Pulau Mabul is an isolated and idyllic island surrounded by beautiful reefs and aqua waters. It is most popular as a world-class diving site as well as the home to the Bajau Laut tribe - an ethnic group originating from Borneo. Listed below are the top things to do in Pulau Mabul.

Read also: Best Resort in Pulau Mabul: Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART)

Top 10 Things to Do in Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Celebrate Regatta Lepa

Heading to Pulau Mabul in March or April? You are arriving just in time for the grand 3-day Regatta Lepa festival that is held annually. Participate in continuous celebrations spanning across 3 days and pay homage to the age-long traditions of the Bajau Laut tribe during this unique water festival. Among the activities organised are the dragon boat race, tug-of-war, as well as duck catching competition.

Celebrate Regatta Lepa at Pulau Mabul

Scuba Diving

As the main activity in Pulau Mabul, every resort on the island offers house reef diving and for those who are more adventurous - daily boat trips further out into the ocean for serious scuba divings. The incredible marine life corals here makes it the top diving sites in the world, particularly at the Coral Garden, Barracuda Point as well as the Drop Off Point. While diving is available all year long, the prime time to visit is during the dry season throughout March to October.

Recommended: Stay at Seaventures Dive Rig - the world's only one-of-a-kind scuba diving rig that transformed an actual decommissioned oil rig into a resort cum diving center!

Scuba diving at Pulau Mabul

Visit the Bajau Laut Water Village

No trip to Pulau Mabul is complete without a boat trip to the Bajau Laut village - home to the eminent and legendary Sea Gypsies of Borneo. The tribe lives in wooden boats and houses made by them from scratch, and they spend their entire lives at sea. Today, the Bajau Laut or Pelauk people still remain “stateless” with an undocumented status as they are not given citizenship to any country. However, thanks to the NGOs in Sabah, they are able to secure a piece of land for them to sustain a living.

Visit the Bajau Laut Stilt Village in Pulau Mabul

Snorkeling at Pulau Mabul

Love the sea but don’t own a diving license or don’t intend to get one? Speak to your guesthouse to arrange a trip to main dive sites where you get to join in the fun and witness the beauty of the thriving undersea life and if you’re extra lucky, you can even spot giant turtles! Just remember to keep your camera charged at all times!

Snorkeling at Pulau Mabul

Ocean Kayaking

Want to experience kayaking out the open ocean? At Pulau Mabul, kayak rental is available all year round at approximately RM30 per hour. You definitely need to try the Molokini - a transparent kayak that gives you quick and easy access to the marine life without having to get wet!

Ocean kayaking at Pulau Mabul

Catch the Sunrise and Sunset

Sabah is the first state in Malaysia to be blessed by the golden rays. You can get up early and catch the sunrise at around 5.45am, or if you miss this, you can always catch the sunset instead which is equally a remarkable sight to help you end the day in awe!

Catch the spectacular sunrise and sunset at Pulau Mabul

Visit the Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Every corner is postcard worthy at the Tun Sakaran Marine Park - the gateway to a world of spellbinding beauty and untouched wonders. As home to the islands of Boheydulang, Sabangkat, Bodgaya and Salakan, the sand cays of Sibuan, Maiga, and Mantabuan, as well as the patch reefs of Church and Kapikan - it is no wonder why it has become the most photographed region in the world.

Pulau Mabul must-do: Visit the Boheydulang Island at Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Stargazing at Mabul Island

Nature is amazing, and Pulau Mabul is the perfect destination for you to open up your senses and absorb the raw beauty of this planet. When the sun goes down, the Milky Way comes into view and light up the sky. Away from noise and light pollution, the island gives you the opportunity to stay enamored throughout your trip.

Stargazing at Pulau Mabul is a must-do

Island Hopping at Semporna

The quickest and most exciting way to discover the grandeur of this region is by island hopping, where you get access to islands that are otherwise unreachable or restricted to travelers without a guide. Other than the more popular islands like Kapalai and Sipadan, hopping onto a boat can gain you entry to smaller but astonishing islands such as Pom Pom, Mataking and Bum Bum.

Got some extra time on hand? Why not indulge in a day of island hopping at Pulau Mabul!

Photography

You can find Instagram-worthy shots at every corner of the island. From capturing the Sea Gypsies to the vast, blue ocean, the sky’s the limit when it comes to taking the perfect photos here. A very important tip to keep in mind is to never give money to the Sea Gypsies in return for their photos to be taken. Instead, you can give them snacks or stationery instead - something they can actually use.

Read also: Best Resort in Pulau Mabul: Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART)

Seaventures Dive Rig: PADI 5-Star Resort at Sipadan, Sabah

Seaventures Dive Rig: PADI 5-Star Resort at Sipadan, Sabah

Each contemporary dining restaurant today has its own set of unique offerings, yet they all share a few unmistakable common characteristics. These establishments strives to pamper diners with an exceptional experience from the moment they walk through the door - an experience that goes beyond the sparkling chandeliers, tunes that hit the right note, and art on the wall.

Read also: Sabayon EQ Hotel: Rooftop Fine-Dining Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

First there’s Bijan, then there is SPG by Bijan.

SPG or Sarong Party Grill is a kittenish play on words. It was initially coined as the acronym for Sarong Party Girls - a term that dates back to the late 1940s to describe Asian ladies who preferred dating and socialising with white men. The tapas and grill bar embodies playful and carefree elements that follow the theme closely, all while staying true to its local roots through its tastefully embellished interior and attentive selection of the chief ingredients used in all its dishes.

Honeycomb tiles. Walls abound with bold, vibrant floral paintings. Sturdy rattan and wood furniture. A breezy ambiance with plenty of room for conversations and boogie-woogie. Every corner of SPG by Bijan is affectionately fashioned to meet its vision of the perfect modern Malay restaurant.

All the cocktails - even the frozen ones, are priced at RM35 per glass, which I personally think is very reasonable considering the quality and ingredients used.

Stinkini (RM35) Pickled petai, gin & vermouth.

My personal favorite is definitely the Stinkini, which I think would be a shame for anyone to skip during the visit here. The only possible way to remember this brilliant concoction by is through its potent, palate-awakening flavors and soul-wrenching stench (which ironically, is something Malaysians appreciate). The first few sips may be overwhelming for those who are yet to be accustomed to the pervasive "rotten egg" odor of this tropical broad bean, but the following sips will slowly but surely turn the potion into your next secret addiction.

Frozen Asam Pedas (RM35) Tequila, triple sec, tamarind juice

Yellow Fever (RM35) Gin, turmeric, lime juice, honey, tonic water

Feeling adventurous? SPG by Bijan offers cocktail lovers a monthly special to excite your senses!

À la Carte Menu at SPG by Bijan

Botok-botok Herbaceous steamed fish parcels - one of the latest addition to the SPG menu

Grilled Calamari (RM29) Grilled squid served with sambal belacan

Ah Ran Sini (RM25) Nasi Lemak balls: All the familiar flavors stuffed into bite-size rice balls, deep-fried and served with anchovy mayo dip.

Lidah & Sambal (RM28) Pan-seared braised ox tongue served with sambal hitam

Muhibbahger Golden deep fried mantou, ayam percik & cucumber raita

Roti Jala Tiffin (RM22) Lace pancakes, kaffir lime curry chicken, fish floss & anchovy sambal

Grilled Lamb Shoulder (RM39) Served with sambal hitam, sambal hijau and sambal merah

Angus Oyster Blade (RM68) Served with sambal hitam, sambal hijau and sambal merah

Prawns & Pineapple (RM35) A new addition to SPG by Bijan's Bakar-bakar menu

Nasi Petai (RM27) Rice with petai, galangal floss, anchovies, salted egg & sambal hijau

Desserts at SPG by Bijan

Always end your meal on a sweet note! The chefs at SPG have come up with several innovative and lip-smacking sweet courses with a local twist, including the diving Pulut Mango Cake and Chocolate Durian Cake!

Bananas over Bananas (RM18) Homemade banana ice cream, smokey caramelised banana & dehydrated banana cone

Pulut Mango Cake (RM15) Chilled mango mousse, fresh mango & coconut glutinous rice on a biscuit base

Chocolate Durian Cake (RM24)

Don't be fooled by the sheer size of the cake - it's packed with mind-blowing richness. I highly recommend ending your meal here with desserts and a hot cuppa tea/coffee!

A Playful Showcase of Malay Flavors

SPG by Bijan is everything packed into one beautiful package: A semi-fine dining restaurant that’s kept casual and playful, a café serving coffee and a small yet innovative dessert selection, as well as a bar specialising in cocktails yet also offering a comprehensive alcohol menu. Conveniently located in the KL city center and just a few steps away from country's nightlife hub of Changkat, SPG by Bijan makes a great dining spot for locals with an adventurous palate or visitors who would like to witness the artsy side of Malaysia.

The restaurant is located at Bukit Ceylon - in the heart of the vibrant Kuala Lumpur city. Make your way to the famous bar street called 'Changkat', and you will find  SPG at the very start of the row of shops. If you are driving, there are many several parking options available, with the nearest ones being the valet parking service next to Havana Grill & Bar.

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Address: 3A, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 12pm-12am daily

Reservations/Inquiries: +603-2022 3575

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