Semporna is blessed with its abundance of scenic islands and its charming coral reefs, the biodiversity of marine life. The most famous island is Sipadan, a paradise dive site where only a very limited number of visitors are allowed each day and no one is allowed to stay overnight on the island in an effort to preserve the island.
However, if one is not a diver yet still adore the magnificent coral reef so much, you can opt a snorkeling trip in Mabul Island. Mabul Island is located very close to Sipadan, a 15 minutes speedboat ride distance. There are many beautiful snorkeling sites in Mabul island with crystal clear water, pearl white sand and colorful fishes and corals, meeting turtles is not rare in the island.
It is a commercialized tourism island, a large number of backpackers resorts offering snorkeling and diving packages and if you wish, there is diving courses too (The course can be completed as short as 3 days).
How to reach Semporna from Tawau Airport?
Usually most visitors come via flight to Tawau Airport. Some of the resorts offers airport transfer to the jetty. and they charge RM 150. Coincidentally we get a contact who provide taxi service at RM 90 for 2 persons. Tawau airport to Semporna one can call this driver. He is a very nice and honest guy.
Alimuddin Bin Osman
No. HP : +6012 - 8235197
Arung Hayat Resort
We took the snorkeling package of Arung Hayat, 3 days 2 nights snorkeling package at RM 400 per person, we didn't spend a penny once we reached the jetty, one might probably need to use money for snacks and beers on the islands. So RM 400 is certainly a very good deal. The 3 days 2 nights snorkeling package includes the following:
- Speedboat tranfers to Mabul island (2 ways)
- Accomodation ( fan double room, with private bathroom)
- 3 meals each day (breakfast 7am, lunch 1 pm, dinner 7pm)
- 3 snorkeling each day (The place is based on their schedule, the gear is provided)
- Free water, coffee and tea
- And a friendly host
It is a resort on the sea supported by some wood columns. The scene from the resort is so stunning, it offers a panoramic horizon view and crystal clear water sea is just below the balcony.
We snorkeled in a few sites like Paradise, Lobster wall, wrecks, and Kapalai, the most beautiful snorkeling site of our trip with a wide variety of colourful fishes lingering around the charming coral reef. We had 3 encounters with turtle, really mature (big) turtle, the feeling of seeing and even touching this rare and ancient creature is indescribably thrilled. At the first night, there was even a large green turtle feeding the sea grass meadow right in front of our room, it was memorable.
The island is very small with local inhabitants living there, taking a stroll around the sandy island is a must and there are so much more. It was definitely one of the best trip that we had and we will visit again for diving license for sure.
We snorkeled in a few sites like Paradise, Lobster wall, wrecks, and Kapalai, the most beautiful snorkeling site of our trip with a wide variety of colourful fishes lingering around the charming coral reef. We had 3 encounters with turtle, really mature (big) turtle, the feeling of seeing and even touching this rare and ancient creature is indescribably thrilled. At the first night, there was even a large green turtle feeding the sea grass meadow right in front of our room, it was memorable.
The island is very small with local inhabitants living there, taking a stroll around the sandy island is a must and there are so much more. It was definitely one of the best trip that we had and we will visit again for diving license for sure.
Information of Arung Hayat
MOHD. HANIF AHMAD
Phone: +6 0128229984
Email: arunghayatsemporna@gmail.com
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| Room of Arung Hayat |
Others Budget Resorts
Besides Arung Hayat there are a bunch of others budget resorts which from our observation have a rather similar price for their packages, one could just google the name for contact and make a direct booking (this was how we booked)
Normally a 4 day diving course is charge at around RM 1300 with everything included like license, test, accommodation, meals, boat transfer.
- My Scuba Diver (Phone: +60128662397, Email: myscubadiver@gmail.com)
- Billabong Scuba (Phone: 089-781866)
- Noble Inworld Diving
- Mabul Backpackers (Phone:089782334)
- Scuba Jeff Sipadan (Phone: 0178614391)
- Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge
- Big John Scuba (Phone: 60142843723)
- Summer Friends Homestay
