Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · Malaysia

Mataking

Two nights: one full day for diving and the walk between Mataking Besar and Kecil. Day-trip from Semporna is possible but rushed.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Mataking is a pair of small islands on the edge of the continental shelf in the Celebes Sea, about 40 acres total. It is a single-resort destination: the Reef Dive Resort runs the island, so you book accommodation, meals and diving together. The main draw is the fringing reef with hard and soft coral, and the low-tide sandbar that connects Mataking Besar and Mataking Kecil. Most travellers come from Semporna by speedboat (about 1 hour) or as a side trip from Sipadan or Mabul.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
MYR
Best months
Apr–Sep
avoid Nov–Feb (monsoon, rough seas)
Airport
TWU
Nights
2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Mataking: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
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.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

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

Official sites

Emergency numbers for Mataking999 ▾

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 Mataking, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
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.

Fringing reef with hard and soft coralWalkable sandbar between Mataking Besar and Mataking Kecil at low tideSingle-resort island (Reef Dive Resort)Diving and snorkelling
Airports
TWU Tawau Airport (Fly from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia). From the airport, taxi to Semporna about RM110 (check), then speedboat to Mataking about 1 hour.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  5. May

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F) low), wettest Nov (18 rain days), driest Mar (12). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Mataking: 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

29°C (84°F)

24°C (75°F)

16 rd

Feb

29°C (84°F)

24°C (75°F)

13 rd

Mar

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

12 rd

Apr

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

12 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

14 rd

Jun

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

14 rd

Jul

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

14 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

14 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

14 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

17 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

18 rd

Dec

29°C (84°F)

24°C (75°F)

18 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

On foot: the island is small enough to walk across in 15 minutes. The sandbar between the two islands is walkable at low tide.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Sipadango

Door to door: About 1 hour

Speedboat from Mataking (check with resort)

Diving permit required; book through the resort.

Mabulgo

Door to door: About 30 min

Speedboat from Mataking

Snorkelling and muck diving; can be combined with Sipadan.

Sempornago

Door to door: About 1 hour

Speedboat from Mataking

Base for day-trips; also has markets and seafood.

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.

Mataking (Reef Dive Resort)

The only accommodation on the island. Advance booking required. All meals included.

Semporna

Budget and mid-range hotels; day-trip to Mataking by speedboat.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
RM 300–500 (day-trip from Semporna)
Mid
RM 600–900 (resort package, check)
High
RM 1,000+ (resort package with diving)

Watch out

Safety

Mataking is a small resort island with low crime. The main risks are sunburn, dehydration and strong currents during boat transfers. Always wear a life jacket on the speedboat.
  • The resort requires advance booking; no walk-in accommodation.
  • If you arrive at Tawau at night, stay in Tawau town — the road to Semporna is dark and unlit.
  • Monsoon season (Nov–Feb) can cancel boat transfers; check weather before booking.
  • Only one restaurant on the island; food is buffet-style and may be bland.

Emergency numbers

Police / Ambulance
999
Fire
994
From mobile
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MatakingMataking

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police / Ambulance999
  • Fire994
  • From mobile112

Embassy

The US, UK, Australia and most other embassies are in Kuala Lumpur. The nearest consulate is in Kota Kinabalu (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Tawau Airport → Semporna (taxi): about RM110 (check)
  • Semporna → Mataking (speedboat): about 1 hour, included in resort package (check)

Say or show

  • Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-muh kah-seeh)
  • Berapa? — How much? (buh-rah-pah)
  • Ya / Tidak — Yes / No (yah / tee-dahk)
  • Di mana tandas? — Where is the toilet? (dee mah-nah tahn-dahs)
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 Mataking. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (monsoon, rough seas) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Malaysia

Sources

Ask about Mataking

Loading…

Was this useful?