Although you can still walk around the entire island in less than an hour, Mabul is considerably larger than Sipadan, and boasts two resorts and a large village, mainly home to fisherman and employees (and their families) of the two resorts.
Sipadan and Mabul couldn’t be more different. While the interior of Sipadan is untouched tropical forest, Mabul is predominantly made up of actively producing coconut trees. Practically every tree on the island is numbered and is associated with a distinct individual who cares for the tree and harvests the coconuts.
The SMART Divers Resort is nestled in a coconut grove on the south-east side of the island overlooking the water and near-by Sipadan Island. It consists of 40 wooden duplex chalets with each room featuring two oversized single beds, a couch, shelves, ceiling fan, flyscreened windows, air-conditioning, a private en-suite offering free-flowing hot and cold fresh water and a front veranda.
The public buildings include a main house which is an open air pavilion where meals are taken, an air-conditioned lounge, called The Deco, set aside for watching videos, and a huge lock-up airing shed for storing your equipment each evening.
5D4N Dive Package Cost
- S$1,526 Diver Twin
- S$2,290 Diver Single
- S$1,015 Non-diver Twin
- S$1,522 Non-diver Single
Extension Night
- S$ 238 Diver Twin (includes diving)
- S$ 357 Diver Single (includes diving)
- S$ 207 Non-diver Twin
- S$ 311 Non-diver Single
Detached / Standalone Chalet
- S$38 Twin per night surcharge
- S$58 Single per night surcharge
Dive Package Validity
- Apr 01, 2008 – Mar 31, 2009
Dive Package Includes
- Return land/sea transfers between Tawau – Semporna Jetty – SMART Resort
- 04 nights accommodation in Standard Chalet
- All food and hot beverage while at the resort (excluding alcoholic, fruit juice and carbonated soft drinks)
- 03 guided day boat dives per day around the islands of Sipadan, Mabul or Kapalai (except on arrival & departure days)
- Scuba tanks, weight belts with weights
- Unlimited jetty (unguided) diving on Mabul’s house reef between 0700 and 2200 hours
Dive Package Excludes
- All airfare and airport taxes
- Sipadan Entry Permit for visiting/diving at Sipadan Island
- Night boat diving surcharge of RM50 per diver for min. 04 divers, and RM150 for 01-03 divers
- All equipment rental
- All other consumption like alcoholic, fruit juice and carbonated soft drinks
- Tips & gratuities for resort & dive crew
Important Note
Entry Permit to Sipadan Island
- Please be informed that all daily entry to dive or visit to Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by the Sabah Parks Management, the authorities in charge of issuing the entry permits. The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan island is now restricted to 120 persons per day.
- The fee for Entry Permit to Sipadan Island is RM 40.00 per person per day for divers, non-divers, visitors and children. This entry permit fee has to be paid on the spot, in the resort if the approval is obtained.
- Please note that the permit to Sipadan Island is NOT GUARANTEED.
- However, should the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not been approved, we can offer alternative diving at nearby islands such as Si Amil, Mataking, Ligitan, Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restrictions on these islands.
Sipadan-Mabul Resort is located at the southern tip of Pulau Mabul overlooking Sipadan.
- The Resort has 45 beach chalets (22 are stand alone chalets) which could accommodate 90 guests at any one time. All the chalets have attached toilet with hot shower facilities and the comfort of air-conditioning which is available for 24 hours. Electrical outlet is 220 Volt AC. Accommodation is built from native materials.
- A vinyl swimming pool measuring 41 ft X 21 ft with a 6 ft deep end.
- A glass bottom boat 12 ft long, excellent for non-divers, who can enjoy the beauty of underwater marine life.
- A large dining hall/bar area is used for meals, socializing, dancing and staff shows. Coconut drinks, carbonated soft drinks, beer and wine can be purchased at the bar.
- A small sundry shop sell a range of T-Shirts, films, batteries, toiletries, souvenirs etc. An office takes care of the registration and billing; it is equipped with a Mobile Telephone/Fax for communications with the mainland.
Other resort activities offered
- PADI Diving Courses (from Open Water to Divemaster level)
- Scuba Skills Refresher Course
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Technical Diving Courses
- Nitrox Diving
- PADI / TDI Specialty Courses
- Snorkelling
- Beach Volley Ball
- Diving trips at nearby islands
- Fishing at nearby Mabul Island
- Table tennis
- Ocean kayak
- Beach volley ball
Recommended Arrival Flights to Tawau Airport
- MH2121 BKI/TWU 0700/0745 – 0930 hour boat transfer to Mabul Water Bungalow
- AK5152 KUL/TWU 0720/1005 – 1300 hour boat transfer to Mabul Water Bungalow
- MH2137 BKI/TWU 1315/1400 – 1630 hour boat transfer to Mabul Water Bungalow
Recommended Departure Flights from Tawau Airport
- AK5153 TWU/KUL 1030/1315 – 0700 hour boat transfer from Mabul Water Bungalow
- MH2134 TWU/BKI 1440/1525 – 1100 hour boat transfer from Mabul Water Bungalow
- MH2148 TWU/BKI 2100/2145 – 1500 hour boat transfer from Mabul Water Bungalow
- AK5157 TWU/KUL 2100/2145 – 1500 hour boat transfer from Mabul Water Bungalow
Note The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan island is now restricted to 120 persons per day. Visits are allowed on the basis of the Entry Permit, which the Sabah Parks Management is in control and responsible for.
The diving in Sipadan Island is limited due to this restriction. This Entry Permit fee has to be paid on the spot, in the resort if the approval is obtained. Please take note that the permit to Sipadan Island is NOT GUARANTEED.
Should the Entry Permit to Sipadan Island not be approved, we can offer alternative diving at nearby islands such as Si Amil, Roach Reef, Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restrictions for visits. Dive sites and diving schedule will be arranged at the discretion of the resort management.
The Sipadan Island Entry Permit costs RM40 per person per day.