Mention Mabul Island and visions of swaying coconut trees and idyllic water villages come to mind. And that’s just above the water. Located only about 15 minutes by speedboat from the famous Sipadan Island, Mabul has gained its own recognition as one of the best muck-diving (a term used to describe limited visibility dives at shallow sites with usually sandy bottoms) sites in the world.

Mabul is a small oval shaped island fringed by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger 200-hectare reef. The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 25–30m deep.

Mabul is also renowned for its amazing array of macrolife, making it an underwater photographer’s dream location to capture some of the rarest ecological species on film. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fin gobies, frogfish and moray eels are just some of the spectacular critters you will encounter beneath the waters of Mabul.

Although all the excitement is underwater, you can always set your scuba gear aside for a day to laze on Mabul’s soft sand to work on your tan.
Where to stay

When in Mabul, opt to stay in any one of these excellent resorts:

1. Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
2. Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (Sipadan-Mabul Resort)
3. Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
4. Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd

How to get there

From Kota Kinabalu, take a 55-minute flight to Tawau and enjoy an hour’s drive to Semporna. From here, Mabul is another 45 minutes by speedboat. Be sure to pre-arrange transportation with your respective resort/dive operator.

Source: Tourism Sabah

Redang Island is indeed one of Malaysia’s most idyllic islands. This tropical paradise offers pearly-white sandy beaches, sparkling clear seawater, lovely sunrises and spectacular marine life. Its marvellous marine fish varieties, turtles and huge range of coral reefs make it a wonderful diving spot and its diverse coral species are said to be among the best in the world.



The islands offer an amazing snorkeling experience in crystal clear waters. Spectacular marine lives and diverse species of hard and soft corals in the clear, aquamarine waters will definitely thrill snorkelers and divers. Here, manta rays, reef sharks, barracudas and turtles roam freely in their natural habitat, un-amazed to the flashing lights of the diver’s underwater camera.



Pulau Kapas is indeed an ideal family retreat. Resorts and budget chalets dotted the beachfront providing facilities for visitors. Swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving in crystal clear waters are recommended or indulge in fishing, squid fishing, jungle trekking and canoeing.



Pulau Gemia is a self contained island of superb natural beauty, perfect for your private holiday, whether you are looking for fun and adventure, or rest and relaxation. It is a privately-owned island 800 metres next to Pulau Kapas.


This island boast one of the deepest waters in the east coast and it is a haven for divers looking for thrilling night dives. Hard and soft corals of different types add a dash of color to the monochromatic escape while the underwater creature-eels, crabs, turtles and baby sharks will definitely amaze divers and are found abundance in their undisturbed habitat

Source: Tourism Terengganu

It is not only a wonderful spot for a peaceful vacation, but also one of the most wanted places in the world for a great diving experience. Even more, the fabulous Sipadan hosts a stunning variety of animals and plants, including rare species of turtles and the outstanding coral reefs. Overall, this is virtually a natural paradise, where you will definitely have the time of your life.



Tioman is the biggest island on Malaysia’s east coast. Said to be the home of Malaysian diving, Tioman’s diving opportunities do not fail to impress as most of the time the waters are clear resulting in diverse diving choices.



Langkawi isn’t just one big island, but a collection of around 100 islands that form an archipelago. While most are uninhabited, a few have been designated for tourism so that visitors from all over the world can admire and appreciate the magical beauty of Langkawi.



Redang island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. This paradise-like island offers crystal clear water, pearly white shores, a colorful array of spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset and what could be the world's most mature coral gardens.



Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil are surrounded by beautiful palm-fringed sandy beaches andcrystal-clear turquoise-blue sea. A trip to this lush and exotic tropical island is a must for all nature lovers and those who enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, swimming, wind surfing, sailing, boating and canoeing.