Have you heard about the Maldives of Malaysia? If you haven’t, let me introduce you! Semporna is a coastal town located in the Malaysian state of Sabah on the eastern coast of Borneo and is known as the gateway to some of the world’s most famous diving spots. This is where you’ll find the clearest water in Malaysia, with that inviting turquoise color. Below I’m listing some of the things that makes Semporna special and I’m also breaking down everything you need to know before visiting.

Top things to do in Semporna

Diving and snorkeling in Semporna

Semporna is renowned for its diving destinations, being some of the best in the world. Especially Sipadan Island is considered one of the top dive spots globally with its rich marine biodiversity. One of the top things to do in Semporna is therefore diving. Vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, barracudas and schools of reef sharks attracts both beginner and experienced divers. I do not have an open water certificate but did a DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) and went on a full day tour to two different dive sites. One of the best companies to go diving with in Semporna is Borneo Speedy Dive. But before diving I did a little warm up and went snorkeling, which is equally as good. One of the best snorkeling sites is just outside Mantabuan island, which can be reached on an island hopping tour.

Island hopping in Semporna

In the Semporna archipelago there are multiple picturesque islands with crystal clear water, swaying palm trees and white sand beaches. I did an island hopping tour to three different islands; Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan and Sibuan. Bohey Dulang is the most famous island in Semporna, known for its hiking trail leading to the top of the island with breathtaking views over the lagoon. Mantabuan and Sibuan are two small islands with beautiful beaches and great snorkeling. Mataking and Pom Pom islands are also popular islands to go to when in Semporna.

Visit the Sea Gypsy Village

Semporna is home to a mix of cultures, including the Bajau Laut, which are also known as Sea Gypsies. The Bajau people have lived for centuries on boats, and even today, many continue to live a semi-nomadic, seafaring lifestyle. You can see their traditional stilt houses and boats in and around Semporna’s waters.

Where to stay in Semporna

Over the years, Semporna has developed as a hub for eco-tourism with resorts and hostels accepting both high-end and budget travelers. When visiting Semporna you have two different options on how to stay – either in a resort in the Semporna Archipelago or in the actual town of Semporna.

Staying in Semporna town

Something to know about Semporna town is that it’s a fairly simple town and can to some people feel quite rough. However you can find really cheap accommodation here and the town is an excellent launching point for exploring the natural beauty of the region, with diving and snorkeling operators and island hopping tours all using Semporna as their starting point. If you’re on a budget, I can recommend staying in Island Backpackers. This place has a really good location in Semporna town and only costs around $10 per night.

Staying in a water resort

Outside of Semporna in the so called Semporna Archipelago you’ll find multiple water resorts, either on small islands or built on top of the water. This might sound super expensive but you can find more simple water resorts for good prices. This is an experience itself and I can really recommend staying for a night or two in one of these resorts, but as you can guess you are very isolated and you will have all your meals and spend all your time on this resort.

How to get to Semporna

Getting to Semporna from Sandakan, Sepilok or Kinabatangan River

Sandakan, Sepilok and Kinabatangan River are all famous destinations in Malaysian Borneo and they are usually along the travel route. There is a local bus running from Sandakan which will pass both Sepilok and Kinabatangan River (Sukau Junction is the bus stop). The journey costs around 50 MYR ($11).

Travel time from Sandakan: 5.5 hours

Travel time from Sepilok: 5 hours

Travel time from Sukau Junction (Kinabatangan River): 3.5 hours

Getting to Semporna from Tawau (by flight)

If you are traveling to Semporna by air, the closest airport is Tawau (TWU). You can either travel to Semporna by airport taxi, which costs around 95 MYR ($22), or take the bus. Local Minibus Malaysia operates a bus from the airport to Semporna 5 times a day and the tickets cost 30 – 35 MYR ($8). The journey from Tawau Airport to Semporna takes between 75 minutes to 1 h 30 minutes.

Is it dangerous to travel to Semporna?

The entire region of eastern Sabah along the coast, which is where in Borneo Semporna is located, has faced security challenges over the years, mainly related to kidnappings, piracy and cross-border conflicts.

Semporna is located close to the southern Philippines and this region has experienced some instability due to political unrest and poverty and with poor maritime borders between Malaysia and the Philippines, it has made it easier for criminal elements to move between the two countries. Piracy has been a longstanding issue in the Sulu Sea, affecting not only commercial vessels but also local fishermen and tourists. The remoteness of many of the islands around Semporna makes them vulnerable to such activities. The most high-profile security issue in Semporna has been the series of kidnappings for ransom carried out by militant groups, abducting both local and foreign nationals. Kidnappings had its latest spike in the mid-2010s.

All of these safety issues have had a significant impact on Semporna’s reputation as a safe tourist destination, especially since some countries have issued travel warnings for the region. However, the security situation in Semporna and eastern Sabah has greatly improved in recent years due to concerted efforts by Malaysian authorities.

My personal experience of Semporna in Borneo was that I faced no issues. I visited Semporna in July 2024 and I stayed both in a water resort in the Semporna waters and in town.