Although you can still walk around the entire island in
less than an hour, Mabul is considerably larger than Sipadan,
and boasts two resorts and a large village, mainly home to
fisherman and employees (and their families) of the two resorts.
Sipadan and Mabul couldn't be more different. While the interior
of Sipadan is untouched tropical forest, Mabul is predominantly
made up of actively producing coconut trees. Practically every
tree on the island is numbered and is associated with a distinct
individual who cares for the tree and harvests the coconuts.
The Smart Divers resort is nestled in a coconut grove on
the south-east side of the island overlooking the water and
near-by Sipadan Island. It consists of 45 wooden duplex chalets
with each room featuring two oversized single beds, a couch,
shelves, ceiling fan, flyscreened windows, air-conditioning,
a private en-suite offering free-flowing hot and cold fresh
water and a front verandah.
