Borneo: Kuching and Mabul

I think you will probably have to book the diving at Sipadan - it is very very popular and you dont want to miss out - we stayed on Mabul and dived with Borneo Divers who were great. Reply to this

The accomodation belonged to the dive company and it was quite nice. Im not sure if there were independent accomodation (independent of dive companies - probably was but they would be few because the island is very small). Im sorry because I do not remember how much we paid as it was 2 years ago. Some dive pics in my blog page.

They have a website - I cant put the address here as it will probably be sniped out. Put a search for Borneo Divers Mabul Island Resort. We stayed in a bungalow but it appears they have budget accomodation too - but its on a little platform (looked like a small oil rig) off the island.

The food was all buffet style and part of the deal. It was quite good.

There is another island that people stayed at for diving and transfer to Sipadan- I never went here - but it might have been cheaper. It was called Kapalai - so check this one too - it is also close to Sipadan.

I never went to Kuching - hoping to go to that side on my next trip this year. We stayed entirely in Sabah and also climbed Mt.Kinabalu, I strongly reccomend this. Although you would have to book.

Have a great time! Reply to this

Hellooo Flash 81 ,

10 days for Kuching and Bako national park will be too much !! you will need a couple of nights in Kuching and a night or two in Bako as well. I cant remmber the guest house i stayed in kuching.

About the long houses it will be better for you to do it in Sarawak, As Vik has mentioned that Iban long houses, and there are other tribes as well.

About Mabul, if you are looking for backpacker place, there is only one gues house there which called Uncle Chang, search for them before you take your ferry to the island, and i adivse you to bok your snorkelling / diving trip from their office before you go to the island.

Please refer to this blog, as I have answered a blog about Sabah and Sarawak , if you need anything else, just ask me and i will reply you.

http://www.travelblog.org/Forum/Threads/11448-1.html

Happy Travelling 😊 Reply to this

It's really risky not to book anything for your travel. Despite the short time frame, I honestly think you should at least inquire on accommodation availability especially for mabul/kapalai to avoid wasting extra money and time (unless, of course, you've all the time & money). Remember the rule of thumb; plan/travel smart. As for longhouses, you can do so on your own in Kudat on the northen tip of Sabah. For precise information and credibility, visit www.sabahtourism.com . All the best. Reply to this

thank's a lot!

how long is the belang longhouse?
how many days i will spent there?
from 11 to 15 is ok?
i will have the plane from kuching to tawau on 16 september...... Reply to this

I dived here afrom Mabul

http://www.billabongscuba.com/

I would recommend them too and I had to book in advance.

I arrived in Semporna from kinabatangan and as the bus got there late I couldn't go straight to mabal and had to stay in semporna for the night the same happened when I left too as the bus left first thing in the morning. I thought I could go straight to Mabul but had to add an extra 2 nights to stay in semporna, might be something to bear in mind.

I travelled for 7 months and Borneo (Sabah) for 2 weeks was the highlight of my trip.

Another piece of advice hire the underwater camera if they have one at the dive centre. It was pretty cheap when I did it and you get a reminder of the wonderful memories. Reply to this