Mabul Island

Mabul Island is a small oval-shaped island located off the southeastern coast of Sabah near Semporna, within the Celebes Sea. Covering about 20 hectares, it is renowned as one of the world's top muck-diving destinations due to its rich marine biodiversity and proximity to Sipadan Island. The island features sandy beaches, coconut palms, traditional Bajau Laut stilt villages, and numerous dive resorts that attract underwater photographers and divers.

Visitors can expect a small, flat island with sandy beaches, coconut groves, and stilt-house villages surrounded by shallow reefs and clear waters. The island is dominated by dive resorts and homestays along the shoreline, with wooden jetties extending into the sea. Activities center on diving and snorkeling on nearby reefs, observing diverse macro marine life, walking around the island, visiting the local Bajau Laut village, and taking boat trips to nearby islands including Sipadan and Kapalai.

Traditionally inhabited by Bajau Laut fishing communities living in stilt houses over the water. The island gained international prominence in the 1990s as an accommodation and diving base for nearby Sipadan Island, leading to development of dive resorts and its emergence as a dedicated muck-diving destination.

Home to Bajau Laut (Sea Bajau) and Suluk communities known for stilt-house villages, traditional fishing practices and handicrafts. The island reflects the maritime culture of Semporna's sea communities alongside modern dive tourism.