Tawau Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Semporna, Malaysia | Go to a warm place to see the sea

After a busy year and the arrival of winter, do you also want to find a warm place facing the sea, where spring is in full bloom? Consider going to the fairy-like Semporna! Before going to Semporna, know these before you set off, especially for families with children‼️ ✈️Transportation: Semporna is a small town under Tawau, including Semporna town and surrounding islands. To get to Semporna, you usually have to transfer flights. Fly from domestic cities to Kuala Lumpur/Kota Kinabalu and then transfer to Tawau Airport. Then take a car for about 70 minutes to reach Semporna town. For those staying on the island resorts, take the corresponding speedboat. Starting from January 23, there is a direct flight from Nanjing to Tawau, which is very convenient with a 5h direct flight. 💞Language: There are many Chinese in Malaysia and they are very willing to communicate in Chinese. But if you are asking for directions, it is recommended to ask in English place names, as locals do not understand transliterated place names. Those who are worried that their English is not good enough can download a translation software in advance, and it is completely sufficient with gestures➕translation software. 💖Should you join a group tour for the first time? Even if it's your first time going there, and you don't speak English, there's no need to join a group. Semporna is not big, you can travel freely or find a professional customizer, design a route, book a hotel and itinerary, and you can have a lot of fun. 💝About currency Bring cash and visa card, Semporna mainly uses cash, you can exchange at the airport and banks in the town. ☀About the weather December-January is the rainy season, but the island weather there, the rain comes quickly and goes quickly, it rarely rains for a long time, it does not affect travel, and it does not affect the view of the glass sea. 🌟About entry materials You need to carry the following materials for entry: a passport valid for more than 6 months, a round-trip ticket electronic itinerary, a hotel itinerary, and an electronic entry card. Fill in the electronic entry card within three days before arriving in Malaysia. 🚔About safety There are military forces stationed on various islands in Semporna, and there are patrols at sea. Island hopping trips require registration at the dock. 🏠About accommodation Accommodation in Semporna mainly includes island resorts, town hotels, town holiday villas, and you can also find local homestays. If you have a sufficient budget for island vacations, go directly to Madajing, Mabu Island Water House and Kapalai. If your budget is average, you can consider a hotel on the island (Bantanan Akadia and Santorini), Bangbang Island Dragon Ball and White Pearl, Mabu Borneo Resort. There are also some special water houses (such as Frozen Sea, Crystal, Coral Sea, etc.) to choose from. Conditions in Semporna town are very average, hotels🈚star concept, if you need convenience, it is recommended to live near the dock (such as Yongda, Lighthouse, Xin Pali, grace sea view🌊, etc., eating, drinking, and living are very convenient; if you want quiet, it is recommended to live in a holiday villa farther from the dock (such as Pineapple Sea, Manju Lin She). ☎Many people plan to travel during the winter and spring festival after visa-free, many resorts are already full on popular dates, whether it's air tickets or accommodation island hopping, it is recommended to book early.

A low-key tourist destination! Semporna

Located in a county of Tawau City, Sabah, Malaysia, Semporna is an underestimated resort. Once just a small fishing village that couldn't be found on the map, it has now developed into a world-famous underwater tourism center. Semporna has nearly twenty islands of different sizes, including the overwater bungalow Kapalai Island known in Southeast Asia, the one-island-one-hotel Mabul, the home of the sea gypsies Mabul Island, the hometown of sea fish Bum Bum Island, and the Tun Sakaran where you can overlook the panorama of Semporna. Each island has its unique features. Here are some recommended islands: Bum Bum Island: This is a typical private island with pure white beaches and a variety of beach houses and overwater bungalows to choose from. There are two resorts on the island. Mataking Island: This island is larger in area, lush in vegetation, without overwater bungalows, only sea view and garden view cottages, very suitable for experiencing deep diving. Kapalai Island: Strictly speaking, this is not an island, but a sandbar. The resorts on the island are all small wooden houses built on the water, which are popular honeymoon destinations for couples. In addition, Tun Sakaran also has a marine park with eight islands of different sizes, including Gaya Island, Sleeping Beauty Island, Mandabuan and Meiga Island. Except for the military island where troops are stationed, the other three islands all have Bajau villages.

Floating peacefully on the azure sea, the romantic overwater bungalows are the perfect companion in Sabah, Malaysia

Located in the Kapalai Resort in Sabah, Malaysia, it offers an excellent place to create a romantic vacation - overwater bungalows: Floating on the sea surface, it is surrounded by the sparkling sea at 360 degrees. The room is well-lit, and the facilities in the house are complete, super romantic and comfortable. The underwater world is within reach, and various beautiful marine life can be observed at close range. At night, the sea is starry, dotted with stars and coral reefs, as if floating between heaven and earth. The restaurant offers delicious dishes, and the sea view is in full view when dining, which is extremely romantic. Here, enjoying the romance of the sea with your loved one will definitely become an unforgettable memory.

BEST PLACE EVER!

#exploreasia Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort Highlight - The most romantic Island with water chalet. A few minutes by boat from Mabul. This resort is accessible through Semporna, Sabah Malaysia where our Pulau Sipadan Resort and Tours jetty office is. Dive spots are extremely close and can be reached in just a few minutes by speedboat and some of them, actually just by swimming from the dive center pier. #awesomepic

Must-see in Semporna: These activities will make you fall in love with this place instantly!

Semporna (Semporna) is a small town in Sabah, Malaysia, located in the north of Borneo. This is the main departure point to the world-famous diving spots - Sipadan Island and Mabul Island. Here are some activities you must try when traveling in Semporna: 🏊🏻‍♂️Diving: Semporna is one of the world-famous diving spots, with rich marine life and spectacular coral reefs. You can take diving courses here, or choose to follow a professional diving team for deep-sea diving. 🏄🏻‍♀️Snorkeling: If you don't have a diving certificate, you can also choose snorkeling. Mabul Island and Sipadan Island are good places for snorkeling, where you can observe various tropical fish and corals up close. ⛰️Island Tour: In addition to diving and snorkeling, you can also choose to participate in island tours. In one day, you can visit multiple islands, including Mabul Island, Sipadan Island, Manta Bay, etc. 🏃🏻‍♂️Hiking: There are many beautiful hiking routes around Semporna, you can choose to join a local hiking group, or explore on your own. 🏄🏻‍♂️ Water Activities: In Semporna, you can also participate in various water activities, such as kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, etc. 🍱 Taste local cuisine: The seafood in Semporna is very fresh and delicious, you can taste a variety of seafood feasts in local restaurants. 💃🏻Shopping: In Semporna, you can buy various handicrafts and souvenirs, such as wood carvings, shell crafts, etc.

Sipadan｜Go to the diver's dream island of love

Traveling, isn't it just to leave behind a youthful face? Compared to listening and watching, I prefer to go and feel the world. When everything around me becomes numb from repetition, take a step forward, feel the vast sea and the salty air, and realize that life takes a very long time. In February, I embarked on a trip to Malaysia, only to pursue the blue paradise in my heart. Heading to the island, just to fulfill my long-awaited diving dream. As the world's number one diving spot, I naturally won't miss Sipadan. A five-meter beach extends into the sea, with a deep blue ocean dropping vertically six to seven hundred meters behind it. Sipadan Island, the world's top five cliff diving destination, stands quietly on the sea surface. The underwater world of Sipadan is as beautiful as a movie, with crystal clear water. As you dive, thousands of fish swim past you, and you can feel the colors of the sea change from shallow to deep. Various shapes of corals, anemones, and huge schools of fish made up of thousands of white fish and other fish fill your eyes. I wish I could capture every frame of what I see in my memory. Not only that, here you have the chance to see the Jackfish Storm and Sea Wolf Storm that you usually enjoy in travel magazines and documentaries. The elegant fusion of marine life and the blue sea is truly worthy of the title "God's Aquarium" and is definitely a must-visit destination in your lifetime. In addition, there is a water-dwelling ethnic group called the Bao Yao tribe living in the area. They are a Southeast Asian ethnic group living in the waters between the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and they live on boats throughout their lives. They mainly make a living by diving and fishing, and are often referred to as "sea gypsies", the last surviving oceanic nomadic tribe. If we happen to meet on a boat, it would be especially romantic. Accommodation recommendation: Mabudao Resort Borneo Divers Mabul Resort Dive in Sipadan, stay on Mabul Island just 15 minutes away by boat. This is a pure beach house resort, nestled under a coconut grove. The resort is well-equipped, with not only private and highly confidential guest rooms, but also fresh water showers, three meals a day, tea and snacks, and diving travel services. Live in a comfortable vacation home, immersed between coconut groves and the blue sea, like a paradise on earth. After check-in, there is no need to worry about what to eat every day, the resort's self-service three meals, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat are perfectly matched. If you don't want to go to the sea on weekdays, it is quite comfortable to soak in the swimming pool under the coconut trees. At night, you can also lie on the terrace of the room to watch the stars, or lie on the beach to listen to the waves and feel the night of the island~

Blue Skies-Green Ocean-White Sandy Beach 🏝️

#2023travelwish Sipadan Kapalai Resort, Tawau, Sabah, MY This is a private resort located in the middle of the ocean which required a 1.5 hour of boat rides from Semporna Jetty. Non stay in guest cannot enter the resort. Only registered guest can come to this resort. So, it is very private and less crowded compared to other resort. Every where you see here is very beautiful and it felt magical. The water is very clear and you can see the animal sea swimming. Imagine waking up in the morning and you can see turtle pass through under your chalet. Star fish is playing under your clear canoe. And you can see a lot of sea species during snorkelling. Playing with a sparkling white sand and watching a beautiful sunset at the deck, it’s and idyllic beach getaway. This resort should be in every one travel bucket list. It’s worth all the money and time you spent to come here. For 2023, i wish to visit Maldives which is well known for its crystal water and variety shades of blue water. #2023travelwish #resortstyle #mytripvlog

The Heaven On Earth- Sipadan Kapalai

#resortstyle @ Sipadan Kapalai Resort, Tawau , Sabah, MY No words can describe the beauty of this place. If you’re looking for a remote place , a quiet environment, nature sound, fresh air, in the middle of the ocean. This is the right place for you. Enjoy the blue ocean view from everywhere at the resort. From your room balcony, your bed, and even from your bath tub. And you will never get tired of the blue. #mytripvlog #tripblazers #awesomepic #couplestrip

Beautiful sunset from signal Hill Kota Kinabalu and amazing mural art around Kota Kinabalu city#kotakinabalu #tripblazers #fastaaticview #gayastreetkk #bukitbendera #MyTripVlog #tripblazers #beautifulsunsets

The Marriot Hotel @ Kota Kinabalu

The Marriot Hotel @ BKI, Sabah 🇲🇾 Highly recommended hotel with superb nice view hotel and all the staff is friendly and helpful Located just at the center of city with a lot of amenities nearby and everywhere. Such as cafe, restaurant, clinic, shopping center such as Imago, Suria Sabah, Jesselton Duty Free Mall, Center Point Mall and etc. If you need an personal driver, you can also easily find. The most important part is, if you are seafood lovers you shud really come and visit Sabah because the seafood is super fresh and CHEAP! 💗💗❤️ #sabahan #tripblazers #fallingforfall #mytripvlog #awesomepic #couplestrip

KK Hotel Promenade

The hotel is only 10 minutes drive from the airport but it is right in the city area. Walking distance to the night market and the view from the room is simply stunning. Check in n out was also a breeze. #kotakinabalu

Travel Is About Happiness

The only time you will be forgetting how hard you were and what’s the challenges coming future, certain or uncertainty, enjoy the moment in the sky. #malaysiaairlines #mas

Pantai Mas-Mas Vibes

Pantai Mas-Mas Located at Tawau, Sabah…The view and the vibes is like safe and sound 😍… Getting There - 4x4 Car. The road is not good Attraction- Sea & Sand. -Camping Ground -Fishing Food- Coconut, Crab, Prawn

Nasip Kita Campsite ⛺️

Weekend gateway at Nasip Kita Water Village! Place to chill with family and friends. 15KM from Tawau Airport and the road can be access with small car. Very interesting place to visit! . #weekend #staycation

Nasi Ganja Tawau

Tawau…The city with lovely people and food! Getting There - Grab ( Tawau- Cage Ibu Ranggu) Attractions - Food and Coffe (Nasi Ganja From Ipoh to Tawau) Hotels - Royal Borneo Hotel Tawau Food & Restaurants - Cafe Ibu #awesomepic

Tawau and Semporna

##tawauhealing #awesomepic i love to come here ! i will repeat again ! This place so beautiful and so many good people here ! Please come to sabah especially tawau and semporna guys !! Very good place for healing 🤣 #couplestrip #deliciousfood #healing #tawau ##semporna #awesome Love this placeee!!!#niceday #awesomepic #couplestrip #deliciousfood #nice

#awesomepic 👍👍🫰🫰🫰😍😍😍Address:TabeL SunGai ImaN TaWau SaBaH

Being close with nature at Tawau Hills Park

To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled at all to learn we were stopping over at Tawau Hills Park during my Sabah trip and that was because I hate leeches and was told the leeches here can be pretty aggressive…. But curiousity over nature and the idea of catching sight of a rare red leaf langur as well as the very close hike to the table waterfall made me tag along and I had an awesome time at Tawau Hills Park!!! And yes, we saw a pill bug, the red leaf langur and some lantern bugs all in the space of a short time!!!! And lucky for me, no leeches as we decided not to venture too deep…that and me running like a psycho everytime there was a small trail cos I was bare legged and did not come with any anti leech spray or leech socks…. Tawau Hills Park is actually an excellent alternative to the super pricey rainforests that are the primary tourist draws - Danum Valley and Maliau Basin… next time I want to explore further but of course be better prepared for a hike or the trail… #sabahtourism #feelsabah #livelifelah #tawauhillpark #sabahnationalpark

#awesomepic #summervacation tawau hill park, summer vacation, beautiful viewing from the top of the hill. Enjoyable moments with family trip🥰🥰🥰

Short escape to Tawau Hills Park 🪵🌿

The best place to run away from bustling city with your family, friends and beloved one, ppl can go for bbq & camping as site is provided. Amazingly recommended 🌟 #tawau hills park #waterfall #campingsite #bbqsite #hiking