Mabul at a glance
Mabul is a base for divers, snorkelers and anyone who wants to sleep close to the reefs. Sipadan itself has no accommodation, so visitors stay on Mabul or at Kapalai and travel to the park by boat on the day of their permit. Mabul also has a village, which makes the island more than a resort stop.
You reach the island by boat from Semporna. The Mabul transfers below are one dive operator's timetable, not a public ferry. If you book a different operator, ask for its own times.
Getting to Mabul from Semporna
One operator's boat times for guests, according to its 2026 information.
| Direction | Departures | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semporna to Mabul | 08:00 and 14:30 | Arrival on the 14:30 boat means no dive trip that day |
| Mabul to Semporna | 10:00 and 16:00 | Operator boats for its guests |
| From Tawau Airport | – | For the 14:30 boat, land in Tawau by 12:00 |
The road from Tawau Airport to Semporna takes about 90 minutes according to the same operator. A transfer arranged in advance is possible. Leave a buffer, because traffic, weather and a boat connection can all change the time.
Since 1 January 2026 the operator lists a Semporna jetty fee of RM 10 for international adults and RM 5 for children under 11. The fee is separate from any park charge. Some resorts have their own jetties and want an advance booking for the boat. See getting to Semporna for the flights.
Our picks: Mabul
A day trip that includes Mabul and Kapalai, with snorkeling or intro dives.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and dive trips around Mabul
Snorkeling, diving and boat days from Semporna, with live prices and availability.
Where to stay on Mabul
A price example, valid until 31 December 2026.
Dorms and private rooms
Mabul Beach Resort offers dorm beds and private rooms. Its rates apply per person for two or three people in a room and are valid until 31 December 2026. Do not read them as a nightly price for a whole family.
Seasonal surcharge
The resort adds RM 50 per night for a dorm bed and RM 100 per person and night for a private room in peak periods. The next peak period it lists runs from 15 December 2026 to 5 January 2027. This is one resort's rule, not an island-wide surcharge.
Tourism levy
The resort shows RM 10 per room and night separately and excludes dorms. An older customs guide from 2023 gives the same amount. Confirm the current levy when you book.
For a comparison of town hotels and island stays, see where to stay in Semporna. For a resort built on stilts over a sandbank, see Kapalai.
Diving and muck diving at Mabul
One dive operator describes Mabul as sandy and artificial habitats, reef slopes, walls and a lot of small life. Muck diving here means searching for small animals in those bottom habitats. It is slow diving. It does not promise any particular species on your dive.
Si Amil is about 45 minutes by boat from Mabul. The operator describes First Beach as a sandy, sheltered macro site and Second Beach as a reef slope where rays may appear. Sightings are possibilities, not promises.
The same operator says the water rarely falls below 27 degrees Celsius and offers 3 mm suits. That is local experience, not a measured series, and it does not cover every depth.
Sipadan from Mabul
Sipadan needs a day permit through a licensed provider, and one operator asks for at least Advanced Open Water or an equivalent. It attributes this requirement to Sabah Parks. The international fee is RM 100 as a conservation fee plus RM 350 for diving, RM 450 in total, without boat or equipment. The park is closed in November according to the operator, which then offers Si Amil, Mabul and Kapalai instead. Read the Sipadan guide before you plan around a permit.
Village life and respectful visits
People live on Mabul, and the island is not a stage. There is no fixed entry fee and no public visitor program for the village. Treat the paths between houses as someone's neighborhood.
Ask first
Ask before you take a photo of a person or a home. Do not walk into private houses or onto private boats uninvited.
Children and gifts
Do not photograph children as a motif. Do not hand out money or sweets to get a picture or a smile.
Reef etiquette
Do not stand on corals and do not touch animals. These are shared waters, and the reef is also a livelihood.
For more on respectful encounters around Semporna, read the guide to the Bajau Laut.
Safety on the islands
Official advice differs by country.
The UK FCDO (changed 19 March 2026) advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off eastern Sabah between Sandakan and Tawau. The German Foreign Office (21 October 2026) advises urgently against non-essential travel to the islands and dive areas. The US State Department (22 February 2026) lists Level 2 for the islands. German and Australian sources mention restricted boat traffic from 18:00 to 06:00 within 3 nautical miles of the coast. Read the full notes on the safety page and check your travel insurance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Nearby places and practical pages.
Mabul Island: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Semporna to Mabul?
By boat. One dive operator lists departures at 08:00 and 14:30 for its guests, with returns at 10:00 and 16:00. It is an operator schedule, not a public ferry, so ask your own operator for its times.
Can I stay overnight on Sipadan?
No. Sabah Parks lists accommodation outside the island. Visitors usually stay on Mabul or Kapalai and travel to Sipadan by boat on the day of the permit.
What is muck diving?
It is a dive style where you search for small animals in sandy or artificial bottom habitats. It is slow and focused on macro life. No particular animal is guaranteed.
What about Sipadan in November?
The island has accommodation, but one operator says Sipadan is closed for the whole of November and offers other sites such as Si Amil, Mabul and Kapalai instead. That program is not the same as Sipadan National Park.
Is Mabul safe to visit?
Official advice is dated on the safety page and differs between the UK, Germany and the United States. Read your own government's current advice and check your insurance before you book.