Guide No. 20 · Stay 2 of 7
Stay · Pulau Mabul
The Reef Dive Resort
Pick · No. 2 of 7 on Pulau Mabul
On Pulau Mataking, under an hour by boat from Semporna.
- Tier
- PickNo. 2 of 7
- Beach
- MatakingPulau Mataking
- Open
- All yearSipadan shut in November
- Boat
- Under 1 hShared boat from Semporna, in the package
Verdict
The Reef Dive Resort, also sold as Mataking Reef Resort, is on Pulau Mataking off Semporna. It is licensed by the state under The Reef Dive Resort & Tours, which is also one of the operators registered with Sabah Parks for Sipadan permits.
The resort lists 63 rooms in six types. Packages include the shared boat from Semporna, which the resort says takes less than an hour. Mataking is outside Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
The catch is price and distance. Guest reviews often call the rooms ageing for what they cost, and Mataking is the farthest of these islands from Semporna. Sipadan is closed every November, and permits through the resort are not guaranteed.
Good for
Couples and divers who want an island to themselves with the boat included, and don't mind a longer crossing.
Not for
Anyone who wants new rooms for the money, or the shortest trip from Semporna.
Particulars
- Type
- Resort
- Rooms
- 63 rooms in 6 types
- Board
- Packages with the shared return boat
- Transfer
- Shared resort boat from Semporna, under an hour; included in packages
- Season
- Open all year
- Check-in
- –Check-out –
- Website
- mataking.com
Getting there
The resort's shared boat leaves Semporna jetty and takes under an hour; it is included in packages. Book the times with the resort. All routes to Pulau Mabul.
Other stays on Mabul
| No. | Stay | Tier | Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort | Pick | Mabul |
| 3 | Borneo Divers Mabul Resort | Good | Mabul |
| 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 |