The Editor says: Sipadan is to divers what Mecca is to Muslims — a sacred destination that every diver must visit at least once. Yet Semporna, the gateway town you pass through before reaching Sipadan, is a stopover that is all too often overlooked. More and more dive shops are now using Semporna as a hub, fanning out to the surrounding islands for diving — which means your itinerary no longer has to revolve solely around Sipadan Island. So how do you get to Semporna, and what is there to do and see nearby? Let's follow dive instructor Jack's footsteps and find out! This article is republished in full from the 潜水教练杰克 Facebook page.
Whether you're a diver or not, chances are you've heard of this place. There is plenty of information about Semporna online, so this time I've decided to lift the veil on Semporna through a Q&A format — helping more people understand what it's all about and answering the questions that readers most often ask.
Location of Semporna
Semporna is a district of Tawau, in the Malaysian state of Sabah. In Malay, "Semporna" literally means "perfect." The town is surrounded by water, and Semporna together with its offshore islands feels like a real-life paradise — especially Sipadan Island, which is widely regarded as one of the world's top 10 dive sites. Pristine white beaches, coconut palms, and the calm, turquoise waters of the Sulawesi Sea lap gently against vibrant coral reefs. Beyond its stunning scenery, Semporna has grown into a renowned diving hub, drawing countless dive enthusiasts who come to earn their certifications or explore the depths of the ocean.
How to Get to Semporna
Semporna is located in Sabah and is a district of Tawau, approximately 81 km from Tawau Airport. To reach Semporna, you'll need to fly into Tawau Airport and then take a shared taxi, which takes about 1 hour. Flights to Tawau (TWU) typically connect via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Kota Kinabalu (BKI). Once you exit Tawau Airport, drivers will be waiting right outside — just ask if anyone is heading to Semporna. The fare is approximately MYR 25 per person. You can also arrange a shared transfer through your local dive shop or dive instructor in advance to save yourself the hassle.
Accommodation
Mabul
In Semporna, you generally have the choice of staying in town or at an island resort. Several nearby islands — including Pom Pom Island, Mataking Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island — have resorts, all of which require advance booking. If you prefer to stay in town, there are plenty of options ranging from backpacker hostels and guesthouses to hotels, which you can book on platforms such as Booking or Agoda. I generally recommend that my students stay in town, since Semporna town sits right in the middle of everything — making it relatively easy to head out to different islands for diving or island-hopping — and the dining options are far more varied.
Food & Dining
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country, so there's no shortage of culinary variety, and since Semporna is a fishing village, seafood is an absolute must. In Semporna town alone you'll find numerous Chinese restaurants, Malay eateries, Indian restaurants, and fast-food outlets — if you tried a different restaurant every day, you could easily eat your way through a month's worth of options. You can also buy fresh seafood at the market and bring it to a restaurant to have it cooked; the processing fee varies from place to place. For those staying at island resorts, meals are generally included in the package, so the choices are more limited. If you're staying on Mabul, you can still buy fresh seafood directly and ask the resort to prepare it for you — the resort will charge a cooking fee.
Activities in Semporna
Sea-dwelling Bajau people
The main activities in Semporna revolve around boat diving and snorkeling. Beyond that, there are also half-day mangrove tours where you can spot fireflies and proboscis monkeys, as well as various water-based activities. Since the islands around Semporna are fairly remote — the boat ride to most destinations takes around 45 to 50 minutes — the typical schedule is to depart at around 8
in the morning and return to town by about 4 in the afternoon. All diving in Semporna is boat diving; there is no shore diving. Diving packages cost around MYR 350, which includes 3 dives, equipment, and a simple lunch. Snorkeling packages are approximately MYR 150.How Many Days Do You Need in Semporna?
I generally recommend 5 to 7 days, including travel time. There are four main routes for day trips out of Semporna:
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Tun Sakaran Marine Park — encompassing Sibuan Island, Mantabuam, and Boheydulang Island. Activities include diving, snorkeling, and hiking.
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Mataking Island + Timba Timba — suitable for diving and snorkeling.
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Mabul + Kapalai — suitable for diving, snorkeling, and a walk around the resort for photos (entry to the resort requires an additional fee).
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Sipadan — suitable for diving and snorkeling. One of the world's top 10 dive sites, with a strict daily visitor quota of only 120 people. Sipadan also closes to visitors every December. Anyone planning to dive Sipadan must avoid December and book at least 3 months in advance; the fee is approximately MYR 1,200 per person.
Safety
Coast guard on patrol at sea
In 2014, a Chinese female tourist was kidnapped by armed militants from the Philippines in Semporna and was rescued more than a month later. Following the incident, the Sabah government paid close attention to security in Semporna, establishing military camps on each island and significantly stepping up maritime patrols. To prevent similar incidents from occurring again, all tourists and vessels are prohibited from being out at sea after 5
p.m. — fishing boats excluded. In the six years since, while kidnapping incidents have occurred, they have all taken place in open waters and have involved local fishermen only.Summary
My first trip to Semporna was in 2014, when I came to earn my dive certification. Since then, I've returned to Semporna to dive almost every chance I get. I eventually became a dive instructor and have been teaching here on a long-term basis. Over this time, I've witnessed the government's continued efforts to improve the security situation. The bottom line is that tourists in Semporna are nowhere near as likely to be kidnapped as people seem to suggest. If you have any questions after reading the above, feel free to get in touch. I also regularly help students plan their trips — so if you'd rather not deal with the logistics yourself, I'm happy to sort it out for you.
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