Sipadan Water Village Resort – Malaysia

Named after the Sipadan Island dive spot nearby, the Sipadan Water Village Resort is completely over the water, featuring 45 cottages in 4 different classes ranging from modest to enormous. It’s the popular diving packages that include transportation and the diving itself that are very popular here, so those who aren’t planning on scuba might be better off elsewhere.

There are sandy beaches on Mabul Island, but otherwise there aren’t many activities on offer. There are no TVs or Wi-Fi in the rooms either, so again, this places is all about the excellent diving and its packages that include it.

Location

The Sipadan Water Village Resort is set on Mabul Island, off the southeastern coast of the Borneo Island part of Malaysia. Semporna is the nearest town and main transit point.

Rooms/villas/suites

45 water cottages

Grand Deluxe cottages
Area: 1508 sq ft (140 m²)
Beds: Two Queen size
Open air Spa pool/jacuzzi

Deluxe cottages
Area: 1068 sq ft (99 m²)
Beds: Twin, double or triple beds

Standard cottages
Area: 714 sq ft (66 m²)
Beds: Two Queen size beds

Junior cottages
Area: 552 sq ft (51 m²)
Beds: Two twin beds

Special room features

Wi-Fi: No
Entertainment system: None
Room service: No

  • Private Balcony offering sea or island view
  • Ceiling fan
  • Ensuite bathroom with bathtub, hot and cold shower
  • Toiletries, towels & hairdryer
  • Mini bar fridge
  • Free drinking water
  • Tea/Coffee making facilities
  • Sofa, desk and chairs
  • Dressing table and mirror
  • Wardrobe
  • 24 hours electricity
  • Fire extinguishers

Rates

US$443 per night and up

Book through travel agents or on the official Sipadan Water Village Resort website

Restaurants and bars

Open-air buffet restaurant offering local and western cuisine
The bar lounge

Resort features

  • Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Wifi and HDTV at bar lounge area
  • White sand beaches on the island
  • Backgammon, chess, and board games

Spa

None

Nearby activities

  • Mabul island traditional fishing village.
  • Scuba diving to Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Siamil

What the reviews say

Reviews for the Sipadan Water Village Resort are mostly positive, but a bit mixed. The scuba diving is the main attraction here, and those who come on diving packages tend to be quite happy with everything, partly because they are spending so much time away from the hotel.

Others point out that the service can be slow and sometimes disorganized. The food in the restaurant seems to suit some people more than others. This is definitely a dive resort so for the excellent diving nearby it could be great value, but perhaps not for others.

Getting there

To reach the Sipadan Water Village Resort you’ll have to fly to Koto Kinabalu in Malaysia. From there you can fly to Tawau airport and then arrange ground transportation to the town of Semporana, and then a ferry to Mabul Island from there.