Double Bed Cabin
2 cabins · middle deck
These premium middle-deck cabins have a large double bed and big sea-view windows.
- Doors open directly to the outside deck
- Large double bed and sea-view windows
- En-suite bathroom with a hot shower
Semporna's Sipadan liveaboard
MV Celebes Explorer 9
A 35-metre working dive yacht in the Celebes Sea operating dedicated routes to Sipadan Island and the macro sites of Semporna for advanced divers.
Welcome
Living aboard, diving where the boat goes
The 35-metre MV Celebes Explorer 9, launched in 2019, anchors near Mabul or Si Amil for diving in the Semporna archipelago. Sleep in calm water between dive days, with a specialised camera room, constant power and up to five guided dives a day.
Sleep in calm water between dive days, with a specialised camera room, constant power and up to 5 guided dives a day.
The vessel holds a PADI 5 Star Dive Operator certification that reflects its commitment to safety protocols and equipment standards.
Our view
Dedicated Semporna diving platform
Designed for diving efficiency
This is the most efficient way to dive the Semporna archipelago if your only priority is logging time underwater.
Dedicated camera room
The dedicated camera room and the constant power supply make it a superb choice for photographers.
Sipadan access
Sipadan permits cover all divers on full cruise days outside November, excluding arrival and departure days.
A working dive yacht
The layout focuses on diving and you use steep marine staircases to move between decks.
Specialised chase boat
All daily diving uses a specialised chase boat carrying 10 to 16 divers to the drop zones.
Accommodation
Twin and double bed cabins
All 8 cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, accommodating a strict maximum of 16 guests.
Twin Bed Cabin
6 cabins · lower deck
These comfortable lower-deck rooms have portholes and suit friends sharing a diving trip.
- 2 twin beds and portholes
- Doors open to a central interior corridor
- En-suite bathroom with a hot shower
Upper Sun Deck
Open-air deck · sun loungers
Spend your surface intervals on the open-air upper sun deck which is equipped with loungers.
- Open-air relaxation space
- Equipped with sun loungers
- Separated from the diving operation
Middle Deck Saloon
Air-conditioned · separate lounge
This middle level holds the saloon where the buffet meals are served along with a separate lounge featuring a television.
- Air-conditioned space
- Buffet meals served here
- Separate lounge with television
Audio-Visual Camera Room
Specialised · 240V power
The specialised audio-visual camera room provides extensive charging stations for underwater housings and strobes.
- Extensive charging stations
- 24-hour 240V electricity supply
- Free broadband wi-fi with intermittent connectivity
Daily diving
The daily diving routine
A typical day revolves around diving and refuelling between dives. You can expect between 3 and 5 guided dives a day across the cruise sites supervised by certified PADI professionals. All daily diving takes place from a specialised chase boat rather than by striding directly off the mothership. The meals cater heavily to regional Asian tastes and combine local Malaysian cuisine with broader Asian fare.
Marine life
What you may spot
Look for pelagic congregations at Sipadan and macro life on the sandy slopes and artificial reefs of Mabul, Kapalai and Si Amil.
Vessel design
Ways to stay
Rates on enquiry: no prices are published.
4-day liveaboard expedition
Explore Semporna's macro sites on a 4-day liveaboard expedition, with Sipadan diving outside November.
Enquire5-day liveaboard expedition
Explore Semporna's macro sites on a 5-day liveaboard expedition, with Sipadan diving outside November.
Enquire8-day liveaboard expedition
Explore Semporna's macro sites on an 8-day liveaboard expedition, with Sipadan diving outside November.
Enquire
Common questions
Liveaboard vessel facts
The current MV Celebes Explorer 9 is a completely new vessel that was constructed and officially launched in late 2019 to replace the older retired boat.
Yes. The package is full-board and includes a buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks along with standard tea, coffee and water.
Children must be at least 10 years old to enrol in a Junior Open Water course or participate in the diving programme. The operator advises against bringing infants on board.
Yes. Every cabin has a private en-suite bathroom with a hot water shower.
Getting there
Transfers and flight timing
Fly into Tawau Airport via a domestic connection from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu. A shared van meets you for the 70-to-80-kilometre journey to Semporna, taking about 90 minutes. At the Semporna municipal jetty, you board a scheduled speedboat for the 30-to-40-minute maritime crossing to the mothership. A municipal jetty fee applies at Semporna, and the team explains how it is settled. Allow 24 hours between your last dive and any flight.
Terrestrial alternatives
Nearby and combinations
For a land-based stay, consider Mataking Reef Resort for its private beach, Pom Pom Island Resort for its pool and spa, or Mabul Water Bungalows.
Our view
Plan your Sipadan liveaboard trip
Send the team your preferred dates, dive certification level and party size to check liveaboard availability and arrange transfers from Tawau.