Traditional water resort
45 minutes by speedboat from the Semporna mainland, Sipadan Water Village is an established resort of palm-thatched water chalets connected by wooden boardwalks over the Mabul reef flat.
Welcome
Sipadan Water Village is an established resort of forty-five palm-thatched water chalets built over the Mabul reef flat. The dive centre has four lockable camera rooms, and diving packages include unguided house reef dives for buddy pairs from 6am to 6pm. Explore Mabul and Kapalai on guided boat dives, with Sipadan visits depending on the package booked for your dates.
Explore Mabul and Kapalai on guided boat dives, with Sipadan visits depending on the package booked for your dates.
The resort is fully open, operational and accepting international reservations across the 2024 to 2026 travel seasons without scheduled seasonal closures.
Why stay here
The resort occupies Mabul Island's sheltered north-eastern reef flat, with direct ocean access.
The resort has 45 large water chalets built on traditional ironwood stilts over the Celebes Sea.
Diving combines morning drifts at Sipadan with afternoon macro dives at Mabul and Kapalai, according to your package.
Underwater photographers can charge equipment in 4 dedicated lockable camera rooms.
The resort suits dedicated divers who appreciate ocean breezes and traditional architecture.
The rooms
The 45 water chalets span 4 categories. Families stay in larger rooms within their occupancy limits.
~140 m² · 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children
The largest cottages have 2 Queen-size beds, 2 walk-in closets, a bathtub, dual vanities and a hot shower. Ceiling fans cool the interiors.
~99 m² · air conditioning · King-size bed and day bed
These are the only air-conditioned rooms. Each has 1 King-size bed, a day bed, a bathtub, dual vanities and a hot shower.
3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children · private sun deck
These 33 chalets offer twin, double or King-size beds, hot showers and ceiling fans. Private sun decks have sea or island views.
~51 m² · sleeps 2 · close to dive centre
These 6 fan-cooled chalets have 2 Twin-size beds and hot showers, sit near the lobby and accommodate no family additions.
3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children · semi-detached
These 4 units work well for groups who want to stay close together. They share the same amenities as the Standard Chalets.
Dining
The resort operates on a full-board basis with elaborate buffet spreads of Asian and Continental dishes served daily in the open-air restaurant. The board package includes drinking water, tea and coffee; sodas and alcohol from the bar are not included.
Marine life
Sipadan Island offers high-adrenaline drift dives with pelagics, while Mabul and Kapalai provide exceptional muck diving. These are the species you can spot.
Practical matters
No, the resort is built over the sea and does not have a swimming pool. The ocean is accessed directly from the dive centre.
The 2 Deluxe Cottages are the air-conditioned option. The Grand Deluxe, Standard and Junior chalets are cooled by ceiling fans and the ocean breeze.
A Sipadan permit can be guaranteed with the right resort and dive package; the team confirms the visits included for your dates. Your boat dives explore Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai according to the package you book.
Maritime safety rules and the regional sea curfew mean no boats can cross to Mabul after 18:00. If you arrive at Tawau Airport after 14:00, you will need to spend a night in Semporna town and cross the next morning.
Getting there
Fly into Tawau Airport on the Sabah mainland. The overland transfer to Semporna takes between 60 and 90 minutes. From the Semporna jetty, a custom fibreglass speedboat takes 45 minutes to reach Mabul Island. You must arrive at Tawau Airport before 14:00 to ensure a same-day transfer. Travel and health insurance is advised, and cover that includes emergency evacuation is sensible. Leave 24 hours between your last dive and your flight.
Alternatives
Consider Mabul Water Bungalows for air-conditioned villas, Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort for sandbar stays, Mataking Reef Dive Resort for beach villas, and Seaventures Dive Rig for unlimited house reef diving.
Our view
Tell the team your dates and diving certification level to secure Sipadan permits and your chalet at Sipadan Water Village.
