Major city · Malaysia
Mabul
Spend 2–3 days diving Mabul’s macro sites; arrive via Semporna speedboat (30 min) and stay in a dive resort.
Mabul Island is a tiny, car‑free dive spot off Sabah, best explored on foot. Most dive sites are shallow (12‑30 m) and reachable by resort boats. A short stay covers the main dive and snorkel sites, with optional day trips to Sipadan.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (monsoon, reduced visibility)
- Airport
- TWU
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mabul999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mabul, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetyMabul is generally safe for tourists; watch marine traffic when snorkeling and keep valuables secured as shops are limited.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police / ambulance · 994 fire · 112 General emergency (mobile)
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTWU Tawau Airport (Fly into Tawau, then bus/taxi to Semporna (≈2 h) for boat transfer.).
- Getting aroundThe island is walkable; no roads or cars.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per personRM70
- Mid-range bedPrivate room, a night, per roomRM250
- High-end bedPrivate room, a night, per roomRM350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM120 · Mid RM250 · High RM450
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TWU Tawau Airport (Fly into Tawau, then bus/taxi to Semporna (≈2 h) for boat transfer.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Mar (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mabul: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is walkable; no roads or cars. Resorts provide boat trips to dive and snorkel sites.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sipadan Island
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Speedboat from Semporna (≈1 h) arranged by dive operators
Limited permits; plan ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Billabong Scuba
Dorms RM 70‑120 per night, meals included.
Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge
RM 80 per night, all meals included.
Summer Friends Homestay
RM 70 per night, meals and snacks included.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RM 120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- RM 250–350 excl. bed
- High
- RM 450–600 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory bed2 × 2 nights × RM100 | RM400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × RM250 | RM1,000 |
| Speedboat transfer Semporna ↔ Mabul (one way)2 × RM75 · check | RM150 |
| Dive package (2‑dives)2 × RM300 · check | RM600 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × RM120 · check | RM240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RM239 |
| Trip total≈ RM657 per person per day, bed included | RM2,629≈ US$650 |
Includes all meals.
2026 estimate in MYR; flights and mainland transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Fried rice with chicken | RM 5 |
| Hamburger | RM 3–5 |
| Grilled tuna slice | RM 3 |
| Speedboat Semporna → Mabul (one way) | RM 75 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Accommodation and meals are pricey for Malaysia; budget options still cost RM 70+ per night.
- Plastic litter on west beaches reduces natural appeal.
- Most dive operators require you to stay at their resort to dive with them.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- General emergency (mobile)
- 112
Pocket card
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MabulMabul
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance999
- Fire994
- General emergency (mobile)112
Embassy
US consular services are in Kota Kinabalu; other nations use the US office or the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Semporna → Mabul speedboat: about RM 75 per person, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (maaf)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (təˈrima ˈkasih)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (bəˈrapa ˈharganya)
- Di mana tandas? — Where is the toilet? (di ˈmana ˈtandas)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mabul. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (monsoon, reduced visibility) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a second night for deeper dives at Sipadan.
- Combine with a stay in Semporna for land‑based activities.
Sources
Ask about Mabul
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