I'm back in Semporna, and my consumption perspective has collapsed.
In a corner of the world, there is a pure land that is especially favored by God - Semporna. When the northern hemisphere is shrouded in winter, it is still sunny and warm here, making it a great choice for winter travel. The jewel-blue waters, the snow-white beaches, the lush and verdant rainforests, and the Bajau villages floating on the sea, each exudes a fascinating charm, attracting countless travelers to explore.
Preliminary preparation
Documents: Passport (make sure it is valid for more than 6 months), visa (Malaysia e-visa can be applied for).
Clothing: Semporna is hot all year round, so prepare light and breathable summer clothes, such as short sleeves, shorts, short skirts, etc. Also bring a thin jacket to prevent the air-conditioned room or the coolness at night. Don’t forget your swimsuit, goggles, diving socks, and brightly colored dresses for taking photos!
Sun protection: high-factor sunscreen, sun protection clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, the sunshine in Semporna is very "warm" 🌞
Others: mosquito repellent (there are more mosquitoes in tropical areas), common medicines (cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc.), underwater camera (to record the dreamy underwater world).
City Transportation
Airport to city: From Tawau Airport to Semporna Town, you can book a pick-up service in advance. The price is about RM100-150 per car and the journey takes about 1 hour. You can also take the airport bus, which is relatively cheap, 25-30 MYR per person, but you need to wait at the airport for the bus to be full.
Transportation within the town: Semporna town is small and most places can be reached on foot. If you want to go somewhere farther away, you can choose to take a motorcycle (called "electric motorcycle" on Grab), the price is around 5-10 Malaysian ringgit; there are also taxis, but there are fewer of them and the price needs to be negotiated in advance.
8 must-see attractions
Sipadan: Known as "the world's premier diving paradise", it has underwater cliffs with a vertical drop of more than 600 meters, colorful coral reefs, and rich and diverse marine life, such as turtles, sharks, jack fish storms, etc., making diving enthusiasts feel as if they are in a dream underwater kingdom🤿 However, Sipadan limits the number of people going to the island every day, and you need to book a spot in advance through a regular diving center.
Mataking Island: It consists of Big Mataking Island and Small Mataking Island. It is a great place for leisure, vacation and diving. The beach here is fine and white, the sea water is crystal clear, and you can see all kinds of cute marine creatures, such as clownfish and starfish. The resort on the island has complete facilities and considerate services, making it the best choice for enjoying a leisurely time🏝️
Kapalai Island: Kapalai Island is a floating resort with unique water houses. Here, you can enjoy the unparalleled sea view directly in the room, or you can participate in snorkeling activities and watch the wonderful world of the underwater world up close. In the evening, you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset on the beach and feel the romantic island atmosphere🌅
Mabul Island: Mabul Island is an island full of cultural atmosphere, with Bajau villages on the island. You can visit their traditional lifestyle and experience a different cultural atmosphere. At the same time, the waters around Mabul Island are also a good place for diving and snorkeling, where you can see all kinds of exotic marine life, such as blue-ringed octopus, sea hare, etc.🐙
Tun Sakaran Marine Park: This is a marine park consisting of 8 small islands with spectacular sea views and rich marine ecology. Here, you can go to Pearl Island and overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire ocean park; you can also snorkel on Mandabuan Island and Gunkanjima and have close contact with the sea. There are also various water activities in the park, such as kayaking, banana boats, etc., allowing you to enjoy the fun of the sea 🚣♀️
Semporna Town: Although Semporna Town is not big, it is full of life. There is a lively seafood market here. You can choose fresh seafood and have it processed by local restaurants to taste authentic seafood meals. There are also various specialty shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, etc. You may find a lot of surprises when you take a look around.
Pom Pom Island: Pom Pom Island is a tranquil and beautiful island with large white sand beaches and clear waters. The resort here has a beautiful environment and complete facilities, making it suitable for vacation and leisure. On Bang Bang Island, you can also participate in the turtle protection project, learn about the living habits of turtles, and help the little turtles return to the sea with your own hands, which is very meaningful🐢
Timba Timba Island: Timba Timba Island is a small island with relatively few tourists and retains its original natural scenery. The water here is clear and transparent with extremely high visibility, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving. On the island, you can get away from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the quiet island time, and feel the beauty of nature🌊
Local food
Seafood feast: Semporna’s seafood is definitely not to be missed! Crabs, lobsters, mantis shrimps, grouper and other fresh seafood are all affordable and delicious. You can choose to buy it at the seafood market, and then go to a nearby restaurant for processing. You can choose from a variety of methods such as steamed, spicy, pepper and salt, etc., so that you can enjoy a feast🦀
Satay: This is a traditional Malaysian delicacy. The marinated meat skewers are grilled over charcoal and served with a fragrant satay sauce. It has a rich flavor and aroma. Semporna's satay has chicken, beef, lamb and other flavors, you must try it🥩
Nasi Lemak: A national delicacy of Malaysia, it is made by steaming rice with coconut milk and pairing it with fried chicken, peanuts, cucumber, eggs, etc. It has a rich taste and is full of coconut aroma. A bowl of nasi lemak can let you experience the unique flavor of Malaysia🍚
Pulled tea: a special drink whose production process is like a performance. The chef pulls the milk tea back and forth in the air to make it more delicate and smooth. Semporna's milk tea has a rich taste, sweet but not greasy, it is a thirst-quenching and delicious drink☕
Durian: Semporna has a wide variety of durians with rich flavor and plump flesh. If you are a durian lover, don't miss the durian feast here and enjoy the unique charm of the "king of fruits"🥭
stay
Semporna Town: There are various accommodation options and the prices are relatively affordable. There are various economical hotels and homestays to choose from, suitable for travelers with a limited budget. Living in the town makes travel more convenient, with many delicious restaurants and shops nearby, but the sea view is not as good as that of an island resort.
Island resorts: resorts on islands such as Sipadan, Mataking, Kapalai, etc., have beautiful environments and complete facilities, allowing you to fully enjoy the leisurely time of island vacation. But the price is higher and reservation is required in advance. Resorts generally include food, accommodation and some water activities, and the all-inclusive model is very worry-free.
Precautions
Respect local culture: Malaysia is a multicultural country that respects local religious beliefs and customs. For example, you must dress appropriately when entering a mosque and women must wear headscarves.
Safety issues: The overall security in Semporna is good, but you must pay attention to safety when visiting the beach, follow the arrangements of the tour guide or staff, and do not go to dangerous areas alone. When diving, you should choose a regular diving center and instructor to ensure your own safety.
Environmental awareness: The beautiful scenery of Semporna needs everyone's joint protection. Do not discard garbage at will. Do not touch coral reefs and marine life when diving. Protect the marine environment🌊
Weather changes: Semporna has a tropical climate, the weather is changeable and it may rain at any time. It is best to bring rain gear when traveling, and pay attention to sun protection and mosquito repellent.
🌅Semporna, this charming island town, is unforgettable whether it is the stunning sea view, rich food or unique culture. When you set foot on this land, you will gain a fantastic travel memory and leave a beautiful mark for your whole life. Come to Semporna and start your winter island trip!