2025 Mabul Island Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

#malaysiatrip Semporna is one of the famous tourist destinations in Sabah, Malaysia, a dream paradise for divers. It offers unique overwater villa experiences, diving to see corals, and top-notch snorkeling and diving in the "Aquarium of the Gods" to explore the magical marine world. This 5-day Semporna itinerary will take you on an island-hopping adventure 🏝, staying in overwater villas 🌈, snorkeling, and sea fishing 🐟. How to Get to Semporna? 1⃣ Fly directly from your home country to Kota Kinabalu, then fly from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau (55min), and take a 1-hour drive to Semporna. 2⃣ Fly directly from your home country to Kuala Lumpur, then fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau (2h50min), and take a 1-hour drive to Semporna. 🔶 Both AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines are options. Keep an eye out for special deals on travel apps or airline websites. 🤔 Travel Preparation ⭐ Passport ⭐ SIM card ⭐ Power adapter (UK standard) ⭐ Visa-free (only requires an electronic arrival card) ⭐ Customs documents (round-trip tickets, hotel booking confirmation) ⭐ Malaysian Ringgit (exchange RMB cash at the airport or in town) Exchange rate: 1:16 🔶 Semporna 5-Day Itinerary Preview 🏝️DAY1: Arrive in Semporna - Free time 🏝️DAY2: Mataking Island Three-Island Hopping Tour Timba-Timba - Mataking - Pandanan Island 🏝️DAY3: Mabul Island - Kapalai Snorkeling and Sea Fishing Tour 🏝️DAY4: Shun Shun Overwater Villa 🏝️DAY5: Semporna - Return to Tawau 🔶 Highlights of the Trip ⭐Kapalai丨High privacy, non-guests are not allowed on the island. ⭐Mabul Island丨The same resort where Li Xian stayed, perfect for both leisure and diving/certification. ⭐Mataking Island丨The most beautiful island in Semporna, featuring a long sandbar and a 100-meter vertical diving site. ⭐Pandanan Island丨An infinity pool similar to those in the Maldives, with excellent snorkeling conditions.

#seascapes #100waysoftravel Discover the mesmerizing beauty of Mabul Island, where the crystal-clear waters reveal a vibrant underwater world. Located about 45 minutes boat journey, it's an ideal destination for relaxation and rejuvenation, providing the perfect setting to heal both body and mind. 📍Address: Mabul Island, Semporna, Sabah 📝 Additional Info: The moments were captured at Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Lodge #island #summervacation #mabul #semporna #sabah #malaysia

#cityplaybook Tourists who come to Mabul Island actually come with one purpose, which is diving. Whether it's 'Scuba Diving' or 'Snorkeling', they come from all over the world because they want to swim and explore the beautiful, colorful underwater world and look for strange species of animals that are sometimes small and good at camouflage. Yes, they come to see for themselves the very rich 'Macro-Marine' world! The uniqueness of Pulau Mabul lies not in its surface, but in the diversity and variety of marine animals that inhabit its sea floor. It is not an island like Langkawi, Perhentian, Redang or Tioman, instead, Pulau Mabul is filled with chalets and resorts on the water's surface, as if floating because they are built on the coral reefs that surround it.

3 days chaos in Semporna with pregnant partner. We fully use grab for transportation so need to waiting long time for grab, need to run to pickup point and pin wrong location to go meet point for day trips. So, better to plan your itinerary to avoid all the chaos haha. Nice place to visit when have better plan. Also need to choose the right tour guide to make sure they work for you and not you need to chase them for help. #couplestrip #mabulisland #travel #babymoon #sempornasabah

#kotakinabalutrip Let me paint you a picture: I’m sipping fresh coconut water on **Mabul Island**, toes buried in sand so white it glows, when suddenly—*splash!* A baby blacktip reef shark zooms past my snorkel mask like it’s late for a fish meeting. *This is paradise with a side of adrenaline.* ### **Why Mabul Steals Your Heart (and Flip-Flops)** - **Beach Bum Bliss**: The sand feels like powdered sugar, and the water’s so clear you’ll spot **clownfish in their anemone condos**. - **Unexpected Roomies**: At my water bungalow, **giant trevallies** (meter-long fish!) lurked under the deck, judging my snacks. - **Hidden Gem**: **Paradise 1** dive site—shallow, vibrant, and *way* less crowded than Sipadan. **"Oops" Moment**: I tried squid-ink curry for the first time. My teeth turned **full goth mode** for hours. Worth it. ### **Local Flavor Alert** Dinner at a **stilted seafood grill** = *next level*. Think butter-garlic crab so juicy, you’ll lick your fingers *and* the plate. ### **Chill Itinerary** ⏰ **8:00 AM**: Pancake breakfast with ocean views ⏰ **10:00 AM**: Snorkel with **turtles at House Reef** (they’re basically underwater puppies) ⏰ **3:00 PM**: Nap in a hammock, serenaded by waves ⏰ **6:30 PM**: Sunset squid-ink feast (embrace the messy!) ### **Pro Tips** ✔ Pack **reef-safe sunscreen**—turtles thank you ✔ Bring **water shoes** (some spots have *feisty* urchins) ✔ Book **Sipadan permits early**—they sell out faster than concert tickets Mabul is that rare mix of *wild* and *wonderful*. Would I go back? **In a heartbeat**—but next time I’m bringing a toothbrush for post-squid emergencies. 😂 --- **P.S.** Tag your most *chaotic* travel buddy! 👇 #MabulMagic #SquidProQuo

Mabul Island & Kapalai Island Snorkeling or Diving Day Tour HKD646 Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Point: Turn right after entering the Dragon Inn Water Village Resort in Semporna, continue straight to LOT R4 meeting point Return Time: 4:40 PM Itinerary Includes: First Stop: Head to Mabul Island, where you need to pay an island entry fee of MYR50. You can stroll around the resort, relax, and enjoy the crystal-clear ocean, surrounded by stunning sea views. Experience the tropical atmosphere of the resort and take photos with various art installations on the island, capturing beautiful pictures with the perfect sea view as the background. Second Stop: Enjoy a simple lunch on Mabul Island, but be quick as time is limited. Also, change into your diving suit. Third Stop: Arrive at Kapalai for snorkeling or scuba diving, guided by professional instructors. Snorkeling equipment is provided to enjoy the underwater fun.

🌴 Mabul Island Travel Guide: 1. Accommodation Recommendations: You can choose to stay in a resort villa on the island and experience the traditional water villa. 2. Itinerary: It is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance, including the boat schedule and activities on the island. 3. Snorkeling/Scuba Diving: The island offers paid snorkeling activities, where you can explore the rich underwater world. 4. Seafood: You can taste the fresh seafood caught by the local Bajau people and enjoy the processing services on the island. 5. Photo Spots: There are many photo spots on the island, such as the sunrise spot and the popular Lover's Bridge. We hope these suggestions will make your trip to Mabul Island more enjoyable! 🌟

Semporna offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Semporna is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, with the Bajau Laut, or "Sea Gypsies," being a prominent community. Visiting their stilt villages offers a unique glimpse into their traditional way of life, their fishing techniques, and their vibrant cultural heritage. #sempornasabah #visitsabah #sabah #semporna #borneosabah #borneotravel

Lost in the beauty of the island.