After exploring the lush jungle, we decided to end our Borneo trip with a completely different experience: diving in the tropical waters of Sipadan.

To reach this underwater paradise we left from Sandakan and took a domestic flight to Tawau. From here, a taxi took us to Semporna, a small town that serves as a base for excursions to the surrounding islands.

Semporna, a policy to review

We spent one night in Semporna resting for the next trip. Unfortunately, the city did not make a good impression on us. We found it quite dirty, with a lot of plastic and abandoned waste. Mass tourism, especially from Asia, seems to have left a clear mark on the environment. We hope that more effective measures will be implemented in the future to protect this corner of paradise.

Mataking Island resort

The following day we set sail to Mataking Island. This small island, with its long white sandy beach and the coral reef that surrounds it, is a real paradise for snorkelling and diving lovers.

Our spacious house was a stone's throw from the beach, and was equipped with all comforts. The resort offered a variety of amenities and activities, including a well-equipped dive center, several relaxation areas, and a restaurant with ocean views.

The restaurant offered a rich and varied menu, with dishes from Malaysian and international cuisine.

Although the food was delicious, we couldn't help but notice some food waste, a behavior that was unfortunately quite widespread among the resort's guests.

The long walks on the sandy strip allowed us to discover the small hidden corners of this paradise. But what excited us the most was diving.

In the kingdom of turtles and nudibranchs

Diving was undoubtedly the most exciting experience of this stay. The resort's diving center had state-of-the-art equipment and a team of experienced, friendly and multilingual instructors, who guided us in the underwater exploration.

Our package included three dives per day for three consecutive days, with one day dedicated exclusively to Sipadan Island. Each dive was a unique experience, thanks to the variety of environments and the wealth of marine life we ​​encountered.

In the waters around Mataking Island we let ourselves be carried away by the currents, admiring the graceful dance of schools of colorful fish, from bright yellow to emerald green.

Sea turtles, with their calm and grace, were frequent companions on our dives, while on the seabed we spotted various nudibranchs, with their bizarre shapes and bright colors. A particularly fascinating experience was the exploration of a small postal wreck, now completely colonized by marine organisms, with a souvenir photo taken in front of the cockpit.

And finally, we pleasantly remember the visit to Sipadan, an island well known to diving enthusiasts. The island, protected by strict regulations that limit daily admissions, offers a unique diving experience in the world. The coral reef is intact and teeming with life, with a biodiversity that is breathtaking.

We felt so small and insignificant in front of the majesty of nature, and at the same time deeply grateful to be able to have such an extraordinary experience.

Returning to shore, we couldn't help but reflect on the fragility of marine ecosystems and the importance of protecting them. Man's impact on the environment is clear, and it is up to us to do everything we can to reduce our impact and preserve this priceless heritage for future generations.

Goodbye Mataking!