Mandarin House

Mandarin House is a renowned advanced dive site located near Mabul Island in the Semporna archipelago of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, famous worldwide as one of the premier destinations to observe the elusive and extraordinarily beautiful mandarinfish in their natural habitat. This muck diving site has earned legendary status among underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts who travel from across the globe specifically to witness the mandarinfish's spectacular sunset mating dance. The dive site occupies a section of rubble and coral debris near Mabul Island's shoreline, an environment that appears unremarkable at first glance but reveals itself as one of the most biologically productive habitats in the Coral Triangle. The substrate of broken coral, sponges, and algae-covered rubble creates countless hiding places for an astonishing variety of small and cryptic marine species that have made Mabul a world-class muck diving destination rivaling the most celebrated sites in Indonesia and the Philippines. The mandarinfish themselves are the undisputed stars of this site. These tiny dragonets, rarely exceeding six centimeters in length, are adorned in psychedelic patterns of blue, orange, and green that make them among the most visually striking fish in the ocean. During the day they hide deep within the coral rubble, but as sunset approaches they emerge for their remarkable mating ritual. Males display for females with spread fins, and successful pairs rise together in a brief spiraling dance before releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously into the water column. Witnessing the mandarinfish mating display requires patience, careful positioning, and excellent buoyancy control, as the fish are small and the ritual occurs in dim light conditions. Experienced dive guides at Mandarin House know exactly where to position their groups for the best observation angles, and the advanced rating reflects both the technical demands of shooting in low light at close range and the discipline required to observe without disturbing these delicate creatures. Beyond the mandarinfish spectacle, the site hosts an extraordinary diversity of macro subjects. Pygmy seahorses cling to gorgonian fans with impossible camouflage, frogfish in multiple color variations sit motionless among the rubble, and various species of nudibranch display nature's most creative color combinations. Blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and countless species of shrimp and crabs populate the substrate, each requiring keen eyes and careful approach to observe. Mandarin House is accessed from the dive resorts on Mabul Island, which sits adjacent to the legendary Sipadan Island in the Celebes Sea. The combination of Mabul's world-class muck diving with Sipadan's pelagic spectacles creates arguably the most complete diving destination in all of Southeast Asia. For macro photographers and marine life enthusiasts, an evening dive at Mandarin House to witness the mandarinfish display is an experience that stands among the most magical moments underwater.