Borneo Divers Mabul & Sipadan – Malaysia
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Diving vacations to Mabul & Sipadan
Discover Malaysia’s hidden underwater world from the Borneo Divers Mabul Resort. Located in the heart of Mabul Island, this resort offers access to some of the best dive sites in the world, with a breathtaking variety of marine life and an unparalleled diving experience.
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort is not only a diver’s paradise, but also an ideal destination for families and vacationers who do not dive. With activities ranging from snorkeling and kayaking to beach volleyball and table tennis, there is something for everyone. Children can have fun on the trampolines, while adults can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
The highlight of your diving adventure is undoubtedly Sipadan, an island considered one of the best dive sites in the world. With a rich diversity of marine life, including hammerhead sharks, barracudas, and countless other species, Sipadan offers a diving experience every diver should have on their bucket list. Thanks to the efforts of Sabah National Parks, fish stocks in this area remain stable and protected.
Mabul Island, where you stay, offers spectacular macro-diving experiences. Here you can encounter angelfish, blue-ring octopuses and flamboyant cuttlefish, among others.
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort offers a full-service diving vacation where you can discover the splendor and diversity of Malaysia’s underwater world.
Best travel time: Diving in Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai is great year-round, but conditions vary by season. From April to October, the water is calm, warm and clear with visibility up to 30 meters. During the rainy season (November-March), currents may increase and visibility decrease, but the diving remains great with possibility of extraordinary encounters with marine life.
Good to know: Diving at Sipadan is heavily restricted. When staying a minimum of 4 days, each diver is allowed only 1 day, 2 dives at Sipadan itself. There are only a limited number of permits available so if we want to dive on Sipadan for several days, we will have to apply in advance. So the number of days of diving allowed at Sipadan depends on how long you stay there.
Sipadan Island is officially closed to all tourists and divers during the month of November each year. This is designed to protect marine life around Sipadan in an effort to ensure that Sipadan remains one of the best dive sites in the world.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Malaysia
A shorty or full 3mm wetsuit is perfect since the water is around 28/29 C.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 - The journey to Malaysia
Your journey from Europe to Tawau begins with a flight to Kuala Lumpur, often with a transfer, which takes between 15 and 18 hours. Sometimes it is possible to fly direct and then the flight time is about 13 hrs.
Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur, you have two options. If times permit, you can choose to fly directly on to Tawau, your final destination. This is an additional flight of about three hours that takes you deep into the heart of Borneo, where Tawau is located.
However, if you arrive in Kuala Lumpur late or just feel the need to rest after a long flight, it is possible to take a hotel near the airport.
Day 3 - On the road to Mabul
Once you arrive in Tawau, there are two transfer options from the airport to Semporna jetty, one at 08:30 and the other at 10:30. During this transfer, you will have the opportunity to observe Sabah’s vibrant landscape as you travel to the jetty. Once you arrive in Semporna, your crossing to Borneo Divers Mabul Resort will begin. There are two transfers from Semporna jetty to the resort, one at 10:00 and the other at 12:30.
The boat ride to the resort is an experience in itself. During this 30- to 40-minute trip, you can enjoy the beautiful tropical scenery. The arrival at Mabul is truly breathtaking, with the resort rising against the horizon like a perfect postcard.
Once you arrive at Borneo Divers Mabul Resort, the check-in process follows, followed by a visit to the diving school. Here you will meet the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will help orient you and get you ready for your diving adventures.
Day 4 to 13 - Diving around Mabul, Sipadan and Kapalai
The Borneo Diver 5-Star Dive Center is a busy and welcoming dive facility directly adjacent to the resort. The dive center is built on the water about 150 meters from the resort. It has its own confined water training area for new divers and one of the best house reefs in the region. The professional and experienced team of dive guides is passionate and knowledgeable about the marine ecosystem around Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai, making every dive unforgettable.
The dive package includes 3 boat dives per day with a divemaster, except on arrival and departure days. In addition, you have access to unlimited house reef diving, directly from the resort’s jetty, without a guide.
Night dives only take place on the house reef and you must be at least AOW or similarly certified to do so.
Day 14 & 15 - Return home
After breakfast, get ready for departure. Around 9 a.m., you will begin your journey to Tawau Airport, catching the last glimpses of Sabah’s enchanting landscape.
Once you arrive at Tawau Airport, prepare for the afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur. The plane usually takes off after 3 p.m., with which your last view of Borneo slowly disappears on the horizon. As you fly toward Kuala Lumpur, you will begin the next and final part of your journey: the return to Europe.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort is a resort that offers a perfect balance between action and relaxation. It is the ideal place to discover the beauty of Borneo’s marine life while enjoying a comfortable stay.
The resort’s facilities are designed to meet the needs of each guest. For diving enthusiasts, there is the fully equipped diving school. But Borneo Divers Mabul Resort is not just a diver’s paradise. There are numerous other recreational facilities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, beach volleyball and trampolines. There are also table tennis, pool table or foosball facilities.
For meals, visit the resort’s restaurant, which serves a variety of local and international dishes. Expect dishes from the Malaysian, Asian, Chinese and Western cuisine. BBQ dinners are very popular and organized regularly. Er are also a number of lounges and bars where you can have a drink.
The resort features 32 luxury villa rooms divided into four units with ocean or garden views, 30 Executive Beach Chalet rooms for more privacy and 10 standard rooms with basic amenities. During this trip, you will stay in an Executive Beach Chalet.
The Executive Beach Chalet is spacious and comfortable, measuring 34 square meters. You have a choice between two large single beds or a large king-size bed. The bed is very comfortable and provides the perfect place to relax after a long day of diving. The chalet has air conditioning, a safe, en-suite bathroom with a hairdryer and coffee/tea making facilities.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is US$ 3.051 per person based on two people in one Executive Beach Chalet. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from US$ 3.051 p.p.
- 11 nights in an Executive Beach Chalet
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Return transfers from Tawau airport via Semporna to the resort
- 3 boat dives per day at Mabul and Kapalai
- 1 day with 2 boat dives at Sipadan
- Unlimited house reef diving day 4 to 13
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Return flight to Kuala Lumpur from US$ 842
- Return flight to Tawau from US$ 105
- Tourist tax approx. US$ 2 per diem
- Sipadan only; Conservation Fee approx. US$ 23 per diem
- Sipadan only; Diving Fee ca. US$ 79 per diem
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe.
However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide.
Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Nitrox approx. US$ 6 per dive
- Diving equipment approx. US$ 21 per diem
- Hotel nights in Tawau or Kuala Lumpur if necessary approx. US$ 95 per night
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general
You will make boat dive dives here at various sites in Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai. In addition, you can dive on the house reef from the jetty.
Sipadan is about a 25-minute boat ride away and the other dive sites are even closer.
Up to 3 boat dives per day and unlimited on the house reef.
Yes, you may night dive on the house reef.
Yes definitely! Directly from the jetty of the dive shop you dive on the house reef.
A huge variety of PADI courses are taught here. Above all, ask us about the possibilities.
The diving school is about a 150-meter walk, across the jetty, from the resort.
Diving equipment
Both are present.
Yes definitely, filled with air there is no additional cost. Nitrox is at an additional charge.
Nitrox is available for approx. €6 per tank.
Yes, the cost is €20 per day. Includes computer. Diving with a computer is mandatory.
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