Black Coral Garden (Mantabuan)
Best time to dive
January to December; March to October
What you might see
- Sea turtleLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Open Water
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Shallow reef crest snorkelable; Mantabuan day tours commonly combine snorkeling and diving
Safety notes
Moderate currents; remote location (limited facilities beyond a small army post/sea-gypsy community on Mantabuan)
Permits & fees
Tun Sakaran Marine Park (Sabah Parks) conservation fee (~RM5/day Malaysian adult; foreign visitor rate not separately confirmed) plus a scuba diving fee of RM100 (Malaysian) / RM150 (international), typically arranged by the dive operator
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Semporna
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.