Diving in Mabul
Macro Paradise
Most people who come to dive the Sipadan area stay on nearby Mabul Island and their diving experience is a combination of Sipadan's walls and big fish action and Mabul's macro sites and critters.
Mabul is a small sandy island with coconut trees, dive resorts and a local fishing village, and only 25 minutes or so from Sipadan itself. It has long lived in the shadow of its famous neighbour but is now emerging as a dive destination in its own right.
As critter-diving has increased in popularity many divers come here, not for the big fish action of Sipadan, but for the incredible array of macro-life to be seen in Mabul. Sandy sea-beds, coral outcrops, small walls and artificial reefs and jetties, are all home to some of the seas most amazing little creatures.
It is often a good sign when underwater photographers are around and there are always a few diving in Mabul (often only here, and not Sipadan!), so you can be sure there are a wealth of interesting sights lurking in every nook and cranny around the island.
Highlights
Froggy Lair - Typically for Mabul, this site is full of wonderful critters and a keen pair of eyes can be treated to sights such as crocodilefish, an awesome variety of nudibranchs, garden eels, mantis shrimps and, as the name of the site suggests, lots of different species of frogfish in various colours and sizes. Photographers tend to love the line up of critters here and if you are lucky you may even spot the likes of a flamboyant cuttlefish and blue-ringed octopus.
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How to Dive Mabul
Staying in a resort here means that on days when you are not diving Sipadan, you can concentrate on all the local sites around the island where the critters abound.
There are several resorts on the island that should have something for everyone, from a budget resort to stilted bungalow luxury. There is also 1 liveaboard in the area which stays overnight at Mabul Island and from which you can dive many of the local dive sites. See our Malaysia resorts section for more details.
Diving Season
You can dive in Mabul year round with the best conditions occurring outside the rainy season which occurs normally between December and March. However the weather and diving conditions are often very good at this time too.
Reef Summary
Good for: Small animals, underwater photography and beginner divers
Not so good for: Visibility and non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - 20m
Visibility: 5 - 15m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 27 - 29°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: 12
Distance: 12 km (25 minutes) north from Sipadan and 5 km west of Kapalai
Access: Diving resorts
Recommended length of stay: 5 - 14 days, including Mabul, Sipadan and Kapalai
Dive Site Descriptions
For more information on the detailed Mabul dive sites:
• Mabul Island tourist information
View a map of:
• Sabah - Borneo - Malay Peninsula
• Scuba diving vacation enquiries
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