Borneo Diving: Mataking
An island resort focused on complete relaxation and with shallow reefs ideal for learning to dive
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An hour’s boat ride from Tawau, Mataking is the archetypal island getaway - there is only one resort on this tiny sliver of sand out in the midst of the ocean, and it attempts to cater for the every whim of its guests. The emphasis of Mataking is on luxury and pampering, with large, ethnically decorated rooms that have their own private views and balconies, with the superior chalets being set within their own grounds to ensure total privacy. From the moment of arrival the staff ensure you get to relax and do little else unless you want to.
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Lonely Planet Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore [includes Malaysian Borneo] 
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The dark wood surrounds of the reception area and restaurant provide a deeply pleasant atmosphere, allowing you to spend time off the beach but not away from it. The beach itself is literally a moment’s walk from any point of the resort, with plenty of space to relax and sun worship. There’s also a massage service and spa area to ensure a completely stress-free existence.
Mataking has numerous shallow reefs which makes it an ideal place to learn to dive. The dive staff are well acquainted with giving visitors their first taste of scuba diving and the island provides plenty of sites for both novice and advanced diver alike. Mataking would make a great place for a beginning diver to learn and build their confidence before heading off to Sipadan, which is only a hour’s boat journey away. Moreover, because Mataking is more of a traditional resort rather than a mainly dive-orientated resort, there are plenty of activities for non-divers and children to take part in if they wish. This makes Mataking an ideal family destination.
Follow the links to find out more about each Borneo destination:
Introduction - Planning your trip to Borneo
Kota Kinabalu - City life, island cruises, easy dives
Mantanani - Secluded getaway resort near the mainland
Lankayan - Eco dive resort where whale sharks visit
Mataking - Island resort ideal for learning to dive
Sepilok - Come face to face with the orang’utans
Mabul - Island resort with own reefs close to Sipadan
Kapalai - Boutique-style Reef resort near to Sipadan
Sipadan - Borneo’s most magical dive destination
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Lonely Planet Borneo (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Regional Guide) by: Chris Rowthorn, Muhammad Cohen , |
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The Airmen and the Headhunters: A True Story of Lost Soldiers, Heroic Tribesmen and the Unlikeliest Rescue of World War II by: Judith M. Heimann , |
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Flashman’s Lady (Flashman) by: George MacDonald Fraser , |
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Stranger in the Forest: On Foot Across Borneo by: Eric Hansen , |
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Into the Heart of Borneo by: Redmond O’Hanlon , |
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Wild Borneo: The Wildlife and Scenery of Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan by: Nick Garbutt, Cede Prudente , |
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Reflections of Eden: My Years with the Orangutans of Borneo by: Birute M. F. Galdikas , |
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A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali: The Greater Sunda Islands by: John MacKinnon, Karen Phillipps , |
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Borneo, 2nd: Tread Your Own Path (Footprint - Travel Guides) by: Steve Frankham , |
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Shooting the Boh: A Woman’s Voyage Down the Wildest River in Borneo by: Tracy Johnston , |
Last 5 posts in Malaysia
- Perhentian Islands Scuba Diving - February 14th, 2007
- Layang Layang and Labuan, Borneo - August 31st, 2006
- Malaysian Prime Minister Angry About Sipadan Fiasco - July 28th, 2006
- Layang Layang, Borneo: Weekly Dive Reports - July 24th, 2006
- Scuba Diving Perhentian Islands, Malaysia: A Quick Guide - July 11th, 2006
Other Divehappy posts of interest:
- Borneo Diving: Lankayan
- Borneo Diving: Mantanani
- Borneo Diving: An Introduction
- Kapalai Resort: Sipadan Diving
- Borneo Diving: Sipadan Water Village, Mabul
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[…] You can read the full article in The Observer. Funnily enough, I met Kate on a diving press trip in Borneo a couple of years ago - she’s the one in the photo at Mataking. […]