Good to know
Good to Know
- Sipadan Island is highly regulated with only 120 permits per day; book well in advance (sometimes a year ahead) as it is consistently ranked among world's top 5 dive destinations
- Advanced Open Water certification is now mandatory for Sipadan diving (changed October 2022); beginners can take courses locally before attempting Sipadan
- Most island-hopping tours depart from Semporna town jetty around 8am and return in afternoon; many offer hotel pickups from water-based resorts
- July-September offers peak diving season with best visibility (20-40m) and calmest seas; November is closed for diving
- All major water activities require personal travel insurance covering diving/water sports; strongly recommended
- Bring adequate cash as ATMs in Semporna are unreliable and many tour operators prefer cash payment
- Snorkeling is excellent around Mabul, Sibuan, Mantabuan with opportunities to see turtles, reef fish, and macro marine life
- Kapalai island is known for macro diving (tiny critters like flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarinfish); Mataking better for larger reef life and coral gardens
- Wear sturdy, water-resistant hiking shoes with good grip for island trails; many paths are muddy or slippery, especially after rain
- Mosquitoes present in jungle areas; bring repellent for hiking activities
- Diving at Sipadan limited to 2 dives per day; many operators run 3-dive trips with 3rd dive at Mabul or Kapalai instead
Hiking
Bohey Dulang Island
- Access
- 30 minutes by speedboat from Semporna jetty
- Warnings
- Can be slippery after rain; bring water; wear proper hiking shoes; mosquito repellent recommended
- Difficulty
- Medium/easy
- Elevation Gain
- 600m (1,970 ft) to viewpoint; peak 353m but not open to hikers
- Conservation Fee
- MYR 10
- Estimated Duration
- 40 minutes to viewpoint, with longer routes available
- Description
- Most popular hiking destination in Semporna. Extinct volcanic crater with panoramic views of Tun Sakaran Marine Park and surrounding islands.
Equipment Rental
- Shoe Rental
- MYR 10
- Notes
- Rental includes socks; available at foot of mountain
Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Site
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Entrance Fee
- Free
- Estimated Duration
- 2-4 hours depending on route and exploration
- Notes
- Museum on-site; archaeological significance
- Description
- Archaeological site with hiking trail offering hidden trails and panoramic vistas. Includes museum.
Danawan Island
- Distance
- 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Estimated Duration
- 0.5-1 hour
- Description
- Easy coastal trail combining jungle forest and sandy beach with ocean views.
Mataking Island
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Notes
- Home to Malaysia's first underwater post office
- Description
- Leisurely walks around islands known as 'The Eyes of King' with white sand, stunning sunrise/sunset views.
Selakan Island
- Difficulty
- Easy-moderate
- Description
- Unique limestone platform landscape with mangroves, sandy beaches, and traditional Bajau Laut community.
Semporna Jetty
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Description
- Easy walking area along waterfront with sunrise/sunset viewing opportunities.
Water Sports
Scuba Diving
- Description
- World-class diving at Sipadan Island, Mabul, and Kapalai with 120 daily permits at Sipadan, diverse marine life, and multiple dive sites.
Cost
- Daily Jetty Fee
- MYR 10
- Day Trip Approximate
- MYR 300
- Notes
- Prices vary by operator; multi-day packages available
Details
- Conditions
- Year-round; July-September peak season with 20-40m visibility and 28-30°C (86°F) water temperature
- Dives Per Day
- Maximum 2 dives per day at Sipadan plus optional 3rd dive at Mabul/Kapalai
- Certification Required
- Advanced Open Water (minimum) for Sipadan
Locations
- Sipadan Island (20-30 min by speedboat)
- Mabul Island (nearby)
- Kapalai Island (nearby)
Snorkeling & Island Hopping
- Typical Schedule
- Depart ~8am, return afternoon, 2-3 island stops with snorkeling
- Description
- Day trips to multiple islands including Tun Sakaran Marine Park islands with snorkeling at various reef sites.
Cost
- Day Trip 3 Islands
- MYR 130
- Day Trip 3 Islands High End
- MYR 250
- Notes
- Typically includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, soft drinks
Locations
- Tun Sakaran Marine Park (Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, Sibuan)
- Mataking, Timba-Timba, Pom-Pom Islands
- Mabul and Kapalai
Kayaking
- Details
- Offered as part of multi-activity island tours
- Description
- Available through tour operators around islands and protected marine areas.
Parasailing & Paragliding
- Details
- Offered as optional activities in Semporna
- Description
- Water sports activities available through tour operators.
Stand-up Paddleboarding
- Details
- Offered through tour operators
- Description
- Water sports available around islands.
Parks Protected Areas
Tun Sakaran Marine Park
- Activities
- Island hopping, snorkeling, diving, hiking
- Description
- One of largest marine parks in Malaysia with 9 islands. Protected for marine conservation.
Islands
- Bohey Dulang
- Mantabuan
- Sibuan
- Selakan
- Pandanan
Permits Fees
- Conservation Fee Per Person
- MYR 10
- Notes
- Typically collected by tour operator; required for island visits
Cycling
Limited documented cycling infrastructure in Semporna proper; primarily water-based destination
Water Sports Note
No established winter sports day-trips or organized sport leagues documented for Semporna
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Semporna
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.