Mabul Beach Resort is an economy and eco-friendly dive resort located on Mabul Island, just a hop and a skip away from the world-famous Sipadan National Park. It is managed by an international and award-winning dive operation with a reputation of being customer-centric, safety-conscious and environmentally friendly. Ethics that their loyal guests have come to know and love and come back for time and time again. With 30 en-suite rooms situated on the beachfront, treat yourself to a little luxury at incredible prices.
At Mabul Beach Resort you can spend the day snorkelling or scuba diving at nearby Sipadan, Malaysia's premiere dive destination famed for its walls, turtles, reef sharks, as well as big schools of trevally, barracuda and bumphead parrotfish. The resort has more visitor Sipadan visitor permits than all the others, meaning it has the most generous 'Diving at Sipadan' policy - guests can dive there almost daily if they desire. You can also dive at Mabul and Kapalai, both renowned for the excellent critter hunting. The resort is unique in offering diving at nearby Si Amil, a location famed for its rare macro sightings, as well as big ray encounters. The dive center is well equipped with the newest scuba gear of the highest quality. They can service up to 100 divers a day with 100 world-class sites to choose from!
There is a range of room categories for all budgets, from VIP A/C rooms to shared dormitories, and the resort diving packages are inclusive of all meals. Wake up and chill out on your own private balcony, take a swim over our house reef before enjoying breakfast, lunch, or dinner, buffet style in the large open plan restaurant. The menu includes an array of Western and local style food, an abundance of fruit, starters, salads, and soups, as well as vegetarian options.
In the evenings you can enjoy a cold beer, gin and tonic, or a glass of wine while sharing stories with your new dive buddies, either in the spacious panoramic bar, or watch the sunset with a cold drink at the brand new jetty bar. The spacious licensed upper floor bar gives you the chance to enjoy a cold beverage (beer, wine, spirit with mixer or soft drinks), ice-cream and snacks, whilst taking in the breezy treetop views of the Celebes Sea. The brand new jetty bar is located next to the dive centre. Here you can relax in between dives whilst enjoying the ocean breeze, or watch the sunset at the end of the day with a cold drink in your hand. Join us for a drink or two, swap stories with your fellow divers, play cards and board games, or just sit back and enjoy the view! You will often hear staff playing the guitar, singing and dancing to some of the local songs, or celebrating a birthday or two.
Mabul Beach Resort embraces its eco-friendliness and believes that marine conservation starts at home. They have taken several key steps to achieve this, including waste and water recycling, renewable energy systems, and banning the use of single use plastics. The resort also has a 'no seafood' policy. The dive centre also operates the Mabul Turtle Hatchery which has so far released over 17,000 turtle hatchlings. Guests are invited to witness this fascinating spectacle. For their commitment to conservation they received the Wild Asia Award for the Protection of Wild Species, as well as being voted 'The Best Dive Center or Resort' in the world in the Dive Travel awards 2020. The resort has also featured in many documentaries for the BBC, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.
Click 'Request' to send an inquiry for your preferred dive package:
All Year Round 2024 - 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Accommodation and Sipadan Dive Package (per person based on twin share):
Stay
Sipadan Days / Mabul Days
Dives
Dormitory
Ensuite Fan
Deluxe AC
VIP AC
3D/2N
2 / 1
9
US$ 649
US$ 672
US$ 695
US$ 741
4D/3N
3 / 1
12
US$ 881
US$ 915
US$ 950
US$ 1,019
5D/4N
3 / 1
12
US$ 917
US$ 963
US$ 1,009
US$ 1,101
6D/5N
4 / 1
15
US$ 1,126
US$ 1,183
US$ 1,241
US$ 1,356
7D/6N
5 / 1
18
US$ 1,335
US$ 1,404
US$ 1,473
US$ 1,612
Other package details are available on request.
Single Supplement
Ensuite Fan: US$ 24 per night
Deluxe AC: US$ 36 per night
VIP AC: US$ 36 per night
High season supplement
US$ 6 per person per night is applicable on the following dates:
5-15 February 2024
28 March - 15 April 2024
15 May - 15 September 2024
1-7 October 2024
15 December 2024 - 5 January 2025
Transfer Times
To Mabul: 8 AM for 3 and 4 day package. 8 AM or 2:30 PM for 5, 6 and 7 day package.
To Semporna: 4 PM for 3 and 4 day package. 10 AM or 4 PM for 5, 6 and 7 day package.
Child policy: Children under 12 sharing a room with 2 adults will receive half-price accommodation at Mabul Beach Resort.
Destinations:Sipadan Island (Diving environment: wall diving, drift diving, advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: shark action, turtles, schooling fish/big pelagics),
Si Amil (Diving environment: wall diving, advanced divers, off-the-beaten-track; Highlights: turtles, schooling fish/big pelagics, great macro life/marine diversity), and Mabul (Diving environment: beginner & advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: great macro life/marine diversity), and Kapalai (Diving environment: beginner & advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: great macro life/marine diversity).
On Sipadan day trips, there will be 2 dives in Sipadan and 1 dive in Mabul. Alternatively it will be a 3-dive day at Si Amil, or around Mabul or Kapalai. The number of dives quoted in the packages above is based on 3 dives per full diving day. Due to the Sipadan and Si Amil sites being of a more advanced nature, for the safety and enjoyment of all of guests, your first day of diving will not be at either Si Amil or Sipadan.
Note:
* Mabul Beach Resort can offer a guaranteed visit to Sipadan Island to all guests that stay a minimum of 2 nights. Since the resort has access to a lot of permits, additional trips to Sipadan are also available. There is a dive n stay package to satisfy most requests - simply tell us what you want.
* Note, it is mandatory for all guests to have at least an Advanced Open Water certification to dive in Sipadan. Permits to Sipadan island are not transferable.
* If you have not been diving in 12 months or more, you will be required to participate in a refresher session as part of your first day of diving. There is no additional fee for this.
Resort diving includes:
Dives (as detailed in the packages above), scuba equipment, boat rides to sites, experienced English-speaking divemaster (maximum 4 divers per guide), 12 litre tanks (yoke and DIN), weights and weightbelt. Diving excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own):
Sipadan park permit fees US$ 104 per visit to be paid in advance, dive insurance (can be purchased on site). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card). Optional extras:
Night dives, scuba computer, torch, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (excl. Sipadan dives: US$ 6 per tank), 15 litre tanks, DIN adaptors, U/W camera rental. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card). Note: prices of items purchased on site are subject to change. Important note: All divers must take their passport and diving license (minimum: advanced), or a printed copy of it, to the Sipadan Island marine park office for presentation. The Sipadan authorities do not accept a digital copy of a diving license and divers that are unable to verify their qualification status will not be permitted to dive.
Resort accommodation includes:
Bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, hot drinks, snacks, internet access, scheduled round trip resort transfers from Semporna, Semporna jetty fee, 8% sales and service tax (SST). Accommodation excludes (mandatory):
Malaysian tourism accommodation tax (US$ 2 per room per night, payable in cash at the resort). For single travellers that arrive or depart on dates with no other resort paying guests, there is a supplement of US$ 35 each way for airport-resort transfers (payable in advance). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (bank card only). Single Supplement:
This is optional - solo travelers may choose to pay the regular price and agree to share accommodation, or pay an additional charge for the sole occupancy of double/twin accommodation. Solo travelers must follow the planned land and boat transfers in/ou Optional extras:
Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, transfers between Tawau Airport and Semporna (pay for in cash direct to driver). Single supplement on single travellers only (payable in advance). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.
How to get there:
The closest airport to Semporna is Tawau airport (TWU), around a 90 minute drive away. An airport transfer can be arranged in advance. Mabul Beach Resort is located along the northern beachfront of Mabul Island, is approximately a 1-hour boat speed-boat ride from Semporna and they have 2 scheduled boat transfers per day between Semporna and Mabul. From Semporna to Mabul:
- 8 am: No flights land early enough to meet this boat transfer so you will need to overnight in Semporna prior to this transfer. This is also our day trip boat so you can still join us for a full day of diving or snorkelling with this transfer - please do ensure you depart from Semporna swim-ready!
- 2.30 pm: To catch this transfer boat, please ensure that your flight (if applicable) lands at Tawau Airport no later than 12 noon. This is a dedicated transfer boat and no same-day diving activities would be possible with this transfer, although you can still snorkel on the house reef. Recommended Tawau arrival flights:
From Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Airlines: MH4706 (07:00-07:55); Air Asia: AK6268, (06:25-07:25), AK6274 (09:05-10:00), AK6274 (10:00-10:50), Firefly: FY2520 (07:00-07:55).
From Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Airlines: MH2660 (07:15-10:10); Air Asia: AK5744 (06:05-09:05), AK5746 (08:20-11:15); Batik Air OD1900 (08:00-11:00). From Mabul to Semporna:
- 10 am: This is a dedicated transfer boat and no diving activities are possible on the morning of this transfer. Please ensure your flight (if applicable) departs from Tawau Airport no earlier than 2 pm. If you wish to fly earlier then you will need to check out 1 day before and sleep in Semporna the night before your flight.
- 4 pm: If you do not plan to dive, please ensure your departure flight is 8:30 pm or later to synchronise with this transfer. This is also our day trip boat - so you can still make a full day of diving/snorkelling with this transfer. If you are diving on your last day, plan for the minimum recommended 18 hours of no-fly time; dives usually finish at 4 pm latest so the earliest you should plan to fly is 10 am the following day. Recommended Tawau departure flights:
To Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Airlines: MH4680 (19:20-20:10); Air Asia: AK5749 (16:00-18:50), AK6265 (15:00-15:50), AK6271 (16:35-17:25), AK6263 (18:50-19:45); Firefly:
FY2523 (19:20-20:10).
To Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Airlines: MH2665 (18:15-21:05); Air Asia: AK5749 (16:05-18:50) ), AK5752 (21:40-00:30), Firefly: FY7693 (18:15-21:05).
Please note that the transfer boats are approx. 35 ft speed boats. They have a roof, but the sides are open. This can mean that if conditions are windy, wavy or rainy, there is a chance that you might get wet. We highly recommend using a dry bag for any non-waterproof items such as phones, vapes, lighters etc., during the boat rides to and from Mabul.
For more information see our Sipadan resorts travel section. Flight information changes frequently, you are responsible for booking the correct flights.
Dive clubs and group discounts:
None.
Add-on package:
If this is your only planned visit to Borneo Malaysia then we strongly recommend that you consider a 2 night add-on stay at the Sepilok Nature Resort, Sandakan in Sabah, to allow you to witness the not-to-be-missed jungle adventures with orang-utans.
The resort can accommodate 88 guests - 4 in 2 x VIP A/C rooms, 16 in 8 x Deluxe Double A/C rooms, 36 in 12 x Deluxe Triple A/C rooms, 4 in 1 x Deluxe Family A/C room, 8 in 4 x Ensuite Fan Double rooms, 4 in 2 x Ensuite Fan Twin rooms, and 16 in 4 x 4-bed mixed-gender dormitories.
The spacious air-conditioned VIP rooms are for couples as each has a king size bed, air conditioning as well as a ceiling fan, a private ensuite bathroom with solar heated hot shower, a safe, and an extended balcony over the beach offering a partial sea view. The VIP AC rooms are the closest rooms to the beach and ocean and are the only ones with partial sea-views.
The Deluxe A/C rooms are the most popular choice and feature either a king size bed or a king size bed with an additional single bed. They are suitable for twin or triple share. All Deluxe rooms come with air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, a safe, a private bathroom with solar heated hot water shower, and a private balcony with garden view.
The Deluxe A/C Family room has a king size bed and 1 set of single bunk beds. It is suitable for 2 adults and 2 children, or up to 4 adults. The room comes with air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, a safe, a private bathroom with solar heated hot water shower, and a private balcony with garden view.
The En-suite Fan rooms are perfect for guests looking for clean, comfortable and affordable accommodation with the option of a king size bed or 2 single beds. The rooms have a ceiling fan, a private ensuite bathroom with solar heated hot shower, and a balcony with garden view.
The dormitories are perfect for solo travellers and groups or couples on a budget. There are 4 dormitories, each having 2 sets of 2 single bunk-beds (sleeps a total of 4 people per room), ceiling & stand-up fans, ensuite bathroom, and a balcony. Dormitory accommodation is mixed, with male & female travellers sharing the same room. Individual lockers are provided for storing small bags and valuable items, and there are plenty of power plugs to charge your electronics.
Treat yourself to a little luxury at incredible prices at Mabul Beach Resort.
Mabul Beach Resort is operated by Scuba Junkie, which is an international dive operation and a PADI 5-Star IDC Resort with high standards that has your safety as their top concern at all times. Group sizes are a maximum of 4 divers per guide, and your guide will be a certified PADI Divemaster or Instructor. We organize all groups according to diving certification and experience level, so that everyone can get the most out of their dives. Care for the environment runs deep through the company, and they take great pride in conservation work. They have responsible diving guidelines in place, which all staff are trained to adhere to. They brief and encourage all guests to follow correct protocols and respect the marine environment.
Last but definitely not least, they will ensure that you have great fun on all your 60-minute dives and the friendly crew will always be waiting for you at the end of the day to log your dives. You will arrive as a guest but leave as a member of the Scuba Junkie family.
The dive boats are 35 ft / 10.5m long fiberglass roofed speedboats with a carrying capacity of 14. Dive site locations are assigned the day before based on weather, waves, requests, and where you have already been. If you have a particular dive site request- please let the dive team know! Sipadan trips: Depart Mabul 6-7 am, 1st dive Sipadan 7:30-8:30 am, 2nd dive Sipadan 10-11 am, lunch, 3rd dive Mabul or Kapalai 1-2 pm, return to Mabul jetty 2:30-3:30 pm. Kapalai trips: Depart Mabul 8-9 am, 1st dive 8:30-9:30 am, 2nd dive 10:45-11:45 am, lunch, 3rd dive 1:15-2:15 pm, return to Mabul jetty 3:30 pm. It is not possible to go on Kapalai in-between diving/snorkeling since it is a private island resort. Mabul trips: 1st dive departs 8-9 am, 2nd dive departs 11:30 am - 12 noon, 3rd dive departs 2:15-2:30 pm Si Amil trips: Depart Mabul 7:15 am, 1st dive 8:15-9:15 am, 2nd dive 10:45-11:45 am, lunch, 3rd dive 1:15-2:15 pm, return to Mabul jetty 3:30 pm.
Note: Mabul Beach Resort is the only operator on Mabul that schedules dives at Si Amil. This beautiful island has something for everyone and is just a 45 minute boat ride away from Mabul and offers an incredible variety of marine life. From very rare macro creatures, such as Rhinopia, Ambon scorpionfish, blue ring octopus and sea-horses, to dives into the blue with exciting opportunities to see vast numbers of devil rays and eagle rays. With sandy bottom dive sites, and coral walls, how could you not love this spectacular gem?
The night dives on Mabul are incredible and highly recommended at least once during your stay. All night dives are guided by one of the dive guides. They are conducted on the house reef between 6-7:30 pm nightly. To join a night dive, you must be a minimum open water level certified and have done at least one day dive with us to ensure you are comfortable with our guides and equipment before embarking on a night dive.
It's not all about scuba diving - non-divers can also join the dive boats and enjoy snorkelling on the beautiful reefs here in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Each trip is designed to give you plenty of time in the water exploring 3 different spots around the island as well as some time to relax. Depending on numbers, snorkelers will either join the scheduled dive boats or have their own dedicated snorkelling boat, either way the guides will be on hand to help with safety advice, tips on the best places to snorkel, as well as helping you identify cool marine life. All snorkel trips are guided by dive professionals.
Nitrox is available for dives at Mabul and Kapalai. Divers planning to use nitrox must be enriched air certified and use a dive computer. Nitrox is not available for Sipadan dives due to the risk of down currents. Please do inform us at the time of booking if you prefer to dive on nitrox as there are a limited number of tanks available.
For guests traveling with their own scuba equipment, there are personal lockers where they can keep all their dive gear together during your stay. Open showers on the jetty to rinse. Fresh water tanks on the jetty to wash gear. Guests must wash their mask/fins/wetsuit/weights if renting, staff will wash BCD and regulators; staff will carry tanks, BCD and regulators onto the boats, customers must carry the rest.
The dive centre has a full range of PADI training courses.
There is a decompression chamber in Semporna for emergencies, if needed.