Semporna Travel Guide

  Beautiful Sunset on Pom Pom Island
by hart007
 
  • Beautiful Sunset on Pom Pom Island
      Beautiful Sunset on Pom Pom Island
    by hart007
  • Green Turtle underwater on Pom Pom
      Green Turtle underwater on Pom Pom
    by hart007
  • Turtles are abundant
      Turtles are abundant
    by hart007
  • Planting coral to repair the reef
      Planting coral to repair the reef
    by hart007
  • Fanatastic coral reefs
      Fanatastic coral reefs
    by hart007
 

Explore Semporna

Things to Do  

Get involved with helping to Save the reef.

Get involved with helping to Save the reef., Semporna

 hart007 Says:  The Tropical Research and Conservation Centre on Pom Pom Island off Semporna is a great place to learn about the underwater world at the same time as you help save part of the Planet. TRACC is run by marine conservationists for volunteers and visitors to learn and... 

Not much except fish market

Not much except fish market, Semporna

 Sambawalk Says:  There is nothing in Semporna, except coming here for scuba diving or snorkelling. There is a fish markt and a mosque. 

Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving, Semporna

 camelweed Says:  Some of the best diving available only a 1 hour boat ride to some of the best diving sites, such as Sipadan, Mabul and Sibaun Islands. There are pently of beaches to sit back and relax 

Diving in Sipidan

Diving in Sipidan, Semporna

 Corriander Says:  We arrived in Semporna having booked into the City Inn Hotel (50 MR per night with air con and private bathroom, 8 minute walk from main diving outlets). We shopped around for diving in Sipidan and found that anything in the Lonely Planet was booked for days. We therefore... 

Diving Diving Diving!!

Diving Diving Diving!!, Semporna

 tsuey Says:  There is practically nothing much to do in Semporna. But you should go to the islands close by like Sipadan (famous for the wall diving) which is about 45 mins on a boat. You should definitely scuba dive or snorkel in the islands. It's worth every penny. You will not miss a... 

Hotels  

Dragon Inn: Hotel on stilts

Dragon Inn: Hotel on stilts, Semporna

 lotharscheer Says:  Semporna has not much selection of exiting Hotels, Dragon Inn is a good choice in terms value for mone , has also dormitory, definately not luxury, a bit unusual, the restaurant is not bad. The place is built on stits, about 700 meters from the bus terminal and the town... 

Dragon Inn: It's not how much I paid, I care more how I spent

Dragon Inn: It's not how much I paid, I care more how I spent, Semporna

 cgf Says:  I stayed here just one night.Bed was not confortable, A/C with a lot of noise was not working well, during the night was cooler outside than inside the room. We could not leave open as mice were running outside.The poorest breakfast I ever had in my life.update Jan 2010For... 

Seafast Hotel: "The First Business Class Hotel in Semporna

Seafast Hotel: "The First Business Class Hotel in Semporna, Semporna

 chiabh Says:  The hotel is at the end of the road and is surrounded by sea on three sides... The village of the Sea Bajaus is just acrosss the waters... The hotel has 63 rooms and suites... It has all the basic amendities for a 3* hotel including central air-conditioning, IDD telephone,... 

Lee's Resthouse: Budget stay with clean room

Lee's Resthouse: Budget stay with clean room, Semporna

 Sambawalk Says:  I didn't stay here. Instead I stayed in its sister's hotel - Sipadan Inn (RM85 Oct 2008). The rate here is RM60 per night. I saw pics of the room and they are clean. The reception area is small, but centrally located in the city with nearby local restaurant.There are some... 

Sipadan Inn: Good service and attentive

Sipadan Inn: Good service and attentive, Semporna

 Sambawalk Says:  I stayed in Room#6 for 5 nights. It has window facing the sea. Room was clean and service daily. When I complained on certain matters, the reception had it fixed immediately. Good service with adequate air-con. You can have breakfast in the nearly local restaurant. Room rate... 

Dragon Inn: Overrated "Floating hotel"

Dragon Inn: Overrated "Floating hotel", Semporna

 bluntman82 Says:  The dorm rooms in Dragon Inn have about 15 beds, and only 2 fans. At night the mosquitoes are swarming everywhere, so you either need a mosquito net or to spray yourself every 2 hours throughout the night. There are also loads of rats that will bite trough anything in search... 

Scuba Junkie Backpackers: so far so good...

Scuba Junkie Backpackers: so far so good..., Semporna

 tsuey Says:  My stay here was good. It wasn't 5 star or 4 star. But it was a cosy place to stay. They serve you english breakfast - toast, eggs, baked beans, banana, juice, coffee, tea, milk etc...The rooms are ranged from how much you want to pay. They give you a deal, if you dive with... 

Restaurants  

Ocean Treasure Live Seafood Restaurant: Live Seafood with a superb seaview
Scubadivingfanatic profile photo
Scubadivingfanatic 1 reviews

This is probably the only restaurant which stands out in the quiet town of Semporna!

Located just beside Sipadan Inn II, this newly opened restaurant is located in the relatively new development area along the sea, hence giving it a superb paranomic seaview. The street which it is located is lined with restaurants, mainly malay cuisine and it is the only chinese restaurant here that offers a wide varieties of live seafood such as lobsters, crabs, fishes and shellfishes!

Ambience is very casual and simple with an al fresco style dining. Suitable for couples on honeymoon or family with kids and it is one of the most spacious and lively restaurant located in semporna.

I am surprised with the quality of food being served here. The food quality and standard is definitely one of the best in Semporna! The manager has been equally friendly and helpful in translating some malay words for me.

The pricing in this restaurant is fairly reasonable considering that it is the only restaurant that serve live seafood right to your table.

Will definitely visit this restaurant again on my next trip back to Semporna!

Favorite Dish: My favourite dish is the wet butter lobster. Simply tender & delicious with the butter sauce to die for!

Written Jul 3, 2012

Address: Located beside Sipandan Inn II hotel

Related to:
 Diving and Snorkeling

Was this review helpful?

Transportation  

From Tawau airport to Semporna

From Tawau airport to Semporna, Semporna

 Sambawalk Says:  I arrived Tawau airport at about 8pm and I took a fixed rate taxi from airport to Semporna fro RM95 (Oct 08). See more pic for taxi receipt. There are taci to Tawau city and other places. The journey to Semporna is about 1-1.5 hours, depending how fast the driver drives. My... 

Bus from Semporna to Sandakan / KK

Bus from Semporna to Sandakan / KK, Semporna

 Sambawalk Says:  There are daily bus from Semporna to Sandakan and to KK. 1 bus to Sandakan departing 7:30am for RM40 (Oct 08) and the journey time is about 4-5 hours. Bus to KK departing 7:30 am and &:30pm for RM 75 (Oct 08) and journey time is about 9 hours.There are two bus companies... 

What to Pack  

entertainment are hard to find
tsuey profile photo
tsuey 3 reviews

Miscellaneous: Should bring some form of entertainment when you are in Semporna. There is nothing to do here but dive. But if you are not diving, there is absolutely nothing to do. So make sure you bring an MP3 player, game boy or even PSP or etc...

Written Jan 16, 2007

Was this review helpful?

Comments

Map of Semporna