Mabul Island

Pulau Mabul

Just 15 minutes by boat from Sipadan, Mabul is the resort base and a world-famous muck diving mecca. It is also the main choice for earning a dive certification and staying in overwater bungalows.

Mabul is a low, flat sand island about 2 km around. Half of the island is Bajau and Suluk fishing villages. The other half holds more than a dozen resorts, ranging from luxury options such as Sipadan Water Village and the Mabul Water Bungalows on stilts, to Seaventures Dive Rig, converted from a retired oil drilling platform, to backpacker wooden huts and dive-shop dormitories. Every budget is covered, and most Sipadan permits are allocated through these resorts. Mabul itself is famous for muck diving. Its shallow, gently sloping sandy bottom and artificial reefs are home to small creatures such as flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorses, leaf fish, blue-ringed octopus and mimic octopus, making it a paradise for underwater macro photographers. Paradise 1 and 2, Eel Garden and Froggy Lair are representative dive sites. Beneath the jetty, there are many glassfish and lionfish, which makes it ideal for snorkeling and training. Most Chinese visitors take their OW or AOW courses here (3–4 days, about RM 1,200–1,800) and apply for Sipadan permits at the same time. Getting there: speedboats from the Semporna pier take about 45 minutes, and most resorts include round-trip transfers. Tips: stay 3–4 nights, dive during the day, take a 30-minute walk around the island in the evening to see the fishing villages and the sunset, and try a night dive to see bioluminescent creatures. Notes: the island has no freshwater rivers, so water and electricity are supplied by the resorts, and please conserve water. There is a lot of litter in the village areas, and living conditions are basic, so please do not feed or give things to children. There is a military and police post on the island, so do not head out to sea on your own at night.

Mabul Island

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby