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.
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
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?
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
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.
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.
"
Borneo Divers Mabul was fantastic. Unlimited shore dives was a real treat with so much to see nearby. We liked how they briefed us on the property and took care of our permits for Sipadan. We had a great time and the food was delicious (wonderful seafood bbq!).
Vic and the Dive The World team were so responsive, they got back to us quickly and professionally. I was impressed by this service." -
Adeline Heymann, United States, 28 May 2025 ...
"
Friendly and well qualified staff; they took good time with my wife. A little more communication before the dives about schedules would be appreciated." -
Mark Barrand, United States, 29 April 2025 ...
"
Equipment was good, we had a range of instructors/ guides. Good provision of a summary of options.
We were advised that the Sipadan national park would require a hard copy card to evidence dive experience and that an ecard would not be acceptable. This was not true, the dive centre accepted ecards.
We did not know that we would need to complete a refresher course, meaning that we could have completed 2 additional dives rather than dive skill tests and refresher.
" -
Melissa Wilen, United Kingdom, 16 September 2024 ...
"
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." -
Gayle Noah, United Kingdom, 2 April 2023 ...
"
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." -
Sergio Guadamillas, Switzerland, 15 July 2019 ...
"
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!" -
Alexandra Finley, UK, 22 April 2018 ...
"
Excellent services I received from the staff at BDMR. Equipment was great and well kept. Clean and decent size room." -
Miana Auyeung, Hong Kong, 22 August 2017 ...
"
Service was excellent. Staff helped in everything, was very friendly. Equipment in good condition. Accommodation and food were also good." -
Aliaksei Rusak, Belarus, 12 September 2016 ...
"
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." -
Ivan Goh, Malaysia, 25 June 2016 ...
"
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." -
Francesco Passeri, Italy, 23 August 2015 ...
"
Very well organised. Clean, confortable room. Excellent dive faciltities. Plenty of food. Good, knowledgeable, friendly staff. Good attitude to wildlife and the environment." -
Martin Doonan, UK, 25 October 2011 ...
"
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." -
Don and Liz Halina, Canada, 6 May 2011 ...
"
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." -
Leif Pontoppidan, Denmark, 12 April 2011 ...
"
Accommodation is perfect, DM and service crew are very friendly. But just I think the food is too simple and keep same everyday. Maybe due to the low season reason." -
Yang Jun, China, 11 October 2010 ...
"
Everything was nice. Food was alright but nothing special. Rooms were very nice - bathroom was honestly not so nice but not so important. Diving in small groups. Very very friendly staff. Very clean. Very good service like bringing equipment on boat. Anyway, super equipment-service." -
Anja Grammlich, Germany, 17 August 2010 ...
"
Equipment was in good working order and there was plenty of opportunity to try different options; often you get one type of equipment that doesn't correctly fit. Staff were very friendly & helpful and the facilities were clean and well thought out - best on the island I thought." -
Janine Pyne, Australia, 9 August 2010 ...
"
It is not 5* luxury accommodation or facilities but it is a clean, well run, well organized, efficient diver-orientated operation." -
Roderick Fleming, UK, 22 January 2010 ...
"
Staff were great from dive guides to helpers and equipment people at the jetty - very friendly and informative. Our equipment and tanks were always ready on time when we wanted to go for a dive, including for unguided afternoon and evening dives. Diving around Mabul, including the dive straight off the jetty was really very good. We enjoyed the boat dives, and unguided afternoon and night dives from there. Hotel rooms were nice and kept clean by staff. Our bathroom had an ant infestation, but was otherwise satisfactory." -
Rachel Dolling, UK, 31 March 2009 ...
"
The boat has very good facilities. The staff are very knowledgable and experienced. They are great guys and really had fun diving with them. I always felt totally safe and as a novice diver that is very important. Excellent overall!" -
Vera Soh, Canada, 30 December 2008 ...
"
Borneo Divers Resort was very nice, cabin (sic) comfortable and clean, general good service." -
Marta Marocco, Italy, 14 November 2008 ...
"
Well maintained facility, EXCELLENT dive staff, good food, good service." -
Connie Flesuras, USA, 13 August 2008...
"
The boats were always loaded with our gear, they were very on time with meals and dives and took care of getting our BCDs ready with tanks etc. They didn't clean up for us afterwards but if they broke down our rigs for us too I would rate them as excellent. Divemasters were solid divers with good dive etiquette. Dive sites were out of this world.
Facilities are good but somewhat dated - the showers in our rooms had a sulfer smell to the water and were luke warm, not hot. Beds were comfy, AC was excellent. Rooms spacious. Food was good - plenty of choices but not gourmet cooking. They need more snacks to purchase outside the meals." -
Ned Clark, USA, 10 August 2008 ...
"
They were very accommodating and helpful. The staff was friendly. This is a place I would recommend and return to when the chance arrives." -
Naomi Umemura, Canada, 25 February 2008 ...
"
Very happy with the attention to detail when diving. Rooms were comfortable and the schedule was good." -
David Brett, Australia, 12 February 2008...
"
Everything was excellent. Maybe some newer equipment wouldn't have gone amiss though." -
David Reynolds, United Kingdom, 12 November 2007 ...
"
The training delivered by Borneo Divers was really perfect at all stages. Very nice and professional staff (our instructor Marylin was really dedicated). The location also was really adapted to our level (beginners). The equipment was adapted and in good conditions when not new (also quite a wide choice). We would highly recommend this company in the future and use the services again in the places they are set." -
Sylvie Neves-Strunc, Czech Republic, 26 March 2007...
"
Excellent. We loved the staff, service, food, dive operation, facilities, relaxed atmosphere, lovely bungalows. It's a perfect spot for people that enjoy nice quality places BUT that have some character and are not over the top with lushness." -
Angela Grice, Australia, 27 December 2006 ...
"
Lovely resort. Great chalets. Very friendly staff." -
Robert Bertram, United Kingdom, 13 December 2006 ...
"
The Borneo Divers staff were courteous, friendly and professional at all times and they really made sure my stay combined some breathtaking diving with plenty of fun! ... Very comfortable a/c rooms, fantastic service and there was a great choice of food on offer, and importantly, plenty of it!
Thanks to Dive The World for your advice and help in booking my trip. Your guys were very responsive and efficient with my numerous requests; I really felt like I was getting a wide choice of options tailored for my needs - it was unbiased advice rather than a 'hard sell' and it was plain that your advice was based on local knowledge." -
Peter McCaughan, Ireland, 28 November 2006 ...
"
The resort has a great atmosphere. It was a very pleasant stay for us. The guides were very professional and always very helpful. The whole staff of the resort (diving staff and restaurant) were extremely friendly." -
Simone, Germany, 12 November 2006 ...
MORE PACKAGE DETAILS
Special offers: Packages prices have been discounted by up to 7% 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
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 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).
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 at 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: USD 200 per diver per day or USD 130 per non diver/snorkeler per day) to be paid on arrival. Note, 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), Sipadan park permit fees, 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):
Scuba equipment (USD 25 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/Sipadan), night boat dives (Mabul, minimum 3 customers), scuba computer, torch, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD 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 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 resort transfers from Tawau Airport and Tawau/Semporna hotels, Semporna jetty fees, 8% sales and service tax (SST).
Accommodation excludes (mandatory):
Malaysian tourism accommodation tax (USD 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 USD 215 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 and Tawau and Semporna hotels 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. Occasionally, the resort does offer schedule boat transfers later in the day (up to latest 4 pm) if other guests arrive at the same later time (we can check this for you). 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 12:00 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 on how to get there (including airlines) see our Malaysia resorts travel section.
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.
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
Sipadan Kapalai Resort
Borneo Divers Resort
Mabul Water Bungalows
Seaventures Dive Rig
Sipadan Mabul Resort
Sipadan Water Village
Mabul Beach Resort
Sipadan Dive Day Trips
