Mataking Island at a glance
Mataking is a resort island. The resort offers package stays with snorkeling from the beach, dive trips and an underwater post box. It is also a stop on some boat tours that leave from Semporna.
The island is not part of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The park lists other islands, so its fees do not apply to Mataking. What you pay on Mataking depends on the resort package or the tour you book.
The resort packages
What the resort lists for international guests.
Packages for non-divers
The packages for guests who do not dive include snorkeling from the beach. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so ask whether you can rent it or should bring your own.
Packages for divers
The dive packages name Mataking, Timba Timba, Pandanan and neighboring reefs as dive areas.
Validity and prices
The international rates on the resort's website run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Check the current rate for your dates, your nationality and the length of your stay. This page does not list resort prices.
Transfers
A regular shared boat transfer is part of the package on the day you check in and check out. A free shared airport transfer applies only when your flight and pickup times fit. Do not count on a free private ride at any time.
Getting to Semporna →Our picks: Mataking
A three-dive day at Mataking that leaves from the Semporna jetty.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Boat tours and snorkeling trips from Semporna
Day trips to the islands off Semporna, with live prices and availability.
The underwater post box
According to the resort, a post box stands at the wreck of MATAKING 1. You buy a postcard with a waterproof sleeve in the resort shop, and the post box is emptied twice a week. The resort says the wreck is a former cargo ship that was sunk in March 2006. So the post box is not new in 2026.
This is an offer described on the resort's website. Check with the resort whether the post box is in use on your dates. The price of a card and its postage are not listed, so ask in the shop.
Visiting Mataking on a day trip
One operator's route as an example.
| Route | Price per person | Included | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mataking, Timba Timba and Pandanan | RM 270 | Snorkel gear, lunch, water, boat, guide, jetty and island fees | Leaves 08:00, returns from the island 16:00 |
The operator's title asks for a minimum of 4 people, while its terms mention 2 people or an arrangement with the dive base. Do not count on a solo price. The page names no year, so confirm the price before you plan.
A boat stop at Mataking does not show that you can enter the resort's facilities or its private beach. Ask your operator and the resort about a day pass, the landing place and access to the post box before you go. Some resorts have their own jetties and do not accept unannounced visitors, so book the boat and the resort in advance.
Snorkeling and reef etiquette
Simple rules that protect the reef.
Stay off the coral
Do not stand on the reef, even in shallow water. Do not break or touch corals.
Leave animals alone
Do not touch or chase turtles, fish or other animals. Sightings are possibilities, not promises.
Know the rules of the stay
Resorts set their own rules for guests. Follow the staff's instructions about where to snorkel and when.
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. See the safety page for the full notes and check your travel insurance.
Nearby on this guide
More islands and practical pages.
Mataking Island: frequently asked questions
Is Mataking part of Tun Sakaran Marine Park?
No. The park lists Bodgaya, Bohey Dulang, Tetagan, Sebangkat, Selakan, Maiga, Sibuan and Mantabuan. Mataking is not on that list.
Does the underwater post box really work?
The resort describes it on its website, with a postcard and a waterproof sleeve from the shop and a collection twice a week. Whether it works on your dates is something to confirm with the resort.
Can I snorkel from the beach?
The resort's packages for non-divers include snorkeling from the beach, but they do not include the equipment. Ask what you can rent on the island.
Can I visit Mataking without staying at the resort?
A boat tour can include Mataking as a stop. That alone does not show that you can use the resort's facilities or its beach. Ask your operator and the resort before you plan around it.
When was the shipwreck sunk?
The resort says a former cargo ship was sunk in March 2006. The post box is therefore not a new attraction.