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Borneo Divers Mabul Resort



Borneo Divers Mabul Resort
From USD 220 per day
Shore dives
Max 124
Nitrox
PADI
Wi-Fi
LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE
At a glance...
  • Unlimited self-guided shore and night dives
  • Swimming pool with sunken bar and jacuzzi
  • Massages, manicures and pedicures
  • Games and beach activities
  • Option of sharing with another guest
  • Offers full board and diving packages
Customer reviews
Very good!421

Click on an image to enlarge


Owned and managed by Borneo Divers, the Mabul Island Resort offers you world class macro diving opportunities in addition to the wonders of Sipadan.

The resort now has 62 rooms so finding availability on Mabul should never be a problem again. And it's only 25 minutes from Pulau Sipadan, a top notch wall diving destination where Borneo Divers pioneered the sport. You can dive at Sipadan Island (subject to park concessions), as well as the macro-worlds of Mabul Island and Kapalai. There are also unlimited self-guided shore and night dives on the house reef, This is the place to go to for quiet, white sand beaches and diving within a world of pelagic and macro-life diversity.

The Borneo Divers Mabul Resort just seems to keep getting better - the rooms have been renovated, and now there's a swimming pool and 3 bars for your relaxation. There are also gazebos where you can enjoy massages, manicures and pedicures. For those that just can't leave the real world behind, the resort also has free wi-fi internet facilities. Perhaps the best feature though is that the resort remains one of the best value and lowest priced options around, so it's ever popular with the young and fun crowd. It also sees quite a few single travellers who have the option of sharing with another guest.

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Accommodation and Diving Package Prices...

 Prices valid until 30 June 2024

 Click 'Request' to send an inquiry for your preferred dive package:

Peak Season 2024 - 4 April 2024 to 10 April 2024
29 April 2024 to 5 May 2024, 5 July 2024 to 25 August 2024
Days Nights Price per diver Price per non-diver Single supplement
(see note below)
USDUSDUSD
43844605422
54998773499
651,277967639
761,5171,161759
871,7571,355879
981,9971,549999
1092,2371,7431,119
Normal Season 2024 - 16 February 2024 to 4 April 2024
10 April 2024 to 29 April 2024, 5 May 2024 to 5 July 2024
Days Nights Price per diver Price per non-diver Single supplement
(see note below)
USDUSDUSD
43805576403
54952736476
651,220920610
761,4481,104724
871,6761,288838
981,9041,472952
1092,1321,6561,066

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

More Package Details....
Special rates apply for Malaysians and expatriates with Malaysian work permits. Please contact us for details at info@dive-the-world.com

PADI dive courses at Mabul: book with us a 4 night stay, plus either the PADI Open Water Diver course or the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course (including 2 days of fun diving, with guaranteed dives at Sipadan) with Mabul Borneo Divers Resort. Please contact us for details at info@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).
When park entry permit numbers allow, there is a 2 dives in Sipadan and 1 dive in Mabul. Alternatively it will be a 3 dive day around Mabul or Kapalai. No scuba on day of departure. The number of dives quoted in the packages above is based on 3 dives per full diving day.

Note:  Borneo Divers Mabul Resort offers a guaranteed visit to Sipadan Island with a minimum 4 day/3 night scuba package, 2 visits with 6 day/5 night scuba package. Permits to Sipadan island are not transferable. For shorter packages or for diving Sipadan more often, there is still the chance to purchase permits on arrival, depending on availability. Additional Sipadan daytrips (incl. permit fees and diving service: US$ 159 per diver per day) to be paid on arrival. With effect from 1 October 2022, it is mandatory for all guests to have at least an Advanced Open Water certification to dive in Sipadan.

Resort diving includes:  Dives (as detailed in the packages above), unlimited self-guided shore and night dives at the resort's house reef, boat rides to sites, experienced English-speaking divemaster (maximum 6 divers per DM), tanks, weights and weightbelts, drinking water, hot drinks, snacks.
Diving excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own):  Sipadan park permit fees US$105 per visit to be paid in advance, scuba equipment (US$ 25 per day +8% SST), 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/Sipadan), night boat dives (Mabul, minimum 3 customers), scuba computer, torch, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 8 per tank), soft drinks. 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 must take their passport and diving license (minimum: advanced), or a printed copy of it, to the Sipadan Island marine park office for presentation. The Sipadan authorities do not accept a digital copy of a diving license and 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, return resort transfers from Tawau Airport.
Accommodation excludes (mandatory):  8% sales and service tax (SST) on package prices above (payable in advance), Semporna jetty fees US$3 to be paid in advance, Malaysian tourism accommodation tax (US$ 2 per room per night, payable in cash at the resort). For single travellers that arrive or depart on dates with no other resort paying guests, there is a supplement of US$ 212 each way for airport-resort transfers (payable in advance). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Single Supplement:  This is optional - single travelers may choose to share accommodation or pay an additional charge for the sole occupancy of double/twin accommodation. Single travelers must follow the planned land and boat transfers in/out with other guests.
Optional extras:  Single supplement on single travellers only (payable in advance). Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks. 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. Mabul is a 40 minute speedboat ride from the port of Semporna. Borneo Divers will provide a return transfer from Tawau Airport to Semporna and Mabul.

Recommended Tawau arrival flights:
From Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Airlines: MH4706 (07:00-07:50); Air Asia: AK6260 (09:05-10:00).
From Kuala Lumpur: Air Asia: AK5744 (06:15-09:10); Malaysia Airlines: MH2660 (07:15-10:10), MYAirline: Z98903 (06:15-09:10).
Land transfer times from Tawau Airport to Semporna are 08:30 and 10:30 hrs. Boat transfer times from Semporna to Borneo Divers Mabul Resort are 10:00 and 12:30 hrs. 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. Only if you arrive on the first boat transfer will it be possible to dive that day.
Recommended Tawau departure flights:
To Kota Kinabalu: Air Asia: AK6263 (19:50-20:45), AK6273 (21:50-22:40).
To Kuala Lumpur: Air Asia: AK5749 (16:05-18:50) ), AK5752 (20:55-23:45).
Boat transfer times from Borneo Divers Mabul Resort to Semporna are 11:00 and 13:30 hrs. Land transfer times from Semporna to Tawau Airport are 12:30 and 14:30 hrs. Please plan 3 hours between resort departure and flight departure time.

Note that special transfers can be arranged for groups. Individuals/couples can arrange private transfers at additional cost. For more information see our Sipadan resorts travel section. Flight information changes frequently. You are responsible for booking the correct flights.

Dive clubs and group discounts:  Pay for 10 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:  If this is your only planned visit to Borneo Malaysia then we strongly recommend that you consider a 2 night add-on stay at the Sepilok Nature Resort, Sandakan in Sabah, to allow you to witness the not-to-be-missed jungle adventures with orang-utans.

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Rooms, Beds, Bathrooms, Views...
There are 30 semi-detached beach chalets (26 sqm) that offer guests more privacy to enjoy the resort's serenity.

There are also 32 villa rooms (36 sqm, built in 4 blocks of 8 double storey units, with balconies overlooking the lawn or azure waters of the Celebes Sea.

All the rooms have:
  • Air conditioning with individual controls
  • Ceiling fan
  • Private bathroom with hot water shower
  • Toiletries, towels & hairdryer
  • LCD television
  • Coffee & tea making facilities
  • Private veranda/balcony
  • Minibar with fridge
  • Personal safe
  • Dressing table
  • Reading lamps
  • Wardrobe
  • Desk and chair
  • 220V power points with adaptor
  • Fire extinguisher

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Diving Details...
When Sipadan Entry Permit numbers allow, Borneo Divers have a 2 dive trip running from the resort to Sipadan (including packed lunch). Alternatively it will be a 3 dive day around Mabul or Kapalai. Sipadan is approximately 25 minutes boat ride away from the resort. The Mabul sites are just a few minutes away, and Kapalai can be reached in about 12 minutes.

Dive facilities include:
  • 7 custom built fibreglass speedboats
  • Nitrox facilities at the resort
  • Boats are equipped with skipper, GPS, cellphone, compass, and steel ladders
  • Emergency oxygen on board all boats
  • Maximum 10 divers per boat
  • Unlimited self-guided dives on the house reef
Divemasters are provided on all trips as well as snacks, drinking water, coffee, tea and juices.

Back at the resort, there are equipment stations for guests' scuba gear, and rinse tanks for both kit and underwater cameras. The dive centre staff will help carry your gear to and from the boat.

Borneo Divers is a PADI 5 Star IDC Center, so this is probably the best place in Mabul to continue your dive education. Why not become an Advanced Open Water Diver in Sipadan?

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Facilities, Location, Recreation...
The island resort has a range of facilities which will keep you entertained between dives. One great feature at Borneo Divers is that each time you come back, they seem to have added something new to their resort.

Resort facilities include: Dining room with Turtle Bar - Swimming pool with sunken bar, jacuzzi and children's section - Sunset beach bar, beach loungers and parasols - 2 beachside gazebos for massage, manicure and pedicure - Professional underwater video centre - snorkelling - TV room with satellite TV - Free Wi-Fi broadband internet service in communal areas - Beach volleyball - Mini-soccer field - Board games - Library - baby cots - Tour desk

Location: Mabul Island, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Menu, Cuisine Type, Specialities...
At Borneo Divers, the chefs prepare set buffets in the main dining room.

Meals available:
  • Chinese, Malaysian and international cuisine
  • 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.

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Dive Safety, Resort Security...
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.

The resort and all the dive boats carry oxygen and first aid, and a dive master is provided for every 6 guests.

For non-diving emergencies there is a hospital in Semporna - 40 minutes (or 37 km) by speedboat, or a small clinic on the island.

A safety box is provided for your valuables in room and 24 hour security patrol the premises. There is a marine police station next door.

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters cakap Bahasa Malay  Hokkien spoken by divemasters Inquire Now

Customer reviews:

Customer rating - Very good
"Great diving, friendly welcome, lovely pool, clean and spacious accommodation. Divemasters were mixed - some were excellent, gave good briefings and pointed things out through the dives. Others were more chaotic. As a solo diver, it could be better. There are 3 organised dives a day plus unlimited dives on the house reef IF you have a buddy. They could offer a group dive at say 4 pm for any solo divers. If I dived Sipadan we were finished by 12.30 pm, with no other activities available." - , United Kingdom, 2 April 2023 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Dive Master Ismail was fantastic we had wonderful dives in Sipadan and Mabul. Very professional and good interest in showing us the best and allow us to enjoy. Boat, equipment, hotel, food and in general all staff of the hotel were professional and kind. Relax atmosphere allowing us to enjoy." - , Switzerland, 15 July 2019 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"What a wonderful time I had learning to dive at Borneo Divers Mabul resort. The staff were great, patient and, even though almost all of the other guests spoke mandarin, I had the absolute time of my life! All the staff were really knowledgeable and I felt like I was really safe hands the whole time. They even got me a permit to dive Sipadan on the last day, which was pretty much a life changing experience. I feel like I’ve completely fallen in love!" - , UK, 22 April 2018 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Excellent services I received from the staff at BDMR. Equipment was great and well kept. Clean and decent size room." - , Hong Kong, 22 August 2017 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Service was excellent. Staff helped in everything, was very friendly. Equipment in good condition. Accommodation and food were also good." - , Belarus, 12 September 2016 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Staff are all very friendly and helpful. The dive instructor, Eljer is very patient and professional trainer. Food from the resort is good and variety of choice." - , Malaysia, 25 June 2016 ...

Customer rating - Good
"The diving shop was good and they offer a pretty good service. Guides are good and they really take care of safety and different needs. The resort is very basic and mostly indicated for divers who like no frills resort. Most of the guests were Chinese and therefore they prepared mostly Chinese food. The non Chinese guests were really 5/10% only." - , Italy, 23 August 2015 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Very well organised. Clean, confortable room. Excellent dive faciltities. Plenty of food. Good, knowledgeable, friendly staff. Good attitude to wildlife and the environment." - , UK, 25 October 2011 ...

Customer rating - Very good
"Very professional operation, good quality services, very good food, comfortable accommodations. Small resort with an "everyone knows your name" atmosphere. Our dive equipment was delayed a day due to airline issues and the resort provided rental equipment for use free of charge and even delivered the equipment between dives at Sipadan once it arrived.
As with all resorts in the area, they struggled in trying to make sure everyone made it to Sipadan. It was a busy time for the area and we only managed 3 trips to Sipadan (one of which we had to pay extra for which was alright) while staying for 8 nights, however they would accommodate others who were only there for 3 nights to get them a trip to Sipadan. This being said, there were no issues with the other sites in Kalapai and Mabul. It is a difficult thing to try to please everyone all the time. The visibility could have been a bit better (end of rainy season), but that is outside the realm of the tour operator.
Bottom line, we were well taken care of and had an excellent week of diving in paradise.
" - , Canada, 6 May 2011 ...

Customer rating - Excellent
"Friendly and competent, we received very good service and had a nice time diving and relaxing on the beach of Mamutik island! After being certified, the operator (Borneo Divers KK) threw in a couple of free fun dives - awesome!! The possibility to hire a personal instructor was great, it gave my daughter a more secure feeling and made her more confident." - , Denmark, 12 April 2011 ...

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SIPADAN ISLAND AREA Resorts

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Resorts Elsewhere in Malaysia

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