Diving in Mabul Island: A paradise for macro divers
Mabul Island, or Pulau Mabul , is a small island located in the east of Borneo in the Celebes Sea, about 20 kilometres away from Semporna. It tends to get overshadowed by Sipadan, Borneo’s most famous diving region. The two islands are close to each other, and many divers start their trips to Sipadan from Pulau Mabul. Moreover, permits for what is generally considered Borneo’s most beautiful diving area are limited; therefore Mabul Island is a popular second-choice diving area for those who did not get a permit for Sipadan.
Fortunately, the diving spots around Mabul Island also have a lot to offer. Compared to Sipadan, there are not as many big fish and the visibility is not quite as good, but you can dive into a unique world of small, funny-looking creatures. Mabul Island is considered one of the best places in the world for muck diving, if not the very best.
As is usually the case with macro diving, visibility around Mabul Island tends to be fairly limited, at about 7 metres. The coral and seabed provide a habitat for a huge range of exotic marine life: nudibranchs, blue-ringed octopus, bobtail squid, pygmy lionfish, mantis shrimp, porcelain crabs, pygmy seahorses, hairy squat lobsters… the list goes on and on. Barracudas, mackerel and eagle and devil rays also pass by the island’s diving sites. On rare occasions, you can even see whale sharks. Many turtles also live around Pulau Mabul; often, ten or more can be seen during a single dive.
Dive sites around Mabul Island
What makes Mabul Island unique is not only the incredible diversity of its underwater life; the choice of diving sites is also outstanding. There are over 15, and many have a unique appeal. Variety is guaranteed with wall dives, many shallow coral reefs, and even a wreck. The diving sites are all quite shallow, rarely exceeding 15 metres. There is also only a slight current, making Mabul Island perfectly suitable for beginners.
Froggie's Lair
Froggie’s Lair is probably the most famous spot around Mabul – and one that represents a microcosm of the entire site. The colourful reef slopes down continuously before flattening at around 14 – 15 metres. The most exciting point is where the reef turns into sand. A breathtaking variety of underwater fauna live on both sides: nudibranchs here, flatheads there and schools of barracuda overhead. In addition, two boats were sunk here; these are fascinating too.
Seaventure
Seaventure is guaranteed to be a memorable diving adventure: the site is located about 16 metres below an old oil platform, and colourful corals have formed on its massive steel substructure over the years. Macro fans will definitely get their money’s worth: pygmy seahorses are common, and lionfish, tassel-shaped scorpionfish and leaffish also live here. Moray eel sightings are almost a daily occurrence.
Tino's Paradise
The defining feature of Tino’s Paradise is a rope that broke several years ago and has been lying on the sea bed at a depth of about 16 metres ever since. As such, a lot of corals have formed on the rope. This colourful diving highlight is now more than one meter in diameter. The adjacent sandy sea bed also has a lot to offer. You can find pygmy lionfish, stonefish, pipefish, blue-ringed octopus and many other species around Tino’s Paradise.
Diving Season
Pulau Mabul is a suitable diving destination all year round. However, the best time is during the dry season from April to November. This is when the diving conditions are best: the sea is relatively calm and visibility is good. This is also a good time for a beach vacation, as the weather is usually good and pleasantly warm. The water temperature is over 80 °F (27 °C) all year round.
The rainy season usually lasts from approximately December to March. It does not rain all day, but the regular and heavy rain is certainly noticeable. At this time, the sea is a little more turbulent and visibility is worse.
Turtles come to the beaches between May and September to lay their eggs. With a bit of luck, you will be able to experience this highlight for yourself.
How to get to Mabul Island
Mabul Island is located about 15 kilometres south of Semporna in the Celebes Sea. You can travel there via Tawau airport; from there, there is a good road connection to Semporna, which is about 80 kilometres away. The drive takes about an hour; from Semporna, it takes another 15 minutes to get to Mabul Island by boat. Check in advance with your accommodation how arrivals and departures are organised.
Accommodation in Mabul
There is a variety of accommodation on the island, from homestays and budget hotels to luxury resorts and water bungalows. Please be aware that not all accommodation offers permits for Sipadan. You must stay at least three or four nights in most of the accommodation in order to get a one-day permit. Even then, however, there is no guarantee; the longer you stay, the greater your chances of obtaining a permit will be. We recommend booking your accommodation early. Due to the limit on permits, some will already be fully booked, especially in the peak diving season from March to May.
Travel warning
In the past as well as recently, there have been kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in the marine area between the Southern Philippines and Sabah. The area includes the islands off the coast between Sandakan and Tawau and the coastal regions. Many countries have therefore been advising their citizens against travelling to Mabul Island for many years. Please consult the travel and security advice of the relevant ministry in your home country.
Our recommendation
Whether you are just coming to Malaysia for diving or planning to go diving as part of a Borneo round-trip, Mabul Island is undoubtedly worth visiting.The area is world-famous for macro diving and guarantees unique encounters – but it is also worthwhile for all other divers, with lots of turtles and sometimes even sharks and manta rays. Thanks to its proximity to Sipadan, you can combine visits to both islands perfectly. That way, you will see larger sea creatures in abundance when you get to Sipadan at the latest, if not before.
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