MABUL ISLANDS

ABOUT MABUL ISLAND

Mabul itself is a small island, currently with 4 resorts in the area, 1 converted oil rig stationed just in the shallow waters off Mabul , a bajau fishing village, a mosque, a school and an admin centre for the village. Just to the left of Sipadan Village Resort are several stalls selling all sorts of seashells. Please do not buy them as you may have been informed that it is an offence to take anything of this sort out of Malaysia and could be an offence to take them into your home country too.

young girl pumping water

Just to the back of Borneo Divers Resort is the village. A stroll round showed us how basic their lives are out here in the vast Indo-Pacific Ocean. Mostly fisherman, the bajau laut has always been noted in history accounts of being hostile and were better know in the old days as sea gypsies. Sea Gypsies had a notorious reputation of being ruthless to visiting boats. Progress has changed all that now. Many have turned to living on land and making a life out of fishing. Even so, please as a visitor on the island do dress appropriately if you intend to visit the village. They are conservative and don't take to visitors disrespecting their way-of-life much.

But Mabul has a beauty and it's not the kind you may get at Sipadan. Having been quite used to diving on coral reefs, diving in Mabul is as much a WOW! as being on coral reef. At Mabul it's called 'muck diving'. Not familiar with the term, we were not too sure that we would actually appreciate wading and finning through muck. But once we got accustomed to the fact that we've hit rock bottom..the only way to go is macro. Apparently, 'Muck Diving' was coined by a bunch of divers on a liveaboard

keeping the goats in the pen, the yard tidy and grandchildren clean

down in PNG (Papua New Guinea). Nothing to do in the evening possibly prompted an adventurous diver to jump off the boat and into the silty yonder just below the hull. Muck diving is usually in conditions where divers scour the silty, sandy shallow beds for the weird and wonderful creatures that hunt and breed and live in this seemingly barren area. Visibility is usually pretty poor but vis is not a priority in muck diving. Underwater photographers get to take their time taking as many pics as they like in conditions good for them and for the environment. No thrashing divers, no broken corals and no broken hearts.. (for the environmentalists at least)

some creatures you dont have to dive to see. this young banded sea krait was seen slithering across the bar floor. It was caught and quickly released into the water

We saw as many creatures muck diving as we did diving on the pristine coral reefs at Komodo/Flores and perhaps even more! It was simply amazing. And when muck diving, don't shrug off debris on the beds, such as old tyres, concrete blocks, bottles etc. there may be lots of creatures taking cover.

Things to do & see: 
1. Diving trip to world famous Sipadan Island
2. Enjoy Coral gardens
3. Underwater photography
4. Exploring the fine beaches
5. Visit the fishermen villages
6. Enjoy Snorkeling day trip

 The best diving resorts to stay should be:
· Sipadan Water Village – With its stunning Bajau architectural design, Sipadan Water Village is simply breathtaking.
· Sipadan Mabul Resort – Sipadan Mabul Resort (SMART) is a assortment of semi-detached bungalows spread throughout coconut grove around the south-east of Mabul Island looking over the ocean
· Mabul Water Bungalows – Mabul Water Bungalows is a new floating resort located on the Coast of Mabul Island
· Borneo Divers Mabul Resort – Occupying a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach on Mabul island, Borneo Divers Mabul Resort provides effortless water access for shore and boat diving
· Seaventures Dive Resort – Seaventures Dive Resort was once an oil-drilling rig but has since been decommissioned and  now stands in the crystal clear waters off the Coast of Mabul Island.

How to get the Mabul Island ??
By Air Flights to Tawau Airport, the nearest airport to Mabul, from Kota Kinabalu take 55 minutes. From Kuala Lumpur it takes 2 and a half hours to get to Tawau, you then need to take a bus, taxi or minivan from Tawau airport to Semporna and from the jetty take a boat organised by your dive operators or resort to the Island.

MABUL RESORT 

 
Sipadan-Mabul Resort – PADI 5* DIVE RESORT

Overlooking turquoise blue waters and a pristine white sand beach, Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART) is a beautiful hotel resort built in the style of the local Bajau architecture.
Sipadan-Mabul Resort is the perfect choice for divers, couples and families seeking beach side facilities while diving Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai Islands.

 

Rooms & Chalets

Sipadan-Mabul Resort features 45 luxury ensuite chalets and can accommodate a total of 90 guests.
There are 22 spacious detached chalets and 23 semi-detached chalets.
All the chalets have the following amenities:

• Twin-Sharing Room (Triple/Family sharing upon request)
• Front Verandah
• Air-conditioning
• Ceiling Fan
• Mini-Bar
• Couch
• Coffee and tea making facilities
• En suite bathroom with shower and bathtub
• Basic toiletries
• Bath towels
• 220 volts electrical point
• 24 hours electricity
• Flyscreened windows

Sipadan-Mabul Resort is the perfect base for divers, couples and families seeking the tranquility of Mabul island life.

Scuba Diving - SMART Divers
Sipadan-Mabul Resort combines the magic of diving Sipadan along with the amazing Mabul macro-life.
Other diving trips include the islands of Si Amil, Mataking or Ligitan Island.
There is unlimited unguided shore dives at the House Reef right in front of the resort where you will see many species such as Mandarin Fish, Frogfish, Pipefish, Gobies, Shrimp, Crab, and Lobster.
Journey time to Sipadan Island from Sipadan Mabul Resort is only 20 minutes.
The dive center (SMART Divers) is a PADI Gold Palm Resort offering Dive courses, Nitrox and technical dives.
PADI Courses, TDI Technical Diving Courses, and introductory dives are available.
PADI Recreational Diving Courses

• Discover Scuba Diving
• Open Water Scuba Diver
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Specialty Courses
• EFR & Rescue Diver
• Divemaster

Technical Diver Education

• TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver
• TDI Decompression Procedures
• TDI Extended Range (Deep Air) Diver
• TDI Introductory Cave Diver
• TDI or PADI Cavern Diver
• Technical Diving Divemaster

Other Activities & Entertainment While not diving or snorkeling, guests can enjoy the following activities:

• Relax at the swimming pool and at the warm outdoor jacuzzi.
• Sea kayaking equipment is available for rent.
• Beach volleyball.
• Spa and massage services at the Ka'andaman Spa.
• Underwater Photography Courses and Services.
• Shows under the open air pavillion.
• Visit the local traditionial village and its smiling people.
• Sunset walk.

 

MAPS 

contact us :-

Asia Dive Holidays S.B.
Kolam Centre, Jalan Lintas, 88000
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
asiadiveholidays(at)gmail.com
Tel: +60-88257669
Fax: +60-88264639

- NURUL AFIQAH BINTI AZMI