Major city · Malaysia
Semporna
Come for the diving, not the town: 3–4 nights, base on the seafront, and book Sipadan permits months ahead or settle for Mabul.
Semporna is a small, hot, working port town on Sabah's east coast and the launch point for Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai. The town itself has almost nothing to see; everything worth doing is on or under the water. Plan 3–4 nights: one to arrive and sort gear, two to three for boat days, and one spare for weather.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (rain and rough seas), Ramadan for quiet streets
- Airports
- TWU · BKI
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Semporna999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Semporna, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetycheckThe town is calm and the main risks are on the water and in the sun: book diving through licensed operators, check your insurance covers diving…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police and ambulance · 994 fire · 112 From a mobile
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTWU Tawau Airport (About 1.5 h by road to Semporna; taxi or pre-booked shuttle.).
- Getting aroundSemporna town is walkable in 15–20 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner at a jetty restaurantAsk the price per kilo before ordering.RM30–60 per person
- Street or quick mealNasi kuning breakfast from a street stallRM3–6
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRM20–50
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse dorm bed, a night, per personRM25
- Mid-range bedDouble room with air conditioning, a night, per roomRM160
- High-end bedDouble room with air conditioning, a night, per roomRM320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM150 · Mid RM350 · High RM700
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TWU Tawau Airport (About 1.5 h by road to Semporna; taxi or pre-booked shuttle.) · BKI Kota Kinabalu International (Fly to Tawau, or 8–10 h by bus from Inanam.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Apr (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Semporna: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Semporna town is walkable in 15–20 minutes end to end. For nearby villages and resorts use the yellow passenger vans or a licensed taxi and agree the fare before boarding. Unlicensed 'prebet' cars are cheap but carry no commercial insurance; avoid them.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sipadan
goDoor to door: Full day, 7:00–16:00
Operator boat from the Semporna jetty, about 45 min
Permit required; two dives a day under current rules. Book months ahead.
Mabul and Kapalai
goDoor to door: Full day
Operator boat, about 30–45 min
The fallback when Sipadan permits are gone; good muck diving and snorkelling.
Tawau
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus or passenger van, about 2 h
Mostly a transport stop for the airport; little to see.
Skull Hill (Bukit Tengkorak)
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi or van, 15 min southwest
Small archaeology museum and a short climb to a viewpoint; open 9:00–17:00 (check).Small archaeology museum and a short climb to a viewpoint; open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (check).
Parapat Hill (Bukit Parapat)
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Taxi, about 30 min southwest
Easy hike with island views; go early before the heat.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Seafront / jetty strip
Walk to the dive shops and boats; most guesthouses and the Dragon Inn stilt block sit here.
Town centre
Cheaper rooms, markets and food stalls; 5–10 min walk to the jetty.
Island resorts (Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking)
Sleep on the reef instead of in town; transfers are by resort boat, so book the package.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RM120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- RM250–450 excl. bed
- High
- RM500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room with air conditioning1 × 3 nights × RM160 | RM480 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × RM350 | RM2,100 |
| Tawau airport to Semporna, one way2 × RM95 · check | RM190 |
| Three-dive day at Sipadan with gear and marine park fee2 × RM900 · check | RM1,800 |
| Snorkelling day at Sipadan, all fees2 × RM700 · check | RM1,400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × RM40 | RM80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RM605 |
| Trip total≈ RM1,109 per person per day, bed included | RM6,655≈ US$1,600 |
2026 estimate in ringgit; flights and Sipadan permits excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi kuning breakfast from a street stall | RM3–6 |
| Mee soup (bakso) | RM1–5 |
| Grilled tuna fish | RM2–3 |
| Fresh fruit juice, large mug | RM5 |
| Seafood dinner at a jetty restaurantAsk the price per kilo before ordering. | RM30–60 per person |
| Moonstone pendant on the jettyBargain; prices open high. | RM4–5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | RM20–50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sipadan is capped at 200 permits a day and each diver is limited to two dives there; book through a licensed operator months ahead.
- Unlicensed 'prebet' taxis have no passenger insurance; agree a price or take a hotel-arranged car.
- Tap water is not drinkable; buy bottled or filtered water.
- Boat crossings get rough in the wet season and trips are sometimes cancelled.
- No ATM on the islands; bring enough ringgit for fees and tips.
Emergency numbers
- Police and ambulance
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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SempornaSemporna
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tolong hantar ke alamat iniTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police and ambulance999
- Fire994
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassies in Semporna; most are in Kuala Lumpur, with consulates in Kota Kinabalu (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tawau Airport → Semporna, taxi: about RM95, 1.5 h (check)
- Semporna → Tawau, passenger van: about RM20–30, 2 h (check)
- Town ride by licensed taxi: RM1–3 local rate; agree first (check)
Say or show
- Terima kasih — Thank you (ter-ee-ma ka-seh)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Terlalu mahal — Too expensive (ter-la-lu ma-hal)
- Di mana jeti? — Where is the jetty? (di ma-na je-ti)
- Saya ada permit menyelam — I have a diving permit (sa-ya a-da per-mit me-nye-lam)
- Tolong — Help (to-long)
Dive insurance and a DAN-style evacuation policy are worth arranging before you fly.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Semporna. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (rain and rough seas), Ramadan for quiet streets · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Verified Sipadan permit rules and operator list with 2026 prices.
- Boat-day fixtures for Mabul, Kapalai and Mataking with sea-state cutoffs.
- Tawau airport transfer page with taxi and shuttle fares.
- Eat pages for the jetty seafood stalls and market breakfasts.
Sources
- officialSabah Tourism Board
- officialSemporna District Office
- officialSabah Parks — Sipadan
- secondaryWikivoyage: Semporna, revision 5339370 (CC BY-SA 4.0)