Monday, November 9, 2009
Mabul - Sweet Little Sister
Mabul Island has historically played a supporting role its famous neighbour in Sabah, Sipadan Island. Since Mabul is considerably larger, and Pulau Sipadan is now protected from overnight stays, its profile has greatly increased and resort owners have been able to construct a much higher standard of accommodation, albeit within the constraints of a remote getaway.
The island is covered in palm trees and fringed with fine beaches. Villagers live next door to the resorts and guests are free to stroll around the island, mingling with the locals. From Mabul Island, guests are taken the 25 to 30 minutes to Sipadan every day for diving. In addition they can dive the macro-world of Mabul, normally once a day.
The rest of this page contains information about:
How to Get There
Flight - Boat Transfer
The recommended flight in Sabah from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau leaves at 6:15 hrs and arrives at 6:55 hrs, with Malaysia Airlines (www.MalaysiaAirlines.com). This is the flight most resorts favour and guests will be collected here and driven for around one hour to Semporna, where the resort boat will transfer you the 45 minutes to Mabul Island.
Later flights are available but can cause problems with transfers and will almost certainly mean no diving on the first day. Air Asia (www.AirAsia.com) is free-seating and Malaysia Airlines is not. Both have emergency exit seats with acres of leg-room. For Air Asia you need to be at the front of the queue to secure one of these. For Malaysia Airlines ask for 14A or 14F, and spend the flight stretching your legs to the annoyance of your jealous neighbours.
There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau with Air Asia (07:20-10:05 hrs and 17:20-20:05 hrs) and Malaysia Airlines (12.40-15.30), but these will probably mean an overnight in Tawau and pick up from your hotel at 6:15 hrs.
Due to the dangers of flying after diving, some Mabul resorts may require you to sign a waiver. This is because some guests want to squeeze in as many dives as possible regardless of the risks. Guests who will be flying within 24 hours after departure from the resorts may be subject to diving restrictions on the last day.
Flights back from Tawau are Malaysia Airlines to Kota Kinabalu (16:10-16:55 hrs) or to Sandakan (17:30-18:10 hrs). If you do not wish to stay overnight in Kota Kinabalu, you can fly direct to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines (19:05-21:45 hrs) and Air Asia (20:00-22:45 hrs).
