Nestled on the southeastern coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the island of Borneo, you will find the diving paradise of Semporna. As if calling it paradise was not enough of a statement, “Semporna” means “perfection” in Malay. Yeah, this makes it harder to manage expectations. Diving, snorkeling, and relaxing on water bungalows are pretty much why travelers visit this area, no wonder the Semporna island hopping tours are the most popular way to soak it all in.
Semporna Island Hopping Guide
In this Semporna island hopping guide, you will find everything you need to know about diving in Sipadan (one of the world's top dive destinations), getting a Mabul island package, and exploring the beautiful Tun Sakaran Marine Park islands on one of the many Semporna tours. Learn about the indigenous Bajau Laut communities and build realistic expectations for your Semporna trip while we demystify the pirate stories, answering the question, “is Semporna safe?”.
Semporna Island Hopping
There is no such thing as a Semporna trip without an island hopping tour. The magic of this area doesn’t reside in the town itself but in its nearby islands. Adding this destination to your Sabah itinerary means you are ready to put your adventure cap on and do some snorkeling, trekking, and exploring sandy beaches.
There are three general Semporna island hopping day trips that most tour operators offer at approximately the same price point. Depending on the tour, prices usually vary between 130 MYR and 250 MYR (25 - 50€) for foreigners. All tours depart from the town’s jetty, though most also offer pickups from over-water resorts. These tours typically depart around 8 am, and return in the afternoon, visiting 2 to 3 islands and making snorkeling stops along the way.
Most island hopping Semporna tours include lunch, drinking water, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment. Always double-check if jetty fees (10 MYR - 2€) and national park fees are included. These are usually 30 MYR (6€) for snorkeling and 150 MYR (30€) for diving.
These Semporna tours are the best alternative for people with limited time, on a budget, who are not big fans of diving, or that are looking to join several tours with different vibes on a daily basis. They can be easily arranged directly with a local dive shop, or booked online for less hassle and a guaranteed spot. If you are visiting during a public holiday or the high season, we recommend you book online, as the prices for tourists are pretty much the same. Get your tickets for the three main Semporna Island Hopping tours here:
Island Hopping Semporna Package A
For Hiking and Snorkeling | Bohey Dulang - Mantabuan - Sibuan
This is the most famous of all Semporna tours, thanks to the stop at the island of Bohey Dulang, which provides the best viewpoint of Semporna, but where you are not allowed to swim or snorkel. The trek takes around 30 to 40 minutes, and while the hike itself is not difficult, the soil is pure mud, so prepare to slip and slide. When you reach the top, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the surrounding islands and the formations created by the reefs in the clear blue sea. Completely worth it!
To do this hike, you will need closed shoes; no flip flops or sandals, or you will be required to rent rubber shoes for 8 MYR (1.60€). There is also a fee of 50 MYR (10€) per group of 6 people for a mandatory guide. Funnily enough, we paid the fee but never had the pleasure of meeting the guide. That being said, every 100 meters or so, there is someone from the Natural Park team to assist you if needed.
Afterwards, you will stop at the small island of Mantabuan for about one hour for lunch and swimming. This island, like Bohey Dulang, has signs prohibiting public nudity. According to some tour guides, bikinis and bathing suits can fall under this category due to cultural and religious sensitivities. We recommend you take a long shirt which you don’t mind getting wet to feel more comfortable if you feel too exposed to your surroundings.
Before heading to Sibuan Island, where you can sunbathe on the white sand beach, relax under coconut trees, and swim in its turquoise water, a couple of snorkeling stops will take place. While you will see corals and plenty of fish, don’t expect to be blown away. This tour has the least impressive snorkeling spots of the three Semporna island hopping tours, but it wins travelers’ hearts thanks to the Bohey Dulang island viewpoint.
Apart from multiple attempts by ONGs to clean up this area, both the town and some of the most popular spots on the Semporna island hopping tours (mostly on tour A) have serious waste management problems. We were shocked and saddened by the amount of plastic floating around and the lack of importance given to addressing it.
Island Hopping Semporna Package B
For Snorkeling | Mataking - Timba Timba - Pom Pom
Out of the three Semporna island hopping tours, this is the best one for snorkeling enthusiasts, featuring some of the bluest water you will ever encounter and diverse marine life. All islands provide great snorkeling opportunities with beautiful reefs, but if you also want to have some quality time on soft white sand, Timba-Timba will blow your mind, with two long sandbanks, perfect to explore after lunch.
Are you giving the Semporna diving scene a try? An old cargo ship was intentionally sunk in 2006 near Mataking to create an artificial reef and boost marine life. A mailbox was added to this shipwreck, where you can put your postcard in a waterproof bag and have it sent to you, stamped with a special underwater postmark.
Island Hopping Semporna Package C
For Snorkeling & Resorts | Mabul - Kapalai
Mabul is considered by many to be the best island in Semporna, being world-famous for macro diving (observing and photographing small marine life), and offering plenty of opportunities to see amazing species such as turtles and manta rays. If you wish to visit Mabul, we suggest getting a separate Semporna package and spending the night in one of its resorts, rather than joining a day trip.
Both islands offer amazing snorkeling opportunities, but most tour operators dedicate a significant portion of the tour to photo opportunities at the water bungalows. This means they will stop at the resorts’ jetties, and for an extra fee, you can access the resort’s common areas to take photos. If this is not what you are looking for, you might want to skip this tour entirely, as you will have to stay on the boat waiting while others take photos.
Mabul and Sipadan
The Semporna diving scene has put East Sabah on the map as one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the world. Staying overnight at one of the Mabul island resorts, surrounded by crystal clear water ideal for snorkeling, and diving in Sipadan – the epitome of vibrant sea life – is on most divers' bucket lists, and for a good reason.
Diving in Mabul
If you are looking for the best island in Semporna to disconnect, lose track of time, sunbathe on a deck, snorkel, and dive, Mabul is the place for you. To stay here, you will need a Mabul island package that suits your needs, with options ranging from a homestay with half-board, to a resort with full board and dives included.
Mabul island resorts and diving centers are the stay of choice for those planning on diving in Sipadan due to its proximity. Sipadan is renowned worldwide for its exceptional marine biodiversity and pristine seabed, however, let’s not overlook the Mabul diving scene, which boasts over 20 fantastic dive sites.
Most accommodations in Mabul offer snorkeling and diving tours to nearby reefs daily, where you can see species such as the flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, seahorses, ghost pipefish, manta rays, barracudas, turtles, and more.
If you wish to learn more about the local community, Mabul is home to the Bajau Laut and Suluk people, who are known for their seafaring heritage. Walking around the island, while eye-opening, is something that not all travelers choose to do, as the contrast with the resort reality is quite stark, with poverty and garbage prominently featured in the scene.
Fleeing conflict and oppression in the southern Philippines a long time ago, the Bajau Laut now live in wooden homes on stilts or boats and survive off fishing. Their lack of government recognition (they have no nationality) leaves most of them without access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, earning them the nickname of “Sea Gypsies”.
Diving in Sipadan
Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, formed from a volcanic cone that rose from the seabed. Often hailed not only as the best island in Semporna for diving but also worldwide, it is home to over 3000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species. You can expect to encounter schools of barracuda, turtles, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and a myriad of colorful fish.
While diving in Sipadan is the main reason travelers visit, don’t be discouraged if you can only snorkel. Snorkeling is not only possible but also beautiful and more affordable in terms of permits compared to diving trips.
Diving in Sipadan, unlike the Semporna island hopping tours, requires some serious planning. The underwater uniqueness of Sipadan has led the Malaysian government to implement strict rules and protection measures, including heavy monitoring by the army to prevent illegal activities such as poaching and overfishing, and the closure of all Sipadan resorts in 2004.
While there are some Semporna tours that depart from the town’s jetty and allow you to dive in Sipadan on a day tour, the best alternative is to get a Sipadan diving package that includes accommodation in one of the Kapalai or Mabul island resorts.
Additional Sipadan Island diving requirements and considerations:
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You need an Advanced Open Water certification.
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Permits are issued for a maximum of 176 divers per day.
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For 2024 the Sipadan island diving fees for non-Malaysians are 350 MYR (70€) per day, and the Sipadan Conservation fee is a fixed 100 MYR (20€) per day.
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In addition to these fees, you will need to pay for each dive, which may vary depending on the resort or diving school with which you book your Semporna package.
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There is a limit of two dives per day.
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Book your Sipadan diving package in advance for a better chance of securing permits for your entire stay. Booking a Kapalai or Mabul island resort does not guarantee immediate confirmation of permits. Specify the days you wish to dive or snorkel so they can make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
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There is no monsoon here, so diving in Sipadan is possible year-round. However, the best time to dive is during the dry season (between March and October), when visibility is better. Note that June to September is peak season.
How to Get to Semporna
If you have decided to add Semporna to your Sabah itinerary, you now just need to choose whether to get there by air or land.
How to Get to Semporna by Air
The closest airport to Semporna is Tawau Airport (TWU), which offers a range of direct domestic flights, as well as some international flights (which usually include stopovers). This is the fastest, and most comfortable alternative to get to Semporna, and with domestic flights as low as 30€, it offers unbeatable value for money.
If you are looking for the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan, or Kota Kinabalu to Semporna, you have found it. Find the perfect flight for you here:
Once you arrive at Tawau Airport, you have a 1h20min drive ahead of you. The most comfortable option is to book a transfer service directly to your hotel via Klook*, which usually costs about the same as negotiating a taxi fare upon arrival. Grab is also available but may be more expensive depending on demand. Alternatively, the bus is the most affordable option, though it is infrequent and lacks a clear timetable.
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How to Get to Semporna by Land
If you are already in Sabah, you can choose to travel by land to Semporna. The most affordable option is by bus, but you will need to have time to spare. The bus ride from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna takes around 10h (for approximately 78 MYR – 16€), while the trip from Sandakan to Semporna takes about 6h 30min (for about 50 MYR – 10€). These tickets are not available for online booking.
The most comfortable way to travel by land to Semporna is renting a car, which gives you full control over your time. The roads are generally in good condition.
If you are joining a river cruise on the Kinabatangan River, traveling to Semporna by land is the most sensible option. Most accommodations offer transfer services to Semporna for an extra fee, but you can also catch the bus that connects Sandakan to Semporna at a non-official bus stop in Sukau Junction. Your Kinabatangan accommodation team can drop you off there.
Where to Stay in Semporna
There are accommodations within all price ranges in the Semporna area, but choosing the right one will have a significant impact on your overall experience. That being said, bear in mind that accommodation standards and services in this area may not match the standards you're accustomed to. Find out which area suits you best and see our top recommendations:
Semporna Town
Characteristics: Budget Friendly (no luxury hotels available). Within walking distance of the jetty where the Semporna Island Hopping tours start.
Here are some of the best accommodation options in Semporna town:
If you don’t mind being around 12 minutes by car away from the center, Chan Living* and Opine Villas* are good value for money options, and provide a free shuttle to the jetty.
Semporna town can be described as raw and real, but the reality is that it is not a place you will want to spend much time exploring and getting lost in. It is quite dirty, it doesn't have much to offer, and, while we have nothing to complain about, many travelers report feeling unsafe, especially after dark. The main appeal of Semporna town are the budget accommodations.
Overwater Bungalows Near Semporna Town
Characteristics: Mid to high-range price accommodations. Pickup for Semporna island hopping tours available. Accommodation price usually includes transfer to/from Semporna jetty.
Here are some of the best overwater bungalows near Semporna town:
Kapalai and Mabul Island Resorts & Diving Centers
Characteristics: Mid to high-range price accommodations. Best alternative for snorkeling and diving in Mabul and Sipadan islands. Accommodation price usually includes transfer to/from Semporna jetty. It is not unusual to see manta rays, turtles and starfish from the rooms or common areas.
Here are some of the best accommodation options near Sipadan:
A recurrent question we receive is “Is Semporna safe?”. The short answer is yes. It earned a negative reputation because of pirate attacks that persisted until the 2000s. However the government has implemented a strong military presence to reduce any risks, and there have been no incidents in recent years. That being said, we recommend doing a quick Google search for recent news before your trip to Semporna.
Planning Time
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