Hotels in Semporna Airport

Operated by Malaysia Airport Berhad, Semporna Airport serves the town of Semporna. With a short runway, this small airport only accepts certain types of aircraft.

Semporna was founded soon after the British North Borneo Chartered Company established Sandakan, and initially settled by Chinese traders, most fleeing from Spanish attack on the Sulu Sultanate. Before been named as "Semporna", this area are known as "Tong Talun" in Bajau language which means "Hujung Hutan" in Malay or "At the end of the forest" in English language. Those who responsible for this naming was Panglima Uddang, Panglima Sallehangni and Panglima Sakti from the Bajaus Kubang ancestry. Soon, the name been slowly changed to "Semporna" which later became the permanent name for this place.

Semporna is a district and town in Tawau Division, Sabah, Malaysia. Semporna is a small fishing town on the East Coast of Sabah, Borneo. It faces the Celebes Sea and is surrounded by a scatter of islands that have calmed tropical waters, harbored extensive marine ecosystems, and provided Semporna the wealth of the ocean since time immemorial. It is known as an illustrious scuba diving and snorkeling spot. Semporna itself is frequently used as a gateway for diving and snorkeling trips to the nearby islands of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Maiga and others. Apart from fishery, Semporna is a hub of seaweed farming, shrimp farming, pearl farming and other aquacultural industries. Semporna town is mainly populated by the Bajau Laut ethnic community, otherwise known as the Sea Gypsies where many of whom live in sprawling stilt villages above the water or inside the traditional Lepa boats.

How to Get There

By Plane

Semporna is on the East Coast of Sabah and doesn't have an airport yet. The nearest airport is Tawau and there are regular flights from Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur. The taxi or tourist bus takes about one hour from the airport to Semporna. Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Malindo Air Fly to Tawau regularly.

By Car

Semporna is very small and easy to navigate. From Kota Kinabalu you can take bus from Inanam station to Semporna. If you are travelling from Sandakan there are four direct buses to Semporna run by Sida Express and Dyana Express. If you miss the direct bus, you can also try taking a bus to Lahad Datu and from there take a minibus to Semporna.

By Ferry

Tourist from Labuan, Indonesia and Philippines can arrive here by sea. Ferry terminal and immigration checkpoints are situated at Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau. From Tawau they can take taxi to reach Semporna.

One may also attempt to get around the town and to surrounding villages or beach resorts by using private taxi. Commercial passengers' vans are also available for travels to nearby villages and to Tawau. These vans are usually color-coded in yellow and can transport 8 to 12 passengers.

Malaysia Malay spoken by locals in dialect 'baku-sabah’. In addition there are Bajau and Suluk language also spoken by the tribes here. English as a second language can be used in Semporna, and they can speak and understand basic English.

Tourist Attractions

Semporna with beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches and other numerous attractions is waiting to be explored. Visitors will find a number of sightseeing spots in Semporna and its surroundings. A must-do in Semporna is to visit Bukit Tengkorak which is 10-15 minute drive out of town. The hill is so named in remembrance of the beheading of several prisoners of war by Japanese soldiers stationed there during the Second World War.

Another peak worth climbing is that of Bohey Dulang island. To get to the island, you must arrange a diving, snorkelling or tour excursion with one of the local dive operators, who will usually arrange a climb during the lunch break. You also may visit The Bajau people inhabit houses on stilts located by the jetty and around the town's mosque where these houses are built in large groups, they are known as 'water villages'.

For the nature lover you may enjoy Proboscis Monkey river cruise located at Kampung Tunggulangan. This Borneo Semporna Proboscis River Cruise surrounded by rare Proboscis Monkey, Pipe Hornbills, Borneo Eagles, Long Tailed Macaque, fireflies along the jetty boardwalk, fresh water Crocodile and the main highlight is the Giant Fruit Bats (a kind of bats which consume fruits and nectars). Do not forget to enjoy diving and snorkeling at the surrounding beautiful and fantastic white sand coral beach Island such as Sipadan, Mabul, Pom Pom, Kapalai and others.

The Bajau ethnic group is composed of several sub-ethnic groups with a heritage rich in culture and customs. Igal-Igal,Bolak-Bolak and Daling-Daling traditional dance is a popular dance among Bajau ethnic group.

As Semporna is a coastal town, various fresh seafood is readily available, cheap, and delicious. Seaside seafood restaurant is easily found because it is situated among the dive shop. Nasi kuning (yellow rice), sold in the morning by the street is a traditional breakfast for sabahan. It consists of rice, fish cook with chilli and vegetables. Besides that the traditional food of Bajau Ethnic group that is Sagul, Putu Ubi, Egang , Kima , Latok, Tayum, dan Tehek-Tehek.

For the nature lover you may enjoy watching beauty of fireflies flying in mangrove area with Proboscis River Cruise trip and have a delicious fresh seafood dinner around the semporna town. Besides that You can have a walk to night market,night vegetable market and smoke street to enjoy eating and shopping local food, fresh seafood, local vegetables, clothes, souvenirs and others.

You can visit Semporna all year round. If you plan to Sipadan for diving, the best time to visit is around April to June. This is because in these months the diving visibility was about 30m to 50m compared to the other months only about 20m away.

From May to August, you might be lucky to see turtles lay their eggs along the islands. In mid-April each year, the region celebrates 'Water Festival' where you can enjoy with a lot of activity. During stay you must be aware with pickpocket, if anyone accidentally bang/knock/hit you, check your wallet immediately. Ignore those kids looking at foreigner and saying “I love you" to you because that the only words they know how to say to foreigner.

There are no dress restrictions on the islands and light cotton clothing, t-shirts and shorts would be suitable. Do not forget to bring along raincoat or umbrella, comfortable tracking shoes, slipper, sun hat, insect repellent and sunblock for beach and nature activities.