Mabul Water Bungalows
Mabul's premium overwater option, with 9 villa suites including the Bougain Villa's glass-floor ocean-viewing panel. Sipadan access is arranged in advance; Advanced Open Water certification is required.
Mabul Water Bungalows is the most refined of the overwater options on Mabul Island. The 24 signature wooden bungalows and 9 exclusive Villa Suites are all built from local timber on stilts, 15 minutes by speedboat from Sipadan. The standout room is the Bougain Villa Suite, which has a glass floor panel for private observation of the water below and direct sea access from the suite itself.
The resort suits experienced divers who want proximity to Sipadan with a higher standard of accommodation than the island's more utilitarian options, and non-diving companions who want a genuine retreat.
Your Sipadan Permit Allocation
Mabul Water Bungalows cannot guarantee Sipadan permits based on the duration of your stay. To secure your diving experience, we strongly recommend a pre-arrival permit application through the resort's concierge.
Permits can also be arranged upon arrival at the resort, but please note that this is subject to availability. All guests diving at Sipadan must hold an Advanced Open Water certification.
Facilities
The resort has a Ka’andaman Spa using traditional Sabahan techniques, an underwater photography and filming studio, and a turtle hatchery programme guests can observe. Diving covers Mabul, Kapalai, Roach Reef, Mataking, Ligitan, and Sipadan on permitted days. PADI courses from Open Water through to Divemaster, plus Nitrox and technical diving courses, are available through the dive centre.
The resort’s sea pool sits beside the jetty and varies with the tide: 1 to 2 metres deep at low tide, 3 to 5 metres at high tide. Life jackets are compulsory for everyone who uses it. Access is limited to in-house guests, including those staying at sister resort Sipadan-Mabul Resort; day trippers are not permitted.
The Sipadan permit process here costs RM 889 per person per day and covers all levies. It is more expensive than some other resorts’ processes but removes the uncertainty of rotation-based allocation. If you are comparing this with other Mabul options and want advice on which approach suits your group, ask us.
