Sabah Islands and Beaches, Malaysia

Mabul Island and Kapalai

Located about 30 minutes from mainland Semporna, Pulau Mabul has a shallow reef profile with sandy bottom and patches of sea grass. The coral reefs at first glance do not look very picturesque and inviting. However, it is the diversity of macro animals inhabiting the coral rubble and sea grass sites that put Pulau Mabul and Kapali on the diving map. The recent changes to accommodation possibilities on Sipidan have also altered the attractions of this Island.

Mabul Island and Kapalai: Eel Garden

Located towards the Southern end of Pulau Mabul, Eel Garden is one of the deeper dives around the area. Divers descend to a sandy flat between 20 to 25 metres sloping towards the open sea.

Finning carefully and avoiding stirring up the silty bottom, divers can observe gobies seeking refuge in the tiny crevices and moray eels occupying larger holes. Looking towards the sandy patch, you will see what appear to be blades of long grass swaing with the current. These are the elusive garden eels (Heteroconger Hassi) living in colonies that quickly dart back into their burrows on approaching shadows or excessive movement in the water.

Mabul Island and Kapalai: Ray Point

Also located on the Southern tip of Pulau Mabul, this site slopes to about 20 metres at the sandy bottom. Currents sweeping through this point bring clear water and good visibility. Sea fans and soft corals that thrive in current areas are home to gobies, blennies, moray eels, butterfly fish, damselfish, parrotfish and stonefish. (Synanceia Verrucosa).

Mabul Island and Kapalai: Mandarin Valley

This site is located on the northern trip of Pulau Kaplai. Pulau Kapali is only a sandbank with a resort build on stilts over the island. The depths of this site range from 15 to 20 metres, sloping to a sandy bottom. Divers can observe stonefish, frogfish, gobies, leaf fish, ghost pipefish, nudibranches and mandarin fish (Synchiropus Splendidus).

Mabul Island and Kapalai: Getting There

Pulau Mabul and Pulau Kapalai can be reached by flight from the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, a connection flight to Tawau, followed by a 2 1/2 hour dive to Semporna and finally, a 30 minutes fast catamaran boat transfer to the island.