Mabul Island - Mabul Water Bungalow (Smart)

Diving Terms & Regulations

Boat Dives

• There are three (3) boat dives a day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon. It is a combination dive at nearby dive sites making a total of 3 dives per day.
• Each boat goes out with a boatman and Divemaster. All dive sites and dive schedules will be arranged at the discretion of the resort Management.
• The dive boats will depart to the dive sites every morning at 8.00 to 9.00 am and return to the Resort after the 3rd dive, around 4.00 p.m.
• Divers will return to the resort for their meals after every dive. If you are diving at Sipadan Island you will be there the whole day, lunch will be served on site.
• The number of dive is limited to avoid overcrowding; therefore, visits must be arranged well in advance. Divers on their first visit to Sipadan are briefed before they take the plunge.

Additional Day Dives

• In order to cover the entire dive sites it is recommended at least one week stay at the resort.
• If you would like to do additional day diving besides the normal 3 boat dives then the diving rate is MYR 106 per dive/per diver. This must be arranged in advance with the dive master. You will be required to sign a separate Liability/Release Form (Waiver).

Unlimited Jetty Dives

• Besides the three (3) boat dives, unlimited jetty dives may be carried out daily on Mabul’s House Reef.
• The UNLIMITED JETTY DIVING mentioned below are dives from Mabul’s House Reef and includes night diving (without divemaster and boat).
• Tanks, weights and weight belt are provided; all other equipment must be brought by the diver or rented.
• These jetty dives can only start after your morning boat dive, unless you choose not to go on the morning boat dive; then you may dive anytime after 7.00am.
• Your last jetty dive has to be planned in such a way as to exit the water by 9.00 p.m.
• For jetty dive, you are required to dive with a buddy and sign out with our personnel on duty. NO DIVEMASTERS WILL ACCOMPANY JETTY DIVES, unless prior arrangements are made.

Buddy System and Depth Limitations

• As per most Training Agency's teachings, all dives must be with a buddy; no solo diving is allowed.
• Depth on any dive shall be limited to a maximum of 140 feet (40 meters), of course taking into account any residual nitrogen time already acquired.

Surface Intervals

• For safety measures, a mandatory minimum 60 minutes surface interval is required before the next consecutive dive, regardless of whether you are diving by a computer or by tables.

Night Diving

• To Night Dive, divers must show proof of night diving in the form of certification cards or logbooks documenting such dives.
• If no proof is available, divers who wish to night dive will be required to take an introduction OR certification course in night diving at an additional cost. Night Divers must exit the water by 9.00 p.m. (2100 hrs).
• Night dive is exceptionally good at Mabul walls where one could easily encounter Lobsters, Crocodile Fish and occasionally large Cuttlefish. The boat leaves for Mabul night dive at around 6.00 - 6.30 p.m. and dinner will be served after the dive.
• Night dives can be scheduled whenever a diver wants to do one the following evening at extra charge.
• A diver doing their first night diving will be required to do an introduction to night diving prior to the dive.
• Rates for night diving with boat on Mabul Island is MYR 286 per dive/per boat from 1-2 Divers and if there are 3 divers and above the rate is MYR 106 per diver/per dive. This will be charged locally.

FLYING AFTER DIVING (Last Day At The Resort)

• The latest recommendation from DAN, Training Agencies etc., indicates that you should wait a minimum of 12 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly.
• However, SMART recognizes that people, agencies, and even computers and tables differ on this. If you choose to dive on the day you leave and fly, you will be required to sign a separate Liability/Release Form (Waiver) to do this.
• You will only be able to do one morning dive at 8.00am at Mabul Island; however, this is at the discretion of the resort Management. The extra charge for the dive on last day is MYR 106 per person/per dive.
• Most diving is a combination of wall and drift diving. The resort has eight Bauer Compressors, 400 units Aluminum 3000 psi/80 cubic foot tanks with American style 'K' valves and 70 units with DIN valve. 35 sets of diving equipment for rental. It is advisable to bring own adaptor/converter (220/110v) for charging strobes, camera and lights.

Important Things to Note

• Check-in/out time for Mabul Water Bungalow is at 14:00 and 12:00 hrs. Early check in or late check out is subject to room availability.
• Time for diving at Sipadan Island is from 6am to 6pm
• Divers and snorkelers are refrain to touch or restrain turtles under water. It is possible for turtles to be drowned if they are panicked or cornered.
• Only 120 permits per day were given to visitors of Sipadan Island. Priority will be given to visitors who stay from 5 nights onward at Chalets. Each entry permit cost MYR40 per person per day to paid before or upon arrival.
• All guests are required to sign a liability/release form before or upon arrival, indicating that visitors has already understand the diving and safety rules of the resort.
• No refund will be allowed if visitors wish to shorten or alter any reservation once the trip has commenced or due to bad weather.
• Tips are never expected but will always be appreciated