Increment of the Sipadan Levy Fee

This is a confirmed and reliable abstract from one of the dive operators in P. Mabul:

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Dear Divers,

With much regret I wish to notify that our MD who is currently in Kota Kinabalu had just finish a dialogue session with Taman - Taman Sabah (the local authority overseeing the operation within all Sabah Marine Park). The session was attended by more then 10 Dive Operators through out Sabah and among others which was discuss during the said session was, on Levy Fees for diving in Sipadan. Despite the sole objection from our MD (the rest seemed not to be objecting), Taman - Taman Sabah had conclude to impose A LEVY OF RM40 PER DIVER PER DAY. All divers who plan to dive in Sipadan must register their name, Passport Number/NRIC and country of origin with those dive operators two weeks prior to diving day together with the full payment (based on RM40 per day diving) to be made simultaneously to Taman-Taman Sabah.....>>>

Other than the increased Levy fee per day(used to be RM45 per week), is the unconfirmed report of Sabah parks imposing a limit to the number of visitors to Pulau Sipadan daily. The number of people which includes, divers, snorklers, tourists and etc, is limited to 120 per day. These 120 visitors will have to pay the RM 40 2 weeks prior to their arrival on P.Sipadan as the pass are issued on a first come first served basis. Those who failed to register their details and make due payment fast enough, will be unable to secure their passes to dive or visit Sipadan.