Getting to Borneo Divers Mabul Resort
Mabul Island is reached in two legs from Tawau Airport (TWU): a 90-minute road transfer to Seafest Jetty in Semporna, followed by a 45-minute speedboat crossing to the island. The resort coordinates all transfers for guests arriving and departing within the scheduled times.
Arrival
Plan to arrive at Tawau Airport by 10:30 a.m. or earlier. Guests arriving after 10:30 a.m. will need to spend a night in Semporna and transfer to the island the following day.
| Airport Arrival | Land Transfer Departs | Boat Departs Seafest Jetty |
|---|---|---|
| By 8:30 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
| By 10:30 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
Arrive Tawau Airport Main flight routes to Tawau Airport (TWU) are from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL-TWU) and Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI-TWU). There are also flights from Sandakan (SDK-TWU) for guests combining a visit to the Sepilok orangutan sanctuary before continuing to Mabul.
A resort coordinator will meet you in the airport arrival hall.
Land Transfer to Seafest Jetty, Semporna The coordinator will arrange your transfer to Seafest Jetty in Semporna. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes.
Speedboat to Mabul Island Resort speedboats depart Seafest Jetty at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The crossing to Mabul Island takes 45 minutes.
Departure
Plan to take the 4:00 p.m. flight or later out of Tawau to allow sufficient time for the boat and road transfers.
| Boat Departs Mabul | Land Transfer Departs Seafest Jetty | Earliest Recommended Flight |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 a.m. | ~12:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 1:30 p.m. | ~2:30 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
Speedboat to Seafest Jetty, Semporna Resort speedboats depart Mabul Island at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The crossing to Seafest Jetty takes 45 minutes.
Land Transfer to Tawau Airport Transfer from Seafest Jetty to Tawau Airport takes approximately 90 minutes.
Depart Tawau Airport Book your outbound flight for 4:00 p.m. or later if taking the 11:30 a.m. boat, or 6:00 p.m. or later if taking the 1:30 p.m. boat.
Guests who cannot travel on the scheduled transfers can arrange private transfers at an additional charge: RM 216.00 per way for land transfer (Tawau Airport to Semporna), and RM 648.00 per way for boat transfer (Semporna to Mabul Island).
If you are adding a stop at Sandakan's Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary before Mabul, the timing typically requires an overnight in Tawau. Ask us when planning the itinerary and we can help structure the transfers.