Whitetip Avenue

Whitetip Avenue is a wall and reef dive on the south-eastern side of Sipadan, and the white tip reef sharks that give it its name are the main draw. Grey reef sharks, sea turtles and manta rays are also seen, and hammerheads sometimes mill around the wall. Away from the wall there are impressive schools of jacks.

The wall stretches to around 40 metres, starting at 17 metres. It is best in the morning when the sun shines on the eastern side of the island. Below 30 metres there are waving sea fans and plenty of black coral, and the rest of the wall carries colourful fans, feather stars, sea squirts and sea whips. The sharks are fairly familiar with divers and cruise along unperturbed, which gives photographers plenty of time. Visibility is up to 30 metres and Open Water certification is enough.