'''Semporna''' is a city on east coast of Sabah. It has a population of around 135,000. While there is not much to see and do in Semporna itself, it is frequently used as a gateway for diving and snorkeling trips to the nearby islands of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking~, Maiga and others.

Get in

'''Flight'''

Most travellers take a flight to Tawau, then travel overland from there by bus (Tawau airport to Tawau town at RM 10, then Tawau town to Semporna) or taxi (Tawau airport to Semporna town at RM 95).

'''Coach/Bus'''

<b>From Kota Kinabalu:</b> Direct from Inanam station to Semporna (or Tawau), 8-10 hrs, 50 MYR one-way. Departs 7:30AM & 7:30PM. To get to Inanam station you can take the <b>public bus</b> from the long distance bus station in KK city on Jalan Padang (Bus #3 to "Terminal" or "Inanam", purple bus stop, 20 min, 1.50 MYR) to the Inanam bus station, or a <b>taxi</b> (~20 MYR). Call 088-384701 or 088-384702 to book tickets for the Dyana Bus to Semporna. Note that in high season (Jun-Aug) these buses fill up fast so book at least a day in advance.

<b>From Sandakan:</b> there is a direct bus to Semporna at 8:00am (5 hrs, 40 MYR). If you miss the direct bus, you can also try taking a bus to Lahad Datu (at least 1:00pm, 18RM), and from there take a minibus to Semporna (leaves when it's full, 24RM).

<b>From Sepilok:</b> Take a taxi to Sandakan and take the 8:00AM bus from there. Taxi can be booked through your accommodation in Sepilok for ~30 MYR pp (shared), and takes 1 hour.

Get around

Because of its small size, Semporna is easily explored on foot. However, there are also mini buses and ''kereta sapu (prebet)'' for getting around. Usually the fare is RM1 to RM2 to where ever within the city, but the '' prebet'' will charge tourists with higher prices (about RM5 - RM10), make sure you make a deal with the driver before take a ride.

the kereta sapu (prebet) can be determine by the brand of the car (mostly malaysian national car, proton). you can found lots of them in front of the largest supermarket at the town.

mini buses are the transportation to go far to the palm oil estate.

taxi is not available to travel within semporna, the only taxi available are those who going to tawau.

See

The houses on stilts by the jetty.

in april, semporna will be helding REGATTA LEPA LEPA. it is the biggest annual event in semporna. Regatta Lepa-Lepa is a tournament for each kampung (village) to show off their lepa (boat) and their igal-igal dancers. the fastest and most beautiful boat will win the competition. there will be beautiful fireworks and concerts during the night.

Do

'''Diving/Snorkeling'''

The nearby island of Sipadan offers some of the world's best scuba diving opportunities with large pelagics including sharks, rays and sea turtles. Many visitors to Semporna join a scuba diving trip to Sipadan. As of July 2008, a 3-dive day at Sipadan is 350-400 MYR including lunch and equipment rental and marine park fee. Snorkelers to Sipadan pay about 260 MYR all fees included. The boat ride from Semporna to Sipadan takes about an hour.

Other nearby islands include Mabul and Kapalai, which are also popular destinations for both scuba divers and snorkelers. Day trips to both of these, as well as other islands nearby, are available from most of the half dozen or so dive operators in Semporna. As of July 2008: <ul> <li>Scuba diving at any island aside from Sipadan is about 260 MYR per day for 3 dives including lunch and equipment hire.</li> <li>Snorkeling is about 90 MYR per day including lunch and equipment hire.</li> </ul>

Dive operators:

  • '''Billabong Scuba (BSDS)'''(+6 0128150909 )[http://www.billabongscuba.com]
  • '''Blue Sea Divers''' (tel: +60 8978 1322, +60 1281 56530) [http://www.blueseadivers-sabah.com/] mikealan3068@yahoo.com
  • '''Scuba Junkie''' (tel : +6089785372 [http://www.scuba-junkie.com] sipadanscubajunkie@yahoo.com
  • '''Uncle Chang''' (tel : +6089781002 , +60178950002, +6089781988). unclechang99@hotmail.com.[http://www.ucsipadan.com/en.html]
  • '''Sipadan Scuba''' (PADI 5*IDC centre - [http://www.gopro-borneo.com/]) (tel: +6089919128, +6089781788) [http://www.sipadanscuba.com] diving@northborneo.net
  • Buy

    Moon stones and pearls are sold, often on the jetty by the Dragon Inn hotel. Bargain hard to get a good price. Moon stone pendants (without necklace) should go for about RM 4-5.

    Eat

    Chinese food. chinese restaurants can be found easily in every block. recommendation : seaside seafood restaurant. easily found because it is situated among the dive shop.

    Nasi kuning (yellow rice), sold in the morning by the street. traditional breakfast for sabahan. it consist of rice, fish cook with chilli and vegetables.

    mee soup (bakso), sold by indonesian immigrant. RM1 for each bowl. Good if you are in tight budget.

    pisang goreng (fried banana), 10-20 cents each, sold by the street (same street with bakso and grilled chicken).

    ayam panggang (roasted chciken), can be found near to mee soup stall. both sold only during night.

    putu (local traditional carb) 50 cents for a portion.

    grilled tuna fish (RM2-RM3 per fish).

    latok (fresh seaweed) 50 cents for a portion.

    Drink

    The restaurant at the beginning of the causeway serves big mugs of fresh fruit juices (mango, honeydew, lychee and others) for RM 5.

    Sleep

    '''Hostels in Semporna at Seafront:'''

  • '''Scuba Junkie Backpackers'''. Across from the Scuba Junkie dive shop. Diver discount: 15 MYR/night for dorm bed.
  • '''Dragon Inn'''. 15 MYR/night for a dorm bed. About 18 beds/dorm. Nice setting over the water and near the dive shops, but beds aren't particularly clean (as in bugs & blood stains). No security boxes/lockers.
  • '''Hotels in Semporna right at the seafront:'''

  • '''Hotel Seafest''' (3-star) [http://www.seafesthotel.com]
  • '''Hotel Dragon Inn''' [http://www.dragoninnfloating.com.my]
  • Sipadan Inn. lock D, Lot No. 19-24, Semporna Seafront Township. 60 089 782766, +60 089 781766. ipadaninn@streamyx.com. oon. oon. 4 MYR for a standard twin/double room (15% off with diver discount). ttp://www.sipadan-inn.com. Clean and comfortable new hotel (as of July 2007). There are two computers with internet access in the lobby for free use by guests.

    '''Hotels in the town of Semporna:'''

  • '''City Inn''', [http://www.cityinn-semporna.com]
  • '''Lee's Resthouse'''. 50 MYR/night with diver discount for single standard room (otherwise, 70 MYR/night). Descent enough considering the quality around town. Aircon, tv, hot shower, <b>no</b> security boxes/lockers.
  • Get out

    Take a taxi or a minibus to Tawau airport. First minubus leaves 07AM (or when full), and costs 20RM. take a bus to kota kinabalu, sandakan or lahad datu.

    Bus To Sandakan: There is one bus to sandakan that leaves at 7:30 am and arrives in Sandakan at about 3:00 pm, but the arrival time is dependant on traffic. If you miss this bus you have two options 1) You can take a minibus from the KFC (look for them and flag one over) to Tawau and then catch one of the Tawau buses to Sandakan, last bus from Tawau to Sandakan is at 3:00. It is a full day of traveling, not for the faint of heart, but a sure thing. 2) You can take a bus from Semporna to Lahad Datu, then try to catch another bus to Sandakan, this may not happen though and you may be stuck in Lahad Datu for the night.

    Plane There is planes but using only small irlines.