Mabul Backpackers
0 nights
Rooms and Guests
1 room, 2 adults, 0 children
All Properties in Semporna
Mabul Backpackers
Homestay
Health ProtectedRenovated in 2023
Mabul, Semporna, Sabah 91308, Malaysia
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The hotel is located in the first-class sea area of Mabu Island in Semporna, in the same sea area as MWB, and there are no residential areas around it. It is a water wooden house with full floor-to-ceiling windows, an independent bathroom, air conditioning and hot water bath, and there is no independent sea view of residential areas around it. You can have a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea, open the door and go directly to the sea, and you can see the most beautiful sunset, which is quiet, comfortable and beautiful.
There are friends from all over the world in the store, and there are many Europeans and Americans. In the evening, there are music parties, diving, watching the Milky Way and turtles. The water house for accommodation is located on the opposite side of Sipadan Island, with a sea view of Sipadan. Good location! Newly renovated, you can jump directly into the sea from the large terrace of the room, and you can swim and snorkel freely in the sea area in front of the sea view room for unlimited free. The room is a newly renovated sea view room with all wooden floors, equipped with air conditioning and electric water heater. At the same time, the hotel also provides comprehensive facilities such as deep diving, diving research, vacation, snorkeling, party, honeymoon, hiking, barbecue, etc. (additional fees are required).
Shuiwu is located in the turtle reserve of Mabu Island. You can often see turtles swimming in the morning and at night. You can also lie on the platform and watch the Milky Way at night. You can go hiking on Mabu Island at the back door and take photos at MWB luxury resort (exactly like Kapalai). Bayao village, monitor lizards, turtles and Mabu Island are relatively safe, and you can also see wild animals such as monitor lizards and turtles.
Every day, the Bayao people boating on the sea come to sell seafood and coconuts, which is two-thirds cheaper than Semporna town. The store can help with the processing for a fee. Book a room and give a speedboat a snorkeling trip.Show More
We Price Match
Last booked 22 hrs ago
3.5/5Cleanliness: 3.5
All 16 Reviews
Amenities
24-Hour Front DeskLuggage StorageFreeWake-Up CallDivingSnorkelingHikingRestaurantKTVFax/Copying ServiceFree
All Amenities
Surroundings
Landmarks: Mabul Backpackers
(<100m)
Landmarks: Mabul Paradise Lodge
(<100m)
Landmarks: SCUBA BUDDY
(240m)
Map
Rooms
Guest Reviews
Policies
Services & Amenities
5
Basic Triple Room
3 Single bed
12m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Smoking Permitted
Bay View
Electric Fan
Power Outlet for Single Specification
Curtain
Check Availability
4
Budget Twin Room With Shared Bathroom
2 Single bed
8m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Smoking Permitted
Bay View
Electric Fan
Power Outlet for Single Specification
Curtain
Check Availability
4
Budget Double Room With Shared Bathroom
1 Double bed
8m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Non-smoking
Bay View
Electric Fan
Power Outlet for Single Specification
Curtain
Check Availability
4
Economy Quadruple Room With Shared Bathroom
4 Single bed
12m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Smoking Permitted
Bay View
Electric Fan
Power Outlet for Single Specification
Curtain
Check Availability
5
Bed in 8 Beds Dormitory
1 Bunk bed
12m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Non-smoking
Bay View
Electric Fan
Power Outlet for Single Specification
Curtain
Check Availability
7
French window air-conditioned sea view room (separate bathroom)
1 Queen bed or 2 Single bed
22m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Smoking Permitted
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Sea View
Daily Housekeeping
Check Availability
Hide Room Types
Guest Reviews(16)
3.5/5
Verified Reviews- Cleanliness3.5
- Amenities3.5
- Location3.5
- Service3.5
Guest User
April 13, 2024
Very bad. The room is hard to describe.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
December 30, 2022
Simple, barely liveable. The price is very expensive. Not worth it at all.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
Guest User
March 31, 2024
My sister and I went to Mabul for three nights, and we didn't ecpect to much because of the reviews we read before. The rooms are indeed simple, showering wasn't possible the whole day, same with electricity. The food is mostly the same everyday. But honestly we had a wonderful, heartwarming time. The family and Divemasters are so lovely and caring, in the evening we sang together while some are playing the guitar. It was great! Also the Diving was incredible, I did my AOWD with Billy, and couldn't ask for a better instructor. We were really sad to leave and hope to come back again soon. Thanks for everything, we will definetly never forget.
Guest User
November 22, 2023
After reading previous reviews I was slightly nervous for my time at Mabul Backpackers, however I couldn’t have been proven more wrong. I had the best time here, was fed three meals a day and the owner made sure we had a room opposite the ocean (even though we paid for a dorm) for no extra cost. The vibe here was just on point that I ended up extending my stay by 4 days and completing my open water. Was so reasonably priced compare to other places i looked into in south east Asia and the dive master acted so professional, he stayed with my friend and I way past work hours to make sure we understood the course/ requirements to past the test. I never had a problem with the gear the week I was here and can honestly say this was one of my favourite experiences during my 7 months in South East Asia.
Guest User
August 25, 2023
We appreciated the vibe of this place and the kindness of people working there. They are also very flexible and there fore sometimes the boats are not that much on time. Overall, absolutely recommended. There are different types of rooms for every budget.
Guest User
August 22, 2023
Mabul Backpackers is by far one of the most special places I have ever stayed in my life. If you’re a germaphobe and like to stick to strict time schedules then it’s not for you. But I can’t recommend it enough. I did both my advanced open water and lots of fun dives there - the reefs are absolutely stunning. After a morning dive you’re greeted home by grinning staff and you eat delicious food in great company. After an afternoon dive you can finish the day swimming with turtles right on your doorstep, and surface to card games, karaoke, and drinks with anyone and everyone. I wouldn’t be doing this review justice if I didn’t mention my instructor, Billy. Not only was he a total professional, but he allowed me - at first a nervous diver - to become a more confident and happy diver that I ever thought I could be. I loved diving with Billy - he made me feel totally safe, he made everything so much fun, and he was amazing at pointing out even the tiniest of fish! Mabul backpackers is a tiny slice of heaven - whether you’re travelling alone or with friends, it’s totally magic. If you’re reading this Billy, you’re awesome! 🤙🏽
Guest User
January 31, 2023
It is a quite inexpensive accommodation compared to the other options on this island, but a bit more invest in service and the food would be necessary. Breakfast, lunch and dinner do not vary much (all 3 days more or less the same). The brooms are not lockable (but it is safe) and the water from the shower is running down directly into the ocean. The staff is nice, but the service could be better (basics like checking toilet paper or emptying the waste bins). Relaxed a**osphere is a plus.
Guest User
July 24, 2023
We booked a 3-day, 2-nights all inclusive diving package during which we stayed in a 6-person dorm. I usually don’t easily give a rating below 4 stars, but the totality of the experience was disappointing. Every day was a bit of chaos to find the right dive equipment. The equipment was quite old and not very well taken care of. There were also not a lot of different sizes for BCDs and wetsuits. Leaking equipment was also guaranteed. Staff was also not most helpful in this chaos. Due to the price, we did not go to Sipadan. The dives around Mabul were nice, but not more extraordinary than what we have seen in Thailand for example. There’s also often a lot of current (but this could of course differ by the season). We mostly saw turtles, blue dotted stingrays, flathead crocodile fish, clownfish, some cuttlefish and eel. We did one of our dives with divemaster Billy, who was really friendly and great to dive with. Food was the same every day for dinner and lunch, so you got quite bored of it. Also vegetarians would not have a very varied menu (plain rice + 1 type of vegetable). The room fell far below expectations. The room itself and the beds were old and dirty. We saw the staff just pull the sheets tight after the previous guest instead of changing the linens. The bed was full of ants. We had to ask multiple times for towels, which ended up to be rather dirty as well. Even if taking a private room with airconditioning and private bathroom, I would probably not book here due to the lower level of professionalism by the staff. Irrespective of where you stay, be prepared to see a very dirty island: beaches are full of old clothes, plastic and other trash.
Guest User
June 20, 2023
Had the time of my life here! Only planned to stay 3 nights and turned into 8nights and my open water. The PADI open water course was great. The staff, dive master and everyone involved was some of the best people I’ve met along my travels. Honestly loved every bit of my stay and of course some post dinner karaoke. Dorm is very basic but the communal area, people and the views is what made it. Saw turtles everyday!!!
Property Policies
Check-in and Check-out Times
Check-in: 08:00–08:30
Check-out: 15:30–16:00
Front desk hours: 24/7
The property will provide check-in details after booking
To check in, provide the following 7 days in advance: their check-in time, their flight information, proof of identification
Child Policies
Children can stay in some rooms of this hotel.
Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
Cots and Extra Beds
For all room types, extra beds can be added, but cots cannot be added.
Fees for extra beds and cribs are not included in the total and must be paid at the hotel.
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
Children 3 years old and under | Contact hotel |
Children 4 years old and over | MYR 450.00 (approx. RUB 8,687.71) per person per night |
Breakfast
TypeWestern, Halal
StyleBuffet
Opening hours[Mon - Sun] 07:00-08:00 Open
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
Children 17 years old and under | Free |
Adult | Contact hotel |
Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
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Health Protected
Cleanliness
- 3.5/5
Cleaning & disinfecting
- Rooms are disinfected between stays
Property Description
- Opened: 2020
- Renovated: 2023
- Number of Rooms: 26
The hotel is located in the first-class sea area of Mabu Island in Semporna, in the same sea area as MWB, and there are no residential areas around it. It is a water wooden house with full floor-to-ceiling windows, an independent bathroom, air conditioning and hot water bath, and there is no independent sea view of residential areas around it. You can have a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea, open the door and go directly to the sea, and you can see the most beautiful sunset, which is quiet, comfortable and beautiful.
There are friends from all over the world in the store, and there are many Europeans and Americans. In the evening, there are music parties, diving, watching the Milky Way and turtles. The water house for accommodation is located on the opposite side of Sipadan Island, with a sea view of Sipadan. Good location! Newly renovated, you can jump directly into the sea from the large terrace of the room, and you can swim and snorkel freely in the sea area in front of the sea view room for unlimited free. The room is a newly renovated sea view room with all wooden floors, equipped with air conditioning and electric water heater. At the same time, the hotel also provides comprehensive facilities such as deep diving, diving research, vacation, snorkeling, party, honeymoon, hiking, barbecue, etc. (additional fees are required).
Shuiwu is located in the turtle reserve of Mabu Island. You can often see turtles swimming in the morning and at night. You can also lie on the platform and watch the Milky Way at night. You can go hiking on Mabu Island at the back door and take photos at MWB luxury resort (exactly like Kapalai). Bayao village, monitor lizards, turtles and Mabu Island are relatively safe, and you can also see wild animals such as monitor lizards and turtles.
Every day, the Bayao people boating on the sea come to sell seafood and coconuts, which is two-thirds cheaper than Semporna town. The store can help with the processing for a fee. Book a room and give a speedboat a snorkeling trip.
Services & Amenities
Most popular business facilities
24-Hour Front Desk
Luggage StorageFree
Wake-Up Call
Diving
Snorkeling
Hiking
Restaurant
KTV
Fax/Copying ServiceFree
Restaurant
Restaurant
Style: A la carte, Buffet
Cuisine: American, Asian, British, Cantonese, Chinese, European, Barbecue, Malaysian, Seafood
Open for: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon tea, Dinner
Special dietary options: Dairy-free, Halal, Vegetarian
Ambience: Family, Modern, Traditional, Romantic
Dining options: Only available to property guests
Business hours: [Mon - Sun] 07:00-22:00
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