Mabul Island; a macro life wonder

Mabul sunset

The Island

Close you eyes and imagine an island with floating hotels and fishing village, perched on crystal clear waters surrounded by palm trees. Well thats Mabul. The serene beauty with dive sites on the door step is an ideal destination for those willing to spend some time exploring underwater and chilling out in hammocks above.

The small island situated one hour boat ride off shore off south-eastern Sabah in Malaysia is known as some of the best muck diving in the world, i’m sure it will not let you down. There is a range of accommodation available from 5* resorts to backpacker lodges, simply you get what you pay for.

Children playing on a wooden boat

View off the deck

Diving

If you like macro life, this is definitely a place to visit. Mabul has many dive sites ranging from wall to artificial reefs, and coral reefs with uncountable types of nudibranchs, crabs, shrimps, even pigmy seahorses and flamboyant cuttlefish! The dive sites are relatively easy therefore, can cater for all levels of divers; including DSD’s.

The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the surrounding reef slopes to 25-30m deep. As well as macro life, we spotted many crocodile fish, scorpion fish, schooling fish and turtles. The coral life is thriving, rich with colour and schooling fish even more so in the shallower waters which is great for divers and snorkelers!

Anemone Fish

A photographers dream, the island situated in the divers ‘golden triangle’ is perfect for the macro lense. With my new camera and skills i was able to capture some of natures most colourful and smallest creatures.

If your contemplating which island to dive and enjoy Mabul is perfect. As a divers oasis and brilliant dive sites on the doorstep as well as a short boat ride to the incredible Sipadan National Park it is just the place to use as a base. Just to tempt you even more some of my snaps are below..

Kapalai Island is a 5 minute boat ride from Mabul. With only one floating 5* resort most of the action of this tiny island is underwater. If your worried about how safe a trip to the island would be read about it here.