Been There : Semporna, Mabul & Sipadan

Mun Yee and I went to Mabul & Sipadan last August for our dream diving trip. We have been thinking about going to Sipadan for years and this year we decided to just do it. So we went.

We flew from KLIA on a nice Thursday afternoon and reached Tawau 2 hours late due to flight delay, delay and delay. Once we touched down, the air stewardess announced, "Ladies & gentlemen, we have touched down in Sandakan airport". That made everyone in the plane quiet down to listen to the second announcement in Bahasa. Once the second announcement mentioned Tawau, everyone just broke down laughing. I like when that happen. Synchronous happiness.

Our patient taxi driver that we booked earlier then took us for an hour drive from Tawau to Semporna.

Semporna

We did not see much of Semporna. Just one night stay in Dragon Inn Floating Hotel.

Dragon Inn with the boat that will take us to Mabul

The next day we went to Uncle Chang office which was situated next to Dragon Inn to wait for our boat trip from Semporna to Mabul. Why Uncle Chang? Because they were the cheapest place to stay and dive in Mabul & Sipadan that I know off at that time.

Uncle Chang's full frontal

With a boat load filled with European tourist and us, we started the 1 hour journey from Semporna to Mabul.

Semporna town from the sea

The view from Semporna to Mabul was incredible. Green green hills, floating villages and clear blue sea.

Mabul Island

Mabul Island

We were based in Uncle Chang's Place in Mabul Island for the whole 5 days of our holiday. We did 10 dives all together with 3 dives in Sipadan and the rest in Mabul. Reason for the 3 dives in Sipadan was because we cannot get additional permit to enter Sipadan. Peak period. Note to self: Next time book in advance.

Uncle Chang's Place in Mabul circled

The walkway

The boat parking spot

The oil rig. We dived below the rig. Lots of crocodile fish.

The village on water

First day beautiful sunset

The village at sunset

Fourth day sunset

Morning view of the sea

Sipadan view from Mabul

Sipadan Island

On the third day, we spent a day in Sipadan. There is no resort or dive center allows in the island. The island was monitor by the military and visitor need to have permit to enter the island for diving or snorkeling. We dive and picnic and dive and picnic and dive. The dive was excellent. The place teem with turtles and fishes. I love it so much.

Beautiful Sipadan Island

Military check point on Sipadan. Entry permit.

The jetty a.k.a. the check point

The beautiful beach

Sandy white beach

Before our first dive in Sipadan, we were welcomed by the turtles. Mating turtles.

The male turtle looking at us with his beady eye.

The female had enough and dive down

At the end of the 5th day, my holiday end...... for now.