Mabul is your stepping stone to dive at Sipadan island. Often overshadowed by Sipadan, it is also world famous for "muck diving", a term coined for descending over a sandy bottom to watch a whole host of tiny critters: shrimp, mating mandarinfish, crab and seahorses emerge from their hiding spots.

Sipadan and Mabul couldn't be more different. While the interior of Sipadan is untouched tropical forest, Mabul is predominantly made up of actively producing coconut trees. Almost every tree on the island is numbered and is associated with an individual who cares for the tree and harvests the coconuts.

SMART resort facilities

Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART) is located at the southern tip of Pulau Mabul overlooking Sipadan. Accommodation is on twin-share basis, unless the single supplement is paid.

There are 45 chalets (22 are new detached/stand alone one room chalets) accommodating up to 90 guests at any time.  All the chalets are built with mosquito screens have attached toilet/bathroom with hot shower facilities and the comfort of air-conditioning, which are available for 24 hours. 

Single supplement
Add 50% on top of the above prices for single occupancy of a 2-bed chalet. This must be booked well in advance.

Detached / standalone chalet
Add surcharge RM 74.00 per person/per night on top of the above package price.  This must be booked well in advance.

Facilities

- Electrical outlet is 220 Volt AC. 
- A vinyl swimming pool measuring 41-ft X 21 ft with a 6-ft deep end. 
- A 4-6 persons Jacuzzi Whirlpool Spas.
- A large dining hall/bar area is used for meals, socializing, dancing and staff shows. Coconut drink, juices, carbonated soft drinks, beer and wine can be purchased at the resort bar and jetty bar. 
- A small sundry shop sells a range of T-shirts, films, batteries, toiletries, souvenirs etc.  An office takes care of the registration and billing; it is equipped with a Telephone/Fax for communications with the mainland. 
- High speed internet access is available NOW at the resort.

Diving information

Diving in Mabul is shadowed by Sipadan's fame. Due to the restricted number of divers on Sipadan, Mabul has come into the limelight as one of the best muck diving destinations in the world. The bottom appears bare at first glance consisting of corals, rocks, sea grass and sand. Adding to this are manmade items such as bottles, cans and sacks. Look a little deeper and you will find home to a wide range of creatures: spike-finned goby, flamboyant cuttlefish, squid, allied cowries, lionfish, snakes, garden eels, mantis shrimps, nudibranchs, seahorses to name a few. 

There are three daily boat dives to Sipadan island (about 15 minutes away) although you are restricted to two dives a day for conservation purposes. Divers will be rotated and the schedule will be arranged at the discretion of the resort management.  Most diving is a combination of wall and drift diving. 

Tanks, weights and weight belt are provided; all other equipment must be brought by the diver or rented.

A Technical Diving Center (SMART-Tec) offers various services such as Nitrox Air and TDI Certification Courses.  An underwater video center (Treasure Images) provides u/w videography courses and services as well as rental of Digital Camera. 

WHOA! Dive rating

5 stars - Malaysia's finest

2008 in RM (per person) - valid till 31 March 2009

STANDARD ROOMS at SMART Resort

DAYS/NIGHTS	PRICE PER DIVER (TWIN SHARE)	PRICE PER NON-DIVER  (TWIN SHARE)
2 days/1 night	RM 1,946.00	RM 1,292.00
3 days/2 nights	RM 2,287.00	RM 1,508.00
4 days/3 nights	RM 2,623.00	RM 1,737.00
5 days/4 nights	RM 2,956.00	RM 1,966.00
Extra day/night	RM    462.00	RM    402.00

*rates subject to change without notice

MABUL WATER BUNGALOWS (MWB)

This is SMART's sister resort catering for high-end luxury villas on stilts over the sea. These wooden-type bungalows haven fifteen (15) units (10xdouble bed & 5xtwin bedded) entirely built over water with stilts offer sheer comfort.  Each bungalow exquisitely furnished with contemporary décor, equipped with remote control air-conditioner, ceiling fan, private bathroom-hot/cold shower and toilet, spacious private balcony offer panoramic vistas of blue sea, colour TV with satellite channels, mini bar and in-room safety box.

Facilities includes a large and airy restaurant for dining, a souvenirs shop selling variety of t-shirts, accessories and gifts, a lounge for guests to relax, a business center with internet service, a dive center, an office taking care all the guests registration, billings and an underwater video and health spa outlets.

Cost per person in RM for 2008 (valid till 31 March 2009)

All packages include:

Packages for both SMART and MWB includes:

Other resort activities

Notes:

Our check in-time is 1400 hours and check out time is 1200 hours.  Early check-in and late check-out is subject to room availability

Entry permit to Sipadan island

Kindly take note that all daily entry to dive or visit to Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by the Sabah Park Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit.  The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan island is restricted now to 120 pax per day.

The fee for entry permit to Sipadan is USD 11.00/ RM 40.00 per person per day for divers, visitors and children.  This entry permit has to be paid in advance during the booking period in order for us to apply in advance.  Please take note that the entry permit fee to Sipadan island will not be refunded once it is applied and approved.

However, should the entry permit to Sipadan island is not approved, we can offer arrangement to dive in island like Si Amir, Roach Reef, Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restrictions on these island.

Responsible Tourism practices

Read our special article by Serina Rahman, our star conservationist! Download here

Our Say

An excellent option if you are planning to visit Sipadan or Mabul. Download and read our special article by Serina Rahman for her independent view of SMART.