Get bewitched by the nature’s beauty.
Most people that set foot here have only one thing in mind - scuba diving. Mabul has not only become famous for its proximity to Sipadan, but also has a reputation as one of the best “muck” diving sites in the area- due to its shallow waters and low visibility. The abundance of underwater life and the unique topography offers an adrenalin-filled diving experience.
Getting There
Things to see and do
Hotels & Resorts
Photo Gallery
Getting there
Mabul Island is located in the Celebes Sea, off the coast of Borneo. It is in Malaysia’s most eastern state, Sabah, and can be reached within half an hour by speedboat from the closest town on the mainland, Semporna. The closest airport to Semporna is in Tawau, approximately 1 hour away. Your resort can arrange transport (usually by air-conditioned minivan) from the airport to Semporna.
Speedboats to Mabul depart from Semporna, a small fishing town on Malaysian Borneo, and trips there and back are arranged by the resorts. The boat trip takes around 20-30 minutes. Diving trips to Mabul are also arranged by the dive resort on nearby Kapalai island
Apart from obvious snorkeling and diving, one can either opt for visiting a Sea Gypsy village. Around 2000 villagers are called Bajau, which is a term used for small tribes and ethnicities found in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Bajau are a people that have lived in the region for hundreds of years and are often called Sea Gypsies, because of their nomadic lifestyle. While most are Malaysian citizens, many are immigrants from the neighbouring Philippines, often without legal documents.
Those wanting to be more active can explore the island on mountain bike or paddle around it in a kayak, both for rent at the Sipadan Mabul Resort. There is also an option of beach volleyball. Those that want to make the most of a trip should combine their stay on Mabul with a few days on the mainland of Malaysian Borneo. (see http://www.sabahtourism.com/ for more information).