3D2N MABUL ISLAND - MABUL WATER BUNGALOW SMART

For Certified Diver Only (All Dive Program / Arrangement will be Organised by the Resort's Dive Centre)
Prices quoted are all inclusive except for dive equipment, where guest can bring their own or rent from the resort or just rent some that they need only. Guest may also choose to dive certain day or time only but no refund.

• Transfer between: Tawau - Semporna Jetty – Mabul Water Bungalows - Tawau by van and speedboat
• Bungalow type accommodation on twin-sharing basis with attached bathroom and the facilities of hot shower and the comfort of air-conditioning
• All food and hot beverage while at the resort (excluding alcoholic, fruit juice and carbonated soft drinks)
• 3 boat combinations dives per day with divemaster either on Mabul, Kapalai or nearby Island (except on arrival and departure day)
• Unlimited jetty diving from Mabul's House Reef
• Use of tanks with air, weights and weight belt

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 MYR 100 per person/per dive.

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

FACILITIES

• A vinyl swimming pool measuring 41-ft X 21 ft with a 6-ft deep end @ Sipadan-Mabul Resort.
• 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.
• The Ka'andaman Spa is where one can relax and heal the body and mind.

Check-in time to Chalet - 14:00hrs
Check-out time from Chalet - 12:00hrs

ROOMS

Mabul Water Bungalows offers all the comforts of home and then some. Each bungalow boasts sophisticated décor along with remote controlled air conditioning, a mini bar, satellite TV, and an in-room safety box. Each room has its own private bathroom with a hot and cold shower. Yet what really puts these rooms over the top are the large private balconies offering gorgeous views of the turquoise blue sea.

There are 3 types of bungalows available on Mabul Water Bungalows: the Bungalow, Borneo Villa Suite Bungalow and the ultimate Bougain Villa Suite Bungalow.

Bungalow

• Hot and cold fresh water
• Colour satellite TV and DVD player
• Spacious private balcony
• Coffee and tea making facilities
• Mini bar
• In room safe deposit box
• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fan

Borneo Villa Suite Bungalow

• Has a separate bedroom and living room
• Spacious balcony fitted with an outdoor Jacuzzi with a nice view of the sea
• Computer workstation with Internet access
• Colour satellite TVs and DVD players in the bedroom and living room
• Hot and cold fresh water
• Pantry
• In room safe deposit box
• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fan
• Built up area of 129.6 sq m (1,395 sq ft)

Bougain Villa Suite Bungalow

• Very exclusive suite
• Has a separate bedroom and living room
• Private Jacuzzi with a view of the Celebes Sea and Sipadan Island
• Very large balcony
• Private access to the sea from the balcony
• Floor window with a view
• Computer workstation with Internet access
• Hot and cold fresh water
• Colour satellite TVs and DVD players in the bedroom and living room
• Pantry
• In room safe deposit box
• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fan
• Built up area of 166.8 sq m (1,796 sq ft)

MEALS

You can take your meals in the large open-air Restaurant which serves excellent western and local cuisine. After dark enjoy a drink with your friends at one of the Bar & lounge.

• PADI/NAUI Diving Courses (from Open Water to Divemaster level)
• Scuba Skills Refresher Course
• Discover Scuba Diving
• Technical Diving Courses
• Nitrox Diving
• PADI/TDI Specialty Courses
• Snorkeling
• Beach Volley Ball
• Ocean Kayak
• Diving trip at nearby island

As you may be aware, anyone planning to visit Sipadan Island requires an approved entry permit issued by Sabah Parks, a government agency of Sabah Government. Daily total entry quota is 120 permits per day. All permit application will be handled and process by the resort management. Please note there is NO first come first serve basis.

We feel that this is a wise move by the Malaysian Government in order to minimize the stress to the reefs and marine life at Sipadan Island. Unfortunately, this also means that we may not be able to send all our guests to Sipadan Island every day. Borneo Travel Network and SMART will not be held responsible for not being able to provide diving at Sipadan due to the conservation measures by the Government.

Currently, the 120 permits are allocated to ten (10) dive operators and they are located in and around Semporna area, with 14 permits shared between Mabul Water Bungalow and Sipadan-Mabul Resort per day. Based on this allocated quota, the resort is able to offer you with certainty, a visit to Sipadan island at least once if your duration of stay is at least 7 days/6 nights. If your stay is shorter than 6 nights, then the permits are allocated based on unused permits that have not been assigned to others.

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 GUARANTEED.

In the event that the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not approved, we can offer alternative snorkeling / diving at nearby island such as Si Amil, Mataking, Ligitan, Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restriction to dive on this island.

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 jetty dives can be done on the first day under our UNLIMITED JETTY DIVES program. First day diving is depends on your arrival time to the resort.

Boat Dives
There are three (3) boat dives a day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon. It is a combination dive at nearby dive sites 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.

Our 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. If you are diving at Sipadan Island you will be there the whole day, lunch will be served on site.

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.

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 MYR 100 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 DIVEMASTERS 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 160 per dive per person 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.

Whilst for the unlimited house reef diving with buddy is RM 80 per dive per person includes the use of tank with air, weights and weight belt. 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 270 per dive/per boat from 1-2 Divers and if there are 3 divers and above the rate is RM 100 per diver/per dive. This will be charged locally.

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.