Scuba diving in Pom Pom

Pom Pom Island is within a 45 minute boat ride from Semporna, off the east coast of Sabah, Borneo. Pom-Pom Island is a newly developed diving location with an amazing wall dive recently added. The dive starts at about 12m/39ft depth as a gentle slope, then at 15m/49ft turns into a wall dive. The wall drops down to 40m/131ft and features some impressive fans and overhangs. The marine biodiversity of Pom Pom Island is amazing and counts over 200 species of fish and over 250 species of coral. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, wonderpus and bobtail squids are just a few of the numerous types of cephalopods to be found on Pom Pom reefs. The island is an important nesting and feeding ground for green and hawksbill turtles. The best sites around the island are Pit Rock, New Life, Northern Valley, Magic Rocks, Mandarin Heaven and Cliffhanger. While most diving sites are perfectly safe for beginners, Northern Valley is more suitable for experienced divers, due to strong currents. Pit Rock (depth around 20m/65ft) is one not to miss. Resting on the gradual rubble slope, this site is host to a number of amazing creatures (leaf scorpionfish, banded boxer and peacock mantis shrimps) and is a firm favorite with visiting underwater photographers, featuring schools of glass fish swimming around. Visibility is quite good in this area and can reach at least 15 to 20m/49-65ft and in some places up to 30m/98ft.