I was lost in the world of the sea god. The sea water was crystal clear, emerald green, and beneath the wooden stilt houses lay a coral reef anchored. People call Mabul the Maldives of Malaysia, and it is true. Everything here looks magical.
WHERE IS MABUL LOCATED?
Mabul is an island located in the district of Semporna, in the state of Sabah, on the East coast of Malaysia. Mabul is still quite new to foreign tourists, especially Vietnamese tourists because when Vietnamese people come to Malaysia, they often only visit the West coast and forget the East coast. But for those who love diving and watching coral in the water, Mabul is truly a paradise.
Mabul, a paradise for scuba enthusiasts.
I arrived in Semporna in the afternoon. After finishing the journey to climb the legendary Mount Kinabalu with the height of 4095.2m. It was "unusual" because I had just jostled on a bus with the locals, traveled a distance of more than 500km from Kota Kinabalu to this tiny district, far away on the horizon just because I listened to the sweet words of a friend from Malaysia "Semporna is an island paradise". No more discussion. Must go to avoid regrets.
It was really small. The bus had just arrived, a scene like the 80s appeared. Old faded cars, people carrying fish, selling Western medicine on the sidewalk. It was dark, and the shops here were all closed. In the rich and bustling capital Kuala Lumpur, I had never seen such wild scenes. So I booked a taxi back to the Hostel. Had a seafood meal prepared Chinese style on the Semporna embankment and fell into a dreamy sleep.
I contacted Grace Hotel (the biggest 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 an island paradise with offshore homes.
At 8:30 am, the speedboat picked me up at Semporna port. Since I was traveling alone, I was grouped with a group of Chinese people from Malaysia. The speedboat circled Semporna before going out to sea.
The scenery of Semporna beach is exactly like the riverside of Vietnam. Colorful wooden stilt houses are crooked on the sea. The people here are poor so they live in temporary houses with corrugated iron roofs. Semporna seaport is where many canoes and seagoing boats gather. There is also a market here selling fruits and many strange seafood.
LAND OF FLOATING VILLAGES
Our canoe began to glide across the water. In the distance were islands with deep green carpets. Malaysian fishing boats drifted on the sea. Today the waves were not strong so my journey to the island was very smooth.
After an hour, an island with many wooden stilt houses appeared. That was definitely Mabul Island. Our tour guide told us that to get to the island, each person needed to pay 30 Ringgit. This was the entrance fee to the island.
The scenery when arriving at Mabul.
I went ashore and began my journey to explore Mabul. Inside Mabul, there are many wooden stilt houses, the most prominent of which is probably the Mabul Water Bungalow. The wooden houses are located close together, looking down from above, it looks exactly like a floating village. The stilt houses are brown wooden and designed with pointed roofs in the typical pagoda-tower style of this land. The wooden bridge is the place connecting the coconut island with the floating village. For that reason, the main way to move around on Mabul Island is still on foot. Occasionally, I also saw the island's staff riding bicycles, and occasionally a few guests were also transported by Jeep.
Rooms in Mabul are sold at extremely expensive prices. If you include diving and accommodation, you will have to spend more than 1000 USD per night. If you do not include diving, the price will be more than 600 USD per night.
The resort in the middle of the sea on Mabul Island makes visitors feel like they are lost in the paradise of the King of the Sea.
MABUL IS DESERVING TO BE THE MLDIVES OF MALAYSIA
People call Mabul the Maldives of Malaysia, and it is not wrong. Because the water is clear and emerald green. Below the wooden bridge are anchored coral reefs. People who stay here often take the opportunity to dive and see the coral.
Along both sides of the wooden bridge, people planted many flowers and trees. When I arrived, the bougainvillea and roses were in full bloom. Next to the wildflowers, there were pots of pine trees, cypress trees, and cycads.
Visitors can cycle on the floating houses.
Called a resort paradise, because here, in addition to hours of diving to see coral, visitors can also relax in luxury outdoor bathtubs on the island. Enjoy the strong wind of the ocean while soaking in the crystal clear water. This is definitely a special elixir that makes visitors unforgettable every time they come to Mabul Island.
Like other resorts, the Mabul Island Resort uses white as the main color. White tables, white lounge chairs, some white pillars, and even the safety barrier for guests are painted white.
From the resort, visitors can immerse themselves in the sea, clouds and sky.
I was tired, so I stopped at a corner of the bridge. Above was a top-class luxury resort. Below the bridge, little boys and girls sat on their small boats and invited tourists to buy coconuts. 5 Ringgit for each one. The children were very enthusiastic, inviting everyone they met. If they saw that a tourist was interested, they would quickly row their boat over and hold out a coconut. If the tourist agreed, they would split the coconut, give it to the customer, and collect the money.
Occasionally, I also saw some children begging for money from tourists. They sat under the boat, stretched out their hands and asked for money in their native language. They did not speak English well, except for the word “Money”. I called back to them but they became shy and ran away.
There are tourist children diving to see the coral.
These are poor people living on Mabul Island, they live a nomadic lifestyle. Their parents go fishing, while the children sell coconuts, and some beg for money from tourists. Perhaps, it is the same in every country. Poverty and wealth always go hand in hand.
2 pm, after lunch at the restaurant on Mabul Island. Our boat said goodbye to the island to move to the coral diving spot. The whole group put on their swimsuits and jumped into the water with excitement. I stood on the shore looking down longingly, but since I didn't bring my swimsuit today, I had to regretfully watch everyone playing in the sea.
A last look back at the land of the sea god before leaving. Mabul Island appeared with its emerald green water, sparkling with pointed temple-style roofs. And perhaps, somewhere I still remember the jet-black eyes of a naked boy with dark skin looking at me and begging for money.
But there are also native children rowing boats to find a meal.
MORE INFORMATION
Transportation: From Vietnam, there are no direct flights to Mabul Island, Semporna. Visitors must fly to Kuala Lumpur, then connect to Tawau. From Tawau to Semporna, they must take a taxi/Grab/bus for another 80km. Continue from Semporna port to Mabul Island by canoe or boat.
Ideal time: The best time to go to Mabul is from April to September. This is the dry season in Malaysia. The best time to go to the beach in Malaysia is from mid-May to early June.
Buy tour: You should find a place to buy a tour to Mabul Island before coming. Because there will be days when the tour companies here are closed. I bought the tour at Kok Tag..
Connecting Tour: Mabul is not the only stop in Semporna. Visitors who want to snorkel or see the sea can take a connecting tour. From Sempona Port, go to Mabul Island, visit Kapalai and Pom Pom Island.
