Dive-site story
South Reef sits along the southern fringes of the islands within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off Kota Kinabalu. The site features a gradual slope composed of hard coral colonies, scattered bommies, and sandy patches where bottom-dwellers rest. Protected conditions make it a regular location for training dives and relaxed reef exploration close to the Sabah mainland.
Extensive patches of staghorn and table corals sheltering juvenile reef fish
Frequent encounters with resting blue-spotted ribbontail rays on sandy bottoms
Macro subjects including varied nudibranch species and anemone shrimps
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Dry weather brings the most consistent underwater visibility, though operations run throughout the entire calendar year.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-spotted ribbontail rayTaeniura lymma | Common | ||||||||||||
| False clownfishAmphiprion ocellaris | Common | ||||||||||||
| Green sea turtleChelonia mydas | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Broadclub cuttlefishSepia latimanus | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| LionfishPterois volitans | Common |
Marine forecast
