Located near Sipadan Island, Borneo Divers Mabul Resort is a well-established dive destination offering budget-friendly dive & stay packages. With world-class macro diving at Mabul and Kapalai, plus access to the legendary Sipadan, it's a haven for underwater enthusiasts. Over the past 40 years, the resort has grown into one of the largest in the region, featuring over 100 rooms, so availability is rarely an issue!
Diving here is the perfect mix of Sipadan's big fish action (reef sharks, barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, and turtles) ad Mabul's incredible macro life. The resort is only 25 minutes from Sipadan, a world-renowned wall diving site where Borneo Divers pioneered the sport. It has a favourable Sipadan permit policy - a guaranteed trip to the island with just a 3 nights stay (and permits included in package prices).
The in-house PADI 5-Star Dive Centre offers 3 boat dives per day with experienced, small-group guides. Plus, packages include unlimited shore dives on the house reef, where you can find rare critters like flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, and frogfish. Nitrox is available, plus equipment rental, camera stations, and secure storage. Snorkellers welcome on dive boats or to explore the popular house reef. Non-divers can enjoy kayaking, island-hopping, and spa treatments (massages, manicures, and pedicures available).
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort now has renovated accommodations for your comfort and convenience, including beachfront chalets and poolside villa rooms. There is a large swimming pool, fitness and activities room, and a beachfront bar for relaxation. And for those that just can't leave the real world behind, the resort also has free wi-fi internet facilities.
Divers love the modern facilities at Borneo Divers Mabul Resort. It is the best value in the region, being affordable without compromising on quality. It is popular with solo travellers (shared room options avoid single supplements), and a young, fun crowd keeps the atmosphere lively. Whether you're here for the thrill of diving at Sipadan or Mabul's macro magic, Borneo Divers delivers an unforgettable dive adventure at a price that's hard to beat.
Note: Borneo Divers is committed to protecting marine ecosystems through active conservation efforts, including sea turtle monitoring, coral restoration programmes, and regular beach and underwater clean-ups. In collaboration with marine biologists, the resort plays a key role in turtle conservation, safeguarding nesting sites and raising awareness. Guests are encouraged to participate in these activities, contributing to the resort's mission of preserving the ocean for future generations.
There are 30 semi-detached Executive Beach Chalets (26 sqm) at Borneo Divers Mabul Resort, designed for privacy and tranquillity. Each features a private veranda with ocean views through glass sliding doors - perfect for morning coffee or sunset drinks. Ideal for couples or solo travellers
There are also 64 Luxury Villa Rooms (36 sqm), spacious and tastefully decorated, designed for the ultimate comfort. 60 of the villa rooms feature private balconies with lush greenery or pool views, complete with cosy outdoor seating.
For guests desiring an added layer of indulgence, the resort offers 4 spacious double-bed Suites, each spanning 58 sqm of refined comfort. Designed for tranquility and convenience, every suite includes a private balcony with outdoor seating - ideal for savouring the island’s gentle breezes. If you're unwinding after a day of adventure or simply enjoying peaceful moments indoors, these suites provide the perfect retreat to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy a home-away-from-home experience.
All the rooms at Borneo Divers Mabul Resort have:
- Individual air conditioning & ceiling fan
- Private bathroom with hot water shower
- Toiletries, towels & hairdryer
- Reverse osmosis water filtration system
- LCD television
- Coffee & tea making facilities
- Private veranda/balcony
- Mini-fridge
- Dressing table
- Reading lights
- Wardrobe & personal safe
- Laundry line
- Desk and chair
- 220V universal power points
- Fire alarm and extinguisher
Borneo Divers is a 5 Star IDC Center - one of the highest dive centre ratings in the PADI system. Why not become an Advanced Open Water Diver here to dive at Sipadan? A 4-day/3-night scuba package at the resort guarantees 1 visit to Sipadan Island, while a 6-day/5-night package includes 2 visits. For shorter stays or additional Sipadan dives, permits may be purchased upon arrival (subject to availability).
When permits allow, the dive centre operates a 3-dive day trip to Sipadan (packed lunch included). On other days, enjoy a 3 dive trips around Mabul or Kapalai. Sipadan is just 25 minutes by boat, while Mabul’s dive sites are minutes away, and Kapalai is about 12 minutes from the resort. Divemasters are provided on all trips (max. 6 guests per guide), as well as guest towels.
Regular dive departure times: • 8:30 am, • 10:30 am, • 2 pm. Return the resort between dives for coffee/tea break or lunch.
Sipadan trip time: • depart: 6 am, • return: 1 pm. Breakfast is served as part of the trip.
House Reef diving:
• Unlimited unguided dives during daylight hours
• Must dive with a buddy
• Night dives available (house reef only) until 7:30 pm
Diver requirements:
• Sipadan / night diving: Minimum Advanced Open Water certification required
• Proof of certification must be presented
Dive facilities include:
- 8 custom built fibreglass speedboats - • 33 ft • 150/250 HP • Max. capacity 12 guest divers + 2 guides & skipper
- Emergency oxygen, first aid kit, life jackets, life buoy, fire extinguisher, on all boats
- Nitrox facilities at the resort
- Optional extra boat dives, e.g. sunset dive at Kapalai
- Camera room
- Souvenir shop near the dive centre
Back at the resort, there are equipment stations for guests' scuba gear, showers, storage, and rinse tanks for both kit and underwater cameras. The dive centre staff will help carry your gear to and from the boat.
In case of emergency: the evacuation plan at Borneo Divers for emergency DCS patients is to transfer guests by speedboat to the Navy chamber in Semporna. This is a direct 20 minute boat ride. We strongly advise any diving guests to have their own insurance to cover scuba emergencies, evacuations and treatments.
For non-diving emergencies, there is a hospital in Semporna - 40 minutes (or 37 km) by speedboat, or a small clinic on the island.
As one of the pioneering operators in the region, Borneo Divers Mabul Resort provides a mature and well-established base for your diving explorations. Designed to foster camaraderie and easy relaxation, the resort offers a variety of spaces to unwind between dives. The atmosphere is one of casual, diver-focused comfort, where you can choose between social activity or tranquil repose.
The central dining room and Turtle Bar serve as the main meeting points, while the distinctive Sunset Beach Bar offers a prime location for evening sundowners. For relaxation, 2 swimming pools and a dedicated massage service are available. Those seeking lighter activity can make use of the beach volleyball court, kayaks, and various indoor games including pool and table tennis. The resort also facilitates cultural excursions to the nearby Bajau Laut village or simple sunset cruises.
The Resort facilities include: Dining room with Turtle Bar - Swimming pools - Sunset beach bar, beach loungers and parasols - Massage service - Snorkelling - TV room with karaoke - Free Wi-Fi internet service in communal areas - Kayaks - Beach volleyball - Pool table - Table tennis - Games room - Mahjong room - Island hopping - Sunset boat ride - Hiking - Tour desk - Function room - Souvenir shop
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort offers a dining experience that blends culinary variety with laid-back island charm. Guests are treated to meals featuring a fusion of Malaysian, Asian, Chinese, and Western cuisines, all crafted with fresh ingredients and attention to detail. The resort’s BBQ dinners are a highlight - savoury, sociable, and often the centre piece of the evening.
Meals are served in a spacious dining hall, which doubles as a lively social hub where divers and travellers gather to share stories and unwind. Whether you're enjoying grilled seafood under the stars or sipping a drink at the beach bar, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
- Dining Hall - opening hours: 7 am - 9 pm
- Beach Bar - opening hours: 5 - 11 pm
- Sunset Jetty Bar - opening hours: 9 am - 8 pm
The diving schedule is timed around meal times at this resort. On non-Sipadan days, the boat returns to the resort for lunch. If you go to Sipadan, there will be a packed lunch for you.
Available cuisine:
- Chinese, Malaysian and international
- Halal food - no pig meat
- Good selection of vegetarian dishes with advance notice
- Coffee, tea, juice & water on the house all day long, and a welcome drink
Some sample meals - Beef Malay Curry, Laksa (fish soup), Sweet n Sour Fish, Peking Chicken, Ginger Prawns, Taiwanese Vegetables in Oyster Sauce, Spicy Squid, Grilled Lamb, Pumpkin Soup.
Complimentary breakfast - fruit juice, coffee, tea, toast, pancakes, fruit, cereals, eggs, sausage and rice soup.
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MORE PACKAGE DETAILS
Special offers: Packages prices have been discounted by up to 5% until further notice. Offer closes: 31 Dec 2050
Special rates apply for Malaysians and expatriates with Malaysian work permits. Please contact us for details at ask@dive-the-world.com.
Destinations:
Sipadan Island (Diving environment: wall diving, drift diving, advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: shark action, turtles, schooling fish/big pelagics),
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).
Resort diving includes:
Dives (as detailed in the packages above), Sipadan park permit fees (minimum 3 night stay for advanced certified divers only, not transferable), unlimited self-guided shore dives, boat rides to sites, experienced English-speaking divemaster (maximum 6 divers per DM), tanks, weights and weightbelts, drinking water, hot drinks, snacks, sales and service tax (SST) on package prices.
Diving excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own):
Scuba equipment (USD 35 per day), dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras:
Extra boat dives (Mabul), extra Sipadan daytrips (incl. permit fees and diving service: USD 200 per day / USD 130 per snorkeller per day), scuba computer, torch, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD 8 per tank). 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 at Sipadan must take their passport and a printed copy of their diving license (minimum: advanced) to the Sipadan Island marine park office for presentation. 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, round trip transfers from Tawau Airport and Tawau/Semporna hotels, Semporna jetty fees, sales and service tax (SST) on package prices.
Accommodation excludes (mandatory):
Malaysian tourism accommodation tax (USD 2 per room per night, payable in cash). For single travellers that arrive or depart on dates with no other resort paying guests, there is a supplement of USD 255 each way for airport-resort transfers (payable in advance) or follow the scheduled group land and boat transfers. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Single Supplement:
This is optional at Borneo Divers Mabul Resort - single travelers may choose to share accommodation and pay the regular rates, or pay an additional charge for the sole occupancy of double/twin accommodation. Single travelers must follow the scheduled grou
Optional extras:
Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks. Luxury Suite supplement (USD 250 per person per night, payable in advance). 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 resort is located along the northern beachfront of Mabul Island - a 40 minute speedboat ride from the port of Semporna. Borneo Divers will provide a return transfer from Tawau Airport or town, and Semporna hotels, to Semporna and Mabul.
Land transfer times from Tawau Airport to Semporna: 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Boat transfer times from Semporna to Borneo Divers Mabul Resort: 10 am and 12:30 pm. If you arrive on any flight which does not time well with these transfer times then you must wait at the airport for the next available transfer (which could be a few hours) or overnight at Tawau or Semporna. Note: if several groups of guests arrive at a later time the resort does offer scheduled boat transfers later in the day (up to latest 4 pm - we can check this for you). Only if you arrive on the first boat transfer will it be possible to dive that day.
Boat transfer times from Borneo Divers Mabul Resort to Semporna: 11 am and 1:30 pm. Land transfer times from Semporna to Tawau Airport: 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Please allow 4 hours between resort departure and your flight departure time.
Note: special transfers can be arranged for groups. Individuals/couples can arrange private transfers at additional cost. For more information on how to get there (including airlines) see our Malaysia resorts travel section.
Dive clubs and group discounts:
Pay for 9 guests and 1 extra person can join free of charge (to pay Semporna jetty fee, Sipadan permit fee and tourism tax only), subjected to the same arrival and departure time and not applicable for single occupancy.
Add-on package:
For a truly complete Borneo experience, we highly recommend extending your trip with a 2-night stay at Sepilok Nature Lodge near Sandakan. This unforgettable jungle add-on lets you encounter wild orangutans in their natural habitat - an absolute must for any first-time visitor to Malaysian Borneo.
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Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
