Semporna

Semporna, located on Sabah's east coast, is far more than just a transit point for divers. The town is the pulsating heart of an archipelago famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. Here, visitors can experience the unique culture of the Bajau Laut, who live in stilt houses over the sea. The town itself provides spirited markets selling freshly caught fish and exotic fruits. Most tourists use Semporna as a base to reach the islands of Sipadan, Mabul, or Kapalai. Snorkeling and diving in the region are among the best the world has to offer, with an incredible variety of corals and marine life. A cultural highlight is the Regatta Lepa festival in April, celebrating traditionally decorated boats. The best time to visit is year-round, with the months of April to June offering particularly calm seas. Semporna is most easily reached via Tawau Airport, followed by a one-hour drive. Local cuisine is dominated by seafood, especially grilled fish served with spicy sambal sauces.

Nearby cities

Kota Kinabalu

The capital of Sabah state, near Mount Kinabalu.

Sandakan

A city in Sabah, known for its orangutan rehabilitation center.

Tawau

A city in southeastern Sabah, a center for cocoa and palm oil production.

Lahad Datu

A town in Sabah, a center for the palm oil industry.

Tanjung Aru

A famous beach in Kota Kinabalu, renowned for its spectacular sunsets and soft white sand.

Kundasang

A picturesque highland town in Sabah at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, known for its cool climate.

Mabul Island

A paradise for macro divers and a picturesque fishing village off the coast of Sabah.

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Bangau

A picturesque village in northern Sabah, near the 'Tip of Borneo', featuring stunning beaches.

Menggatal

A suburb of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, combining tradition with modern education and coastal proximity.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

A group of five idyllic islands just off Kota Kinabalu, ideal for water sports and relaxation.

History & landmarks

Sipadan Island

Malaysia's only oceanic island, rising from an extinct volcanic cone.

Nature

Kinabatangan River

The second longest river in Malaysia, its banks showcasing one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Southeast Asia.

Papar Coast

A coastal region in Sabah, known for its long sandy beaches and sunsets over the South China Sea.

More places

Semporna Islands Park

A marine park off the coast of Sabah, renowned for its exceptional underwater life and as one of the world's top diving locations.

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Sahabat Resettlement Plateau

A large land development scheme managed by FELDA, focusing on oil palm cultivation.

FELDA Sahabat Palm Oil Plantation

One of the largest palm oil plantation settlements in the world, illustrating the importance of the palm oil industry to the Malaysian ec…

Agnes Keith House

A historic house in Sandakan, Sabah.

Sandakan Memorial Park

A memorial park dedicated to the prisoners of war who perished during the Sandakan Death Marches in World War II.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

A relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest area in Sabah, considered one of the best protected rainforest areas in the world.

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre

A center in Sepilok, Sabah, dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of the sun bear, the world's smallest bear species.

Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok

An environmental education center in Sabah, famous for its impressive canopy walkway system and birdwatching opportunities.