Semporna
Travelers come for scuba diving and snorkeling around Sipadan, Mabul and other islands, and for a coastal town where many Bajau families live in stilt villages.
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Semporna is the main town of its district, on the tip of the Semporna Peninsula in Sabah, the Malaysian side of Borneo. The town sits in the Tawau Division, and a bridge over the Pegagau River, Jambatan Pegagau, links the peninsula to the mainland. Most trips from town go out to sea. It is the base for diving and snorkeling at Sipadan, about 36 km southeast of town, and at nearby islands including Mabul, Mataking, Kapalai and Pom Pom.
The district is mostly Bajau. Many families live in stilt villages built over the water and on the edge of town, and Bajau Laut, also called Sea Gypsies, have traditionally lived largely on boats. Seafood is the main food, and the Regatta Lepa boat races are held every April. Rain falls through the year with no especially dry month, so leave a spare day in your plans. Semporna suits divers, snorkelers and anyone who wants several days on the water. Plan several nights for the islands, and add more if you dive.
Semporna in five
- Book Sipadan dive permits earlySipadan access is limited by daily permits managed by Sabah Parks, so trips fill up. Book through a licensed operator before you travel, not on arrival.Tours and tickets
- Set up the transfer from TawauMost visitors fly into Tawau and continue to Semporna by road. Arrange the transfer before you land, because a late flight can leave you without a ride.
- Carry ringgit in cashCarry ringgit for boat payments, island stalls and small eateries. Withdraw it in town before you leave for the islands.Money and costs
- Get a data plan before the islandsBuy a SIM or eSIM on the mainland and download offline maps before you board a boat.Phones and eSIM
- Pack for rain in every monthSemporna has heavy rainfall throughout the year, with no truly dry season. Pack a rain jacket and keep phones and documents in dry bags on boat days.
Things to do in Semporna
See all attractions in SempornaNeed to know
- Currency
- Ringgit (MYR)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; fill in the MDAC arrival card before you land Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, ambulance and fire; 112 also works on mobiles
- Tipping
- Not expected; check the bill for a service charge
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rain, rough seasJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 235 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, rough seas
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rain, rough seasFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, rough seas
- MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Calmer seasMarchRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer seas
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Regatta LepaAprilRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Regatta Lepa
- MayRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Calmer seasMayRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 266 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer seas
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Calmer seasJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 268 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer seas
- JulyRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low25°Heavy rainJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 249 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Heavy rain
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Heavy rainAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 216 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Heavy rainSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 228 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rain, seas easingOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 266 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, seas easing
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rough seasNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 242 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rough seas
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rain, rough seasDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, rough seas
Average daily high and low in Semporna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Semporna
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 95%
Semporna
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°25°95%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Wed31°25°90%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Thu30°25°93%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Fri32°25°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat30°25°96%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun32°24°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Updated 04:17 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Pulau Sipadanabout 36 km southeast of townThe main diving destination of the district, reached by boat.Read the guide
- Pulau Mabulboat from town; time set by operatorA diving and snorkeling island with operators based on the island.Read the guide
- Pulau Bum Bumboat from town; time set by operatorA small island for diving and snorkeling close to the reef.Read the guide
Before you go to Semporna
Rules for Semporna, checked
- Fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you land, and check entry rules on the Immigration Department of Malaysia site (imi.gov.my).
- Do not touch, collect or remove coral or marine life in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, which Sabah Parks manages.
- Ask before you photograph people in the stilt villages, and dress modestly when you visit mosques in town.
Plan around Semporna
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malaysia trip
Read the guideSabahThe state that holds Semporna, its regions and main routes
Read the guideGetting around SabahRoad, boat and air options from Tawau to the islands
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the arrival card before you fly in
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for food, boats and stays
Read the guideWhere to stayTown, village edge and island options for a Semporna base
Read the guideSemporna FAQ
How do you get to Semporna?
Most visitors fly into Tawau and continue by road to Semporna. Arrange the transfer before you land, since a late flight can leave you without a driver.
Is Semporna worth visiting?
Yes if you want to dive or snorkel in the islands around town, especially Sipadan, Mabul and Pulau Bum Bum. If you only want quiet beaches and sightseeing, it is a weaker choice.
Do you need a permit to dive Sipadan?
Yes. Sipadan access is controlled by Sabah Parks with daily limits, so book through a licensed dive operator well before your trip.
When is the best time to visit Semporna?
Semporna has heavy rain in every month, so no season is dry. Seas are usually calmer from March to June, and the Regatta Lepa boat races in April are a major local event.
How many days do you need in Semporna?
Plan at least a few nights if you dive, because permits and boat schedules set the pace. A single day is only enough for a town visit.
Who are the Bajau people?
Most residents of Semporna are Bajau, many living in stilt villages over the water. Bajau Laut are a sea people, many of whom live on boats and fish the reefs.