Town in Sabah, Malaysia
Semporna
Frontier-style dive town on Sabah's east coast, the base for Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai. Great diving and cheap food; the town itself is rough, and governments advise caution on this coast.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$979–1,590Comfortable, one person · RM4,000–6,500Details
- Value for money63/100Better value than 62% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–SepWarmest: Apr, 29°CDetails
- Internet179 MbpsFixed broadband, Malaysia medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledNo safe tap water; buy bottled water or use refill stations.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$7.3–19.6Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundShared van or taxi from TawauWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashMostly cash; resorts and dive shops take cards but add fees.Details
Where to stay in Semporna
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Semporna town and waterfront | Dive shops, budget hotels, jetty and seafood |
| Mabul and Kapalai islands | Resort stays with close access to Sipadan |
Apps that work in Semporna
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps or Waze
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Touch 'n Go: Card for trains, buses and tolls
- Taxis: No ride apps. Use local taxis with agreed fares; dive operators handle island transfers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Malaysia.
- Mostly cash Mostly cash; resorts and dive shops take cards but add fees. ATMs in town are limited, so withdraw in Tawau or Kota Kinabalu.
- Currency: Ringgit (MYR). US$1 ≈ RM4.08 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many bank ATMs add no local fee for foreign cards; your own bank's fees still apply. Decline currency conversion offers.
- Tipping: Not expected; many restaurants add a 10% service charge plus SST. Round up or leave small change for good service.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay widely accepted; DuitNow QR works with linked apps like Alipay+ and some Asian banking apps.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days before arrival; Singaporeans are exempt. Fake MDAC sites charge fees.
- Passports need six months' validity; officers can ask for an onward ticket and proof of funds.
- Sabah and Sarawak run their own immigration control, so you are checked again flying in from the peninsula.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 994 · All emergencies 999
Plugs
Type G · 240 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters and convenience stores sell prepaid SIMs with large data plans; passport registration required. eSIMs are widely available. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Malaysia
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.