Sipadan-Mabul Resort MABUL ISLAND · SABAH
Timber chalets with verandahs and sun loungers under coconut palms at Sipadan-Mabul Resort (placeholder, to recheck when the photo is replaced)

A short boat ride to Sipadan

Sipadan-Mabul Resort

On a white sand beach among the coconut palms of Mabul Island, the resort faces the Celebes Sea.

Check availability The diving

Welcome to Sipadan-Mabul Resort

The resort, known to its guests as SMART, is set on a quiet beach on Mabul Island amid coconut groves, looking out over the Celebes Sea. Sipadan Island is only a short boat ride away.

It suits divers and non-divers alike: the comfort of a beach resort as a base for scuba diving or snorkelling around Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan.

Standalone chalets and suite chalets

Timber chalets on the beach, each with a front verandah, air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom with shower and bathtub.

Row of timber chalets with verandahs beside a sand path under tall coconut palms at Sipadan-Mabul Resort (placeholder, to recheck when the photo is replaced)

Standalone chalets

22 standalone chalets set among the palms, a few steps from the sand.

Suite chalet at Sipadan-Mabul Resort: wood-panelled sitting area with glazed doors open to the bedroom (placeholder, to recheck when the photo is replaced)

Suite chalets

3 beachfront suite chalets. Tell us your group size when you enquire.

See the standalone chalets and suite chalets

Large school of barracuda swirling in blue water above the reef (placeholder, to recheck when the photo is replaced)

15 M · THE REEF EDGE

Diving with SMART-TEC

The resort pairs the big-fish diving of Sipadan with the macro life of Mabul and Kapalai. SMART-TEC, a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and TEC centre at Mabul Water Bungalows, runs courses, nitrox and technical diving.

Certified divers can also dive the house reef from the jetty, always with a buddy. Frogfish, mandarin fish, pipefish, crabs, shrimps and lobsters live there.

Explore the diving

25 M · THE WALL

Days above the water

Between dives guests use the seawater pool and the jacuzzis of the sister resort Mabul Water Bungalows. Guests can book treatments at the overwater Ka’andaman Spa at Mabul Water Bungalows. A free electric buggy with driver links the 2 resorts. On the beach there are sea kayaks, volleyball, badminton and a walk to the local village.

Sandy beach with thatched parasols, coconut palms and calm blue sea (placeholder, to recheck when the photo is replaced)

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are buffets at the Mabul Water Bungalows restaurant over the water, with Malaysian, Chinese, other Asian and Western dishes. A seafood barbecue dinner once a week. Coffee, tea, drinking water and snacks are free. A free electric buggy with driver takes guests there along the beach and the long jetty.

Row of timber chalets with verandahs and sun loungers facing the sand at Sipadan-Mabul Resort (placeholder, to recheck when the photo is replaced)

Facilities

  • Buffet restaurant over the water at Mabul Water Bungalows, with Malaysian, Chinese, other Asian and Western dishes
  • SMART-TEC, a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and TEC centre at Mabul Water Bungalows, equipment for rent
  • Seawater pool and 2 shared open-air jacuzzis at Mabul Water Bungalows
  • Treatments at the overwater Ka’andaman Spa at Mabul Water Bungalows
  • Free electric buggy with driver between the 2 resorts
  • A seafood barbecue dinner once a week
  • Souvenir shop
  • Wi-Fi connection

Getting there

Sipadan-Mabul Resort is on Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

AIR

Fly to Tawau

Guests usually arrive at Tawau Airport. Ask us for the recommended flights to and from Tawau.

ROAD

Van to Semporna

From Tawau Airport a van takes about 80 to 90 minutes to Semporna.

SEA

Speedboat to Mabul

Then a speedboat takes about 45 minutes to Mabul. Please check the transfer times with us, as they can change. Boats leave Semporna for Sipadan-Mabul Resort at 10:00, 12:30 and 16:30, and leave the resort for Semporna at 07:00, 11:00 and 13:30.

40 M · THE DROP-OFF

Ready to plan your stay?

Tell us your dates and how many divers and non-divers are travelling. We will come back to you.

Send an enquiry