Mabul Island accommodation caters to every budget. Most homestays, lodges, hotels and resorts are located on the island itself while one is situated on a modified jackup for oil rigs about 500m from the beach.
First things first: If you’re staying on Mabul, it’s probably because you want to dive Sipadan. Keep in mind that not all resorts/dive operators are allocated Sipadan permits directly from the government. That being said, there is a rich secondary market for permits. If your dive operator is unable to provide a permit, they may obtain one for you at a premium or book that day with a resort or dive operator who can.
For those on a budget, consider staying in Semporna town on the mainland and using it as a base to visit the islands. Check out various hotels in Semporna for affordable options.
Table of contents
- Budget Mabul hotels (with Sipadan permits)
- Other Mabul budget hotels
- Mid-range Mabul hotels (with Sipadan permits)
- Luxury Mabul hotels (with Sipadan permits)
- Mataking Island hotels (with Sipadan permits)
- Kapalai Island hotels (with Sipadan permits)
- Semporna hotels (with Sipadan permits)
- Pom Pom Island hotels
Budget Mabul hotels (with Sipadan permits)
⚑ PADI Dive Resort
Longhouse extending over the water from the beach with twin and double sharing or dormitory rooms available.
Booking.com► Check pricing for Mabul Backpackers Longhouse on:
Homestay chalets built over the ocean with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM848 (3 dives)
Booking.com► Check pricing for Billabong Scuba on:
⚑ PADI 5 Star IDC Resort
Uncle Chang Sipadan Mabul Lodge
Wooden lodge built on stilts over the sea. Dorm, double, family rooms and seaview chalets are available here.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM600 (non-divers), RM720 (2 dives) and RM750 (3 dives)
► Check pricing for Uncle Chang Sipadan Mabul Lodge on:
Other Mabul budget hotels
⚑ PADI Dive Centre
Beachside accommodation with sea-facing and water-village-view rooms that come with air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms (hot shower).
Booking.com► Check pricing for Aloha Mabul Scuba Lodge on:
Located within the Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) village on the island, this guesthouse is constructed on stilts over the ocean. Twin sharing rooms with shared/attached bathrooms available.
Booking.com► Check pricing for Spheredivers Lodge on:
⚑ PADI 5 Star Dive Centre
Mabul accommodation consisting of a guesthouse built over the sea. Fan, air-cond and VIP rooms available. Previously known as Arung Hayat Sea Adventures Dive Center.
► Check pricing for Amina Holidays Resort on:
⚑ PADI Resort
All dorm, double and triple sharing rooms are air-conditioned at this budget lodge built over the water. Scrumptious buffet served at the spacious sun deck.
► Check pricing for Mabul Paradise Lodge on:
Comfortable, tastefully renovated rooms next to the water. Dorm and standard rooms with attached bathrooms, ceiling fans and sea views available at this floating lodge.
► Check pricing for Seahorse Sipadan Scuba on:
Homestay chalets built over the ocean with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM848 (3 dives)
► Check pricing for Mabul Water House on:
Private beach accommodation or sharing rooms built over the sea available here. Features an ‘ocean hammock’ area.
Mid-range Mabul hotels (with Sipadan permits)
⚑ PADI 5 Star Dive Resort
Borneo Divers Mabul Resort (14 permits)
One of the most established resorts here, with 30 tropical-themed chalets. Popular rooms include the ethnic-inspired Runggus Twin and luxurious Runggus Double featuring traditional platform beds.
Stay 4 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► 5D4N & 4D3N packages for Borneo Divers Mabul Dive Resort
Booking.com► Check pricing for Borneo Divers Mabul Resort on:
⚑ PADI 5 Star IDC Resort
Seaventures Dive Rig Resort (11 permits)
Stay on and dive below an oil rig.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Seaventures Dive Rig Resort on:
⚑ PADI 5 Star Dive Resort
Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART Divers Resort) (14 permits)
40 wooden chalets nestled in a coconut grove towards the southeastern side of Mabul. Sister resort of the luxurious Mabul Water Bungalows. Hosts the Miss Scuba International pageant orientation every year.
Stay 5 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART Divers Resort) on:
⚑ PADI 5 Star IDC Resort
Mabul Beach Resort (Scuba Junkie) (7 permits)
This Mabul resort consists of 24 ensuite rooms situated on the beachfront. Scuba Junkie also operates Scuba Junkie Backpackers based in Semporna.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
► Check pricing for Mabul Beach Resort (Scuba Junkie) on:
⚑ PADI Dive Boat
MV Celebes Explorer (13 permits)
The only liveaboard serving Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan. This boat with 8 cabins is an excellent choice if diving in Sipadan is your priority. Compared to land-based resorts, this liveaboard lets you dive in Sipadan on every day of your stay.
Stay 3 nights for 10 dives in Sipadan
Luxury Mabul hotels (with Sipadan permits)
⚑ PADI 5 Star Dive Resort
1. Mabul Water Bungalows (14 permits)
Exclusive Mabul resort with 16 units of floating bungalows offering private balconies with panoramic vistas of the ocean. Sister resort of Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART).
Stay 5 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Mabul Water Bungalows on:
⚑ PADI 5 Star Dive Resort
2. Sipadan Water Village (14 permits)
45 water chalets built based on Bajau architectural design, each with private decks overlooking the sea.
Stay 4 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Sipadan Water Village on:
Kapalai Island hotels (with Sipadan permits)
Learn more about Kapalai Island
⚑ PADI Resort
1. Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort (14 permits)
15-20 minutes from Sipadan and Mabul, this lavish resort is built in the middle of the Celebes Sea with no land in sight. Popular among couples and honeymooners.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► 4D3N packages for Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort
► Check pricing for Sipadan Water Village on:
Mataking Island hotels (with Sipadan permits)
Learn more about Mataking Island
1. Mataking Reef Resort (7 permits)
Resort with daily diving trips to Sipadan (±80 minutes away) and other islands.
Return dive trip to Sipadan – RM1,400 per boat (up to 7 pax per boat)
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Mataking Reef Dive Resort on:
Semporna hotels (with Sipadan permits)
Learn more about Semporna
1. Sipadan Scuba (7 permits)
Dive operator in Semporna with an attached hotel (Holiday Dive Inn) and daily trips to Sipadan.
Stay 2 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan. Divers: RM1000, Non-divers: RM950
Pom Pom Island hotels
Learn more about Pom Pom Island
Resort in Pom Pom Island offering day trips to Mabul, Kapalai and other islands. Located next to Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Pom Pom Island Resort on: