Mataking Island

Diving at Mataking Island
Another Hidden Treasure Unearthed
Come on over and experience the beauty and wonders Mataking has to offer. Indeed, it is the promised island with majestic treasures for divers, holiday makers, family travellers and honeymooners alike.
The Reef Dive Resort at Mataking Island, Malaysia, is the newest and hottest dive spot in the Celebes Sea, located just 40 minutes from Semporna, a fishing town at east coast of the state of Sabah, Malaysia.
We provide luxurious accommodation to the enchanting undersea world of Mataking Island. The Alice Channel which is about 100 meters deep connecting Mataking to Sipadan Island just 80 minutes boat ride away.
At Mataking, you will have all the privacy, exclusivity and space you need whether you are staying at our exclusive chalets or deluxe rooms.
Whether it is a retreat for your body, soul & mind or exciting undersea exploration, you will find Mataking the perfect choice.
The Resort
The Reef boasts 8 executive chalets and 24 deluxe rooms in traditional architecture offering simply elegant and exquisite accommodation for up to 70 pax in a serene and cosy set up. The air-conditioned rooms have attached sea view bathrooms and balcony. You can also stay connected with those who are a world away from you as internet services are available at Mataking. The resort also has satellite TV with more than 30 channels for your viewing pleasure. pamper yourself at our Jamu spa and Jacuzzi. The resort offers 3 boat dives a day, unlimited house reef diving and not to be missed excursion to the nearby island including the well known island of Sipadan and Mabul.
When the crystal turquoise waters of Mataking beckons, it is an offer that cannot be refused. Suit up and explore the 30 or so dive sites in and around Mataking and the surrounding islands of Pandanan, Bohayan, Timba-timba and Buhai Dulang. The marine life close to Kalapuan shore is just as magnificent as those found in the deep end; the house reef literally lits up in the night. Diving in Mataking and its neighbouring islands is truly an exhilarating experience. Especially the variety of small creatures will fascinate you. Pygmy Seahorses are not uncommon in Mataking Island. Not only small marine life can be sighted as Mataking’s proximity to the Alice channel, a deep-water channel on the east side of the island, makes the encounter of pelagics possible. Schools of Tuna and Barracudas come close to the reef as protection from bigger predators. Eagle Rays use the up welling currents from the deep-water channel as food source and a comfortable way of travel. The sight of Green and Hawksbill Turtles is also common on Mataking reefs.
When the crystal turquoise waters of Mataking beckons, it is an offer that cannot be refused. Suit up and explore the 30 or so dive sites in and around Mataking and the surrounding islands of Pandanan, Bohayan, Timba-timba and Buhai Dulang. The marine life close to Kalapuan shore is just as magnificent as those found in the deep end; the house reef literally lits up in the night. Diving in Mataking and its neighbouring islands is truly an exhilarating experience. Especially the variety of small creatures will fascinate you. Pygmy Seahorses are not uncommon in Mataking Island. Not only small marine life can be sighted as Mataking’s proximity to the Alice channel, a deep-water channel on the east side of the island, makes the encounter of pelagics possible. Schools of Tuna and Barracudas come close to the reef as protection from bigger predators. Eagle Rays use the up welling currents from the deep-water channel as food source and a comfortable way of travel. The sight of Green and Hawksbill Turtles is also common on Mataking reefs.
For the true big fish fan, dive trips to world renown Sipadan Island can be arranged. A day trip excursion from Mataking with 3 dives on Sipadan’s reefs will explain you why the island has been rated as one of the top dive sites in the world. Thousands of Barracudas whirling around you like a tornado is an experience you don’t want to miss. The sea below turns black when huge schools of big eye trevallies approach, twisting and turning such as a single massive creature. Big aggregations of Bumphead Parrotfish grazing at the top of the reef, eat hard- corals and leave nothing behind but sand. Harmless White Tip Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks patrolling the reef or resting at the seafloor are seen on almost every dive. When the current is picking up, Pygmy Devil Rays, Grey Reef Sharks and with some luck even schools of Hammerhead Sharks appear right out of the deep sea. Occasionally in March and April the gigantic Whale Sharks make an appearance on their migration path to south. But the truly unique attractions are the Green- and Hawksbill Turtles of Sipadan. Seen literally on every dive and very used to divers, they will just ignore you and let you take their photographs even at the closest distance.