House Reef

Mataking Island sits off the southeastern coast of Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo, part of the coral-rich waters near Semporna facing the Celebes Sea. The House Reef refers to the reef fringing the island itself, accessible directly from the resort shore rather than by boat, and is rated a beginner dive. Divers here have reported a good range of reef life, including Ocellaris anemonefish, Moorish idols, lemon damsels, Pacific bullethead parrotfish, and regal angelfish, along with small giant clams and nudibranchs such as Anna's chromodoris and Willan's chromodoris. Blue Linckia sea stars and blacklip butterflyfish have also been spotted along the reef.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• Moorish IdolZanclus cornutusReported here · unconfirmed
• Anna's ChromodorisChromodoris annaeReported here · unconfirmed
• Ocellaris AnemonefishAmphiprion ocellarisReported here · unconfirmed
• Blacklip ButterflyfishChaetodon kleiniiReported here · unconfirmed
• Blue LinckiaLinckia laevigataReported here · unconfirmed
• Regal AngelfishPygoplites diacanthusReported here · unconfirmed
• Lemon DamselPomacentrus moluccensisReported here · unconfirmed
• Willan's ChromodorisChromodoris willaniReported here · unconfirmed
• Small Giant ClamTridacna maximaReported here · unconfirmed
• Pacific Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus spilurusReported here · unconfirmed
• Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydasObserved near here · iNaturalist
• Common LionfishPterois volitansObserved near here · iNaturalist