SCUBA BUDDY DIVE LODGE - Diving in Mabul and Sipadan

I feel like none of the reviews here give a realistic sense of what you can expect of your stay at Scuba Buddy and on Mabul Island, so I will try my best to give you my review. Let’s start with the positive: The location is incredible, the water one of the purest I have ever seen and having turtles swimming underneath you is probably a once-in-a lifetime experience. If you come here for the diving, you won’t be disappointed. The whole team from Scuba Buddy was always super kind and helpful. The manager is very knowledgeable and gave us many explanations about the island and the Bunjau people, which we really enjoyed. I went on two dives with them and was very happy and satisfied with the equipment and the people! Besides all of this, this is what you can expect if you’re staying at Scuba Buddy: Mabul remains a very poor island with poor infrastructure once you leave the 5 star resorts. This was no exception here. Electricity was not available at all times. The shared showers were elementary and not always clean and do not have hot water. Same goes for the toilets tha are flushed directly into the ocean. This led to some awkward situations where you could see your poo swimming in the water when looking out the window… same goes for the kitchen facilities. The rooms are very basic but that was fine for us. The walls are thin like paper, the walls do not go up to the ceiling, which leaves very little privacy. At night when the wind or a storm comes up, we woke up feeling like we were sleeping outside. Another point were the bed sheets which did not feel very clean, and we spotted some stains on the pillow sheets. After asking we were told that all towels and bed sheets were only washed at 30 degrees, which is not sufficient when passing them from one customer to the other… Lastly the communication to get from tawau / semporna to mabul and then back was chaotic and not always clear. On the same day, the time of the boats would change multiple times. On our way back we were a bit nervous bc we had to fly back to Europe the same day but luckily everything went well. All in all and this was our experience, this accomodation is not (yet) meeting basic standards required to welcome guests. Hygiene was not sufficient, and it didn’t feel very relaxing because of that. Every walk through the island reminds you of the surrounding poverty with the mountains of trash. If you’re fine with less than basic standards and be able to stay on Mabul for cheap, then this is probably made for you! As I said the water were truly gorgeous and the whole staff was always kind to us.

Mar 2026

My stay at Scuba Buddy Mabul was truly exceptional. It’s not just a place to stay, it’s a place where you genuinely feel connected to the ocean and the rhythm of island life. What makes this spot so special is its authenticity. You don’t experience the polished, tourist-heavy version of an island; instead, you get to see and learn about the real local lifestyle. It feels immersive, peaceful, and grounding in the best possible way. The owner and the staff are incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive. They create a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel at home from the moment you arrive. Their hospitality is sincere and heartfelt, which adds so much to the overall experience. If you’re looking for a beautiful, ocean-connected stay with a true local touch and wonderful people, this is absolutely the place to be. Highly recommended!

Feb 2026

When we arrived at ScubaBuddy, we immediately felt it: it’s a fun and cozy place. There’s a really nice chill area with hammocks and chairs where you can relax. We didn’t pay much for the accommodation and the bungalow was perfectly fine. We slept well and everything you need is close by, including a nearby restaurant. Quawiem is very kind and extremely helpful, especially if you want to get your diving certification. I did my certification there and I’m very satisfied with the experience. You do need to follow up yourself sometimes to get everything arranged, but that wasn’t a problem for me. In the end, everything was delivered as promised and I’m very happy with how everything went.

Feb 2026