Mabul Island: Sipadan-Mabul Resort (Smart)-v1 Print

Sipadan-Mabul Resort is located at the southern tip of Pulau Mabul overlooking Sipadan. Nestled in a coconut grove and offers beautifully designed wooden air-con chalets builts next to a beautiful strech of white sand beach, they are accorded as a 4-Stars Resort by The Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and they are member of PADI and NAUI PRO GOLD Dive Resort.

Accommodation is made from native materials of Borneo on Twin Share Basis. The resort have total 45 wooden chalets, which comprises of 18 standard chalets (Semi-Detached size 14 x 12ft), 22 standalone chalets (Detached Chalet size 19 x 16ft mostly twin-bedded) and 2 units suite chalet (Size 28 x 23ft), which could accomodate 84 guests at any one time. All the chalets made from native materials of Borneo on Twin Share Basis, built with mosquito screens have attached toilet/bathroom with hot shower facilities and the comfort of air-conditioning, which are available for 24 hours. Electrical outlet is 220 Volt AC, 50 cycles using three rectangular prongs similar to British plugs. Electricity supply 24 hours a day.

ROOMS

• Standard chalet (Semi-Detached Chalet built up size 14 x 12ft)
  • The standard chalet is semi-detached type with each room featuring two oversized single beds, a couch, shelves, ceiling fan, flyscreened windows, air-conditioning, attached bathroom with hot shower facilities, a private en-suite offering free-flowing hot and cold fresh water and a front verandah. 
  • Both the standard and stand-alone chalets are based on land.
• Standalone chalet (Detached Chalet built up size 19 x 16ft)
  • The stand-alone chalet is detached type, with each room featuring two oversized single beds, a couch, shelves, ceiling fan, flyscreened windows, air-conditioning, attached bathroom with hot shower facilities, a private en-suite offering free-flowing hot and cold fresh water and a front verandah.
  • Both the standard and standalone chalets are based on land.

CHECK-IN / CHECK OUT
The standard check in-time is 1400 hours and check out time is 1200 hours.  Early check-in and late check-out is subject to room availability. The resort 150-member staff awaits to make your dive holiday safe, easy and fun.

FACILITIES

• A vinyl swimming pool measuring 41-ft X 21 ft with a 6-ft deep end.
• A 4-6 persons Jacuzzi Whirlpool Spas.
• A large dining hall/bar area is used for meals, socializing, dancing and staff shows.
• Coconut drink, juices, carbonated soft drinks, beer and wine can be purchased at the resort bar and jetty bar.
• A small sundry shop sells a range of T-shirts, films, batteries, toiletries, souvenirs etc.
• An office takes care of the registration and billing; it is equipped with a Telephone/Fax for communications with the mainland.
• High speed internet access is also available now at the resort.
• A Technical Diving Center (SMART-Tec) offers various services such as Nitrox Air and TDI Certification Courses.
• An underwater video center (Treasure Images) provides u/w videography courses and services as well as rental of Digital Camera.

ACTIVITIES

• PADI/NAUI Diving Courses (from Open Water to Divemaster level)
• Scuba Skills Refresher Course
• Discover Scuba Diving
• Technical Diving Courses
• Nitrox Diving
• PADI/NAUI Specialty Courses
• Snorkeling
• Beach Volley Ball
• Ocean Kayak
• Diving trip at nearby island

MEALS
The restaurant is located under a large open air pavillion and is used mainly for serving  buffet style meals and sometimes performance shows. A selection of fresh juices, coconut drink, sodas, beer and wine can be purchased at the resort bar and jetty bar.

Buffet breakfast consists of cereal, toast, tea, coffee, fruits, eggs, porridge and asian dishes. Complimentary buffet breakfast - fruit juice, coffee, tea, toast, cakes, croissants, pancakes, fruit, cereals, eggs, sausage, rice, noodles and soup.

About Mabul Island
Its proximity to Sipadan Island (about 15 minutes away by boat) was the initial draw card of Mabul, although it soon became apparent that it offered excellent muck diving which some claim is among the world's best. A small flat island with sandy beaches, Mabul sits on the northwest corner of a 200-hectare reef. on its sandy bottoms, on the coral reefs and around the man-made reefs, Mabul offers an astonishing array of small marine life. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus and bobtail squid are just a few of the cephalopods to be found. Harlequin shrimp, boxer crabs, many types of goby, including spike-fin goby, black sail-fin goby and metallic shrimp can be found on Mabul's reef. Frogfish, moray eels and snake eels seen along with scorpion fish family, Mabul is a truly magical macro site

How to Get Here
Take a short 45 minutes Malaysia Airlines domestic flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau then you will be met and transferred to Semporna Jetty (Harbor) by van (appro. 1-hour drive) and finally, you will be transferred to Mabul Resort by speedboat (appro. 40 minutes boat ride).

SIPADAN is the small island where you can dive and snorkel.  It is a 15-30 minutes boat ride south of Mabul.  Sipadan is the tip of a mountain with steep underwater walls all around it.  These walls drop to 300m on the Mabul side of the island and 600m on south side.

Diving on Sipadan is all drift diving, divers drop in and cruise with the current along the walls.  This combination of deep walls and ocean currents provides the ideal environment for pelagic such as sharks and large schools of jacks and barracuda.

SPECIAL RULES FOR PROTECTING TURTLES:
Divers and snorkelers are to refrain from touching, teasing and restraining turtles under water because turtles are air breathers and can be drowned if panicked or cornered.  Anyone riding or restraining turtles will sit out the next dive.

Note: The time restricted by the Government for Diving at Sipadan Island is from 6am to 6pm.

MABUL in contrast to Sipadan is a continuation of the Borneo landmass rather than the top of an underwater mountain.  Because of this, Mabul has more gradually sloping walls around it that bottom out at about 30m.  The attractions on Mabul are of the smaller variety such as lobster, crocodile fish, moray and garden eels.  This makes it an ideal location for macro-photo opportunities.

If you walk around the east of the island at night, be sure to take a flashlight and watch for sea snakes on the beach or amongst the palm trees.

KAPALAI lies to the east of Mabul about 10 minutes away.  It used to be a vegetated island much like Mabul but erosion has turned it into a small sandbar that just breaks the surface of the water.  This is an area that we are exploring for new dive sites.  Like Mabul it is an excellent location for macro-photography and is specially abundant in the rare finds of diving such as mandarin fish, stonefish, leaf fish, pipefish, lionfish, frogfish, cuttlefish, eels, and more.

FINAL DISCRETION

SMART reserves final discretion on who may or may not do any type of diving they offer, based on diver's shown abilities, experience, etc. If a diver is or becomes physically incapacitated by injuries, illness, intoxication, 'hangovers', etc., SMART reserves the right to stop this person from diving.

SMART constantly reminds all the valued guests that the future of the reef is in their hands, they are told not to touch, lift, remove or damage any of the flora and fauna of the reef.

All the Dive masters and instructors are well versed on protection of the underwater ocean environment and have at all time been advertising all Resort guest divers on the underwater rules during their briefings and that is the standard practice. These restrictions are also stated in the contract agreement signed by all guests.

The resort do take it very seriously on the diving and underwater rules. If warranted, for consistent bad bahaviors underwater, the resort reserve the right to ban the divers from diving.

SIPADAN ENTRY PERMIT
Please be informed that all guests need to obtain entry permit daily to dive or visit to Sipadan Island and it will be subject to approval by the sabah Parks Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit.

The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan Island due to the conservation measures by the Government. Daily total entry quota is 120 permits per day. The resort has been allocated 14 quotas each day out of the 120 peoples shared between Mabul Water Bungalow and Sipadan-Mabul Resort per day. Due to the limitation, the priority will be given to guests who stay from 5 nights onward at Standalone Chalets to have 1 day diving guarantee at Sipadan Island. All permit application will be handled and process by the resort management. Please note there is NO first come first serve basis. During peak season, priority will be given to divers. 

The gurantee trip is NOT included the entry permit fee. The fee for Entry Permit to Sipadan Island is MYR 42.20 per person per day for divers, non-divers, visitors and children. This entry permit has to be paid before or on arrival in the resort.

However, should the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not been approved, the resort can offers alternative trip (snorkeling / diving) at nearby island such as Sibuan, Mataking, Boheydulang, Mantabuan, Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restriction to dive on this island.

For guests who are staying less than 5 nights at water Bungalow, the package will bw based on the NON SIPADAN PACKAGE. If Mabul Water Bungalow guests wishes to do more diving in Sipadan Island, he or she can enquire through our Amazing Borneo Tours OR on arrival in the resort, can approach the Resort Manager for assistance to buy "Sipadan diving service and entry permits Package" from other dive resorts/operators (NO GUARANTEE).

You may check with the resort when you arrive at the resort if any day trip Sipadan diving service available to book. The price per trip is MYR 395 per person per day. The permit will entitle you to 3 boat dives at Sipadan Island.  It is advisable to enquire well in advance and subject to availabilities.

Amazing Borneo Tours and SMART will not be held responsible for not being able to provide trip to Sipadan due to the conservation measures by the Government.

Thank you for your understanding.

CONDITION FOR DIVING

• LIABILITY/RELEASE FORM (WAIVER)
  • All guests will be required to sign a Liability/Release Form (Waiver) before or upon arrival and abide by all diving and safety rules of the resort.
• WEATHER CONDITIONS
  • The resort operates diving all year round but the weather conditions are unpredictable these days for scuba diving even for the best season.
• DIVER TRAINING
  • All divers will be required to show proof of diver training from an internationally recognized Diver Training Agency upon arrival or they will not be allowed to dive without taking a dive course. 
  • SMART also reserves the right to require a Scuba Skills Refresher Course for any diver who cannot provide proof of diving in the last 12 months and/or exhibits uncertainty in their skills. Logbooks are highly recommended.

DIVING ON FIRST DAY AT RESORT - ORIENTATION
The first dive at the Dive Resort on the day of arrival will be an orientation dive with a Divemaster.  This is required of all divers.  Please take note that there is NO Underwater Camera or Video allowed during the orientation dive. Other jetty dives can be done on the first day under our UNLIMITED JETTY DIVES program.  First day diving is depends on your arrival time to the resort.

DIVING SCHEDULES AND REGULATIONS

• Boat Dives
  • There are three (3) boat dives a day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon.  It is a combination dive at nearby dive sites making a total of 3 dives per day. 
  • Each boat goes out with a boatman and Divemaster.  All dive sites and dive schedules will be arranged at the discretion of the resort Management.  
  • The dive boats will depart to the dive sites every morning at 8.00 to 9.00 am and return to the Resort after the 3rd dive, around 4.00 p.m. 
  • Divers will return to the resort for their meals after every dive. If you are diving at Sipadan Island you will be there the whole day, lunch will be served on site.  
  • The number of dive is limited to avoid overcrowding; therefore, visits must be arranged well in advance.  Divers on their first visit to Sipadan are briefed before they take the plunge.
• Additional Day Dives
  • In order to cover the entire dive sites it is recommended at least one week stay at the resort. 
  • If you would like to do additional day diving besides the normal 3 boat dives then the diving rate is MYR 106 per dive/per diver.  This must be arranged in advance with the dive master.  You will be required to sign a separate Liability/Release Form (Waiver).  
• Unlimited Jetty Dives
  • Besides the three (3) boat dives, unlimited jetty dives may be carried out daily on Mabul’s House Reef. 
  • The UNLIMITED JETTY DIVING mentioned below are dives from Mabul’s House Reef and includes night diving (without divemaster and boat).
  • Tanks, weights and weight belt are provided; all other equipment must be brought by the diver or rented. 
  • These jetty dives can only start after your morning boat dive, unless you choose not to go on the morning boat dive; then you may dive anytime after 7.00am. 
  • Your last jetty dive has to be planned in such a way as to exit the water by 9.00 p.m.
  • For jetty dive, you are required to dive with a buddy and sign out with our personnel on duty.  NO DIVEMASTERS WILL ACCOMPANY JETTY DIVES, unless prior arrangements are made.

TO PAY AND DIVE ON NON-DIVER PACKAGE

• For certified divers who purchase non-diver package wishes to dive, the additional charge is MYR 170 per dive per person includes the use of dive boat, tank with air, weights, weight belt and the services of divemaster on sharing basis.  This must be arranged in advance.
• Whilst for the unlimited house reef diving with buddy is MYR 85 per dive per person includes the use of tank with air, weights and weight belt. This must be arranged in advance.
• Buddy System and Depth Limitations
  • As per most Training Agency's teachings, all dives must be with a buddy; no solo diving is allowed. 
  • Depth on any dive shall be limited to a maximum of 140 feet (40 meters), of course taking into account any residual nitrogen time already acquired.
• Surface Intervals
  • For safety measures, a mandatory minimum 60 minutes surface interval is required before the next consecutive dive, regardless of whether you are diving by a computer or by tables.
• Night Diving
  • To Night Dive, divers must show proof of night diving in the form of certification cards or logbooks documenting such dives.
  • If no proof is available, divers who wish to night dive will be required to take an introduction OR certification course in night diving at an additional cost.  Night Divers must exit the water by 9.00 p.m. (2100 hrs).
  • Night dive is exceptionally good at Mabul walls where one could easily encounter Lobsters, Crocodile Fish and occasionally large Cuttlefish. The boat leaves for Mabul night dive at around 6.00 - 6.30 p.m. and dinner will be served after the dive.
  • Night dives can be scheduled whenever a diver wants to do one the following evening at extra charge. 
  • A diver doing their first night diving will be required to do an introduction to night diving prior to the dive.
  • Rates for night diving with boat on Mabul Island is MYR 286 per dive/per boat from 1-2 Divers and if there are 3 divers and above the rate is MYR 106 per diver/per dive. This will be charged locally.

FLYING AFTER DIVING (Last Day At The Resort)

• The latest recommendation from DAN, Training Agencies etc., indicates that you should wait a minimum of 12 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly.
• However, SMART recognizes that people, agencies, and even computers and tables differ on this.  If you choose to dive on the day you leave and fly, you will be required to sign a separate Liability/Release Form (Waiver) to do this.
• You will only be able to do one morning dive at 8.00am at Mabul Island; however, this is at the discretion of the resort Management. The extra charge for the dive on last day is MYR 106 per person/per dive.

Most diving is a combination of wall and drift diving. The resort has eight Bauer Compressors, 400 units Aluminum 3000 psi/80 cubic foot tanks with American style 'K' valves and 70 units with DIN valve. 35 sets of diving equipment for rental. It is advisable to bring own adaptor/converter (220/110v) for charging strobes, camera and lights.

*Prices are subject to change, payable at resort.

The information below acts as a guideline & subject to change without prior notice.

MH- Malaysia Airlines     AK- AirAsia

REMARKS:

• For guests arriving Semporna by overland transfer on own arrangement, please proceed to Seafest Hotel's Lobby.
• Please be there half an hour before the boat departure.
• It is advisable to inform the resort in advance of your arrival time as their boats are not all the time stationed at the jetty.
• If you miss the boat, then you will have to wait for the next scheduled boat.
• For guests overnight at Semporna, please wait at the hotel's lobby half an hour before boat departure.
• As the resort unbale to meet all the flights arriving in Tawau, therefore guests arriving by flight not stated above must stay the night at the mainland-Tawau or Semporna. Hotels can be arranged on request.

MH- Malaysia Airlines     AK- AirAsia

REMARKS:

• For guests departing on early flight before 10:00am must depart the resort 1 day earlier for overnight stay at the mainland - tawau or semporna. Hotels can be arranged on request.

NOTE

• All land & boat transfer are on sharing basis. Private charter can be arranged on request.
• Unscheduled boat transfer to and from the resort can be arranged with additional surcharge but subject to weather conditions.
• Whenever necessary, the resort management reserved the right to change the boat schedule therefore please always double check with the resort management for your boat & flight information.