Course overview

The PADI Wreck Diver specialty at Sipadan teaches you to safely explore sunken structures and the artificial reefs scattered around Mabul, where decades of sea life have colonised submerged hulls and platforms. You learn survey, mapping and penetration techniques while drifting over wreckage that now teems with frogfish, lionfish and schooling reef fish. It is a rewarding specialty that adds a new dimension to diving in this macro-rich corner of Sabah.

What you’ll learn

• Plan, organise and conduct safe wreck dives
• Survey and map a wreck for navigation and reference
• Use guidelines and reels to navigate around a wreck
• Avoid hazards such as sharp edges, entanglement and silt-out
• Apply techniques for limited penetration of intact wrecks
• Assess wreck stability and manage your air and depth carefully

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 15 (or 12 for Junior, with depth limits)
• PADI Adventure Diver or higher (Deep Adventure dive recommended for deeper wrecks)
• Comfort with buoyancy control and navigation
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Theory and first wreck dives

   Wreck planning and hazard theory, then two dives surveying and exploring a structure near Mabul.
2. Day2
   Mapping and penetration

   Two further dives covering wreck mapping, reel use and limited penetration techniques, then certification.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Sipadan.

Frequently asked questions