Mabul Island

Mabul is a tiny island with a giant reputation. Its reefs are alive with turtles, flamboyant cuttlefish, and rare macro critters, while just next door, Sipadan is ranked among the best dive sites on Earth. Mabul is also home to a turtle hatchery and sanctuary, where local efforts protect nesting grounds from heavy pressures. Yet, like many islands in Southeast Asia, it struggles with waste management—plastic and debris often wash onto its beaches, reminding visitors of the fragility of these world-class ecosystems.