Is it safe to go to Sipadan?

[latyshev]

Was planning to go there this month, but then read this:

Travel Advice for Malaysia - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

High threat of kidnapping in Sabah region, especially in eastern area including Sipadan. I will be traveling alone with some camera gear. Good idea?

 

[Kilili]

Well, the same list also shows Russia as "Exercise a high degree of caution", so you decide.
Personally, I'd be more concerned about travelling in Russia than Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Mexico, all of which are contra-indicated.
Only the Philippines are on the US warning list, and that's only for Mindanao.
Of course, bad things can happen anywhere.

I think, in general, dive site destinations are less likely to have problems, and you normally have little interaction with the locals.
Besides, the kidnapping of western tourists is frowned upon in most countries. Too many political repercussions.
I would go, but that's me.

 

[Midget]

Sipadan has been uneventful (as far as kidnappings go) for the last 10 yrs.

However, don't expect to stay in Semporna and walk around by yourself without getting unwanted attention.

 

[atagirl]

I haven't been to Sipadan since fall of 2008 so am not aware of the most current kidnapping issues. When I was there the kidnapping warning was also in place from government travel websites. My understanding was that the kidnapping risk was actually from boats in the southern Philippines islands coming over to this part of Saba rather than from the residents of Malaysia. I had the sense that it was more dangerous traveling by boat to islands/dive sites then when you are actually on the mainland. There had been an incident years earlier in 2000 where 21 people were kidnapped from the resort on the island of Sipidan and taken to the Phillippines. The army had taken steps to try to prevent future attacks. The island of Sipidan no longer had a resort instead it was a army encampment when I was there and there hadn't been any kidnappings for a while, several years I believe. Have you found evidence of any more recent attacks? A quick search didn't turn up anything.

As mentioned above any foreigner will stick out in the town of Semporna. This is a very conservative Muslim town.Your gender isn't specified but as a woman I felt uncomfortable in anything other than long pants and at least short sleeves. I would advise bringing a change of clothes and not planning to walk to/from the dive shop wearing your bathing suit or even shorts or a dress type coverup. I stayed in a Chinese owned hotel which was convenient since their restaurant was open even though it was Ramadan. The diving was amazing, uncrowded with people but full of sharks and turtles. Saba was a wonderful place. I also did a worthwhile tour into the jungle to spot Orangutans and Pygmy elephants. I would definitely return. If you decide to go have a wonderful trip!

 

[scheep]

The short answer is yes. The reason the safety warning is up there on some government websites is because of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappings in the region many years ago, an incident that hasn't repeated itself since.

 

[latyshev]

Thanks a lot for the info guys. Yeah, i guess its no big deal then.

Well, the same list also shows Russia as "Exercise a high degree of caution", so you decide.
Personally, I'd be more concerned about travelling in Russia than Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Mexico, all of which are contra-indicated.

Have you ever been to Russia? And what made you think that way? Or is it just coming from "things you heard"?

I would strongly advice being a lot more cautious in Thai and Mexico then in Russia. Thats coming from personal experience.

 

[jake11]

I agree with the advice about Semporna. All of the women in our group covered their knees and shoulders while shopping in the market there. We all felt quite safe while going all over in the area! It was a wonderful trip!

 

[The Wolf]

Some "facts" to bear in mind:

1) You are not going to get harrassed if you are wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts if you are female. But you will get a lot of stares because a) you're probably white b) the locals and non-locals are always fascinated with western women c) it's "entertainment for them."

2) There have been no robberies, rape cases or attacks on divers residing in semporna town as far back as I can remember since I moved to Borneo in late 97. Semporna is perfectly fine/safe but it's a cowboy town if you want to call it with most people living there sea gypsies who are neither educated nor middle class but fishermen and simple/poor people.

No need to be paranoid about it being "muslim" or whatever. People will leave you alone if you don't act like an idiot or start making a scene on purpose or are looking for attention.

Just act normal, be yourself and be polite.