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This Mabul Backpackers article will change how you view travel in 2026. If you are more about real world experience than just staying in another fancy hotel, this is one of the best examples in the world of staying in a dream destination on a tiny budget.
So here is a VERY honest independent and in depth review to help you plan your trip.
Mabul is a beautiful Island located on the east coast of Sabah in Borneo Malaysia. Mabul has a reputation for crystal-clear water, beautiful coral reefs and amazing diving and snorkeling. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about booking a trip to Mabul Backpackers Hostel.
There are some very important things that you need to know before you visit. We absolutely loved staying at the Mabul Backpackers Hostel and we are looking forward to sharing our TOP TIPS and experience with you.
Some resorts in the area cost hundreds of pounds per night. The Mabul Backpackers hostel is the best budget accommodation in Mabul. It is also one of the most popular places to stay in Mabul. Please read this article carefully. We have a super helpful tip to help you SAVE MONEY and get more from your stay.
In this Mabul Backpackers review we will answer all of your questions. How much does it cost to stay at the Mabul Backpackers hostel? What is the hostel like? Also, what is included with your booking? What is the food like? And what are the rooms like? We will also share some things to do in Mabul AND some other places to stay.
LOOKING FOR A MORE SIMPLE OPTION? Why not book a Mabul Snorkeling One Day Trip on KLOOK (from Semporna)
Join our family in Mabul
As a full time travel family we have been learning that if you are savvy you really can have the types of experiences that *everyone thinks* you need to be a millionaire to enjoy. In reality it is the unique adventure and experiences that make you rich.
What to expect – Mabul Backpackers review
If you’re looking for a Mabul Backpackers review you are probably wondering what it is actually like at this unique and remote hostel. This overview should help you weigh up some of the pros and cons of Mabul Backpackers Hostel.
Mabul backpackers has a very good vibe. As a popular hostel there are lots of people to meet. The staff are very friendly and helpful and can always arrange diving and snorkeling trips. Overall this is THE BEST budget option in Mabul. Here is a Mabul Backpackers review summary…
| Pros | Cons | |
| Rooms | Good range of rooms. Can accommodate families. Nicer sea view A.C. rooms available | Basic rooms are pretty simple. Not very clean or comfortable. Fan rooms. |
| Prices | Cheapest option in the area. They include transfer and 3 meals for the price. | Pretty expensive for what you get. You are paying for location rather than quality here. |
| Cleanliness | The sea view rooms are reasonably clean and have private bathrooms. | The basic rooms are not very clean – but they are ok for a night or two. |
| Food | Very good portions, tasty and fresh. Lots of lovely seafood. | Not a big variety of food available. Not great options if you have special dietary requirements. |
| Activities | Cheap snorkeling and diving around Mabul. Can also organize Sipadan trips (expensive) | Not a lot to do if you are not diving or snorkeling. |
| Facilities | Nice outdoor space. Beautiful pier and space to relax and enjoy the view. | No wifi Facilities very simple A.C. only available for limited hours in the seaview rooms |
Mabul Backpackers – office location in Semporna
The Mabul Backpackers Hostel is located on the southeast corner of Mabul island (around 45 minutes from Semporna by boat). They also have an office located in Semporna.
Mabul Backpackers Hostel Office, 1 Jalan Custom, 91308 Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia
How much does it cost to stay at Mabul Backpackers?
A stay at the Mabul Backpackers Hostel is likely to cost around £20 – £40 per person per night without diving. Add roughly £15 – £20 per dive to work out your overall budget. We will give you a full breakdown of prices below.
In this Mabul Backpackers review we will help you work out the price you are likely to pay – and the best way to book.
The prices of a stay at Mabul Backpackers depends on how you book, how long you stay and how many dives you intend to do. There is not a big price difference between booking directly and booking online in advance. SO don’t sweat it. Also, as ever prices are subject to change.
Mabul Backpackers Hostel Prices (no diving included)
All of these prices include 2 way boat transfer, 3 meals per day and hot drinks. You get all of these benefits whether you book online or directly with the office. If you are not interested in diving then it is a little bit cheaper to book your room directly with the office:
| All inclusive – Booking.com / Agoda prices | All inclusive prices booking directly | |
| Dorm bed (shared dorm) | £23 per person | Around £20 per person |
| Budget double or twin (shared bathroom) | £30 per person | Around £26 per person |
| Budget triple (shared bathroom) | £30 per person | Around £26 per person |
| Budget quadruple (shared bathroom) | £30 per person | Around £26 per person |
| Seaview rooms (limited A.C. and private bathroom) | Not available at present | Around £40 per person |
Book NOW with full reassurance and cancellation policies available
How do you book Mabul Backpackers directly?
Either drop them a message or pop into their lovely office in Semporna
Phone / Whatsapp: +60 12838 5809
Email: spdnborneo@gmail.com / info@sipadanborneo.com
What diving package deals do they offer at Mabul Backpackers? (booking directly)
Here are some Mabul diving package deals. Also includes 2 way boat transfer and meals. You can only book these diving packages directly with the Mabul Backpackers Office.
| Dormitory room | Basic room | Seaview rooms | |
| 2 days & 1 night 3 dives | RM 480 per person Around £90 | RM 520 per person Around £95 | RM 600 per person Around £110 |
| 3 days & 2 nights 5 dives | RM 750 per person Around £140 | RM 840 per person Around £155 | RM 990 per person Around £180 |
| 4 days & 3 nights 7dives | RM1,030 per person Around £190 | RM 1,160 per person Around £215 | RM 1,390 per person Around £255 |
Booking a dive at the Hostel costs RM100 per dive (this is an amazing price for diving)
TOP TIP: Work out how long you want to stay, your preferred room and how many dives you want to do to find the cheapest option for you.
What is the cheapest way to stay at the Mabul Backpackers Hostel?
We said this Mabul Backpackers review would save you money. So, here is a guide on how to get the best prices.
All these prices can feel a bit overwhelming. What is the cheapest way to book your stay at Mabul Backpackers Hostel? Book directly with the office OR book on a platform like Agoda or Booking.com? It all depends on how you book, how long you wish to stay and how much diving you plan to do.
Here is a rough guide to getting THE BEST deal for you at Mabul Backpacker Hostel
- If you are not planning to dive then it is slightly cheaper to book your room directly with the office
- If you are only staying for one night and want to do 3 dives, then it is cheaper to book your room on Booking.com or Agoda and pay for your diving at the hostel (RM100 per dive)
- If you are planning to stay for 2 nights or more and want to do lots of dives then a package may be slightly cheaper
- If you want to stay for 2 nights or more and only do a few dives, then it is better to book on Booking.com or Agoda. Pay for your dives at the Hostel in Mabul
- If you are keen to stay in the nicer sea view rooms you can only book these directly with the office (not on Booking.com or Agoda at present)
- If you want transparency, security and assurance then a booking platform is the best option. Booking directly can feel unnerving.
- If you book directly you can always try bartering for a lower price
What rooms are available at the Mabul Backpackers hostel?
No Mabul Backpackers review would be complete without talking about the rooms. When Mabul Backpackers say “budget” or “basic” they aren’t kidding. These rooms are really basic.
Mabul Backpackers Hostel has a good range of rooms available and they do have rooms suitable for families (especially the triple, quadruple and sea view rooms).
- Budget dorm rooms (fan & shared bathroom) Roughly £20 – £25
- Budget twin rooms (fan & shared bathroom) Roughly £50 – £60
- Budget double rooms (fan & shared bathroom) Roughly £50 – £60
- Budget triple rooms (fan & shared bathroom) Roughly £75 – £90
- Budget Quadruple rooms (fan & shared bathroom) £100 – £120
- Seaview rooms double or twin (A.C. available at some times & private bathroom) Around £80
The Seaview rooms need to be booked directly with the Mabul Backpackers office. These rooms are pretty nice for the money. They have a good sea view with french windows and a small private bathroom with shower.
The seaview rooms do also have air conditioning. However, this is only available during certain hours. The beds are reasonably comfortable. These rooms are very good by Mabul standards.
For the money the quality of accommodation is relatively low. But the sea view rooms are actually pretty nice compared to the budget rooms. The budget rooms are smaller, less comfortable and not as clean. And of course you are also sharing a bathroom when you stay in a budget room. The price difference for a sea view room is not that big.
What is the food like at Mabul Backpackers?
We also said we would talk about food in this Mabul Backpackers review.
However you book your room, the Mabul Backpackers Hostel provides 3 fresh, tasty and filling meals per day (buffet style). Breakfast is simple with bread, eggs and jam. Lunch and dinner include tasty fresh fish, veggies and rice. The Mabul Backpackers Hostel does not have the capacity to cater for special dietary requirements so make sure you plan this carefully before your trip. There are some simple shops on the island but the selection of products is quite limited. Overall the food is very good. You can also buy fresh coconuts and fresh seafood from local vendors who paddle around the island in boats.
How do you get to Mabul Backpackers?
Mabul island is fairly remote, so make sure you factor a day or two travel time each way into your itinerary. Here is a step by step guide to getting to Mabul Backpackers hostel:
1 Travel to Semporna
There are 3 ways to get to Semporna from Kota Kinabalu:
- Rent a car (10 – 12 hours and RM100+ per day)
- Take a long distance bus (12 – 15 hours RM60 – RM70)
- Fly to Tawau and then take a short bus to Semporna (a few hours RM250 – RM350).
If you are traveling to Semporna from Sandakan you can take a bus. This journey takes around 8 hours and is very cheap.
If you’re starting from Kota Kinabalu check out our full guide on 3 ways to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna
2 Stay in Semporna
You may need to stay in Semporna town for a night depending on your arrival time. Semporna is pretty small and there isn’t a lot to do here. You can organize island hopping trips from Semporna to visit some of the small beautiful islands to the north.
3 Take a boat to Mabul
Finally, take a boat from Semporna to Mabul (roughly 45 minutes). Every stay at the Mabul Backpackers Hostel includes a free two way boat transfer for all guests. To get to Mabul Backpackers they will normally ask you to meet at the Semporna office early in the morning (check the timings with the office). You may be taken by car to a port to the south of Semporna. From here hop on the boat and enjoy the ride.
NOTE: Mabul Backpackers hostel can also organize a pick up from Tawau (the nearest airport) for RM25 each way. This is good value for money.
What is Mabul island like?
Mabul is fairly under-developed. There is little to no internet on Mabul island. So plan a few days of digital detox here. On Mabul island there are a handful of small local shops selling drinks and snacks. There are a few places selling street food (mostly BBQ fish). We say “street food” but really it is just small sandy paths leading around the island. No cars or traffic here. Mabul is a small flat island less than 1km in length.
Mabul island is surrounded by shallow, clear sandy waters, lush coral reef and several shipwrecks. A short boat journey from Mabul is Sipidan – one of THE BEST diving spots in the world. Sipadan has amazing biodiversity and a beautiful underwater landscape to explore.
Now for the honest insights. Mabul is a tropical island but it is not a perfect paradise. Many of the beaches have large amounts of rubbish and waste. Close to the shore you also need to be careful of sea urchins. Mabul is relatively expensive for accommodation. You are definitely paying for location rather than quality here. We’re not trying to put you off. Mabul is stunning and the diving is amazing. It’s important to get your expectations in check.
What is there to do on Mabul island?
On Mabul island you can eat fresh exotic seafood, stroll along beautiful beaches and enjoy tropical sunsets. You can also rent kayaks. There is transparent Kayak rental at the Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Lodge (very close to Mabul Backpackers Hostel). Kayak rental costs around RM50 per hour and is a lot of fun.
Snorkeling and diving around Mabul island is amazing. The water is clear, warm and teeming with life. Generally water currents are low and visibility is high. Also you only need to dive to a depth of around 15-20m to see plenty of mind blowing sea life.
There are several shipwrecks to see around the island. There is also a steep drop called the lobster wall. This is also a great place for snorkeling too. There is a wide array of fish and sea life to enjoy. In the waters you can see reef sharks, sea turtles, clown fish, frog fish, barracuda, stone fish, lobsters and much much more. The reef in the area is very beautiful.
You can also take diving trips to Sipadan nearby. This has a reputation for being one of THE BEST diving sites in the world. Diving at Sipadan is expensive due to the high price of permits. You also need a bit of experience to diver at Sipadan (each dive resort has its own requirements).
What are diving and snorkeling prices like in Mabul?
- At the Mabul Backpackers it costs RM100 per dive (or you can book a package that includes dives)
- Mabul Backpackers charge RM50 for a snorkeling trip (this includes equipment rental, a guide and boat trip)
- It is quite expensive to dive in Sipadan because you have to pay for an expensive permit. Expect to pay around RM1,200 to dive in Sipadan (this is roughly £240).
Is it worth booking a stay at Mabul Backpackers Hostel?
Yes, in our opinion it is well worth booking a stay at the Mabul Backpackers Hostel. This was one of our highlights of Sabah. Prices are pretty high for what you get on Mabul – but this hostel is THE BEST budget option around. The popularity of Mabul Backpackers creates a great vibe. We also love the pier and relaxing seating areas. They also offer diving and snorkeling trips for competitive prices – the staff are amazing and the food is very good considering the location and style of this property. Hopefully this Mabul Backpackers review has helped you plan your trip.
When is the best time of year to visit Mabul island?
Mabul is a hot tropical climate. It is hot all year round and it can rain at any time of the year. The best time of year to visit Mabul is during the dry season from February – September. Mabul is more likely to be rainy from October – January.
GET INSPIRED – Don’t miss these AMAZING things to do in Sabah
Where else can you stay nearby?
Don’t miss our FULL guide on the best Mabul island Resorts and our comparison Mabul island packages
Looking for something more luxurious? Check out the Mabul Borneo Dive Resort. Looking for another cheap option? Check out Spheredivers Scuba & Leisure. ALSO keep your eye out on Booking.com and Agoda for other properties on Mabul island.
