Sipadan-Mabul Resort (Sabah) Sdn Bhd

Sipadan-Mabul Resort is positioned at the southern tip of Pulau Mabul, directly facing the iconic Sipadan island. This location places you at the heart of one of the most productive marine environments in Malaysia, where steep underwater walls drop into the deep blue.

The resort is designed for divers who want to stay close to the action. You can settle into individual chalets built from local Bornean materials, complete with private balconies and air conditioning, ensuring you have a comfortable base between dives.

The centre is run by a large, dedicated team of 230 staff members, all focused on facilitating a smooth and safe diving experience. All divers are required to present internationally recognised certification, and the team maintains high standards for safety and skill.

If you have been away from the water for more than 12 months or feel you need a refresher, the instructors offer Scuba Skills Refresher courses to ensure you are confident before heading out to the more challenging sites. The staff is experienced in handling the specific logistics required for the regulated Sipadan permit system.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of PADI courses catering to all experience levels. You can start with Discover Scuba Diving or work through your Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to professionalise their passion, Divemaster training is available. The curriculum also includes a wide array of PADI Specialty courses and dedicated Technical Diving courses for those looking to push their limits beyond recreational boundaries.

For those who prefer to travel light, the centre offers personal dive equipment hire. The technical facility is a standout feature, boasting a dedicated Nitrox filling station equipped with a six-stage filtration system and a computerised control panel to ensure gas quality.

On-site, you will find all the necessary amenities to prepare for your day, including a vinyl swimming pool for shallow training or relaxation. The resort is accessible via van and speedboat transfers from Tawau and the Semporna jetty.

The waters around Sipadan are legendary for their pelagic life. You will regularly see massive schools of snapper and a constant presence of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). The deep walls are a magnet for large pelagics that cruise the currents.

For macro enthusiasts, the Mabul area is a treasure trove. You can find a diverse array of life including frogfish (Antennarius), various scorpionfish, and the highly sought-after pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti). Look closely on the seabed for leaf fish, ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), and various species of gobies.

Invertebrate life is equally abundant, with flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, and blue-ringed octopus providing endless interest. You will also encounter various species of shrimp (Caridea), harlequin shrimps, and boxer crabs tucked into the reef structure, alongside Mandarinfish (Synchiropus) and various nudibranchs.

Diving in this region is defined by the unique topography of the islands. Sipadan is a steep wall environment where you may encounter currents that bring in the nutrients required to support such vast amounts of marine life.

Access to Sipadan is strictly regulated by the Sabah Parks management, with only a limited number of daily permits available. Divers are restricted to two boat dives per day at this specific site.