Pulau Mabul Warnings Or Dangers

I recent stayed on Mabul in the Borneo Divers Resort.

We assumed all dive permits were in place to dive the island of Sipadan.
This was not the case. Staff at the resort were unhelpful and unclear as to whether we would get dive permits at all during our stay. The staff were secretive by approaching cusomers and taking them out of ear shot while they discussed why the person did or did not have a permit.

In the end they did take us to dive Sipadan but they made us use other divers permits. This we felt was unfair on us and the other divers.

The whole situation created unnesecessary tention. We travelled a long distance to get to Mabul and we didn't expect Not to be allowed to dive it's neighbouring island.

At the end they tried to charge us for dive permits that didn't exist. We had to argue with them for 2 hours while we missed the only nights entertainment that had been put on in the week.

We were very dissapointed with Borneo Divers and the company we booked through Dive The World. Dive The World didn't respond to my emails while I was on Mabul and they haven't responded to a single complaint email that I have sent on return.

The diving on Mabul and Sipadan is fantastic. I would advise anyone to stay at the Smart resort or on the Water Village resort and to check well in advance that you will get permits.