Mataking - The Reef Dive Resort

Eco-friendly ‘Reef Dive Resort’ is another of Sabah’s romantic dive resorts located on Mataking island. Built in 2003 with luxury in mind and catering to divers and non-divers alike, the Reef Dive Resort pampers. It's a great resort to bring children as they have a pool and sea sport activities. The island’s natural beauty has remained intact, preserved and unexploited.

Mataking Island is located towards the north of Mabul and Sipadan island. It is about 40 minutes boat ride from Semporna. Being only 1 hour from Sipadan island, visitors can combine their stay with day trips to Sipadan. Around three times the size of Sipadan, it is forested in the middle and fringed by blindingly white powder beach.

Mataking boasts of a white sandy shore missing from Mabul and Kapalai. During low tide, this sandy beach connects Mataking Kecil (small) and Mataking Besar (big) to join the two island. Play ‘Moses’ by crossing the parted seas as you walk the 1km sand bar which connects ‘Mataking Besar’ and ‘Mataking Kecil’ during low tide.

The resort

Offering something for everybody, you will find superb quality and standard of accommodation. The Reef Dive Resort is constructed of world class chalets and deluxe rooms constructed from native hard wood. The resort can cater to a maximum of 80 persons. All the guests’ rooms are equipped with air-conditioner, sea view bathroom (for chalets) with fresh piped water specially transported from the mainland, hot shower, attached balconies and other comfortable amenities.

There is a spacious restaurant serving asian and inter-continental buffet, reception center, outdoor ‘Jamu’ spa, dive center, watch tower, exotic garden, sundeck and sturdy jetty, various sea sport facilities.

Mataking’s modern kitchen cared for by three qualified chefs who prepare various cuisines like Malaysian, European, Chinese and Japanese. Sample the different types of dessert and pastries specially prepared by our resident pastry expert.

The Diving

Mataking offers both pelagic and macro diving opportunities. Escaping destructive fish-bomb techniques, the reef health is well preserved without interference from human squatters or pollution. Enjoy complete privacy and tranquility.

When the crystal turquoise waters of Mataking beckons, it is an offer that cannot be refused.
Suit up and explore the 30 or so dive sites around Mataking Island and its surrounding islands of Pandanan, Timba-timba, the Tun Sakaran Marine Park of Bohaydulong, Bohayan, Kalapuan, Baturua and Mantabuan island. The marine life close to Kalapuan shore is just as magnificent as those found in the deep end. At Mataking, divers can experience a combination of slope and wall diving which offers exhilarating macro as well as pelagic sea creatures at one place alone.

Night diving is also a real treat with many strange, tiny and charming creatures appearing especially around the jetty. Green and hawksbill turtles also appear at night to lay eggs as well and glittering fireflies.

Mataking is a paradise for relaxation and a haven for divers, holidaymakers and honeymooners alike. Be spoilt by the gentle and friendly staff who delight in making your stay memorable.

**7 June 2008 is REEF CHECK MALAYSIA, held in conjunction with the annual Mataking Reef Day. The purpose is to monitor the reefs around the island and to establish a database of marine life at pre-determined areas. The information will be submitted to Reef Check Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur. It will be a fun & educational diving experience with a purpose. Email us for details.

Cost for 01 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 (Revised 31 May 2008)

Difference between a chalet and deluxe is that chalet is a single bungalow providing more privacy with own balcony & has bathtub in the bathroom whereas the deluxe rooms are individual rooms linked together in a traditional kampong style. The premier deluxe rooms are all sea facing and closer to dive shops and dining room.

What does it include?

• Airport Meeting Service,
• Land/Boat Transfer (Tawau Airport – Semporna Jetty - Mataking Island – Semporna Jetty – Tawau Airport only),
• All meals & free flow of coffee/tea with light snacks,
• Twin sharing accommodation at Mataking Island with air-conditioning, hot water shower and attached bathroom with private sundeck / balcony.

What does it exclude?

Items not mentioned

Notes

• Proof of Identity and Nationality is required.
• Minimum 4 adults for a 3D/2N and thereafter Minimum 2 adults for longer stay.
• Above rates is per person and based on a TWIN sharing basis.
• Single Travelers / Booking:
  • Peak Period
    - Additional 50% on top of the total package for single room occupancy applies,plus an additional RM600 if single land / boat transfer only.
  • Non Peak Period
    - Single charge of a minimum of RM 600 will be charged instead.
• Any children who are certified divers will have to pay FULL divers rates regardless of their age and parents are to be held responsible for the safety of all their children at all times.
• A surcharge of 10% is applicable for the 28th April – 6th May and for the month of August
• Normal Diving package includes 3 daily boat dives at Mataking / Pandanan / Bohayan / Kelapuan / Timba timba / Bohey Dulang / Pom Pom & Unlimited shore dives with tanks, weights / weight belt and experienced guide provided. Subject to our diving schedules and regulations.
• IMPORTANT NOTE – Due to the restriction of the Security Council Department of Malaysian Government, guests are required to summit Full Names with Nationality, Gender, Passport Numbers and contact address. Failure to do this can result in Guest being denied entry into the islands at the region especially Sipadan Island. (Please take note that entry permit fee to Sipadan Island will not be refunded once it is applied and approved)

Best time to visit

Diving is possible all year round at Mataking

Getting here

The gateway to Mataking is the sleepy town of Tawau located in Sabah, East Malaysia. Tawau is accessible by flight via Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, the capitals of Sabah and Sarawak respectively. Malaysia (www.mas.com.my) airlines and AirAsia (www.airasia.com), the region’s low cost carrier have daily flights to Tawau. From Tawau airport, there will be a private transfer to Sempoerna jetty, around 75 minutes away. Sempoerna is the launchpoint to Sipadan, Kapalai and Mataking islands.