About Us - Borneo Divers: Explore Sipadan, Mabul & Mamutik

Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn. Bhd. (BDSS) began when Ron Holland and Clement Lee founded the first dive resort on the island in 1983. Opening their doors to the world the following year, they inadvertently drew French explorer and filmmaker, Jacques Cousteau to Sipadan Island in 1989, who immortalised Sipadan as an “untouched piece of art” in his film “Borneo: Ghost of the Sea Turtle”. Since then, Sipadan and its neighbouring islands, including Mabul Island, have been well-known as some of the best places in the world for diving.

We at BDSS specialise in everything related to diving, be it educational or recreational. To further enhance the diving adventure, we provide not only a comprehensive diving experience at our Borneo Divers Dive Academy & Leisure Centre at Mamutik island, but also an escape into a tropical paradise at our resort in Mabul island.

We aspire to become leader in the diving industry on a global scale. Our fundamental philosophy has and will always be based on environmental protection and conservation.

BORNEO DIVERS MABUL RESORT

Mabul Island, Semporna

Idyllically set on one of the many islands in the Semporna district, Mabul Island is renowned for its amazing array of underwater macro-life and home to some of the rarest ecological species on earth. Our jetty rests within the infamous dive site named Paradise in Mabul Island and the dive community has called our house reef the "Paradise 2". The house reef has serveral sunken boats including the police marine boat PX! measures 28M length is part of the fleet for peer divers to explore.

Beyond the incredible marine life, our Mabul Resort offers an idyllic beachfront setting with charming tropical-themed villa and chalets, and boasts of some of the warmest, friendliest people that greatly reflects Borneo’s rich cultural heritage.

Though the beating heart of the resort is surely the dive centre, non-divers could enjoy snorkelling or venture into taking up diving course at the resort. Those who prefer to have their feet firmly on the ground can indulge in a manicure or therapeutic reflexology session at the beach side gazebo, enjoy a few cocktails and meet new people at the bar, feast on exquisite local and international cuisines, and a whole lot more.

Getting there

BORNEO DIVERS DIVE ACADEMY & LEISURE CENTRE

Mamutik Island, Kota Kinabalu

Despite being the smallest of the five islands in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Mamutik holds its own against the rest as being one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Sabah. Just off the coast of Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu, it boasts of a stretch of sandy white beach on its east coast and white distichopora coral lace at the north eastern tip that is worth a visit.

Mamutik Island is mercifully quiet and relatively lesser tourist due to its small size, and therefore the perfect place for our Dive Academy & Leisure Centre. We offer a full range of equipment, facilities and boarding for those who are serious about diving. Our team of certified PADI dive professionals at the academy cater to every level of dive training, from beginners to divemaster.

However, if diving is not what you’re looking for, you can partake in one of the recreational water sports available, enjoy a short jungle trek around the island, or simply laze about and enjoy the view of Kota Kinabalu city from the beach.

Getting there

OUR RECOGNITION

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

1. PADI Asia Pacific recognises Borneo Divers for 25 years of Outstanding Service to the Dive Industry 1984

2. Tourism Malaysia Award 1990
-Best Tour Package

3. PADI International Resort Association
-The Excellence In Dive Resort Operations Award 1993 presented to Clement Lee, Borneo Divers for Significant Leadership and Innovation in the Dive Resort Community

4. Tourism Malaysia Award 1993
-Outstanding Contribution to Tourism (Private Sector)

5. Tourism Malaysia Award 1994/95
-Best Tour Package

6. Rodale Scuba Diving Top 100 Readers’ Choice 1995
-1^st place Most Convenient Diving in Pacific
-2^nd place Favourite Shore Dive Destination in the Pacific

7. Rodale’s Scuba Diving Top 100 Readers’ Choice 1996
-1^st place Best Shore Diving
-2^nd place Best Wall Diving
-3^rd place Best Fish Life
-Top 5 Most Big Animals
-Top 10 Best Dive Destination

8. Sabah Tourism Award 1997
-Special Award Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
-Best Tour Package Award

9. Tourism Malaysia Award 1998/99
-Best Tour Operator

10. Tourism Malaysia Awards 1998/1999 in the category of Best Tour Operator

11. Tauchen Award 1993
-3^rd place Best Dive Destination in South East Asia/Pacific

12. PADI Worldwide Outstanding Contribution to the Dive Industry 1999

13. PADI Worldwide Award 2005
-In recognition of your outstanding contributions to the dive industry

14. PADI Asia Pacific Recognises Borneo Divers for Outstanding Contribution to the Diving Industry 2010

15. PADI Asia Pacific recognises Borneo Divers for Outstanding Contribution to Diver Education. Award presented in 2018

16. PADI Worldwide recognises Borneo Divers for 35 years of Outstanding Service. Member since 1984 (PADI Dive Centre S-537) – Award presented in 2019

17. PADI Worldwide recognises Borneo Divers for 25 years of Outstanding Service. Member since 1995 (PADI Dive Centre S18564 for BDTI) – Award presented in 2020

18. PADI Asia Pacific recognises Borneo Divers of achieving the milestone of 20,000 certifications. Award presented in 2020

20. PADI Worldwide recognises Borneo Divers Mabul Resort for 30 years of Outstanding Service. Member since 1991 -Award presented in 2022

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