Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART)

swimming pool	standard chalet	standard chalet
beach	detached chalet	detached chalet
water bungalow	water bungalow	water bungalow

INFORMATION

Ex-Tawau
Tour Code : PA/050/SPD04

FACILITIES

The Resort
Sipadan-Mabul Resort is located at the southern tip of Pulau Mabul overlooking Sipadan.  Accommodation is made from native materials of Borneo on Twin Share Basis, unless the Single Supplement is paid.  The resort have 45 chalets (22 are new detached or stand alone one room chalets), which could accommodate 90 guests at any one time.  All the chalets are built with mosquito screens have attached toilet/bathroom with hot shower facilities and the comfort of air-conditioning, which are available for 24 hours.

Electrical outlet is 220 Volt AC.  A vinyl swimming pool measuring 41-ft X 21 ft with a 6-ft deep end.  A 4-6 persons Jacuzzi Whirlpool Spas.  A large dining hall/bar area is used for meals, socializing, dancing and staff shows.  Coconut drink, juices, carbonated soft drinks, beer and wine can be purchased at the resort bar and jetty bar.  A small sundry shop sells a range of T-shirts, films, batteries, toiletries, souvenirs etc.  An office takes care of the registration and billing; it is equipped with a Telephone/Fax for communications with the mainland.  High speed internet access is also available now at the resort.

A Technical Diving Center (SMART-Tec) offers various services such as Nitrox Air and TDI Certification Courses.  An underwater video center (Treasure Images) provides u/w videography courses and services as well as rental of Digital Camera.

Please note : The standard check in-time is 1400 hours and check out time is 1200 hours.  Early check-in and late check-out is subject to room availability. The resort 100-member staff a-waits to make your dive holiday safe, easy and fun.

Boats : The resort have thirteen (13) custom-built fiberglass dive boats and two (2) half-cabin passenger/transport boats. These dive boats can carry 10 divers each and get to any of the island dive sites in 15 minutes or more.  Each boat goes out three times a day with a boatman and divemaster.

Mabul Water Bungalow
A new floating dive-resort situated at Mabul Island overlooking the world-known Sipadan Island which is 15-minutes away by speedboat. These wooden-type bungalows has fifteen (15) units (10XDouble Bed & 5XTwin Bedded) entirely built over water with stilts offer sheer comfort.  Each bungalow exquisitely furnished with contemporary décor, equipped with remote control air-conditioner, ceiling fan, private bathroom-hot/cold shower and toilet, spacious private balcony offer panoramic vistas of blue sea, colour TV with satellite channels, mini bar and in-room safety box.

Facilities includes a large and airy restaurant for dining, a souvenirs shop selling variety of t-shirts, accessories and gifts, a business center with internet service, a dive center and an office taking care all the guests registration, billings and an underwater video and health spa outlets.

Facilities

ENTRY PERMIT APPLICATIONS TO SIPADAN ISLAND
Please be informed that all daily entry to dive or visit to Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by the Sabah Parks Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit.  The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan island is restricted now to 120 pax per day. The fee for Entry Permit to Sipadan Island is RM 40.00 per person per day for divers, non-divers, visitors and children.  This entry permit has to be paid on the spot, in the resort if the approval is obtained. Please take note that the permit to Sipadan Island is NOT GUARANTEE but to apply early you might have a better chance. However, if the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not approved, we can offer alternative diving at nearby islands such as Si Amil, Roach Reef, Mataking, Ligitan, Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restriction to dive on these islands.

Getting There & Around
First, you take a short 45 minutes Malaysia Airlines domestic flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau then you will be met and transferred to Semporna Jetty (Harbor) by van (appro. 1-hour drive) and finally, you will be transferred to Mabul Resort by speedboat (appro. 40 minutes boat ride). Please note with immediate effect, below are our new flight and boat transfer schedule (subject to change) :

ARRIVAL

Sector  Flight  Time            Boat Schedule to the Resort
BKI/TWU MH2121 0700/0745    0930am
KUL/TWU AK5152 0720/1005    1300pm
SDK/TWU MH3093 1015/1055    1300pm
KUL/TWU MH2660 0820/1110    1300pm
BKI/TWU AK6122 1220/1310    1630pm
BKI/TWU MH2137 1315/1400    1630pm
SIN/TWU AK6153 1200/1430    1630pm
                                                        
For those arriving Semporna by overland transfer please be there half an hour before departure. It is advisable to inform us in advance of your arrival time.  If you miss the boat then you will have to wait for the next one. Our waiting point is at Seafest Hotel's lobby. For those arriving by flight not stated above must stay the night at the mainland-Tawau or Semporna.   Hotels can be arranged on request.

DEPARTURE

Sector  Flight Details      Boat Schedule to the Resort
TWU/KUL AK5153  1030/1315   0700am
TWU/SDK MH3092  1115/1155   0700am
TWU/KUL MH2661  1150/1430   0700am
TWU/BKI AK6123  1335/1425   0700am
TWU/BKI MH2134  1440/1525   1100am
TWU/BKI AK6127  1640/1730   1100am
TWU/KUL MH2665  1750/2030   1100AM
TWU/KUL AK5155  1800/2100   1430AM
TWU/KUL AK5157  2110/2355   1430PM
TWU/BKI AK6116  2135/2225   1430PM
TWU/KUL MH7309  2140/0020   1430pm
 

DIVING
The provide 3 boat dives per day on three different island. In order to cover the entire dive sites, it is recommended at least 1 week stay at the resort. If you would like to do additional day diving besides the normal 3 boat dives then the diving rate is RM 80.00 / USD 25.00 per dive/ per diver.  This must be arranged in advance with the dive master. Diving on last day (on departure day if not flying) is chargeable at RM 80.00 / USD 25.00 per dive / per person.  You are also request to sign another liability/ waiver form for this extra dive.

The resort have daily boat going to Sipadan Island for those who would like to dive there, which is about 15 minutes away.  The diving at Sipadan Island is limited due to the restriction.  Therefore each diver is only allowed to do one or two dives per day (subject to entry permit approval).  Dive sites and diving schedule will be arranged at the discretion of the resort management. 

The Unlimited Jetty Divig mentioned above are dives from Mabul’s House Reef and includes night diving (without divemaster and boat).  Tanks, weights and weight belt are provided; all other equipment must be brought by the diver or rented.

Most diving is a combination of wall and drift diving.  The resort have eight Bauer Compressors, 450 units Aluminum 3000 psi/80 cubic foot tanks with American style 'K' valves and 70 units with DIN valve.  30 sets of rental equipment and a 220/110v charging system for strobes and lights.

CONDITIONS FOR DIVING

LIABILITY/RELEASE FORM (WAIVER)
All guests will be required to sign a Liability/Release Form (Waiver) before or upon arrival and abide by all diving and safety rules of the resort.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
We operate diving all year round but we cannot predict the weather conditions these days for scuba diving even for the best season.

DIVER TRAINING
All divers will be required to show proof of diver training from an internationally recognized Diver Training Agency upon arrival or they will not be allowed to dive without taking a dive course.  SMART also reserves the right to require a Scuba Skills Refresher Course for any diver who cannot provide proof of diving in the last 12 months and/or exhibits uncertainty in their skills.  Logbooks are highly recommended.

DIVING ON FIRST DAY AT RESORT - ORIENTATION
The first dive at the Dive Resort on the day of arrival will be an orientation dive with a Divemaster.  This is required of all divers.  Please take note that there is NO Underwater Camera or Video allowed during the orientation dive.  Other beach dives can be done on the first day under our UNLIMITED BEACH DIVING program.  First day diving is depends on your arrival time to the resort.

DIVING SCHEDULES AND REGULATIONS
* Boat Dives
There are three (3) boat dives a day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon.  It is a combination of Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai dives making a total of 3 dives per day.  Each boat goes out with a boatman and Divemaster.  All dive sites and dive schedules will be arranged at the discretion of the resort Management. The number of dive is limited to avoid overcrowding; therefore, visits must be arranged well in advance.  Divers on their first visit to Sipadan are briefed before they take the plunge. The dive boats will depart to the dive sites every morning at 8.00 to 9.00 am and return to Sipadan-Mabul Resort after the 3rd dive, around 4.00 p.m.  Divers will return to the resort for their meals after every dive.

* Additional Day Dives
In order to cover the entire dive sites it is recommended at least one week stay at the resort.  If you would like to do additional day diving besides the normal 3 boat dives then the diving rate is RM 80.00 per dive/per diver.  This must be arranged in advance with the dive master.  You will be required to sign a separate Liability/Release Form (Waiver). 

*Unlimited Jetty Dives
Besides the three (3) boat dives, unlimited jetty dives may be carried out daily on Mabul’s House Reef.  These jetty dives can only start after your morning boat dive, unless you choose not to go on the morning boat dive; then you may dive anytime after 7.00am.  Your last jetty dive has to be planned in such a way as to exit the water by 10.00 p.m. (See also Night Diving section below) For jetty dive, you are required to dive with a buddy and sign out with our personnel on duty.  No Dive masters will accompany Jetty Dives, unless prior arrangements are made.

To Pay & Dive on the Spot
For certified divers who purchase non-diver package wishes to pay and dive on the spot the additional charge is RM 120.00 per dive includes the use of dive boat, tank with air, weights, weight belt and the services of divemaster on sharing basis.  This must be arranged in advance.

*Buddy System and Depth Limitations
As per most Training Agency's teachings, all dives must be with a buddy; no solo diving is allowed.  Depth on any dive shall be limited to a maximum of 130 feet (40 meters), of course taking into account any residual nitrogen time already acquired.

*Surface Intervals
For safety measures, a mandatory minimum 60 minutes surface interval is required before the next consecutive dive, regardless of whether you are diving by a computer or by tables.

*Night Diving
To Night Dive, divers must show proof of night diving in the form of certification cards or logbooks documenting such dives.   If no proof is available, divers who wish to night dive will be required to take an introduction OR certification course in night diving at an additional cost.  Night Divers must exit the water by 10.00 p.m. (2200 hrs). Night dive is exceptionally good at Mabul walls where one could easily encounter Lobsters, Crocodile Fish and occasionally large Cuttlefish.  The boat leaves for Mabul night dive at around 6.00 - 6.30 p.m. and dinner will be served after the dive. Night dives can be scheduled whenever a diver wants to do one the following evening at extra charge.  A diver doing their first night diving will be required to do an introduction to night diving prior to the dive. Rates for night diving with boat on Mabul Island is RM 150.00 per dive/per boat from 1-3 Divers and if there are 4 divers and above the rate is RM 50.00 per diver/per dive.  This will be charged locally.

THE ISLANDS: SIPADAN, MABUL & KAPALAI
SIPADAN is the small island where you can dive and snorkel.  It is a 15-30 minutes boat ride south of Mabul.  Sipadan is the tip of a mountain with steep underwater walls all around it.  These walls drop to 300m on the Mabul side of the island and 600m on south side. Diving on Sipadan is all drift diving, divers drop in and cruise with the current along the walls. This combination of deep walls and ocean currents provides the ideal environment for pelagic such as sharks and large schools of jacks and barracuda.

SPECIAL RULES FOR PROTECTING TURTLES :
* Divers and snorkelers are to refrain from touching, teasing and restraining turtles under water because turtles are air breathers and can be drowned if panicked or cornered.  Anyone riding or restraining turtles will sit out the next dive. Note : The time restricted by the Government for Diving at Sipadan Island is from 6am to 6pm.

MABUL in contrast to Sipadan is a continuation of the Borneo landmass rather than the top of an underwater mountain.  Because of this, Mabul has more gradually sloping walls around it that bottom out at about 30m.  The attractions on Mabul are of the smaller variety such as lobster, crocodile fish, moray and garden eels.  This makes it an ideal location for macro-photo opportunities. If you walk around the east of the island at night, be sure to take a flashlight and watch for sea snakes on the beach or amongst the palm trees.

KAPALAI lies to the east of Mabul about 10 minutes away.  It used to be a vegetated island much like Mabul but erosion has turned it into a small sandbar that just breaks the surface of the water.  This is an area that we are exploring for new dive sites.  Like Mabul it is an excellent location for macro-photography and is specially abundant in the rare finds of diving such as mandarin fish, stonefish, leaf fish, pipefish, lionfish, frogfish, cuttlefish, eels, and more.

FLYING AFTER DIVING (LAST DAY AT RESORT)
The latest recommendation from DAN, Training Agencies etc., indicates that you should wait a minimum of 12 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly.  However, SMART recognizes that people, agencies, and even computers and tables differ on this.  If you choose to dive on the day you leave and fly, you will be required to sign a separate Liability/Release Form (Waiver) to do this.  You will only be able to do one morning dive at 8.00am at Mabul Island; however, this is at the discretion of the resort Management.  The extra charge for the dive on last day is RM 80.00 per person/per dive.

FINAL DISCRETION
SMART reserves final discretion on who may or may not do any type of diving we offer, based on a diver's shown abilities, experience, etc.  If a diver is or becomes physically incapacitated by injuries, illness, intoxication, 'hangovers', etc., we reserve the right to stop this person from diving.