General
What are the main tourist attractions among the islands in Semporna, and what activities can visitors enjoy there?
Semporna is known for its beautiful small islands, with nine being especially popular for tourists. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities such as snorkeling, diving, and hiking. The main islands and their attractions are:
- Bohey Dulang – Hiking with stunning panoramic views.
- Mantabuan – Excellent snorkeling spots.
- Sibuan – Renowned for snorkeling.
- Mataking – Great for both snorkeling and diving.
- Timba-Timba – Offers snorkeling and diving opportunities.
- Pom-Pom – Known for snorkeling and diving.
- Mabul – Popular for both snorkeling and diving.
- Kapalai – Ideal for snorkeling and diving.
- Sipadan – Famous for its world-class snorkeling and divin
Other that that you can go for seawaking, 15 min boat trip from Semporna town.
Mabul Island
Where is Mabul island located?
Mabul island is located off the southeastern coast of sabah, Malaysia, near the town of Semporna.
How do i get to Mabul island?
Fly to nerest airort, Tawau Airport or Sandakan airport in Sabah and then take a land transfer to Semporna, followed by a boat transfer to Mabul Island.
What can we expect to see when diving at Mabul island?
When diving in Mabul, you can expect to encounter a diverse range of marine life. Highlights include colorful coral reefs filled with reef fish, fascinating macro creatures like frogfish and nudibranchs, and larger species such as sea turtles, stingrays, groupers, eels, shrimps, and boxfish. Mabul is also famous for its exceptional muck diving, where you can spot unique critters like flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopuses, and various types of crustaceans. Overall, Mabul offers a rich and rewarding diving experience for underwater enthusiasts of all levels.
Is diving at Mabul island suitable for beginners?
Yes !, diving in Mabul is ideal for beginners. We carefully select dive sites that are shallow, calm, and easy to navigate, ensuring beginners can dive comfortably. Despite being beginner-friendly, these dive sites offer a rich variety of marine life, including turtles, fascinating macro creatures, and other captivating underwater sights. Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable diving experience while showcasing the beauty and wonder of Mabul’s underwater world.
Apart of diving and snorkeling, What other activities can i do on Mabul island?
Island Exploration:
Take a walk or bike ride around the island to explore its natural beauty, observe local life, and discover hidden spots.
Cultural Interaction:
Visit the nearby village and interact with the friendly local community, learning about their culture, traditions, and way of life.
Photography:
Capture the stunning landscapes, the sunset, vibrant marine life, and unique moments on the island with your camera, creating lasting memories of your trip.
Sunset Watching:
Witness breathtaking sunsets from the comfort of your accommodation, enjoying the magical colours painting the sky.
Water Sports:
Engage in water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding, adding a touch of adventure to your island experience.
Culinary Delights:
Sample delicious seafood dishes and local cuisine at the island’s eateries, savoring fresh catches and flavors unique to the region. You can buy the fresh seafood such as crab, lobster, fish, etc from the Bajau people and send them to our kitchen for cook.
Stargazing:
On clear nights, marvel at the starry sky above Mabul, away from city lights, offering a mesmerizing view of the cosmos.
Can i still dive even if i don't have a diving certification?
Yes, you can! You can enroll in a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program, also known as a “try dive.” DSD is designed for individuals who want to experience scuba diving for the first time without committing to a full scuba diving certification course. It’s an opportunity for beginners to explore the underwater world under the guidance and supervision of a certified scuba instructor.
What time is the boat check-in/check-out at Mabul?
Check-in:
Boats depart from Semporna to Mabul daily at 08:30 hours. After this time, departures are less frequent and may occur around 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, or 14:00 hours. Boat check-ins after 14:00 hours are rare. Please note that there is no fixed schedule for these later departures.
Check-out:
Boats depart from Mabul to Semporna at 12:00 hours. There is no fixed schedule for earlier or later check-out times.
For more then 4 person we can arrange boat according to your time.
Sipadan package
What is Sipadan's main attraction?
Sipadan is one of the world’s best diving spots, known for its amazing underwater experiences. The waters are full of marine life like barracudas, reef sharks, sea turtles, and colorful fish. The island’s underwater landscape has steep drop-offs, coral gardens, and walls that make each dive exciting. You can also spot large creatures like hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks. With clear water and visibility up to 30 meters, exploring Sipadan’s vibrant marine life is unforgettable.
Where should I stay if I want to dive at Sipadan Island?
While Sipadan Island itself does not have accommodations, Mabul Island is a perfect place to stay. It’s a relaxed, peaceful spot where you can unwind, enjoy beautiful sunsets from our lodge, and rest after a day of diving. Staying on Mabul gives you easy access to Sipadan while also providing a serene environment to relax between dives.
How can we book a dive trip to Sipadan, and what are the requirements or certifications needed?
To ensure safety, all divers must first dive with us in Mabul island. This helps us check your skills and prepare you for Sipadan dive.
Sipadan requires minimum of Advanced Diving certification.
If you do not have a diving certification or are not yet an advanced diver, you can enroll in our PADI Open Water or PADI Advanced Open Water Course + Sipadan dive. By doing so, you can save up to RM1000.
Can we go snorkeling, freediving, participate in discovery scuba, or take a diving course in Sipadan?
Snorkeling:
Yes, snorkeling in Sipadan is allowed and offers an incredible experience! You can spot resident turtles and often see schools of barracudas, jackfish, and bumphead parrotfish in the shallow waters.
Freediving:
Not allowed in Sipadan.
Discovery Scuba Diving:
Not permitted in Sipadan.
Diving Courses:
Courses are not conducted in Sipadan. To ensure safety and enjoyment, Sipadan is reserved for certified divers and snorkelers.
How many dives will we do in Sipadan?
Sipadan, managed by Sabah Parks, now limits divers to two dives per day (previously three). To enhance your experience, we also include an additional dive at Mabul Island in your itinerary.
Scuba Diving Course
What is PADI?
PADI stands for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. It is one of the most widely recognized and respected organizations in the scuba diving industry. PADI offers a range of scuba diving courses and certifications, from beginner levels like Open Water Diver to advanced levels such as Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and beyond. View courses
What will we do during the PADI Open Water Course?
Theory and Knowledge Development: The course starts with knowledge development sessions, which can be completed through self-study using the PADI Open Water Diver manual and video or e-Learning. Topics include dive theory, equipment, dive planning, safety procedures, and marine
conservation.
Then with your instructor, you will goo for confine and open water dive for surface and under water training including equimpent management on the boat or dive center.
Training Will take 3-4 days.
With the e-learning, you can start at your home and do the tranig only in 2 days. this give you more time to do fun diving.
What is the minimum age requirement for the Open Water Course?
The minimum age for the PADI Open Water Diver course is 10 years old. Students younger than 15 can earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification.
When to go
Year-round condition
Borneo, often called “The Land Below the Wind,” doesn’t have a monsoon or typhoon season like many parts of Asia. Since it’s a tropical country, it can rain at any time, but the rain usually lasts only a couple of hours. . Mabul Island offers incredible diving year-round, but certain months are often preferred for their calm seas and great visibility. The average water temperature is around 27-30°C through out the year.
This is just a general guide:
February – June & October – December
- Calm Sea
- Visibility between 15-40 meters
- Water temperature rarely drop below 28°C.
July – September & December – January
- Maves can be slightly bigger but still manageble but fantastic condition can still occur, as weather varies year to year.
- visibility may reduced, but uts often brings closer encounters with marine life, making everydive memorable.
No matter when you visit, Sipadan and Mabul Island promise an incredible underwater experience year-round!
Travel Tips
Pack Light:
Given the boat transfers, its best to trvel light and avoid bringing large suitcase.
Plan Ahead:
Boat transfer are typically scheduled in advance, so make sure to coordinate with us to avoid missing your ride.
Currency:
There are no ATMs on mabul island, so it’s good idea to withdraw cash in Tawau or Semporna.
Diving permits:
If you’re planning to dive at Sipadan island, you’ll need a permit. These are limited and should be booked throught us in advance.
Stay Hydrated and Use Sunscreen:
The tropical sun can be intense, so drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen regularly to protect your skin.
Bring a Camera:
Capture the stunning underwater scenes and beautiful island landscapes to remember your trip.