
The following is a list of 12 hotels, resorts, dive operators and liveaboards that have been allocated Sipadan permits directly by the state.
There are no hotels/resorts on Sipadan Island itself. All the entities listed below are based in Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and Semporna town, as well as one liveaboard with 8 cabins.
No. | Company Name | Location |
---|---|---|
1. | Seaventures Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd | Mabul |
2. | Sipadan-Mabul Resort (Sabah) Sdn Bhd | |
3. | Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd | |
4. | Borneo Divers and Seasport (Sabah) Sdn Bhd | |
5. | B.S.D.S. Sea & Sport Sdn Bhd | |
6. | Dive Semporna Sdn Bhd | |
7. | Borneo Jungle River Island Tours Sdn Bhd | |
8. | Pulau Sipadan Resort Sdn Bhd | Kapalai |
9. | The Reef Dive Resort and Tours Sdn Bhd | Mataking |
10. | North Borneo Dive and Seasports Sdn Bhd | Semporna |
11. | Roach Reefs Resort Sdn Bhd | Tawau |
12. | MV Celebes Explorer | Liveaboard |
Data sourced from Sabah Parks authority. |
Minimum stay requirements for diving in Sipadan (if any) are indicated below.

1. 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
► Learn more: Seaventures Dive Rig 4D3N Packages

2. Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART) (14 permits)
40 wooden chalets nestled in a coconut grove towards the southeastern side of Mabul. Sister resort of the luxurious Mabul Water Bungalows.
Stay 5 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Learn more: Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART) Packages

3. Sipadan Water Village Resort (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
► Learn more: Sipadan Water Village 3D2N Packages

4. Borneo Divers Mabul Dive Resort (14 permits)
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
► Learn more: Borneo Divers Mabul Packages

5. Billabong Scuba (6 permits)
Homestay chalets built on stilts over the ocean with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM848 (3 dives)
► Learn more: Billabong Scuba Mabul Packages

6. Scuba Junkie/Mabul Beach Resort (7 permits)
This Mabul resort consists of 24 ensuite rooms situated on the beach front. Scuba Junkie also operates Scuba Junkie Backpackers based in Semporna.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
► Learn more: Mabul Beach Resort by Scuba Junkie

7. Uncle Chang Sipadan (7 permits)
Wooden lodge built on stilts over the sea. Dorm, double, family rooms and seaview chalets available.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM600 (non-divers), RM720 (2 dives) and RM750 (3 dives)
► Learn more: Seaventures Dive Rig 4D3N Packages

8. Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort (14 permits)
15-20 minutes from Sipadan and Mabul, this top-notch 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
► Learn more: Sipadan-Kapalai Resort Packages

9. Mataking Reef Resort (7 permits)
Lavish 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
► Learn more: Mataking Resort Packages

10. 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
11. Roach Reef Resort – 6 permits
This resort is currently closed, as it ceased operations in October 2013. We will update this section in the event it re-opens.

12. MV Celebes Explorer (13 permits)
The only liveaboard serving Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan. There are 8 standard cabins, with 2 queen-sized double bed cabins featuring windows located on the main deck, and 6 double/twin bed cabins featuring portholes located on the lower deck.
Excellent choice if diving in Sipadan is your priority. Compared to land-based resorts, this liveaboard lets you dive in Sipadan every day of your stay.
Stay 3 nights for 10 dives in Sipadan
► Learn more: MV Celebes Explorer Packages