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Sipadan Mabul Resort (SMART)

SMART was intentionally named Sipadan-Mabul Resort to fully capitalise on the advantages of the name of the more popular and glamorous neighbouring Sipadan island. The resort carries out excellent responsible travel objectives by opening up Mabul island to the world in the early 90s and providing the villagers a very good source of income when their coconut plantation couldn't yield good returns. In years to come, the resort expanded yet carried out conservation projects to preserve Mabul's attractions as well as the deep sea for all to enjoy and to gain.

The resort today, located at the southern tip of Pulau Mabul overlooking Sipadan, provides a luxurious getaway for  couples seeking a romantic getaway with a opportunities to stroll hand in hand on the white sandy beach while deep sea adventures are within reach for a thrill! Families coming here can enjoy the modern facilities, the sea sports and wander the small island , watching the village folks and fishermen go about their lives.

There are 45 chalets (22 are new detached/stand alone one room chalets) accommodating up to 90 guests at any time.  All the chalets are built with mosquito screens have attached toilet/bathroom with hot shower facilities and the comfort of air-conditioning, which are available for 24 hours.
 

Tripadvisor traveller reviews as well as many other legit traveller reviews consistently rate this resort with 4-5 stars!

Facilities
- Electrical outlet is 220 Volt AC.  
- A vinyl swimming pool measuring 41-ft X 21 ft with a 6-ft deep end.  
- 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 available NOW at the resort.
Diving information
Diving in Mabul is shadowed by Sipadan's fame. Due to the restricted number of divers on Sipadan, Mabul has come into the limelight as one of the best muck diving destinations in the world. The bottom appears bare at first glance consisting of corals, rocks, sea grass and sand. Adding to this are manmade items such as bottles, cans and sacks. Look a little deeper and you will find home to a wide range of creatures: spike-finned goby, flamboyant cuttlefish, squid, allied cowries, lionfish, snakes, garden eels, mantis shrimps, nudibranchs, seahorses to name a few.
There are three daily boat dives to Sipadan island (about 15 minutes away) although you are restricted to two dives a day for conservation purposes. Divers will be rotated and the schedule will be arranged at the discretion of the resort management.  Most diving is a combination of wall and drift diving.
Tanks, weights and weight belt are provided; all other equipment must be brought by the diver or rented.
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.

WHOA! Dive rating

5 stars - Malaysia's finest

Rates

STANDARD ROOMS at SMART Resort

2010 Rates (valid 1 April 2010 til 31 March 2011)

DAYS/NIGHTS	PRICE PER DIVER (TWIN SHARE)	PRICE PER NON-DIVER (TWIN SHARE)
2 days/1 night	1900	1270
3 days/2 nights	2240	1480
4 days/3 nights	2580	1700
5 days/4 nights	2900	1920
Extra day/night	500	440

 *rates subject to change without notice.

DETACHED/STAND-ALONE CHALET
Package above only for Standard rooms in Chalets. For detached or stand-alone, add surcharge RM100 per person/per night on top of the above package price.  This must be booked well in advance.

MABUL WATER BUNGALOWS (MWB)

This is SMART's sister resort. These exclusive 15 units (10unit with double beds & 5 unit with twin beds) of luxury villas are well-crafted modern hardwood bungalows built  on sturdy stilts above the sea.  Each bungalow is exquisitely furnished with contemporary décor, equipped with remote control air-conditioner, ceiling fan, private bathroom-hot/cold shower and toilet, spacious private balcony offer panoramic vistas of blue sea, colour TV with satellite channels, mini bar and in-room safety box.
Facilities includes a large and airy restaurant for dining, a souvenirs shop selling variety of t-shirts, accessories and gifts, a lounge for guests to relax, a business center with internet service, a dive center, an office taking care all the guests registration, billings and an underwater video and health spa outlets.

2010 Rates (valid 1 April 2010 til 31 March 2011)

All packages include:
Packages for both SMART and MWB includes:

Other resort activities

Notes:
Our check in-time is 1400 hours and check out time is 1200 hours.  Early check-in and late check-out is subject to room availability

Kindly take note that all daily entry to dive or visit to Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by the Sabah Park Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit.  The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan island is restricted now to 120 pax per day.

The fee for Entry Permit to Sipadan Island is RM 40.00 per person per day for divers, nondivers, visitors and children. This entry permit fee has to be paid on the spot, in the resort if the approval is obtain.
There is NO GUARANTEE on the permit application. Only names listed on the approval list are allow to dive/snorkel at Sipadan Island.
However, should the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not approved, the resort will offer arrangement to dive in island like Si Amil, Mataking (1.15 hrs from our resort), Roach Reefs (1 hour from our resort), Ligitan Island (which offers pelagic diving), Kapalai or Mabul where there is no restrictions on these island.

Getting Here

Fly Malaysia Airlines (www.mas.com.my) or Airasia (www.airasia.com) from your hometown to Tawau via Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur. Plan one night's accommodation in Kota Kinabalu on your inbound journey. You will be met in Tawau by SMART Divers Resort who bus you to Semporna (1 hour). From there a speed boat zips you out to the island (another 45 minutes).
Below are flight and boat transfer schedule (subject to change): (flights not included)
Arrival
Sector Flight Details                     Boat Schedule to the Resort
BKI/TWU MH2121 0700-0745      0900AM
KUL/TWU AK5152 0720-1005    1230PM
BKI/TWU AK5833 0930-1020      1230PM
SDK/TWU MH3063 1020-1100    1230PM
BKI/TWU MH2137 1315/1400      1600PM
For those arriving Semporna by overland transfer please be there half an hour before departure.
It is advisable to inform us in advance of your arrival time. If you miss the boat then you will have to wait for the next one.
Our waiting point is at the Seafest Hotel's lobby.
For those arriving by flight not stated above must stay the night at the mainland - Tawau or Semporna. Hotel can be arranged on request.
Departure
Sector Flight Details                     Boat Schedule from the Resort
TWU/KUL AK5153 1030-1315     0700AM
TWU/BKI AK5834 1045-1135       0700AM
TWU/SDK MH3062 1120-1200     0700AM
TWU/BKI MH2134 1440-1525      1100AM
TWU/BKI AK5836 1715-1805      1100AM
TWU/KUL AK5155 1835-2120     1100AM
TWU/KUL AK5157 2110-2355     1500PM
TWU/BKI MH2148 2100-2145      1500PM

Responsible Tourism practices

Read our special article by Serina Rahman, our star conservationist! Download here

Our Say

An excellent option if you are planning to visit Sipadan or Mabul. Download and read our special article by Serina Rahman for her independent view of SMART.

Read an interesting article from a local newspaper on the resort.