I don't see why they will restrict people going to the island if it's a floating island. It's a very unique island but I don't think it's a floating island la.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure you can still go to Sipadan. I've been there a few months ago and never heard that it was going to close down. You just have to pay the fees to enter the island and cannot stay there overnight. Have to stay in nearby island such as Mabul or Kapalai as they are no hotels on Sipadan itself.

its not that bad. just relax and enjoy the view of the sky. before you know it you're done.

and yes, not worth it to go to beaches there. exactly like the photo stimix posted.
if you want beaches, then go to east coast islands.

in sipadan, every corner you turn you will see turtle. sometimes lucky you'll see big fishes like napoleon, bumphead..

not recommended if you like macro diving. go for mabul if want macro.

^ yup. that's macro diving.
just like camera got macro. its call macro diving cause you will take a lot of macro shots. lol.

exactly! Tioman/Redang are much more suitable for beginner divers compared to Sipadan.

diving in west malaysia is the cheapest.
sipadan is one of the most expensive places to dive in malaysia.
and its not worth it if you don't enjoy it. i would advice that you gain more experience before diving there.

redang per dives cost around RM80-100 without equipment if i'm not mistaken. go budget and stay in cheaper hotels.
there is also dive packages. i'm not sure about the price but its normally around 600-800 for 3d2n or 4d3n. this packages include meals, return ferry to and from island, and about 3 dives per day. it varies for different hotels.
you can check the hotel websites for more information on that. off season periods and season opening/closing periods are much cheaper, but the weather and visibility as well as sea condition might not be as good.

also, you're gonna do your whole OW course there? how long will you be staying there? the theory part might take some time and i still suggest that its better to do the theory part on the mainland (i.e. KL, etc.) then go to the island for certifications dives. this is based on my experience as I did my OW at Perhentian over 4d3n and it was quite stressful for me as we had to watch the video and stay up late to go thru the theory parts and exam.
new experience + studying + not enough sleep = not very fun for me

Discovery scuba dive is where the instructor will teach you the basic basics and then bring you to dive once. You won't go very deep, and the instructor will bring you around. It's a one-to-one thing, sometimes one-to-two if got many discovery scuba divers. Usually cost around RM180-200 per discovery dive and you won't get any license to dive or anything like that. Everything is included, all the gears and tanks. You just have to go and enjoy, it is a one off thing which will take few hours of your time to introduce you to the underwater world.

Open water course is the PADI course for you to get your Open Water License. It consists of theory and practical lessons where you have to pass the exam to get the license. Usually cost around RM1200-1500 depends where you do it. This one, you'll have to sit thru videos, read the book and do theory questions. Also have to be tested pratically, like floating on water, swimming for certain distance, basic skills like clearing mask, bouyancy control, etc. The instructor will teach you all this and you are expected to learn and remember. It usually takes 4d3n if you do it all on the island.

Once you get your license, you can go for dives with a dive master. A dive master usually brings about 6-8 divers to dive, depends on how many customers they have also. They are like dive guides underwater. Per dive in Malaysia usually cost around RM100 or so. Might not include equipment rental. This one, no instructors will be watching you. The dive master have to jaga more than one so you have to look out for yourself as it is assumed that you have pass the test and know your basics already.

You can do Open Water courses here on the mainland which I would recommend, as you will have more time to complete and understand the theory part before doing the real thing. I personally did my course at Perhentian island and it was very stressful for me. There was no time to just sit and relax. Every free time that I had was to study and watch the video. I didn't learn much as well cause time was limited. However, I did my other courses on mainland first then go to island for pratical test. Those were very relax and I've learnt so much more compared to the first time I dive.

If you don't have a license, you can't take a diver package.
Diver packages are for divers with license. They won't give you discovery scuba every dive every day. They won't be so free to give you full attention and bring you down everytime. That's why discovery scuba is much more expensive than a normal dive for those with license. The whole point of discovery scuba is to introduce you to scuba diving.

I suggest you go take up your license first, then go dive.

Kidnapping can happen anytime. If you are really afraid then don't go.

I know people who have been there in May, June, August, November last year and some recently came back from Mabul over the past 2-3 months. I also know people who have been working there all these while. Everything is fine. I'll also be going to Pom Pom in August this year.

Just be aware of your surroundings and don't splurge or show off you have lots of money.