Explore Mabul
Mabul is a tiny island which lies south east off the coast off the island of Borneo in Malaysia, to be exact, off the coast of the town Saporna in the province of Sabah. This island was initially just a tiny fishing community of around 2000 inhabitants, but due to the popularity of diving around Sipadan Island increasing, Mabul has become more well known over time as well and now has numerous dive centres and dive resorts. The main highlights to see here are the many species of smaller marine critters. This is definitely a mecca for underwater photographers who enjoy spotting the tiny creatures who are hiding with the sandy bottom of the coral gardens here. The abundance of small critters such as Nudibranchs, Ghost Pipefish, Crabs and Seahorses, just to name a few, are accompanied by schools of fish, including Barracuda and Jacks, large Groupers, and other larger species including Eels and Blue Spotted Stingrays. This is not the type of dive location where one should hope to spot the larger gentle giants, but one for those who can appreciate the beauty of the smaller species. The dive sites here can be visited either from the island itself or from a liveaboard.
Dive Activity
Diving in Mabul
The main type of diving which is done here, and for this diving destination is so well known for, is diving to admire the tiny critters which live in and around the sandy bottom and the coral gardens. This also goes hand in hand with the possibility to do muck diving here due to the silty bottom.
The abundance of small marine life makes this the dream location for underwater photographers who like to focus on the smaller beauties of the ocean.
Another benefit of having such an array of small critters is that it results in fantastic night dives, where the night critters come out to excite divers.
There are also multiple different human made structures to explore here including a small wreck, an artificial reef and an old oil rig, which have all created their own ecosystems in the meantime with a variety of species of corals and fish surrounding them.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Mabul
The list of species to spot here goes on and on as the nutrient rich, warm, and calm waters attract a high abundance of species, to the delight of divers. Some of the most unique species here are the Frogfish, Crocodile Fish, Ghost Pipefish, endless colourful and adorable Nudibranchs, the elusive Mandarin Fish, Cuttlefish, Octopus, Sea Turtles, Shrimp, different species of Shrimp, Seahorses, Scorpion Fish, Crabs, and more! The area also has schools of reef fish which fill the waters like confetti. One dive site, Ray Point, has Blue Spotted Rays which are among the bigger species in this area. Divers need to always keep their eyes peeled on the cracks and crevices to hopefully spot numerous of these critters.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
325 Sightings
J
24
F
14
M
19
A
40
M
50
J
44
J
30
A
44
S
22
O
20
N
0
D
18
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
146 Sightings
J
18
F
8
M
0
A
18
M
13
J
15
J
23
A
17
S
11
O
13
N
0
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
115 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
0
A
22
M
18
J
0
J
15
A
21
S
12
O
15
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
102 Sightings
J
11
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
17
J
24
J
13
A
14
S
11
O
12
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
162 Sightings
J
10
F
9
M
0
A
21
M
19
J
27
J
17
A
27
S
18
O
14
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
137 Sightings
J
15
F
0
M
12
A
14
M
18
J
11
J
11
A
20
S
10
O
10
N
0
D
16
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
117 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
0
A
20
M
13
J
19
J
19
A
21
S
12
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
101 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
14
M
16
J
10
J
18
A
30
S
13
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
89 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
16
M
0
J
21
J
17
A
24
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
85 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
19
M
13
J
18
J
13
A
22
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The best Months to Dive in Mabul
Malaysia is a tropical area so the air temperatures are warm throughout the year; between 26°C and 34°C and this allows for year-round diving, with the only slight obstacle being the rainy season which can result in slightly rougher seas and less visibility, the main months for this is between December and February, however, there are still many opportunities to dive during this period. The dry season and the best months to dive here are between March and October and during this time there can be days where the visibility will reach its maximum of over 20 metres. The water temperatures remain pleasant and warm throughout the year as well between 26°C and 30°C.
