Semporna

Diving possibilities:
Cost indication:
Guide mandatory:	yes
Country:	Malaysia
Sea:	Sulu Sea

The gateway to idyllic islands

Semporna is situated on a lovely bay with beautiful white sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees. From this town you can reach the paradise-like islands Mabul and Sipadan.

About Semporna
Semporna lies in the east of Sabah on the island of Borneo. The population is mainly Bajau, a people of former sea nomads who live in houses built on stilts above the water. Chinese merchants played a large role in the economic development of this isolated town. The Kaya Pearl Farm was set up in 1963 and produces pearls for the international market. The company operates thousands of hectares of “pearl fields” in the sea.

Sea Nomads
The Bajau formerly lived as sea nomads. They lived with their families on houseboats. Recently these sea nomads have moved to the coast near Semporna.They still live close to the water, in houses built on stilts. Mostly they live off what the sea provides. As evening falls, you will see the Bajau turning homeward in their lepa boats, which look like catamarans. Every April, the Water Festival of Regatta Lepa is held. Then the Bajau sail to the town with handsomely decked out lepa boats and their traditional junkong boats.

Diving Semporna
Off the coast near Semporna, in the beautiful blue water of the Sulu Sea, lie colourful coral reefs where you can dive and snorkel. However, Semporna is mainly the ideal starting point for a visit to the islands of Pulau Mabul and Pulau Sipadan.