BIG ANIMALS AND LITTTLE CRITTERS
MALAYSIA
Mabul
By IMRAN AHMAD
While Sipadan is Malaysia’s epicentre of big fish action, its quieter neighbour, half an hour’s
boat ride away, is a macro paradise on par with the best in the region. Its sandy seabeds, coral
outcrops, and otherworldly artificial reefs are home to an amazing array of tiny critters that will
keep you entertained for hours.
Suitable for even novice divers, Mabul’s notable macro dive sites include “Crocodile Avenue”,
with its eponymous crocodilefish, seahorses, and elusive ghost pipefish; “Froggy Lair”, for its
well-camouflaged frogfish, nudibranchs, and (if you’re lucky) flamboyant cuttlefish; and the
artificial reef, a maze of haphazard man-made structures that provide hiding places for an
abundance of interesting creatures both great and small. At “Lobster Wall”, where the currents
are a little stronger, gentle drift dives offer up a smorgasbord of photogenic animals, from
peacock mantis shrimp and pipefish to large turtles and, of course, the occasional lobster.
Best of all, when you’ve had your fill of the small stuff, the wide-angle wonder of Sipadan is
just a stone’s throw away, and a whole different world awaits…
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
The drier period, from April to
December, is the best time, but
diving is possible year round.
Expect water temperatures of
between 27 and 29°C.
HOW
Tawau, the nearest town to Mabul,
can be reached via direct flights
from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur
or Kota Kinabalu. Your resort will
arrange the 90-minute transfer to
Semporna, where you can take a
speedboat to Mabul, which takes
about 45 minutes.
STAY/DIVE
• Sipadan Mabul Resort
(www.sipadanmabulresort.
com)
• Borneo Divers
(www.borneodivers.info)
• Mabul Water Bungalows
(www.mabulwaterbungalows.
com)
TOPSIDE
Explore the island by mountain
bike or pay a visit to the sea
gypsy (Bajau Laut) settlements.
Mainland Borneo offers superb
jungle treks and wildlife watching
opportunities.
SDOP
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ENTRY
Nationals of most countries do not
require a visa to enter Malaysia.
Citizens of ASEAN countries can
stay for up to 30 days visa-free,
while visitors from countries such
as the USA, Japan and South Korea
are eligible for three-month visafree visits.