Pulau Mataking (Mataking Island)

It is situated on Mataking, an island not far from Sipadan. Located to the north of Mabul, Mataking is three times the size of Sipadan and is only a 40 minute boat ride away from Semporna on the mainland. The size of the island is about 40 acres.

Dive Sites At Mataking

Picturesque Reef As the name suggests, this is one of the prettiest reefs in the area. The shallow part starts starts at 2m, ideal for dive training. Welcomed distractions include large shoals of anchovies. The reef descends down to about 45m, passing beautiful growths of Gorgonian corals at about 30m, creating an interesting exoloration for more experienced divers.	Eel Garden Eel Garden slopes range between 5 to 35m in depth. Divers may notice the presence of rays that dwell on the sandy bottom, including bue-spotted rays and the Black Blotch Fan Tail ray. This reef is also frequented by green and hawksbill turtles. Look closer and you will find a variety of nudibranch species among the hard corals.
Barracuda Point Said to be the best dive spot on Mataking, Barracuda Point is a steep reef that starts at 6m and goes down to about 37m to a sandy bottom. Blue-spotted rays are frequently seen here, as are the Yellow Tail barracuda – one of the main residents here. You can also see a number of hard corals including Plate and Staghorn corals here, that teem with reef fishes.	Coral Garden This gently sloping reef that sits at a depth of between 5 to 40m, is certainly a beautiful underwater garden, covered with an abundance of soft corals in a range of hues.
Nudibranch Heaven The profile of this dive spot is similar to that of Stingray Wall. As its name suggests, this dive site is the place to go for macro species lovers. Seaslugs and nudibranch thrive here in all shapes and colours. One can also spot the occasional frog fish here.	Lobster Lair A relatively shallow reef, Lobster Lair run at a dept of between 5 to 10m. The site is inhabited by a range of crustaceans including lobsters.

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 and honeymooners alike.
Back on land, the night life can be exciting watching fire flies. Green and Hawksbill turtles come up to lay their eggs in the sands of Mataking Island. During the day, bask on the snow white sandy beach and enjoy the sight of the island’s coconut crab scurrying up a tree. You can also take a walk while listening to the bird’s singing in exotic garden. If you prefer a bird’s eye view of Mataking, climb up the King’s Watchtower and enjoy the breathtaking sight. If you are more adventurous, grab a few friends and explore the lushness of the tropical island vegetation or have some fun playing beach volleyball & beach soccer. You can also take the chance to re-enact Moses’ miraculous crossing of the Red sea by taking a stroll down the 1km sandbar that connects Mataking and Mataking Kecil at low tide. The water literally split into half and you don’t even have to wave your hands!  Mother Nature does it all for you. 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 and Buhai Dulang. Swim along with the barracuda, rainbow runner, turtles, trevallys, tuna, goby, frog fish, mandarin fish and other rare species of fish. Be awestruck by the varied species of nudibranch and other macro that have made the western reef their home. Head over to the Alice Channel on the eastern shore which stretches across to Sipadan Island, offering just as much exhilarating sea creatures. The D'wall, Nudibranch Heaven, Barracuda Point and Picturesque Reef are some of the diving sites that should be on every diver’s list. If you would rather stay nearer to shore, grab your snorkeling mask and swim with the fishes there. The marine life close to shore is just as magnificent as those found in the deep end.