Most people who come to dive the Sipadan area stay on nearby Mabul Island and their diving experience is a combination of Sipadan's walls and big fish action and Mabul's macro sites and critters. Mabul is a small sandy island with coconut trees, dive resorts and a local fishing village, and only 25 minutes or so from Sipadan itself.

Mabul has long lived in the shadow of its famous neighbour but is now emerging as a dive destination in its own right. As critter-diving has increased in popularity many divers come here not for the big fish action of Sipadan but for the incredible array of macro-life to be seen in Mabul. Sandy sea-beds, coral outcrops, small walls and artificial reefs and jetties, are all home to some of the seas most amazing little creatures.

You can dive in Mabul year round with the best conditions occurring outside the rainy season which occurs normally between December and March. However the weather and diving conditions are often very good at this time too.
On Mabul Island all the resorts are offering diving to Sipadan island, Kapalai Reef and of course Mabul Island house reef.

The resorts on Mabul Island are :
Sipadan Water Village - Sipadan Mabul Resort - Mabul Resort Borneo Divers - Mabul Water Bungalows - Seaventures Dive Resort -