The Reef Dive Resort - Mataking Island

★ 4 · Ian Lamont · 2011-05-26

I travelled to this resort for a Dive holiday with a friend from the UK in March 2011 and we selected this resort based on comments on this site and other research done on the web. On our arrival in Tawau we were greeted by Staff from the resort and quickly escorted to a mini bus which took our overland on a 1 hour trip to the Jetty at Sempora. ( This resort uses a small jetty opposite the Sea Breeze hotel ) after 20min or speed boat arrived and we were on our way to Mataking Island. The ocean around the island was flat, making our arrival to the island quite spectacular. Check in was handled quick and efficiently, after a quick overview of the island we were taken to our Chalet. We opted for a Premium deluxe chalet which is located just behind the Dive Center. The room was large and bed’s comfortable and a very good AC. The room is also equipped with a mini bar and a TV with limited Channels. The Bathroom was quite big and toiletries etc supplied. Negative side is that the water pressure in Shower is very weak. The room is kept clean by staff throughout the day. Dining, we were allocated a table in the dining room for the duration of our stay, all meals are a buffet type arrangement with a live cooking station ( One dish ) at each meal. Most of the dishes prepared are seafood, ( I am a non fish eater ) however there is always something else on offer so you will never go hungry. The Restaurant Manager even made us Beef Rendang one night on request which was really nice. Overall the food is not of a 5 star standard but what is prepared, is tasty and sufficient for your needs. Resort – This is quite a large island and the resort itself is quite spread out. There are many levels of accommodation on offer with the Suites being the nicest followed by the King Bungalows on the beach being the best if you budget allows this. On the far end of the island you will find an outdoor Jacuzzi and a Spa. Resort staff is constantly cleaning and doing some maintenance work in a effort to keep the resort in a good condition. There is a new bar and lounge area which is great, comfortable with efficient AC and there is a happy hour between 5 – 7pm where you will get a 50% discount. (I found Beer etc to be quite expensive on the island 25 ringgit per 750mml Tiger beer). But a nice place to go chill out for a few beers after dinner. Diving – This was the only reason we can to the island and we managed to do 22 Dives in 6 days. After we check in to our room, we were met by our DM ( Basher – very knowledgeable and energetic DM ) who took us for a check out dive on the house reef and was our DM for most of the dives we did. On return to the Dive center he explained how we should confirm our dives for the next day and also how to book the optional (free ) dives at Sunrise, Sunset or Night on the house reef. The House reef on the island is quite good with a few coral heads covered with Class Fish and other marine life, not to be missed is a dive under the jetty where you will find tons of fish and a Local barracuda. Neo ( Dive Manager ) and team run a very efficient dive operation and have many dive sites around the island. This was one of the reasons for selecting this resort. Most of the local dives we did were really good with lots of healthy corals and fish around. Some of the sites we did compared to Bunakan Marine Reserve and Wakatobi in Indonesia. Another option the resort offers is 2 dive trips to Sipadan per week. ( best book this in advance with the resort as only 120 permits per day issued to all dive centers in the area and this includes Snorkelers) I was lucky to get a cancellation the day before we left the island so could do a second trip (3 dives per trip) to Sipadan. The highlights of these dives are the schools of Jacks’ Barracuda and Hump Head Wrasse, Turtle and Reef sharks. The coral reefs in the shallow areas are still in a good condition with plenty of life. One can easily see why this is rated as one of the best dive sites in the world. Having been privileged to dive in many parts of the world in the past I can safely say you will not be disappointed with Mataking Resort, their local dive sites and add on trip to Sipadan. The staff members at the resort are extremely friendly and happy to go out their way to assist you in any way. Special thanks to the dive center for fixing the power inflators on both the BCD’s I brought along on the trip. And Restaurant Manager and staff for taking care of us. Only Negative comment I would like to make is one not related to the resort, and that was the dynamite fishing that is still ongoing in the region. During the first trip to Sipadan we heard 3 loud explosions whilst on a dive. Out dive master told us that its happening on a nearby island in Philippines. There is evidence of that in and around the Malaysian Island but the practice has been outlawed there. Not sure how we can voice concerns and or lobbies to get this to stop. Alan was going to complain about this to Malaysian Tourist office in London on his return to UK.