Blue skies, open sea, and cotton-white clouds — the scene in front of us looked almost too beautiful to be real.
Every journey is a chance to rediscover yourself. Why not give yourself a break? Bring your family, your friends, or just go solo — and set foot in Sabah, a city brimming with warmth and authenticity, to discover the hidden paradise tucked away on the map: Semporna.
Pre-Trip Preparation
Suggested Dive Trip Itinerary
This dive trip had just two goals: diving and proper relaxation. So the schedule was kept easygoing — no back-to-back dives, no rushing around. Feel free to use it as a reference!
| Day | Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 9–13 | Taipei Airport → Kota Kinabalu Airport | |
| Currency exchange in the city & lunch | |||
| 17–18 | Kota Kinabalu Airport → Tawau Airport | ||
| 19–20 | Tawau Airport → Semporna town | ||
| Day 2 | 9–16 | Semporna island-hopping snorkeling | |
| Day 3 | 9–16 | Semporna island-hopping scuba diving (3 dives) | |
| Day 4 | 9–16 | Semporna island-hopping scuba diving (3 dives) | |
| Day 5 | 8–15 | Sipadan island-hopping scuba diving (2 dives) | |
| Day 6 | 10–11 | Tawau → Kota Kinabalu Airport | |
| Strolling the city & sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach | |||
| Day 7 | 6–9 | Kota Kinabalu Airport → Taipei Airport |
Sipadan dive trip itinerary reference
Day 1 — Transit Day
After landing in Sabah, collecting our luggage, and dropping it off at the baggage storage (there's a storage facility behind the KFC at Gate 4), we headed into the city to exchange currency at Wisma Merdeka mall. While we were at it, we grabbed some food nearby — there's quite a variety of options in the area. The Editor's first meal in Malaysia was, naturally, a bowl of authentic Bak Kut Teh!
Sin Kee Bak Kut Teh — a light, clear broth with incredibly tender spare ribs. The dry-style version is equally delicious and absolutely perfect with rice!
Exchange rates across the mall are fairly similar. The rate on this particular day was excellent — NT$1 could get you 6.7 Malaysian Ringgit.
Many tourists come here to exchange money — the rates are better than most, and the counter is right at the ground-floor entrance of the mall.
After filling our stomachs, we hopped on a domestic flight to Tawau. By the time we landed at Tawau Airport, it was already dark — we'd truly been on the road all day, and everyone looked absolutely exhausted (disheveled and bedraggled, lol).
The giant "TAWAU" sign greeted us as soon as we stepped off the plane — we'd finally made it!
Tawau Airport is tiny — pick up your bags and you're basically already out the door!
Just one last leg to go!!!
Editor's tip: After collecting your luggage, remember to use the restroom before leaving — it's still a 60–90 minute drive to Semporna town!
Day 2 — Semporna Island-Hopping Snorkeling
Day 3 — Semporna Island-Hopping Scuba Diving
Day 4 — Semporna Island-Hopping Scuba Diving
Day 5 — Sipadan Scuba Diving
Day 6 — Back to Sabah City as a Tourist
By noon on the last day, we were back in Kota Kinabalu. Beyond just wandering the city, the Editor — being a die-hard foodie — had to embark on a full culinary tour. All the restaurants below are within walking distance of each other. We recommend going with a group so you can order a bowl each and hit more spots! (Click on any image to open it in Google Maps.)
Yi Feng Tea House: Mostly soup-based dishes — highly recommend the laksa seafood noodles, tangy and spicy, great for opening up the appetite!
Jinsayuan Raw Meat Noodles: Order the dry version — it comes with a side of soup. Not a fan of offal? Just ask to swap it for sliced meat (it's incredibly tender).
Wei Ya Hainanese Chicken Rice: The chicken is unbelievably tender, the skin is silky and springy, and drizzled with chicken fat and the house special sauce — a whole bowl of rice disappears in no time.
A big supermarket haul is absolutely mandatory — hands full on both sides! There's something about snacks from abroad that just tastes better.
Tanjung Aru Beach, which holds the title of one of the world's top three sunsets you must see before you die, is stunning from every angle — whether you catch the golden sunset or the rosy afterglow. There's also a small market along the beachfront where you can grab a snack and sit by the water to watch the sun go down. Truly the most romantic thing you can do.
An endless expanse of ocean bathed in golden light — time seemed to stand still in that moment.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, it marked the end of an incredible journey.
About a five-minute walk from the beach, there's a semi-outdoor restaurant called Lucy's Kitchen, where you can dine while watching the sunset. The menu is extensive and the prices are very reasonable, but make sure to reserve a table in advance — the best seats get snapped up fast!
When the Editor first walked in, she thought the glowing afterglow in the background was a painting — seeing it in person was absolutely breathtaking, almost surreal!
For the last meal, it had to be a plate of fried kway teow with a bowl of laksa soup!
Editor's note: Kota Kinabalu city is quite compact. If you have extra time, it's well worth staying a few extra days — join a local island-hopping tour (firefly watching, proboscis monkeys, Moonbay Island), or treat yourself to a stay at one of the over-water bungalow resorts. Compared to the Maldives, the prices are a fraction of the cost!
Moonbay Island: Lying in a hammock with nothing to do — pure bliss.
bungaraya-island-resort: A private island resort — significantly more affordable than the Maldives.
Step out of your room and you're greeted by an unobstructed view of the ocean — endlessly soothing.
Day 7 — Transit Day
The flight home was at 6
a.m., so we simply spent the night at the airport — saving both accommodation costs and commute time. Kota Kinabalu Airport has free Wi-Fi, and the McDonald's and convenience stores never close, so you can grab something to eat whenever hunger strikes. That said, it was the Editor's first time sleeping in an airport, and sleep didn't come easily. Good thing she'd downloaded a TV series onto her tablet beforehand to get through the wakeful hours of the night.
The Editor eventually surrendered to exhaustion — just remember to take out a towel and put on long pants and sleeves, because the airport air conditioning is seriously cold!
The return flight departs at 6
a.m. — if you're lucky enough to get a window seat on the east side, you might just catch the sunrise!
That peak next to us is Mount Kinabalu — Malaysia's highest mountain.
Sabah, Malaysia is somewhere the Editor genuinely recommends. There are plenty of private island resorts nearby for a proper holiday, and even without island-hopping, the city itself sits right by the sea with some fantastic beachside resorts. Whether you're coming with family, with your significant other, or as a solo backpacker, Sabah suits every kind of traveler.
On top of the affordable local costs, the flight from Taiwan to Sabah takes just 3.5 hours — faster than getting from Taipei to Kenting! Book early and you can score some seriously cheap fares. While Malay is the local language, most people speak English, and Mandarin is also becoming increasingly common, so communication is rarely an issue.
If this article has got you inspired, don't just sit there — go check those flight prices now! 🙌
