Mataking Island (Malay: Pulau Mataking) is a Malaysian island off the coast of Sabah in the Celebes Sea. Mataking Island is home to Malaysia’s first “Underwater Post Office” and is linked to Pulau Mataking Kecil (Small Mataking Island) by a narrow sand bank. Mataking Island is a private island owned by the Reef Dive Resort that features luxury chalets and a dive centre for visitors to Sipadan.
Mataking Island is less than an hour by boat from Semporna in the Sabah province. The island is about 40 acres and is on the continental shelf, surrounded by a fringing reef of hard and soft coral. Even though it is a small island, you can still have a good time here. So, here are the top 10 best things to do in Mataking Island 2025 that you can consider when you come here.
How Small Is Mataking Island?
It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the main island to the small one. You don’t need to take a boat because the sandbar connecting the two islands allows you to walk from one side.
How Do You Get To Mataking Island?
You can fly to Tawau from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, depending on where you come from and the airline company you choose. From Tawau to Semporna, you can take the bus. The trip will take approximately one hour. The transfer from Semporna to Mataking is done by boat and takes about 45 minutes.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Mataking Island?
Mataking Island is open for visitors almost all year. Select any month between February and November, depending on your requirements. Those looking for a less crowded time should visit in July or February. If you prefer the most active month of the year, August, make the necessary arrangements beforehand.
10 Best Things To Do in Mataking Island 2025
1. Playing In The Deep Ocean
Snorkel in the crystal clear water at about 30 dive sites around Mataking Island and its surrounding islands, where the shore is just as beautiful as those found in the deep end. Schools of Barracuda, Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Ribbon Eel, Giant Clams, varieties of Goby, Eagle Ray, Giant Frogfish, Mandarin Fishes, unique and charming species of Shrimps, most photogenic and rare pygmy seahorses, spiders, and much more can be found in these areas. What a great experience!
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
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Google Review: Here
Check Info On Website2. Explore And Join Marine Bio Adventure
Love marine life? Love to take photographs of unique creatures? Discover the wonders of marine biodiversity by encountering fascinating species. Another highlight for divers visiting Mataking and the surrounding islands is the unspoiled and living colour of hard and soft coral decorations, a paradise for Macro underwater photographers.Macro photography is the art of photographing small creatures up close. Anything small enough to fit within a 5-by-7-inch area is generally considered macro. This includes but is not limited to bugs, juvenile fish, slugs, nudibranchs, and corals in the underwater world.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Refer Info On Website3. Relaxing On The Sea
Don’t want to go snorkelling or diving? Try your hand at sea kayaking! Enjoy a relaxing kayak trip in the warm weather, surrounded by natural rainforests and the soothing sea. A glass-bottom kayak can be an excellent tool for exploring more of the water while paddling and seeing things from a different perspective than a traditional kayak. A glass-bottom kayak will allow you to see the shoreline’s underwater riches. Imagine sea kayaking in a glass-bottom kayak in crystal clear water. What an amusement!
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Website Info4. Enjoy The Festival Celebrations
“The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals,” as the saying goes. And, indeed, the best time to visit a place to learn about its culture is during its festivals. Various festivals are celebrated on Mataking Island with staff performances, theme buffets with unique dishes related to the occasion, local cultural dances, and games with guest participation.
Furthermore, the resort celebrates guests’ birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, and weddings with a private or beach party or even a bonfire if requested. Whether it is a simple or elaborate event, the resort team can certainly organise fun and memorable events for family or friends.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
View website5. Meet And Greet The Turtles At Turtle Hatchery
A quick fact is that sea turtles are one of the oldest living species on the planet, but their numbers are dwindling to extinction. Their Turtle Hatchery’s marine biologists and dedicated conservation staff work tirelessly to maintain the number of turtles in the wild through various breeding programmes, and their valued guests can directly contribute to this noble cause!
Each nest in the hatchery can be “adopted” by staying guests by paying a contribution fee, with all funds going to conservation. Once the turtles are released, they will update regularly and send the most recent picture to the guest. So, keep in touch to keep updating about your baby turtles!!
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
View website6. Bless Your Eyes With Colourful Birds
Meet these birds after seeing the turtles! The majestic peacock is one of the most widely recognised animals in the world due to its beautiful blue-green plumage and spotted tail feathers.These tail feathers, or coverts, form a special train that spans more than 60% of the bird’s body length and feature colourful “eye” markings in blue, gold, red, and other colours. Mataking also has a natural sanctuary where they conserve some of these beautiful birds. Feel free to visit them and watch them dance! Ideal activities for those who bring their children.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
View website7. Show Off Your Creativity By Painting
Do you believe you are not creative? Are you sure about that? Try it out! Improve your artistic abilities by taking a simple batik painting or T-shirt painting class. Batik is a “resist” method of creating designs on fabric. You use wax to keep the dye from penetrating the fabric, resulting in “blank” areas in the dyed fabric. The wax resists, and the dyeing process can be repeated indefinitely to create complex multicoloured designs. You may be unaware of your hidden talent! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. This activity suits people of all ages, and parents and their children will enjoy it.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
View website8. Get A Henna
Henna paste represents marital health and prosperity, and in some cultures, the darker the henna stain, the deeper the love between two people. Henna designs are not tattoos because the ink pierces the skin, whereas henna is a temporary dye on the skin’s surface. Henna dye typically lasts about two weeks before becoming faded.
Suppose you have not ever tried henna art. This is your time! Get a one-of-a-kind cultural experience with henna tattoos, which were popularised by Indian and Middle Eastern traditions. Mataking Reef Resort has various traditional and contemporary designs from which guests can choose.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
View website9. Chilling With A Beach Walk
See the magical underwater landscape with fluorescent corals swaying in the night tide and sea creatures displaying their unique luminescent selves, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. This activity can also help you relieve stress while enjoying watching mesmerising sunset at Sabah. Look out for the ‘Orang Utan’ crab, which can be seen on occasion at Mataking’s Reef. The house reef comes alive at night with strange and tiny creatures that have drawn many photographers to this location.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
View website10. Healing With A Fire
Do you want to unwind after a long day of activities? Book a beach bonfire party, the ideal way to unwind with your friends and loved ones at the end of the day. There’s something truly magical about sitting on the beach next to a crackling bonfire, sipping your favourite cocktail and watching the sun set behind the horizon. A simple BBQ with delectable finger foods and charcoal-grilled meat or seafood can be arranged to make the event memorable for all.
Operating Hours: All days
Address: Fajar Complex, TB 212, Jalan Bunga, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
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