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Sipadan · boat

Turtle Tomb

Editorial plate — compiled from published sources, not yet confirmed by a verified diver. Dived here? Verify this plate.

Sipadan Island, Sabah

4.11500°N, 118.62800°E

A limestone cave system under Sipadan's Drop-off, entered near 18–22 m, famous for the turtle skeletons inside.

Depth
18–22 m
Vis
10–30 m

26–30 °C

Current
mild
Health
Unscored

Awaiting verified ratings

Geo (surface approx.)
4.11500°N, 118.62800°E

Approximate position from published sources.

Entry / access
boat

The entrance opens off the Drop-off wall in front of the island's jetty, leading into chambers and tunnels where turtles that lost their way have left skeletons on the sandy floor. It is a true overhead environment, signed at the entrance, and is entered only with a local guide; disturbing the sand quickly kills visibility. Sabah Parks permit rules for Sipadan apply.

Difficulty
advanced

Cave-qualified divers with a local guide; Sipadan permit requires AOW

Best season
—
Last reviewed
20 Oct 2026 by editorial

Hazards

  • high · Overhead environment; labyrinth of passages
  • high · Silt-out if the floor is disturbed

Marine life

Typical: green turtle, hawksbill turtle, low-light cave fish

Durable site rating

Multi-axis score

Separate axes — not one vague star, and not today's water. Public rollup is the 0 verified ratings on this plate. This is not a community count.

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Condition reports

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Living record

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Questions people search

How deep is Turtle Tomb?

18–22 m.

Is Turtle Tomb suitable for beginners?

advanced — Cave-qualified divers with a local guide; Sipadan permit requires AOW

Sources

Where sources disagree

Entrance depth 18 m (Dive The World) vs 21 m (PulauMabul) vs 22 m (Duikersgids). PulauMabul and Duikersgids say cave-qualified only; Dive The World says operators require a local divemaster.

Related sites

Other advanced plates in Sipadan.

Durable multi-axis scores sit on the rating plate. File a timestamped condition report, CoralWatch colour, or debris card on today's report. Public averages stay verified-only. Book at an Andaman dive centre.