Top Things to Do and Tourist Places to Visit in Semporna
Semporna is the gateway to paradise of islands in Sabah. It is a south eastern coastal district of Sabah state. The places to visit in Semporna are some of the most beautiful islands in the far east. It is also one of the most popular diving destination in the world. Everything you can imagine in a perfect coastal or island getaway to be can be found in Semporna.
The islands of Semporna look like some place a world class spy would retreat with the damsel in distress. It is simple heavenly. Most popular islands among Semporna attractions are Mabul islands and Bohey Dulang Island. Both of these islands are exceptionally beautiful for sightseeing and both are famous for Semporna tourist attractions for very different reasons. Mabul is known as a resort retreat and Bohey Dulang is known as a natural retreat. Both islands are a treat for the eyes among things to see in Semporna when visiting by boat. Bohey Dulang island is known for it breathtakingly beautiful coastal and jungle hike trail. The island is also a popular tourist attraction for birdwatching. Bohey Dulang and Bodgaya island together form a crescent shape in the ocean. These two islands along with Sabangkat, and Salakan form Sakaran Marine Park.
There is actually no shortage of islands to explore on Semporna travel. If you find one island crowded, you can easily get on a boat and ride away to another one. You can even rent an island to be private and exclusive to you for any number of days you want. Many locals and even foreigners hold events and weddings by booking entire islands.
The beaches and islands offer several interesting accommodation and dining options. You can stay in houses which are half on the beach and half in the ocean when you visit Semporna. You can go on dining cruise tours where the sea food is caught right before your eyes. You can even spend a day living in boat houses floating between the islands.
The coastal city and the islands open possibilities for several adventurous things to do in Semporna. You can enjoy snorkeling at many spots along the coast of the main land and also at several islands. The best place to visit in Semporna on Sabah island is Marvel Bay. You will also find several snorkeling boat tours which include snorkeling among things to do in Semporna day trip. Marvel Bay is also famous as a scuba diving spot. If you wish to go deeper in the ocean you will have to go on boat tours for scuba diving a little further away from the mainland. Some of the islands among Semporna tourist attractions also have great diving and snorkeling spot.
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Table of Contents
Top 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Semporna
1. Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Semporna has some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling sites in Asia. It is one of the best things to do in Semporna, Malaysia. You get to fishes and marine life of various sizes and beautiful corals. You can go for guided scuba diving experience or undergo a few days of training to enjoy diving experience by yourself. You should reserve 2 to 3 hours of time for this experience.
2. Ocean Cruise
Another one of finest experience during Semporna sightseeing is exploring the ocean on a boat. You can go for a motor boat, cruise boat, wooden boat and more. There are options of taking a kayak tour near the mainland. You can also go hopping islands on a boat in the region. It is the best part of Semporna Sabah island. You would need at least a day for this experience.
3. Bajau Laut
This village is one of the best places to visit in Semporna. You will see a settlement of sea gypsies. It is interesting to explore their lifestyle and culture. You can also take a tour in small wooden boat. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this place when you visit Semporna.
4. Tawau Town
This town is one of the finest Semporna tourist attractions. It has all the qualities of a quaint seaside town. You get to explore fun street food, go shopping, and stroll the town. You will need about 3 to 4 hours to explore this town during Semporna travel.
5. Sipadan National Park
This national park is situated on an island. It is also among top 10 diving sites in the world. Some of the highlights of this Semporna attraction are Baraccuda Point, Turtle Cavern, Hanging Gardens and more. You will need an entire day to explore this national park.
6. Tun Sakaran Marine Park
This marine park has crystal clear water and you get to explore a plethora of marine flora and fauna. This park is spread across 8 islands is the largest marine park in Sabah and will require a Semporna day trip to explore.
7. Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Heritage Site
Also known as skull hill, this mountain is one of the best hiking places in the region. The sight from atop this mountain are among the best things to see in Semporna. It is also an archaeological site with its own museum. You get to see artifacts, pottery fragments, jewelry, skeletons, tools and documents from excavation in the area. You would need 3 to 4 hours to explore this place.
8. Teck Guan Cocoa Village
This village is focused on history and evolution of cocoa plants and seeds. It is one of the most interesting Semporna attractions. You will need about an hour for this village.
9. Pom Pom Island
This island is especially famous its white sand beaches. It has a small resort of sorts to enjoy. It is also great for scuba diving, boating tours and snorkeling. You would need 4 to 5 hours to enjoy this island.
10. Masjid Pekan
This beautiful blue mosque is one of the finest works of architecture among things to see in Semporna. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this monument.
If you are looking for more Semporna tourist attractions, check out the section below.
Things to do in Semporna
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Semporna
- Bukit Tengkorak Archeological Heritage Site
- Museum Tun Sakkaras
- Masjid Pekan
- Masjid Inabah Kamal
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Semporna
- Tun Sakaran Marine Park
- Limau Limau Mountain Peak
- Bukit Bakong Mountain Peak
- Gunung Tannabalu Mountain Peak
- Gunung Conner Mountain Peak
- Gunung Sigalong Mountain
- Bod Gaya Mountain Peak
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Semporna
- Semporna Ocean Tourism Center
Beaches & Islands in Semporna
- Bohey Dulang Island
- Pulau Sibuan Island
- Mantabuan Islet Island
- Bodgaya Island
- Selangan Island
- Pulau Tatagan Island
- Omadal Island
- Pulau Maiga Island
- Sebangkat Island
- Tabawan Island
- Pulau Salakan Island
- Bait Island
- Bakit Kulambu Island
- Larapan Island
- Pababag Island
- Silawa Island
- Bohayan Island
- Bum Bum Island
- Adal Island
- Balusuan Island
- Timbun Mata Island
- Pulau Nusa Kuya Island
- Semporna Island
- Pulau Maganting Island
- Pulau Bangau Island
- Pulau Mata Pahi Island
- Pulau Bakubang Island
- Mabul Island
Offbeat Places & Adventurous Things to do in Semporna
- Marvel Bay Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Boat Ride
- Island Cruise
- Deep Sea Diving
- Water Sports
- Boheydulang Island Hike trail
- Scuba Diving
- Parasailing
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Semporna
- Fung Ling Restaurant
- Ocean Treasure Live Seafood Restaurant
- Arthur’s Bar
- Pearl City Restaurant
- Row Row Lepa
- White Wetland
- Summer Breeze Cafe
- Then Wang Seafood
- Cham Chuan Kee Restaurant
- New Taste Restaurant
- Tealive
- Embun Cafe
- Dragon Inn
- Seafest Hotel
Where to Stay in Semporna?
Here we have listed all Top Rated Hotels in Semporna. Almost all are Mid-Range and Budget Hotels to stay in Semporna
- Seafest Hotel
- Cube Bed Station
- Pacific Inn
- Dragon Inn Floating Resort
- AE Semporna Guesthouse
- Kuree Hut
- Semporna Floating
- Green World Hotel
- Mushrooms Inn
- Casa Casa
How to Reach Semporna?
By Air
Closest airport for Semporna travel is in Tawau. It is an international and domestic airport welcoming flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Sandakan in Malaysia. Though you only get international flights to Tarakan in Indonesia. The second closest airport to visit Semporna is in Kota Kinabalu. Both these airports are suitable to enjoy Semporna attractions. You can catch a bus directly from the airport. There are public buses as well as private tour buses for Semporna tourist attractions available at both the airports. Public buses will be available from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening. Bus route is also great for Semporna sightseeing.
By Road
You get direct buses from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Sepilok. You also get connecting buses from any city or town of Malaysian Borneo. You can get international road travel from Brunei as well. But there is no direct bus for Semporna travel from there.
You can also get Semporna day trip tours from many cities in Sabah and Sarawak. There are also weekend tours complete covering many places to visit in Semporna along with accommodation, travel and food. The best time to visit Semporna would be early winter months or early summer months. Majority of these Semporna day trips see tourist rush during these months.
If you are traveling by road, then take route AH150. Then go along route A5 connecting to route 13. If you are traveling from northern side, then turn at Kunak on Kunak-Semporna road. If you visit Semporna from southern side then turn east at route SA51. Both these roads will take you to Semporna district and lead straight to the capital city. Even Kunak-Semporna road meets with SA51 before the capital city. You will get access to almost all islands and other Semporna tourist attractions from the capital city.
By Water
Though it is a coastal district there are no ferry or boat rides for Semporna travel. However there are several types of boat rides to visit Semporna islands from different towns of the district. You will be able to access majority of the islands if you visit Semporna city.
Image Reference
- Scuba Diving & Snorkeling – Kong / Flickr
- Ocean Cruise – Fabio Achilli / Flickr
- Bajau Laut – Borneo Child Aid / Flickr
- Tawau Town – Jeremy Eades / Flickr
- Sipadan National Park – Benjamin Hollis / Flickr
- Tun Sakaran Marine Park – Fabio Achilli / Flickr
- Bukit Tengkorak Archeological Heritage Site – Tofeiku / Wikimedia Commons
- Teck Guan Cocoa Village –
- Pom Pom Island – Prof Steve Oakley / Flickr
- Masjid Pekan – CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons
