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Located in eastern Sabah (Malaysia), Semporna boasts a peaceful beauty with a population density of only about 135,000 people. Thanks to this, this charming town offers visitors a tranquil and serene atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a relaxing getaway from the sweltering summer heat.
Although Semporna doesn't boast a wide variety of attractions, it captivates visitors with its picturesque islands, most notably Sipadan, Mabul, Mataking, and Kapalai. Each island possesses its own unique beauty, featuring pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and colorful coral reefs. Visitors can enjoy stunning natural scenery, breathe in the fresh air, and participate in numerous exciting marine activities, especially snorkeling and diving to admire the coral reefs.
Semporna attracts tourists with its picturesque islands.
Currently living and working in Kuala Lumpur, Van Minh stumbled upon Semporna about a year ago through a friend in Malaysia: “As a sea lover, I was captivated by Semporna from the first glance. The deserted islands, the long stretches of white sand, and even the stunning turquoise waters – all of these things attracted me and drew me to Semporna.”
His trip to Semporna was meticulously planned over two weeks. From booking flights and hotels to scheduling island excursions, everything was carefully prepared to ensure a perfect trip. Living in Kuala Lumpur, he found traveling to Semporna quite convenient. He chose to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau, then took a Grab taxi for about an hour to reach Semporna town.
Currently living and working in Kuala Lumpur, Van Minh came across Semporna about a year ago through a friend in Malaysia.
To simplify your trip to Semporna, Mr. Van Minh suggests three popular island tours:
Three pristine islands in Tun Sakaran Marine Park: Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, and Sibuan
His first trip gave him the opportunity to explore three stunning islands: Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, and Sibuan, located within Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Each island boasts its own unique beauty, offering unforgettable experiences during the Malaysian summer.
Upon arriving at Bohey Dulang, he challenged himself with a mountain climb to the summit to admire the spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding area. Afterwards, he immersed himself in the clear, cool waters and participated in swimming and snorkeling activities, exploring the colorful underwater world.
Immerse yourself in the clear, cool water.
The trip continued, taking him to Mantabuan – a paradise for scuba diving enthusiasts. Here, he had the opportunity to admire the rich marine biodiversity with countless colorful fish species and pristine coral gardens.
Sibuan welcomed him with endless stretches of fine white sand and crystal-clear waters where you could see the seabed. He spent time relaxing on the beach, basking in the warm sunshine, and trying his hand at scuba diving, exploring the mysteries hidden deep beneath the water.
Bask in the warm sunshine.
"When you choose this tour, you will visit Bohey Dulang – the second largest of the eight islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, which is strictly protected and managed by the Malaysian government. Upon arriving at Bohey Dulang, your guide will lead you to climb one of the island's highest mountains, from where you can gaze down at the ocean in panoramic views; the whole world will seem to be within your sight."
After visiting Bohey Dulang, the tour group will take you to the two islands of Matabuan and Sibuan, of which I was particularly impressed with Sibuan. The two sides of the island are separated by a long stretch of white sand, which looks very beautiful and unique. The seawater around this island is crystal clear, allowing you to see the bottom. It's a pity that drones are prohibited on this island, so I couldn't take many beautiful photos," said Van Minh.
The seawater is so clear you can see the bottom.
Diving paradise - explore Mataking, Pom Pom, and Timba Timba coral reefs.
The following day, he chose to enjoy the snorkeling and coral viewing paradise of a three-island tour: Mataking, Pom Pom, and Timba Timba. Mataking, comprising “Kecil” (Small Island) and “Besar” (Large Island), is connected by a strip of fine white sand, offering a unique experience of walking on the water. Just a 45-minute boat ride from Semporna, Mataking appeared before him like a paradise with its long stretches of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Continuing his journey, Timba Timba captivated him with its long, pristine white sand beaches stretching under a clear blue sky, creating a spectacular scene. This island offered him the opportunity to capture beautiful memories in every moment. Visiting Timba Timba, he was able to immerse himself in unspoiled nature, enjoying the fresh air and the crystal-clear, refreshing seawater.
A paradise with endless stretches of white sand and crystal-clear, turquoise waters.
The final destination on the tour is Pom Pom – a small island famous for its rich coral reefs and biodiversity located in the Celebes Sea. With a circumference of only 2.3 km at high tide, this island boasts an impressive 4 km long coral reef. As part of the coral triangle and home to over 500 species of coral, Pom Pom is an ideal destination for Mr. Van Minh as well as tourists who love scuba diving and exploring the underwater world. Especially during nesting season (May and August), visitors have the opportunity to witness the amazing sight of baby sea turtles emerging from their nests.
An ideal destination for travelers who love scuba diving and exploring the underwater world.
Enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Mabul and Kapalai islands.
"We had plenty of time and weren't sure which tour to choose and which to skip, so we decided to go on all three," Văn Minh humorously shared. On this tour, he had the opportunity to stroll along the long stretches of fine white sand on Mabul Island, enjoying the fresh, invigorating air. It offered a sense of relaxation and peace after stressful, tiring days working in the bustling city.
When he arrived in Kapalai, he didn't miss the opportunity to participate in snorkeling and scuba diving activities. The crystal-clear blue waters here opened up before him a colorful world with vibrant coral reefs and countless fascinating marine creatures.
This place offers a sense of relaxation and peace after stressful days at work.
“The natural environment and marine ecosystem of Semporna are truly beautiful and diverse. There are fish and marine creatures I've never seen before in my life. The famous tourist spots here are quite strictly protected and well-planned by the Malaysian government, so they still retain their pristine beauty, giving visitors the feeling that this land hasn't been commercialized by tourism,” said Van Minh.
Semporna boasts a rich natural environment and diverse marine ecosystem.
It's a place that gives visitors the feeling that this land hasn't been commercialized by tourism.
Everything you need to know about a 5-day, 4-night trip to Semporna.
"My 5 days and 4 nights in Semporna were like a dream for me; each day was a different and exciting experience. If you ask me how I felt after the trip, it was a feeling of contentment mixed with a little regret. Regret because I couldn't stay in Semporna longer. However, one thing I know for sure is that I will return to Semporna in the future!", Mr. Van Minh shared.
Based on his experience, Mr. Van Minh readily shares some tips to help you have the most economical and efficient trip to Semporna.
First, there's the issue of transportation. In my opinion, you should fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau early in the morning to have more time to enjoy Semporna. You should also take a late-night flight on your return trip to save travel time and avoid rushing. When traveling from Tawau to Semporna, using Grab will be more economical if you're traveling in a group of 4-6 people. When traveling in a group, you can also easily negotiate better prices for hotel rooms and other services.
Next, there's the issue of food and accommodation. If you want to save on food costs, choose hotels in Semporna town. Here, you can easily find many delicious and affordable restaurants. If you want a unique and convenient experience, choose a hotel over the sea. However, the prices here will be higher than hotels in the town.
Additionally, the best time to visit Semporna is from March to October. This is the ideal time to participate in beach activities such as scuba diving, swimming, and surfing.
Visitors should fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau early in the morning to have more time to enjoy Semporna.
Detailed itinerary for a trip to Semporna, Malaysia:
