Diving Mabul & Kapalai Islands - Borneo

Standing in The Shadow Of Sipadan
Are Two Amazing Islands

I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago. Now we have found again an untouched piece of art.” Late Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 1988.

When scuba diving Mabul and Kapalai, you'll truly be gifted with some stunning waters. Located in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) the basis of Malaysia's claim as a home to world class diving. Specifically offering a top class mixture of diving experiences depending on where you are, you can find anything from larger animals like Hammerhead sharks to smaller, yet stunningly colourful fish around the pristine coral reefs. In addition to inquisitive turtles swimming everywhere, swirling tornadoes of barracudas and also without doubt tons of wonderful macro life! All within a few dives across most of these Borneo dive sites around Mabul & Kapalai and Sipadan.

Mabul and Kapalai Diving

Mabul and Kapalai are famous for muck diving and macro photography. Many divers and macro photographers come to Mabul and Kapalai Diving especially for its macro-life underwater species. Yes, it is Nudibranch Heaven! There are both reefs and artificial reef around Mabul and Kapalai, both of which have a reputation for their amazing bio-diversity. Our favorite dive sites where Mabul house reef and Lobster Wall.

Besides the fantastic diving Mabul has to offer it cannot go unsaid that the island itself is simply beautiful. Although it may be small, with sunsets like this, which here by the way are nothing special after a few days diving each evening, hosted up on stilts, relaxing with this view while the water laps gently below you is an experience in itself.

Some say that the term Muck dive originated from diving here and as macro monsters and nudibranch addicts we couldn't resist this location!

Diving Mabul Island Sabah Malaysia Sunset

Mabul Dive Sites

Artificial Reef | Crocodile Ave | Eel Garden | Froggy Lair | Lobster Wall | Ray Point

Mabul Island, situated near Sipadan in the Celebes Sea off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia, is renowned for its extraordinary underwater biodiversity. The island offers a plethora of captivating dive sites that cater to divers of all skill levels. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most notable Mabul dive sites.

The Artificial Reef – This site is on south side of Mabul, its is mostly made of artificial reef objects constructed from wooden towers with crates and rock piles Here you will find many different types of marine life. At first glance you may mistake it to be only a bunch of boring old junk when in fact it is a habitat for an astonishing array of critters and creatures

Crocodile Avenue - Crocodile Avenue is a fascinating site characterized by a sandy slope that resembles an avenue. It is often frequented by crocodilefish, which blend perfectly with the surroundings, making them challenging to spot. Macro enthusiasts will also find various critters like mantis shrimp and seahorses here. Mabul Island may seem a little slow for many divers but for macro-lovers and photographers it is a haven of critter discovery. As with many of the dive sites here, progress should be slow and deliberate with eyes scanning the floor and every feature on it for sightings that you will miss if you fin off looking straight ahead

Sea Venture Wreck The Sea Venture Wreck is an artificial reef created by the sunken remains of the Sea Venture, a shipwreck from the 1980s. This site offers a unique opportunity for wreck diving, and divers can explore the wreckage covered in corals and teeming with marine life, including schools of fish and resident turtles.

Eel Garden – Eel Garden is aptly named for the abundance of garden eels that populate the sandy seabed. These remarkable creatures sway rhythmically in the current, creating a mesmerizing underwater spectacle. The site is also home to ribbon eels, crocodilefish, and other captivating macro life. Again, some people might miss the rich rewards when scuba diving at Mabul dive sites, especially eel garden, where is your patient and willing to move slowly in search of rare species you will find them here! On the sandy seabed (approx depth of about 20 metres onwards) you'll spot loads of small lairs and tunnels home to shy colourful gobies of various species, blue ribbon eels and a carpet of Nudibranch delights which you can top off with some nice close ups on cleaning shrimp.

Froggy Lair – Froggy Lair is a favorite among macro photographers and critter enthusiasts. Named after the colorful frogfish that frequently inhabit the area, this site is a treasure trove of tiny marine creatures. Divers can encounter seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and a variety of crustaceans while exploring the sandy bottom and coral-covered outcrops. Keeping keen eyes pays off here and you will not miss its gems. Suspended particles in the water can make for what some would call poor visibility but its still good by most world dive site standards. The point is this should not matter, as you won't be staring off in the distance looking for passing sharks, rather you should be seeking out delights closer to your mask. That explains why there are mixed reviews I read for this dive site.

Lobster Wall - Lobster Wall is another site featuring an abundance of lobsters, along with an array of marine life. The site offers a gently sloping coral wall adorned with vibrant corals and sponges. Divers can also spot moray eels, lionfish, and various reef fish while exploring this underwater paradise. Lobster Wall slopes down to about 20m. The dive site consists of a colourful reef edges with various species of nudibranchs different types of pipefish and eels oh and the occasional lobster if your eyes are good. Start off on reef edge near the shallows and work your way down gently along the sloping wall. The wall is full of holes and a network of tunnels behind the main wall of the reef

Ray Point – Splashing in here into the water right above the reef and descend gently down the slope… no prizes for guessing what you’ll probably see most here!

In summary, Mabul Island's dive sites offer an exceptional range of underwater experiences, from macro wonders to colorful coral gardens and even wreck diving. Divers are treated to a paradise beneath the waves, with each site revealing a unique aspect of the rich marine ecosystem that thrives in the Celebes Sea.

Kapalai Dive Sites

Cleaner Station | Gurnard Point | Lobster Rock | Mandarin Valley | Spotted Ray Channel

Kapalai Island is a renowned diving destination situated in the Celebes Sea, off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia. Although it's often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, Sipadan Island, Kapalai boasts an underwater world that is equally captivating. In this article, we'll explore the dive sites around Kapalai Island, highlighting the unique features that make them a hidden gem for scuba divers.

Kapalai House Reef Kapalai's House Reef, just steps away from the overwater bungalows of the Kapalai Resort, is a paradise for macro photography enthusiasts. This shallow dive site offers an array of small marine creatures, including nudibranchs, seahorses, and various crustaceans. The sandy bottom is dotted with coral heads, providing plenty of opportunities for macro photographers to capture the vibrant marine life up close.

Cleaning Station – A nice and easy dive where you descend to the top of the reef at about 5m depth before making your way down the slope whilst you check out various Nudibranch and leaf fish as well as the resident turtles

Gurnard Point - This is another site which is abundant in sea life. Having back-rolled off the boat, you can choose to explore either the lively reef wall or the sandy rubble bottom or both.

Lobster Rock - As the name suggests, Lobster Wall is known for its impressive population of lobsters. Divers can explore a gently sloping coral wall adorned with colorful corals and sponges. Keep an eye out for moray eels, lionfish, and, of course, lobsters hidden in crevices and under overhangs. Diving at Lobster Rock can be dived in many ways i've heard, make your way reefward enjoying the colourful reefscape of soft and hard corals or sifting through the hard corals and nooks and holes to critters such as nudibranchs and small pipefish oh and as the name suggests, lobsters!

Kapalai North Kapalai North is a dive site with an enchanting muck diving experience. It's perfect for divers interested in observing peculiar critters that inhabit the sandy bottom. Expect to encounter various species of seahorses, frogfish, pipefish, and even ghost pipefish, making it a favorite spot for underwater photographers.

Mandarin Valley – Mandarin Valley is named after the mesmerizing mandarinfish that call this site home. Divers gather here in the late afternoon to witness the spectacular mating dance of these vibrant and elusive fish. The valley is also inhabited by various other reef fish, making it a great site for both macro and wide-angle photography. It can be described as a beautiful coral slope where its best to go slow so you don't miss the more camouflaged critters like stonefish and frogfish. Like all of the dive sites here, both small rare fish and invertebrates are in abundance, living without the threat of Sipadan's many dangerous reef predators.

Spotted Ray Channel - As with all the dives at Kapalai, this is a nice relaxing wander in relatively shallow water. Down the channel as you go you can find many creatures here including a lavender frog fish, very nice!

Eel Garden Eel Garden is known for its garden-like setting filled with garden eels swaying gracefully in the current. Divers can hover above the sandy bottom and observe these intriguing creatures as they poke their heads out of their burrows. The site is also home to various macro life, including ribbon eels and leaf scorpionfish.

In summary, Kapalai Island's dive sites may not have the same fame as some other dive destinations, but they offer a unique and mesmerizing underwater experience. From vibrant coral gardens to muck diving wonders, Kapalai's dive sites cater to a wide range of interests, making it a hidden gem for divers seeking an exceptional diving adventure in the Celebes Sea.