Where Will You Be?
Anyone aged 18 and above with a passion for the ocean and marine conservation is welcome to join. Whether you're an experienced diver or newly certified, our programme offers training and support to help you make a real impact. A basic level of fitness and comfort in the water is recommended.
We guarantee at least 8 dives during your stay, including our coral watch and turtle ID dives. Get ready for a unique blend of adventure and conservation.
What’s Included?
- Accommodation:7 nights in our spacious, newly refurbished 8-bed intern dorm. This dorm is primarily shared with guests undergoing professional dive training, so the turnover is minimal, allowing you to settle in comfortably and build lasting connections
- Meals: : Enjoy 3 buffet meals a day, plus snacks twice daily to keep you fueled for the work and dives ahead.
- Beverages: Free-flowing tea, coffee, and water throughout your stay.
- Dive Gear: All the dive equipment you need is included, no need to worry about rentals.
What’s NOT Included:
- Soft drinks, alcohol, ice cream, or snacks from the bar.
- Sipadan days, night dives or any extra fun dives—but hey, you can always upgrade if you want more!
The intern dorm is a cozy and comfortable space, designed for those doing professional dive training. It’s a quieter, stable environment where you can get to know your fellow volunteers and dive guests over the course of your stay. With 2 bathrooms and a balcony area to relax, you’ll feel right at home.
How Do I Get There?
- Fly to Tawau:Catch a flight from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu to Tawau Airport (just 1.5 hours from Semporna).
- Transfer to Semporna:A 1.5-hour drive will take you from Tawau to Semporna town.
- Boat to Mabul: From Semporna, take a boat to Mabul Island (about 1 hour). We have boats leaving Semporna at 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM.
- For the 8:00 AM boat, arrive in Semporna the day before.
- For the 2:30 PM boat, make sure you arrive in Semporna by 11:00 AM to catch the afternoon transfer
Airport pick-up is available, just let us know when you book!
Absolutely! You can dive or snorkel at Sipadan Island during your stay. Please note that Sipadan trips are an additional cost and subject to permit availability. To dive at Sipadan, you must be certified as an Advanced Open Water (AOW) diver.
Many volunteers choose to schedule their Sipadan trip on the final day of their volunteering program or extend their stay by an extra day to fit it in. If you would prefer to visit Sipadan before your volunteering begins, you’ll need to complete at least one check dive beforehand — so plan for two additional days in total. Let us know in advance and arrangements can be made accordingly.
What Should I Bring?
- Swim Gear: You’ll be in the water a lot, so bring your swimwear.
- Rashguard: Optional, but it’s a great way to protect your skin while diving.
- Reef-safe Sunscreen: Protect yourself and the environment with sunscreen that’s safe for coral reefs.
- Raincoat: It can rain unexpectedly, so a lightweight raincoat will come in handy.
- Warm Jumper: For the rainy days, when the temperature drops and you need something cozy.
Laundry
You can hand your clothes into the reception, which will pass them on to the village for washing at a rate of RM10 per kilo, cash only. It takes about 2 days, and this is a great way to support the local community.
Do I need dive experience?
Anyone can join, even snorkellers! For divers, you must have at least an Open Water certification and have 10 dives. Note: Advanced Open Water is a requirement for diving Sipadan.
Is there Wi-Fi available?
Wi-Fi is available in the communal areas only and can be patchy due to the island’s remote location. We recommend using Maxis or Celcom SIM cards for the best connectivity.
What can I do during off-hours?
There’s a bar where you can hang out with other guests and staff, equipped with a guitar, drum box, and a dartboard, we also have a ping pong table. We also have occasional evening presentations.
What’s the weather like?
The weather is either hot and humid or rainy and cold (well, cold for us during the rain!). Be prepared for sudden weather changes and always keep your raincoat handy.
