A Beginner Trick – Semporna Adventure Guide

Best Time

Visit

Semporna

A Malaysian Paradise

The period from March to June is a fantastic chance to explore Semporna, as everything aligns beautifully for an incredible marine adventure. The next few months offer a delightful combination of low rainfall, calm seas, and fantastic underwater visibility that can exceed 30 meters. The ocean becomes a clear window revealing one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, located within the renowned Coral Triangle, which hosts over 3,000 species of fish and 600 species of coral. While diving, you can often encounter incredible marine wonders such as the "barracuda tornado" at Sipadan Island and the "turtle highway," where sea turtles glide through vibrant coral gardens. The wonderful, steady weather is perfect for island hopping, featuring delightful trips to Bohey Dulang's stunning lagoon, Sibuan Island's soft white beaches, and the serene vibe of Mantabuan Island.

On the other hand, the monsoon season (November–February) can bring heavy rains, strong waves, and the chance of trip cancellations. Boat rides to popular spots like Sipadan can sometimes become tricky or even unfeasible. Travelling off-season can be a bit less enjoyable, and it might mean you miss out on the wonderful marine experiences that Semporna has to offer.

How To Get In:

Budget Way

The Paradise of Semporna Island

For a budget-friendly trip to Semporna, consider flying to Tawau Airport (TWU) from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia. After that, you can easily arrange a private or shared transfer for a smooth 90-minute drive. This way, you can skip the hassle of airport taxis and make sure you arrive on time at your island resort or town accommodation using trusted platforms. There are a few buses that travel daily from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna, but keep in mind that you'll need to spend the night on the bus, which might be a bit uncomfortable.

How Explore Around

Semporna Town

Practical Information

Semporna town is quite cosy and perfect for a stroll around on foot. If you’re staying at the water resort, you’ll need your water bungalow to pick you up; otherwise, it can be a bit tricky to get around. The Grab taxi app is quite handy here, as tourists might find themselves charged double. However, most accommodations are conveniently located in the town centre, so taking a taxi isn't necessary unless you're heading somewhere else.

Top Activities

Travel Tips

Finest Experiences

1. Explore Sipadan Island: Known as one of the best diving spots in the world "untouched piece of art," as Jacques Cousteau praised, Sipadan Island provides amazing underwater adventures. You'll get to see barracudas, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and colourful coral reefs! Just a friendly reminder that access is limited to 120 permits each day to help protect the ecosystem, and divers need to have their Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification. Permits usually involve reserving multi-day packages with nearby resorts.

2. Explore Mabul and Kapalai Islands: These beautiful spots are well-known for muck diving and their lovely overwater bungalows. Mabul's shallow reefs are full of fascinating macro marine life like frogfish and nudibranchs, and Kapalai's crystal-clear waters feel just like a "underwater aquarium."

3. Snorkel at Mataking and Timba-Timba Islands: Mataking has an underwater post office (one of only five in the world) and beautiful coral gardens to explore. Timba-Timba is famous for its beautiful white sands that are perfect for Instagram, along with fantastic snorkelling opportunities where you can see stingrays and nurse sharks.

4. Join a Local Conservation Program: The Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) on Pom Pom Island has wonderful volunteer opportunities that focus on restoring coral reefs and protecting marine life. We have fun activities like planting corals and keeping an eye on marine species!

   
   

Island Wonder

 & Hopping

Underwater Experiences

Hike Bohey Dulang: Located within the beautiful Tun Sakaran Marine Park, this volcanic island invites you to enjoy a 45-minute trek that leads to a stunning panoramic viewpoint, where you can take in the breathtaking views of turquoise lagoons and the charming interconnected islands. The walk needs sturdy shoes and offers breathtaking views as a reward!

Visit Tun Sakaran Marine Park: It features eight beautiful islands, like Sibuan and Mantabuan, famous for their stunning beaches and great snorkelling opportunities. Be sure to check out the Giant Clam Hatchery on Bohey Dulang, where you can see seven species of giant clams being conserved!

Take a break on some hidden gems: Pom Pom Island is well-known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and turtle nesting spots while Pandanan Island has beautiful, peaceful beaches and you can often spot turtles there!

Seawalking: Non-divers may enjoy "sea walking" on Sebangkat Island, which involves helmet-diving amid trevallies and clownfish without a certification.

Local

Culture

Experience

Home of the Bajau

Say hello to the Bajau Laut (Sea Gipsies): Check out the stilt villages on Bum Bum Island or near Sibuan to discover the fascinating nomadic Bajau people, who are famous for their amazing diving skills and traditional lepa boats. It's great to be mindful of local customs, so let's steer clear of taking intrusive photos.

Join us for the Regatta Lepa Festival in April: This yearly event brings together the vibrant Bajau culture with lively boat parades, traditional dances (igal-igal), and delightful music. It’s a lively showcase of maritime heritage

Meet the Guardians of the Sea: The Bajau Laut, often referred to as "Sea Gipsies," are fascinating marine nomads. In the past, people would spend months at sea in their beautiful handcrafted lepa-lepa boats, but now many have made their homes on stilts above the stunning coral reefs in islands like Omadal, Bum Bum, and Tatagan. Their bond with the water is physiological. They have a reputation for being able to hold their breath for over 5 minutes and diving to amazing depths of more than 70 meters while using simple wooden goggles. They skilfully hunt fish and gather sea cucumbers with impressive abilities. Their underwater vision is really adaptable!

Leisure

on

Private Island

Luxury Villas

Mataking Reef Dive Resort: Kayak between twin islands connected by a tidal sandbar, participate in sunset batik painting, or adopt hatchlings from their turtle sanctuary.

Pom Pom Island: Glide in transparent kayaks (RM30/hour) above parrotfish colonies or volunteer at TRACC (Tropical Research and Conservation Centre) to rehabilitate coral reefs

Land-Based

Activities

Local Popularity

Hike Bukit Tengkorak (Skull Hill): This archaeological site showcases Neolithic pottery remnants and offers a short trek to a hilltop with lovely views of the marine park. The cosy little museum on site showcases artefacts and skeletons.

Enjoy Sunsets at Hill Park: A lovely place to take in the stunning views of Semporna and the nearby islands. Perfect for capturing memories and enjoying outdoor meals.

Take a delightful day trip to Tawau: You can check out the Teck Guan Cocoa Museum to discover the fascinating world of chocolate production, or enjoy a visit to Tawau Hills Park where you can find beautiful waterfalls and spot amazing wildlife like gibbons and hornbills.

Unique

Experience

A New Chapter

Firefly and Proboscis Monkey Cruise: Enjoy a delightful river cruise along the Klias River where you can spot proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and watch the enchanting fireflies at dusk. This tour brings together wildlife spotting and a beautiful sunset.

Consider getting a PADI Diving License: The clear waters and diverse marine life offer fantastic chances to capture beautiful underwater images, particularly at macro spots like Mabul.

Where

To

Stay

The Tiers

The town is a wonderful starting point for exploring beautiful marine parks and dive sites such as Mabul, Kapalai, and Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Just keep in mind that the town centre can be a bit bustling and not as picturesque. Accommodations are typically grouped into three main categories:

Semporna Town (City Centre): Perfect for budget travellers, backpackers, and divers! It's conveniently located near dive shops, the ferry terminal, and local markets, making it perfect for planning your island-hopping and diving adventures.

Floating Resorts (Overwater Bungalows): Perfect for honeymooners and those seeking a touch of luxury. These cosy and luxurious accommodations are just right for unwinding over clear waters while enjoying breathtaking sunrise and sunset views, all away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Mabul, kapalai, Dive-rig, Sipadan Resort: A fantastic spot for divers and snorkelers! It's famous for being close to Sipadan Island, which is one of the best dive spots in the world. You can find beachfront resorts and budget lodges that make it easy to enjoy the lively marine life.

Local

Delicacies

Culinary Gems

Street Food and Hawker Centres: Street food is a vital part of Semporna's food scene, providing tourists with a delightful and budget-friendly way to savour local flavours. Delicious dishes such as nasi lemak (coconut rice with sambal, anchovies, and egg) can be enjoyed for just MYR 5–10 (around USD 1–2.50) per serving. Other favourites like char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles) or satay (grilled meat skewers) usually cost between MYR 5–15 (USD 1–3.50). Hawker centres and night markets are everywhere, offering a delightful array of aromas and flavours at budget-friendly prices. These options are great for travellers who are mindful of their budget, letting them enjoy delicious meals without spending too much.

Local Restaurants and Casual Dining: If you're looking for a more structured dining experience, you'll find that local restaurants in Semporna provide sit-down meals with a wider variety of options. Visitors can savour delicious dishes such as curries, noodles, and seafood plates, with prices ranging from MYR 15–30 (USD 3.50–7) per person while seasfood range typically higher and not surprised to spend over MYR 100 (23 USD). These places often offer a cosy atmosphere and a great selection of options, which is a standout in this coastal area.

Mid-Range and Tourist-Focused Restaurants or Resort: In places that attract tourists, like around dive shops or hotels, mid-range restaurants tend to have higher prices. A meal at these places could set you back around MYR 30–60 (USD 7–14) per person. These venues usually offer a delightful blend of local and Western dishes, appealing to a variety of tastes from around the world. Prices here remain affordable, but they are shaped by the demand from tourists and the extra comforts of ambiance and service.

How We

Can Help

Personalised Experiences

Of course! Planning a tour can be a fun process! If you're looking for a tour or a trip to Semporna, it's helpful to break down what you need to consider and what you might want to include. All tours in Semporna are typically shared and not often private, but we're more than happy to assist in any way we can. Example of the tour found as here.