Mabul Island Diving Review

Mabul is one of the best places in the world for Muck Diving! You won’t find all the big pelagic fishes and crystal clear water here like in the nearby Sipadan, but you will discover a whole new world of small and weird creatures.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/irwandy/3762247276/

The most famous ones are the giant frog fish, the Mimic Octopus or the rare Flamboyant Cuttlefish! You can also spot a Blue-ringed Octopus and many rare species of Nudibranch. It is also possible to encounter Turtles.

Dive sites for Muck diving are:

• Seaventure
• Froggy Lair
• Eel Garden
• Lobster Wall
• Crocodile Avenue

In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Mabul Island.

Dive Summary

Maybe the most interesting dive site is the Seaventure platform. It is a former oil rig located 500 m offshore from Mabul and has been transformed in a diving resort. It is possible to dive under the platform and you will find there amazing biodiversity and great macro pictures opportunities! This dive site is also really great for Night Diving.

Froggy Lair dive site might be the best for macro underwater photography and is THE place if you want to take snaps of an ornate ghost pipefish or flamboyant cuttlefish!

During your stay you will probably also dive the mythical island of Sipadan one of the best places in the world for Scuba diving and home of the big fishes! From Mabul, the boat ride to go diving to Sipadan is about 25 min (and well worth it!).

You can also go diving around Kapalai Island.

Best time to Dive in Mabul Island

Mabul is a year round diving destination. Conditions are very good from April to December and best conditions run in July and August. However from January to March, weather can be unsettled but nothing too bad.

Hot tip

• During the peak tourist season, book your accommodation and your Sipadan diving permit well in advance!
• From May to August, the turtles lay their eggs on the beaches.

Credit

Scuba Diving conditions

Like usually on Muck diving, visibility is poor and ranges from 5 to 8 meters. The diving conditions are easy with shallow dive sites (around 15 meters) and little current. The water temperature ranges from 27 to 29°C. Scuba diving in Mabul is suitable for all level of divers.

Snorkelling in Mabul Island

Snorkelling around Mabul is good. You can snorkel from the shore near the dive site Lobster wall and near the jetties of the diving resorts. The best way is to charter a small fishing boat to take you to the best snorkelling locations around the Island. It can be easily arranged at your accommodation desk.

Fishes and Coral

Fishes

Water around Mabul Island is home of rare small creatures. It is a real paradise for macro fans. You can spot many kinds of Scorpion fishes, the superb Flamboyant cuttlefish, the rare blue-ringed octopus and the strange mimic octopus. You could also encounter a bobtail squid or a giant frogfish, as well as numerous rare species of nudibranchs, the ornate ghost pipefish and various crustaceans.

Coral

The coral is not really the centre of attraction here! The reef has been heavily damaged by cyanide fishing over the past decade.

Travel Guide

Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Mabul Island Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.

Dive spots in Mabul Island