Mabul Island

Semporna

Mabul is a small island off the south-eastern coast of Sabah in Malaysia. The island has been a fishing village since 1970s. Then in 1990s, it first became popular to divers due to its proximity to Sipadan island.

Located 15 km from Sipadan, this 20-hectare piece of land surfaces 2–3 meters above sea level, consists mostly flat grounds and aerial view is oval-shaped. Surrounding it are sandy beaches, perched on the northwest corner of a larger two square kilometer reef.

Mabul island is administered by Semporna, Tawau district.

Mention Mabul Island and visions of swaying coconut trees and idyllic water villages come to mind. And that’s just above the water. Located only about 15 minutes by speedboat from the famous Sipadan Island, Mabul has gained its own recognition as one of the best muck-diving (a term used to describe limited visibility dives at shallow sites with usually sandy bottoms) sites in the world.

Mabul is a small oval shaped island fringed by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger 200-hectare reef. The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 25–30m deep.

Mabul is also renowned for its amazing array of macrolife, making it an underwater photographer’s dream location to capture some of the rarest ecological species on film. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fin gobies, frogfish and moray eels are just some of the spectacular critters you will encounter beneath the waters of Mabul.

Although all the excitement is underwater, you can always set your scuba gear aside for a day to laze on Mabul’s soft sand to work on your tan.

 
Where to stay
When in Mabul, opt to stay in any one of these excellent resorts:

• Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
• Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (Sipadan-Mabul Resort)
• Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
• Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd

    * Resort rates may vary

How to get there
From Kota Kinabalu, take a 55-minute flight to Tawau and enjoy an hour’s drive to Semporna. From here, Mabul is another 45 minutes by speedboat. Be sure to pre-arrange transportation with your respective resort/dive operator.

Extra information
Contact Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (SABAH) Sdn Bhd (KPL 1510)

Address:
9th Floor, Menara Jubili,
53 Jalan Gaya,
88000 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia

Phone  :     +6088 222226
Fax      :     +6088 221550
Email   :     information@borneodivers.info

Pulau Besar, Melacca

The Big Island is known as the sacred island, mystery island is an island located in the state of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia. The Big Island is located in the Straits of Malacca, about 3 nautical miles from Bandar Hilir, Malacca.

Pulau Besar pier.

Getting there
Boating facilities safe, comfortable and convenient. This boat operates from 7.00 to 10.00 pm.

You need a speed boat ride from Pier Umbai. Umbai Pier is located on the way to Muar, Johor or even ride from Pier Anjung Batu.

Myths and legends
Big Island of inviolability and myth become a tourist attraction in and outside the country, especially from the Indian-Muslim in Malaysia, Singapore, Johor, Penang and other states. -Muslim Indians believe Sultanu'l Aarifeen piety and grandeur. They will vow at night. Among the efficacious vows are able to pray for children and get ahead in business. Verse charms resembling Arabic script that will be hung on door mamak / Indian-Muslim.

If you want to vow to slaughter a goat, you can see the mosque manager located by the tomb Sultanu'l Aarifeen this by delivering a certain amount of money.

To bernazar, you need to berzikir or reciting Yassin beside the tomb. Supposedly, prayers be answered by God's blessing Aarifeen Sultanu'l sanctity.

Besides Sultanu'l Aarifeen sacred, there's more :

• Perigi di Kaki Pulau
• Batu Belayar @ Batu Penambat Kapal
• Batu Tengkorak
• Pokok Disula
• Tasik Biawak
• Batu Belah
• Keramat Masin Tawar
• Istana Bunian
• Perkampungan Bunian
• Tasik Bunian
• Gua Yunus
• Keramat Ular
• Makam Nenek Kebayan
• Perigi Tempayan Pecah
• Makam Tok Janggut
• Makam Tujuh Beradik
• Makam Seribu
• Makam Nisan Satu
• Perigi Nenek Musallimah
• Tapak Kaki Sultanul Aarifeen
• Makam Sultanul Aarifeen
• Makam Syarifah Rodziah
• Batu Lesung

 

Aarifeen Sultanu'l tomb.

Sultanu'l Aarifeen real name is Al Sayyid Ismail (qaddasallahu sirrahu). He is the 18th descendant of the Prophet (SAW). Sultanu'l Aarifeen As Sayyid Ismail was born on 17 Rabiui Awal in 867H in Baghdad. As his father named Sayyid Abdul Qadir and his mother was called As Sayyidah Fatimah.

He has a high knowledge of Islam. According to history when he visited the tomb of the Prophet to Medina, he came a voice that told him to expand the knowledge of Islam on the island of Java. As someone who is faithful to his religion and he fulfilled them have traveled and finally arrived on the Big Island along with 16 members of the gang. Among the important people in the group was his teacher and his brother Yusuf Siddiq Al Sayyid Ibrahim.

On Pulau Besar has expanded his knowledge and he had very many followers. Sultanu'l Aarifeen died on 17 Rabiul Awal in the year 925H when he was 58 years old. Apart from him, there is also termakam between 41 to 43 of his followers the other. He has a son and 2 daughters.

Now tomb Sultanu'l Aarifeen people continue to visit. Aside from a desire to visit them also come with a variety of desires.