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--- Book Sipadan permits at least 2–3 months in advance, as daily visitor limits cap diving activity at the island and South Point is the most sought-after site. Plan your trip during the March–June window when seas are calmest, visibility exceeds 30 meters, and hammerhead schools are most active. Hire an experienced local dive master familiar with South Point's variable currents and the behavioral patterns of pelagic species; this dramatically increases sighting success and safety margins at depth.
Pack a dive computer with deep-dive capabilities and practice high-altitude buoyancy control before arrival, as 40-meter depths demand precision and air management discipline. Bring a enriched-air (Nitrox) certification if you have one—many operators offer Nitrox fills to extend bottom time and reduce decompression obligations. Consider scheduling South Point as your first dive of the day when you are freshest and air consumption is lowest, maximizing your time in the productive deep zone.
Advanced Open Water or Divemaster certification (mandatory for South Point depths)
Dive computer with deep-dive algorithm and maximum depth alarm