Guide No. 20 · Getting there
Route · Pulau Mabul
How to get to Pulau Mabul
Fly to Tawau, drive 75 to 90 minutes to Semporna, then take your resort's speedboat, 45 to 60 minutes. There is no public ferry.
Operator notice
1–30 November 2026: Sipadan is closed, as it is every November, and reopens on 1 December. Boats to Mabul and the other islands run as usual.
The journey
- Kuala LumpurFly direct to Tawau, about 3 h. Land by 10:30.
- Tawau airportRoad to Semporna, 82 km, 75–90 min. Many packages include it.
- Semporna jettyResort speedboat 45–60 min, usually in the package. Jetty fee RM10, or RM2 for Malaysians.
- Pulau MabulYour resort's own jetty. Sipadan is about 15 km south.
Ways across
| From | Mode | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semporna jettyMabul resorts, usually in the package | Resort speedboat | 45–60 min | – |
| Semporna jettyKapalai, Mataking and Pom Pom resorts | Resort speedboat | 45–60 min | – |
| Semporna jettyPearl Island Resort, Bohey Dulang | Resort speedboat | 30–45 min | – |
There is no public ferry and no published fare: each resort runs its own boat, usually as part of the package, so the table shows a dash. Scuba Junkie charges RM90 per person each way, free on days you dive or snorkel with it.
Step by step
Book a licensed stay
The boat comes with the resort, so book the stay first. Check that it is on the Sabah Tourism Board's list of licensed accommodation in Semporna; every stay in this guide matched an entry on it, last updated 5 November 2026.
Fly to Tawau
Direct flights from Kuala Lumpur take about 3 hours; Borneo Divers names AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines. You can also fly via Kota Kinabalu. Land by 10.30 am to make the midday boats.
Drive to Semporna
Semporna is 82 km from Tawau airport, 75 to 90 minutes by road. Borneo Divers, Mabul Water Bungalows and Pom Pom include the transfer in their packages.
Take the resort boat
Only three jetties in Semporna may be used for tourism: Bangau-Bangau, Seafest and Kapalai Resort. Your resort tells you which, and when. Scuba Junkie's boats leave at 8 am and 2.30 pm; Kapalai and Pearl Island at 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. From 1 January 2026, a jetty fee is charged as you leave Semporna.
Going home
Return boats run between morning and late afternoon, and none after 5 pm. Scuba Junkie's boats leave Mabul at 10 am and 4 pm; Kapalai and Pearl Island at 11 am and 1.30 pm. Book flights out of Tawau after 4 pm, or later if you take an afternoon boat.
Questions
How long is the boat from Semporna to Mabul?
45 to 60 minutes by resort speedboat, depending on the sea. Kapalai, Mataking and Pom Pom are under an hour too.
Which airport is nearest to Mabul?
Tawau. Semporna, where the boats leave, is 82 km away, 75 to 90 minutes by road.
Is there a public ferry to Mabul?
No. Each resort runs its own speedboat from Semporna, usually as part of the package.
Is Sipadan open in November?
No. Sipadan closes every November, from 1 to 30 November, and reopens on 1 December. Mabul and the other islands stay open.