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.
- The Bajau ethnic houses on stilts by the jetty and around the town's mosque.
The Bajau ethnic houses on stilts by the jetty and around the town's mosque.
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 October 2011, a 3-dive day at Sipadan is 560-600MYR including equipment rental and marine park fee. Snorkelers to Sipadan pay about 440-580MYR all fees included. The boat ride from Semporna to Sipadan takes about 45 minutes.
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.
Dive operators:
- Billabong Scuba, +60 128150909.
- Scuba Junkie, +60 89785372. Biggest dive operation in Semporna, very friendly and professional, internationally experienced dive masters.
- Singamata PADI Dive resort, +60 198430550.
- Uncle Chang.
- Sipadan Scuba, +60 89919148, +60 89784788. Only operator with fully functional online booking system to secure a diving permit for Sipadan. Very Professional and Great Service.
- Seaventures, +60 88 251 667. Great experience and good service.
- Big John Scuba, +60 12-838-5285, +60 89-785399 (Office). PADI courses. Malay, English, Chinese & German spoken.
- Borneo Global Sipadan Backpackers & Dive Centre, Ground Floor, Bangunan SeaFest, Jalan Causeway (In front of the jetty., +60 89 785088. A dive center. RM22.
Billabong Scuba, +60 128150909.
Scuba Junkie, +60 89785372. Biggest dive operation in Semporna, very friendly and professional, internationally experienced dive masters.
Singamata PADI Dive resort, +60 198430550.
Uncle Chang.
Sipadan Scuba, +60 89919148, +60 89784788. Only operator with fully functional online booking system to secure a diving permit for Sipadan. Very Professional and Great Service.
Seaventures, +60 88 251 667. Great experience and good service.
Big John Scuba, +60 12-838-5285, +60 89-785399 (Office). PADI courses. Malay, English, Chinese & German spoken.
Borneo Global Sipadan Backpackers & Dive Centre, Ground Floor, Bangunan SeaFest, Jalan Causeway (In front of the jetty., +60 89 785088. A dive center. RM22.
Unlike the Land Bajaus and Kadazan usually found in northern Sabah coastal areas, the Sea Bajaus which dominate Semporna celebrate Regatta Lepa-Lepa annually during the entire month of April. Being the focal point of Semporna's identity, the festival is of extreme importance to the locals and the State Government, in which the State's Head of State is always invited to grace the event. Regatta Lepa-Lepa is similar to dragon boat race in which different villages around Semporna will commission their own boats and decorate their boats for parade near the jetties. The culmination of this event is the Ratu Lepa pageant event .
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.
It's easy to find stalls selling local delicacies, like the following:
- 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 chicken), 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.
Chinese restaurants can be found easily in every block.
- Seaside Seafood Restaurant. Easily found because it is situated among the dive shop.
- Ocean Treasure Live Seafood Restaurant, +60 16 323 9009. This restaurant offers a wide varieties of live seafood and other Chinese cuisine at a fairly reasonable price. Being one of the only live seafood restaurant to offer a superb seaview just right outside its premise, this restaurant promises an unforgettable al fresco dining experience for everyone.
- Arthur's Bar. RM 15-25. Not on the cheap side, but well worth it. Fresh grilled seafood, choose from the stall in front of the bar and they'll bring it inside. As well as fish, squid and king prawns, they have rice, fried potatoes and garlic bread, the last being specially recommended.
Seaside Seafood Restaurant. Easily found because it is situated among the dive shop.
Ocean Treasure Live Seafood Restaurant, +60 16 323 9009. This restaurant offers a wide varieties of live seafood and other Chinese cuisine at a fairly reasonable price. Being one of the only live seafood restaurant to offer a superb seaview just right outside its premise, this restaurant promises an unforgettable al fresco dining experience for everyone.
Arthur's Bar. RM 15-25. Not on the cheap side, but well worth it. Fresh grilled seafood, choose from the stall in front of the bar and they'll bring it inside. As well as fish, squid and king prawns, they have rice, fried potatoes and garlic bread, the last being specially recommended.
The restaurant at the beginning of the causeway serves big mugs of fresh fruit juices (mango, honeydew, lychee and others) for RM 5.