here, divers can encounter creatures of all sizes, including reef and pelagic fish, sharks, turtles, and an array of fascinating critters.

Sipadan Island's distinctive 'mushroom' shape and the presence of steep walls create a remarkable environment that attracts a vast array of marine life within a relatively small area. On one side of the island, dramatic walls plunge to depths of up to 2,000 feet just off the shoreline, while the opposite side is characterized by gently sloping reefs that gradually give way to steeper walls farther out.

This underwater realm is renowned as one of the premier destinations for encountering large pelagic species. Every dive site around Sipadan teems with vibrant schools of anthias, jacks, triggerfish, and barracuda. Along the reef, you'll discover a wealth of marine species, including angelfish, anemone fish, nudibranchs, lionfish, eels, octopus, and many more, nestled among the coral formations. The shallower reefs also serve as ideal spots for observing whitetip reef sharks at rest and crocodile fish in their leisurely repose.