Stunning bungalows over the clearest water you have ever seen.

Diving was awesome; in our 5 night stay we were able to do a boat dive day trip to Sipadan on two days- had to buy the passes from Mataking Island on the second day though which was more expensive than buying them direct through Mabul Water Bungalows.

Needless to say Sipadan Isl was the beez kneez for diving. Big schools of Barracuda, Jackfish and lots of white tip reef sharks and turtles.

Dive master Neneng had a great eye for creatures and showed us lots under water- even a pygmy seahorse!
Visibility off Mabul Isl house reef was not the greatest, but the boat dives to Lobster Wall off Mabul Isl were much better when it came to visibility (this is where we saw the well camouflaged pygmy seahorse)

Even though it was Chinese New Year holiday and the Mabul Water Bungalows were fully booked, it never seemed crowded at the resort.
The sad thing where the groups of people underwater with video cameras and huge lights leaning on- and kicking the coral just so they could get a good shot.
Luckily the majority of the coral seemed healthy but it won't be for long if people keep leaning on it and kicking it with their fins like that :(

We heard our first ever underwater explosion. Sadly people still fish with explosives in the area but not around Sipadan thankfully and we were told that this explosion was far away- man it was loud...

The Kapalai Island House Reef (a boat dive 15 minutes away from Mabul) was gorgeous as far as an artificial reef goes. Lots of soft corals over an underwater scape of houses and roof tops- a very dreamy feel about it.

The food at MWB was great, buffet style but healthy and good variety considering it is a bit of a hike from the mainland. There was always plenty to eat and lots of in-between snacks (example: rolls with melted cheese and sugar (?!)) available at the bar.
Food was also provided on the day trips to Sipadan- a bite inbetween each dive.
The coffee at MWB was instant - we did spot a coffee machine at the bar but never asked for one as we brought our own "Sabah Kopi O" - from the mainland and had it "Kopi Tobruk" style so we didn't have to deal with the instant.

Wifi is available from the restaurant, not all tables had a good connection so had to walk around with the laptop until a good connection was found.
A computer with internet connection was also available for the occupants in the Bougain Villa - stunning Villa btw with own steps down to the water, glass panels in the floor etc..

all in all a great place to stay...

I recently travelled here for a wedding and was a little concerned by the Australian DFAT warnings before I left. It seems there were some issues with kidnappings back in 2003 and countries such as Australia and the USA have never rolled back the warnings. This area is rated as one of the best 'Muck Diving' sites in the world and now well patrolled by the military.
I stayed in the one of the bungalows on the Island (all the same resort), and have to say this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Once I landed at Tawau, the resort runs a very slick operation with a bus transfer to Semporna and then a comfortable fast boat to the Island.
The staff here are amazing, friendly and always helpful, the cleanliness of all the facilities is impecable, a credit to their houskeeping staff. I am not a scuba diver, but I do like to snorkel. The marine life is amazing both at Sipidan Island and the 'House reef'. I felt like I was swimming in a tropical fish tank, Barracudas, reef sharks, turtles etc etc, all in abudance.
At the house reef ( at the water bungalows )you could get out and get a fresh coffee, tea and cakes at any time, and when you were finished at the end of the day, a nice cold beer.
Ther dive instructors are very professional and provide plenty of information and reassurance even to the uninitiated.
I read some othe reviews that said I would get bored if I wasn't a diver... they are wrong, There is plenty to do here with a fantastic day spa , 4 bars, 2 shops, the village shops next door, kayaking (around the island), relaxing on the beach etc
There is a variety of accomodation here all the way to 5 star. The wedding couple were in 5 star water bungalow with a jacuzzi, kitchen , living room with glass floor , big flat screen TV, ensuite and french doors that open up with a private view of the Celebes Sea.
Five to seven days is perfect as the food does get a bit repetitive, but the quality is alway high.
I would certainly recommend this resort to anyone, and will definitely be going back soon.

We stayed at this resort in October for 5 days as non-divers we were not sure if paying the extra to stay in the water bungalows was going to be worth it but it was worth every cent we requested bungalow 212 which we were given... this bungalow looks straight out to the crystal blue sea with no obstructions has a balcony that you can just sit and watch the fish, rays and even turtles go by.
Even though we were non divers were still included in every boat trip to snorkel including 1 full day at Sapadan which was amazing, we found the staff very friendly and eager to help.

Prices like a 5 star, food like a 3 star, service like a 2 star, diving - 3-4 star. As an experienced diver most of my resent dive holidays were on liveaboards, but we chose mbw to dive sipidan due to the lack of good liveaboard options and the pics of mbw looked pretty great.

The bungalows are ok, pretty run down with the electrics in ours malfunctioning on the first night so we could not turn out the lights or turn on the aircon.. Fan also broke later in the week.. Lovely balcony and great size rooms that were well layer out. Really enjoyed the bikes, even thought the needed some serious servicing... Enjoyed diving in Sipidan, but there are only 3 good dive sites.. Looks of reef sharks, turtles, swirling jacks, which was the major highlight.

The food provided on the sipidan days was poor with only the watermelon being really edible.. Would recommend that they do something simple like boiled eggs instead of dogey looking plastic sausages. Onsunnydays, the sipidan days were simply divine .

Dive profiles were pretty simple and relatively shallow, easy diving that is suitable for new divers.. Vis was average, but great opportunities for photos, Especially of the turtles and swirling jacks..
Would be greatly disappointed if we could not dive sipidan as the diving at Kabul and kapali is average.

Overall I really enjoyed my stay here and the diving.