Mabul Island
Malaysia · Sabah · 3 m
Description
Mabul (Pulau Mabul) is a small tropical island off the coast of Sabah and one of Southeast Asia’s most renowned destinations for macro and muck diving. The island is famous for its extraordinary underwater world, where shallow sandy habitats and reef areas reveal fascinating marine life such as seahorses, nudibranchs, mandarin fish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and frogfish. Mabul combines a relaxed island atmosphere with traditional stilt villages of the Bajau Laut community, palm-fringed beaches, and comfortable overwater dive resorts. As a peaceful counterpart to the world-famous Sipadan nearby, the island offers ideal conditions for divers, snorkelers, and nature lovers. Mabul Island is considered one of Malaysia’s most important diving destinations and a perfect base for exploring the remarkable marine biodiversity of the Celebes Sea.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 6 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Sipadan dive trips(Day trip)
- Mabul muck diving (macro critters)
- Mabul house reef snorkelling
- Stilt water-village resorts
- Frogfish, mandarinfish & seahorses
- Bajau Laut sea village
- Kapalai sandbar diving(Day trip)
- Sunset over the stilt jetties
- Mabul Island coral reefs
- Paradise Reef dive site
- Froggy Lair dive site
- Eel Garden dive site
- Mabul island beaches
- Kapalai Island sandbanks(Day trip)
- Night diving Mabul
Getting there
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry