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I wandered into the world of the sea god. The water was crystal clear, a turquoise color, and beneath the wooden stilt houses lay a coral reef. It's no exaggeration to call Mabul the Maldives of Malaysia. Everything here looks magical.
WHERE IS MABUL LOCATED?
Mabul is an island located in Semporna district, Sabah state, on the east coast of Malaysia. Mabul is relatively new to foreign tourists, especially Vietnamese visitors, as Vietnamese people often only explore the west coast of Malaysia, neglecting the east coast. However, for those who love scuba diving and coral viewing, Mabul is truly a paradise.
Mabul, a paradise for diving enthusiasts.
I arrived in Semporna one afternoon, after finishing my trek to the legendary Mount Kinabalu, 4095.2 meters high. It was quite unusual, considering I had just crammed onto a bus with locals, traveling over 500km from Kota Kinabalu to this tiny, remote district, all because I'd been swayed by the sweet talk of a Malaysian friend who said, "Semporna is a paradise of islands and beaches." No further discussion needed. I had to go to avoid regrets.
It was truly tiny. As soon as the bus pulled up, a scene reminiscent of the 1980s unfolded. Old, faded cars, people selling fish and medicine on the sidewalks. It was pitch dark, and all the shops were closed. In the wealthy and bustling capital of Kuala Lumpur, I never saw such wild scenes. So I booked a taxi back to the hostel. I had a Chinese-style seafood meal on the Semporna embankment and drifted off into a dreamy sleep.
I contacted the Grace Hotel (considered the largest hotel in Semporna) to book a tour to Mabul Island. The Chinese girl sent me a long list and told me to compare prices before booking.
Semporna is a seaside paradise with overwater bungalows.
At 8:30 a.m., a speedboat picked me up at Semporna port. Since I was traveling alone, I was grouped with a group of Chinese tourists in Malaysia. The speedboat circled Semporna for a while before heading out to sea.
The coastal scenery of Semporna is very similar to that of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Colorful wooden stilt houses are scattered haphazardly over the sea. The locals are still poor, living in makeshift houses with corrugated iron roofs. Semporna harbor is a hub for numerous canoes and fishing boats. There is also a market selling fruit and a wide variety of exotic seafood.
THE LAND OF FLOATING VILLAGES
Our speedboat began gliding across the water. In the distance were islands covered in lush green vegetation. Malaysian fishing boats drifted on the sea. Today, the waves weren't strong, so my journey to the islands was very smooth.
After an hour, an island with many wooden stilt houses appeared. It was definitely Mabul Island. Our guide said that to get to the island, each person needed to pay 30 Ringgit. This was the island's entrance fee.
The scenery when visiting Mabul is idyllic.
I disembarked and began my exploration of Mabul. Inside Mabul, there are many wooden stilt houses, the most prominent of which is probably Mabul Water Bungalow. The wooden houses are clustered together, looking exactly like a floating village from above. The stilt houses are brown wood with pointed roofs designed in the style of pagodas and temples, characteristic of this region. A wooden bridge connects the coconut island to the floating village. Therefore, getting around Mabul is mainly on foot. Occasionally, I also see island staff on bicycles, and sometimes a few guests are transported by Jeep.
Accommodation in Mabul is extremely expensive. If you include scuba diving and overnight stays, a night can cost over $1000. Without scuba diving, the price is around $600 per night.
The resort in the middle of the sea on Mabul Island makes visitors feel like they've stepped into a paradise fit for a Sea King.
MABUL DESERVES THE TITLE OF THE MALDIVES OF MALAYSIA
It's no exaggeration to call Mabul the Maldives of Malaysia. The water is crystal clear, a beautiful turquoise color. Beneath the wooden bridge lie coral reefs. Those who stay overnight often take the opportunity to go snorkeling and admire the coral.
Along both sides of the wooden bridge, many flowers and green plants are grown. When I visited, bougainvillea and roses bloomed profusely. Crowded alongside the wildflowers were potted pine, cypress, and cycad trees.
Visitors can cycle around the floating houses.
It's called a paradise for relaxation because, in addition to snorkeling and admiring the coral reefs, visitors can unwind in luxurious, open-air bathtubs on the island. Enjoying the refreshing sea breeze while soaking in crystal-clear waters is definitely a special kind of magic potion that visitors will never forget after their trip to Mabul Island.
Like other resorts, the resort on Mabul Island uses white as its dominant color. The tables are white, the lounge chairs are white, some of the pillars are white, and even the safety railings for guests are painted white.
From the resort, guests can immerse themselves in the sea, clouds, and sky.
My legs ached, so I stopped at a corner by the bridge. Above was a luxurious, top-notch resort. Below, at the foot of the bridge, tiny little boys and girls sat in their small boats, inviting tourists to buy coconuts. 5 Ringgit for one. They were very enthusiastic, offering to everyone they met. If they saw a tourist interested, they would quickly row their boat up and hold out a coconut. If the tourist agreed, they would split the coconut, give it to the tourist, and collect the money.
Occasionally, I would also come across a few children begging for money from tourists. They would sit below the boat, holding out their hands and asking for money in their native language. They weren't good at English, except for the word "Money." When I called back to them, they would shy away and run off.
There are tourist children snorkeling and admiring the coral reefs.
These are poor people living on Mabul Island, leading a nomadic lifestyle. Their parents go fishing, while the children sell coconuts or beg for money from tourists. Perhaps this is true in every country; poverty and wealth always go hand in hand.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, after lunch at a restaurant on Mabul Island, our boat bid farewell to the island and headed to a snorkeling spot. Everyone put on their swimsuits and jumped into the water with excitement. I stood on the shore, watching longingly, but since I hadn't brought a swimsuit, I could only watch regretfully as everyone else played in the sea.
I took one last look at the land of the sea god before leaving. Mabul Island appeared with its turquoise waters, sparkling with pointed, temple-style roofs. And perhaps, somewhere, I still remember the dark eyes of a naked boy with dark skin looking at me and asking for money.
But there are also local children who paddle boats to earn a living.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Getting there: From Vietnam, there are no direct flights to Mabul and Semporna islands. Tourists must fly to Kuala Lumpur, then take a connecting flight to Tawau. From Tawau, it's an additional 80km journey to Semporna by taxi/Grab/bus. From Semporna port, you can then travel to Mabul island by speedboat or ferry.
Ideal time to visit: The best time to visit Mabul is from April to September. This is the dry season in Malaysia. The ideal time for a beach vacation in Malaysia is between mid-May and early June.
Booking a tour: It's best to book a tour to Mabul Island in advance, as tour companies there may be closed on certain days. I booked my tour at Kok Tag.
Connecting tour: Mabul is not the only stop in Semporna. Visitors wishing to snorkel or enjoy the sea views can purchase a connecting tour. Departing from Sempona port, the tour takes you to Mabul Island, and includes visits to Kapalai and Pom Pom Island.
