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Description
Boat
Celebes Explorer 9 is a 29 metres long, 7.2 meters wide steel dive liveaboard, renewd in 2019, with cruising speed at 8 - 10 knots. It is the only liveaboard can provide dive trips inside of the Sipadan Marine Park.
Celebes Explorer 9 will take you on an adventurous journey across the ocean to some of Borneo’s most astonishing diving spots that you can dream of. This liveaboard is the best way to experience diving at Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and other nearby spots as it allows you to reach areas that you normally cannot get from a land-based dive resort.
Daily dives to Sipadan Island are available through Celebes Explorer 9 so you can explore the world-famous dive site and get sightings of unique marine life, including the green turtles, bump parrotfish, and barracudas. For those who enjoy muck diving, Mabul Island is one of the world’s top destinations for it, offering sightings of exceptionally unique and diverse sea creatures.
Celebes Explorer 9 features an indoor air conditioned lounge with TV, camera charging stations, sitting area, dining area, as well as a self service mini bar that provides 24 hours free water, coffee, tea, milo, biscuit & bread, snacks.
The spacious uppper sundeck is partially covered with canvas. There are chairs & beach mattress for relaxation.
Celebes Explorer 9 has a large dive deck with equipment storage, air fill station, rinse tanks, freshwater shower.
Celebes Explorer 9 will bring divers to Sipadan (guaranteed) along with Mabul and Kapalai islands.
Cabin
Celebes Explorer 9 has 8 guest cabins, it can welcome 18 guests :
All cabins are equipped with air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms, wardrobe, lifejacket etc.
2 Double Cabins:
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with a double bed, seaview windows.
6 Twin Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two single bed side by side, port windows.
Diving
3 - 4 dives per day (including 2 dives in Sipadan daily)
No dive on the embarkation and disembarkation day.
Only 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Divers must be at least AOW to dive in Sipadan Island
Other Informations
- Nitrox：Not available at the moment
- 15L Tanks：Not available at the moment
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Technical Dive：Not available at the moment yet
- Dive Equipment：Complimentary for certified divers
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Available with additional cost
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：By cash only (USD/EUR/MYR)
- Crew Number：12, including 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Things to Know Before Bookings
Trip Dates :
The Celebes Explorer 9 offer Dive Package in Sipadan everyday except for the embarkation and disembarkation day. The embarkation & Disembarkation date : Fixed on Tuesday & Friday only.
Confirmed Cruise with less than 4 persons :
Celebes Explorer 9 will cruise to Sipadan with only 2 persons on board if these 2 persons would agree to take our Single Occupancy package rate. If eventually we would have 4 persons in the same cruise period, the 2 persons would have the choice to change their package rate to twin share package rate and we will revise the invoice to Twin Share package rate accordingly.
Add-ons (2023 Price):
1.) SIPADAN Diving on Embarkation day for Diver” : RM 900 per person
2.) “SIPADAN Snorkelling on Embarkation day for NON Diver” : RM 700 per person.
**Minimum of 2 guests who can arrive at our Semporna office by 745AM and had purchased the above “add on” will be able to do 2 dives in Sipadan and 1 dive in Mabul ( total 3 dives ) on embarkation day.
Meeting Point :
The meeting point / office is in front of the only Starbucks in Semporna town at Seafest Square Complex.
Tawau Airport - Semporna - Tawau Airport Transfer :
The transfer is NOT included, guests need to arrange their own transfers. However, for charter bookings, we provide One time Return transfer from Tawau Airport / Semporna / Tawau Airport.
About Diving :
The local authority allows divers to do only 2 dives in Sipadan per day. ONLY Advanced Open Water diver and above level diver can do diving in Sipadan.
ID Needed :
Please bring along your IC Card ( if you are local Malaysian ) or a copy of your passport ( if you are overseas traveller ) for verification purpose when you register in Sipadan island.
Regular Trips
4D3N (Tue-Fri), 5D4N (Fri-Tue) & 8D7N (Tue-Tue)
Tue or Fri : Meet at our office in Semporna at about 3PM. Our transfer boat will depart to CE9 from Semporna at 1530hrs. Check into CE9 / briefing / free time / dinner / overnight = NO DIVING on DAY1
Wed or Sat-Sun or Wed-Sun : 2 dives in Sipadan + 2 dives in Mabul. 4th Mabul dive is subject to sufficient time in accordance to local Curfew ruling. (breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight)
Thu or Mon : 2 dives in Sipadan + 1 dive in Mabul ( breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight ).The number of dive depends on flight departure time on the following day - Please bear in mind the requirement for 24 hours surface interval before flight departure time on the following day.
Fri or Tue : Check out at 0700hrs if CE9 is in Mabul, or check out at 0830hrs if CE9 is in Semporna. Boat transfer to Semporna and own car arrangement to next destination.
Trips with "Add-on" Diving on Embarkation
Tue or Fri : Meet at our office in Semporna before 745AM. Our Speedboat will depart to Sipadan from Semporna. 2 dives in Sipadan & 1 dive in Mabul ( box lunch ). After diving, our speedboat will depart to CE9. Check into CE9 / briefing / free time / dinner / overnight.
Wed or Sat-Sun or Wed-Sun : 2 dives in Sipadan + 2 dives in Mabul. 4th Mabul dive is subject to sufficient time in accordance to local Curfew ruling. (breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight)
Thu or Mon : 2 dives in Sipadan + 1 dive in Mabul ( breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight ).The number of dive depends on flight departure time on the following day - Please bear in mind the requirement for 24 hours surface interval before flight departure time on the following day.
Fri or Tue : Check out at 0700hrs if CE9 is in Mabul, or check out at 0830hrs if CE9 is in Semporna. Boat transfer to Semporna and own car arrangement to next destination.
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- VAT and local taxes
- Fuel surcharge
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Dive equipment rentals
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- Alcoholic beverage
- Soft drinks
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Wi-Fi
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Malaysia
Best time for diving
March - July have the best chance to see large pelagics like sharks and barracudas in Sipadan, although diving is considered excellent from from April to October. Visibility typically ranges from 15 - 40 meters, with mild to medium currents. Nesting for hawksbill and green turtles usually happens from April through to September. The winds from the north in January or February and those from the south in August or early September may reduce visibility to between 10 and 20 meters. These winds may cause the surface conditions to get a little choppy which can make the boat ride out to the site uncomfortable. December to February is rainy season on the island which may cause the visibility to decrease. While the rains have become uncertain of late, showers are most frequent in January and February. During the rainy season, Mabul, Sipadan and Pulau Kapalai do not generally see much rain, but rather scattered rain in the evening.
Tioman Island has good conditions throughout the year.
About temperatures
Air: generally ranges between 27°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea: warm all year round, about 27°C - 30°C, with some cooler waters of 24°C in the rainy season.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year, though a shorty is sufficient during warmer months.
Diver requirement
ONLY Advanced Open Water diver and above level diver can do diving in Sipadan, as some sites have strong currents, especially around the Drop-Off and Barracuda Point. Tioman Island is suitable for all levels, including beginners. You can find out more information about diving in Sipadan here : Malaysia
Embarkation / Disembarkation
For liveaboards around Sipadan, embarkation/disembarkation is usually in Semporna. Guests need to fly in/out Tawau airport (TWU). Once arrived in Tawau airport, guests can get a taxi to Semporna town (1.5hrs).
Tioman Island liveaboards typically depart from Mersing on the mainland. Please contact our agents for exact details.
Visa Requirements
Most nationalities can enter Malaysia visa-free or E-visa for 30 to 90 days depending on the passport. Check the official Malaysia Immigration website for your specific nationality.
Sipadan Permits
Since 2006, a permit quota system by was introduced whereby a visitor requires a permit for diving or snorkeling at Sipadan. As of 2026, the daily quota has been increased from previous years to 254 permits per day.
Guests who join liveaboard trips will be guaranteed with dive permit. If you staying at the resort, then you will not automatically get a permit. If your stay is long enough, most resort will guarantee one Sipadan permit.
Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Japanese Encephalitis if traveling to rural areas.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Liveaboards may accept cash in USD or MYR. ATMs are widely available in towns and airports. Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops
Drones
Drones are allowed in Malaysia, but some marine parks and restricted areas require permits. Check Drone regulations in Malaysia for updated rules.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Diver's reviews (4)
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