Lahad Datu
Dive & take PADI™ courses near Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Lahad Datu is an entry point to the diving in Darvel and Sibuko bays and can be a convenient place to take PADI™  courses whilst visiting some of the dive sites, jungle sites and cultural points of interest that are nearby.

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The diverse population of corals support hundreds of species of colourful coral dwelling fish and invertebrates and are intermingled with several species of mollusks including giant clams. Octopus can also be found here. Sponges and crinoids are found intermingled with corals or near coral patches and so are several species of marine algae (seaweeds). 

In or near the habitats created by these one finds a wide variety of interesting creatures including photographers’ favourites such as nudibranchs, lionfish, shrimp, lobsters, anemones, anemone fish, sea horses and a host of others.

Diving activity is year round in Lahad Datu and sea surface temperatures are generally in the range of 25-30°C. Average visibility is in the range of 10-15 metres. Sea temperatures are at their lowest between November and February.