The Fishing Village on Sibuan Island, Malaysia
Last Updated on Sunday, 15 April, 2018 07:50:39 PM
ISLANDS OF BORNEO >
Sabah Islands > Sibuan Island
The Fishing Village on Sibuan Island, Malaysia
On Sibuan Island is a small village of about 10 families sea gypsies who live beside beautiful beaches of white coral soft sand.
There is no hotels accommodation on such a small island and all tourists come here on day trips .
This beautiful island in the Celebes sea is only 30 minutes by boat from Semporna Town of Sabah.
The Bajau Laut ethnic community (the Sea Gypsies) traditionally live in sprawling stilt villages above water or on land. Some inside the traditional Lepa boats.
Sibuan is one of the smallest islands in the whole bay.
Popular for swimmers and sorcerers and one of the most photographed islands in Sabah.
A JOURNEY IN BORNEO WITH SEA GYPSIES
"......The Bajau, the nomads of the sea, are neither recognized nor accepted by the neighboring countries, but are there by choice, the choice to live in paradise, their own little paradise....."
Réhahn, France
 |
Sibuan Island
|
The Boat Maker in Sibuan Island
Boggo is a simple dugout boat 2 to 5 meters in length. Use exclusively inshore over shallow sea.
More about Boats of the Sea Bajau (Bajau Laut)
ISLANDS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
The Islands in South East Asia perhaps has the
greatest variety of watercraft of any culture
area in the world.
The people of these islands have for centuries of adaptation to tropical riverine and maritime environments. As a result the people of seas have created hundreds of different kinds of boats.
In Malaysia, the new generations moving onland and the availble of industrial produced boats, the skills of boat making of these islanders are disappearing.
Dalok Bin Mangona is one of the few remaining watercraft masters in Malaysia.
t
White sandy beach perfect for swimmers and non swimmers alike.
Cuttlefish, turtles and sting rays are seen here often other then
mandarin fish, frog fish, pygmy seahorse and ghost pipe fish.
With a combination of shallow plateaus and steep slopes, the island
is a regular stop over during open water diver courses and
experienced diver programs.
Long and narrow with triangular shape viewed from above.
At the south is a long narrow strip of sand, which gets flooded at
high tide.
In the center of the island is a small forest and the beaches are
lined with coconut trees.
At the northern end there is a small military base of Malaysian
soldiers to guarantee protection against pirates.
The only area suitable for swimming is the southern end, because
elsewhere you have to wade through the coral banks before being able
to reach the sea.
The sea water is crystal clear, but underwater visibility is limited
to less than 10m.
PEOPLE OF SIBUAN ISLAND
Around 2,000 Sea Gypsies live on the islands. They are the Sea Bajau (Bajau Laut).
Bajau Laut carved wooden boats define their very existence. These seafaring people are much cut off from mainstream civilization.
Their unique nomadic seafaring lifestyle attracted adventurous travelers to their islands. In 2017, around 3.65 million tourists bringing RM7.7 billion revenue to Sabah alone.
