Guide No. 20 · Stay 3 of 7
Stay · Pulau Mabul
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort
Good · No. 3 of 7 on Pulau Mabul
On Pulau Mabul, by the village, 45 to 60 minutes by resort boat from Semporna.
Position
- Tier
- GoodNo. 3 of 7
- Beach
- MabulPulau Mabul, by the village
- Open
- All yearSipadan shut in November
- Boat
- 45–60 minFrom Semporna 13:30, back 11:00
Verdict
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort is run by Borneo Divers and Sea Sports, which is licensed by the state for Mabul and is one of the operators registered with Sabah Parks for Sipadan permits. The resort calls itself a 4-star resort recognised by the tourism ministry.
Packages can include the road transfer from Tawau airport and the boat from Semporna, on a published schedule. The resort takes Visa, Mastercard and American Express, and payment in US dollars, pounds and euros. Its Sipadan permits are limited, managed by the resort, not guaranteed, and can’t be transferred or refunded; Sipadan is closed every November.
The catch is the rooms and the setting. Guest reviews describe the Standard rooms as small and dated, and mention noise and litter from the edge of the village. Wi-Fi works only in the dining hall, and the resort says its speed and stability may be limited.
Good for
Divers who want a registered Sipadan operator with its own Sipadan permits and a transfer from Tawau airport in the package.
Not for
Anyone who wants a modern room, quiet surroundings or Wi-Fi in their room.
Particulars
- Type
- Resort
- Rooms
- –
- Board
- Packages; what they include varies
- Transfer
- Road from Tawau airport and resort boat from Semporna, 45–60 min; included depending on the package
- Season
- Open all year
- Check-in
- –Check-out –
- Website
- borneodivers.com.my
Getting there
The resort's van leaves Tawau airport at 10.30 am for Semporna, and its boat leaves Semporna for Mabul at 1.30 pm. Going home, the boat leaves Mabul at 11 am and the van leaves Semporna for the airport at 12.30 pm. The resort's pages also show a second, earlier run, so confirm the times when you book. No boats run after 5 pm. All routes to Pulau Mabul.
Other stays on Mabul
| No. | Stay | Tier | Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort | Pick | Mabul |
| 2 | The Reef Dive Resort | Pick | Mataking |
| 4 | Mabul Water Bungalows | Good | Mabul |
| 5 | Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort | Good | Kapalai |
| 6 | Pom Pom Island Resort | Good | Pom Pom |
| 7 | Pearl Island Resort | Good | Bohey Dulang |