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Semporna
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Semporna is a city on east coast of Sabah. It has a population of around 135,000. While there is not much to see and do in Semporna itself, it is frequently used as a gateway for diving and snorkeling trips to the nearby islands of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking~, Maiga and others.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Most travellers take a flight to Tawau, then travel overland by taxi (Tawau airport to Semporna town at RM 150).
[edit] By bus
From Kota Kinabalu: Direct from Inanam station to Semporna (or Tawau), 8-10 hrs, 50 MYR one-way. Departs 7:30AM & 7:30PM. To get to Inanam station you can take the public bus from the long distance bus station in KK city on Jalan Padang (Bus #3 to "Terminal" or "Inanam", purple bus stop, 20 min, 1.50 MYR) to the Inanam bus station, or a taxi (~20 MYR). Call 088-384701 or 088-384702 to book tickets for the Dyana Bus to Semporna. Note that in high season (Jun-Aug) these buses fill up fast so book at least a day in advance.
From Sandakan: there is a direct bus to Semporna at 8:00am (5 hrs, 40 MYR). If you miss the direct bus, you can also try taking a bus to Lahad Datu (at least 1:00pm, 18RM), and from there take a minibus to Semporna (leaves when it's full, 24RM).
From Sepilok: Take a taxi to Sandakan and take the 8:00AM bus from there. Taxi can be booked through your accommodation in Sepilok for ~30 MYR pp (shared), and takes 1 hour.
From Kinabatangan River: Let your tour agent drop you off on a busstation (or a bus stand) on the main road to Semporna. There your tour guide might also help you finding a bus to Semporna: either the one heading straight to Semporna (a bus passing by that left from Sandakan early in the morning) or, when you missed that bus or when it is full, a minibus to Lahad Datu. From Lahad Datu you can catch another minibus to Semporna. Costs for the minibusses are about RM 20,- to Lahad Datu and RM 29,- from Lahad Datu to Semporna.
[edit] Get around
Because of its small size, Semporna is easily explored on foot. However, there are also mini buses and kereta sapu (prebet) for getting around. Usually the fare is RM1 to RM2 to where ever within the city, but the prebet will charge tourists with higher prices (about RM5 - RM10), make sure you make a deal with the driver before take a ride.
the kereta sapu (prebet) can be determine by the brand of the car (mostly malaysian national car, proton). you can found lots of them in front of the largest supermarket at the town.
mini buses are the transportation to go far to the palm oil estate.
taxi is not available to travel within semporna, the only taxi available are those who going to tawau.
[edit][add listing] See
The houses on stilts by the jetty.
in april, semporna will be helding REGATTA LEPA LEPA. it is the biggest annual event in semporna. Regatta Lepa-Lepa is a tournament for each kampung (village) to show off their lepa (boat) and their igal-igal dancers. the fastest and most beautiful boat will win the competition. there will be beautiful fireworks and concerts during the night.
[edit][add listing] Do
Diving/Snorkeling
The nearby island of Sipadan offers some of the world's best scuba diving opportunities with large pelagics including sharks, rays and sea turtles. Many visitors to Semporna join a scuba diving trip to Sipadan. As of July 2008, a 3-dive day at Sipadan is 560-580MYR including equipment rental and marine park fee. Snorkelers to Sipadan pay about 440-580MYR all fees included. The boat ride from Semporna to Sipadan takes about 45 minutes.
Other nearby islands include Mabul and Kapalai, which are also popular destinations for both scuba divers and snorkelers. Day trips to both of these, as well as other islands nearby, are available from most of the half dozen or so dive operators in Semporna. As of July 2008:
- Scuba diving at any island aside from Sipadan is about 580 MYR per day for 3 dives including Sipadan Permit and Equipment hire.
- Snorkeling is about 120 MYR per day including equipment hire.
Dive operators:
- Sipadan.com (Office: +60 89782334, Mobile: +60 128650131) (Located at Dragon Inn). [1]
- Billabong Scuba (BSDS)(+6 0128150909 )[2]
- Blue Sea Divers (tel: +60 8978 1322, +60 1281 56530) [3] mikealan3068@yahoo.com
- Scuba Junkie (tel : +6089785372 [4] sipadanscubajunkie@yahoo.com (great teachers at this establishment, just did my Open Water here and the instructor was calm and enthusiastic. A 3-dive day at Sipadan is about 400 ringgits)
- Singamata PADI Dive resort ( + 6 0198430550 ) [5]
- Uncle Chang (tel : +6089781002 , +60178950002, +6089781988). unclechang99@hotmail.com.[6] (recommended, good deals and cheapest accomodation on Mabul)
- Sipadan Scuba (PADI 5*IDC centre - (tel: +6089919148, +6089784788) [7] Need to book in Advance to avoid fullybooked from their system: www.sipadanonline.com (Very Professional and Great Service)
- Sea Aventures (tel: +6088 251 667) [8] info@seaventuresdive.com(living on an oil rig platform. great experience and good service)
[edit][add listing] Buy
Moon stones and pearls are sold, often on the jetty by the Dragon Inn hotel. Bargain hard to get a good price. Moon stone pendants (without necklace) should go for about RM 4-5.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Chinese food. chinese restaurants can be found easily in every block. recommendation : seaside seafood restaurant. easily found because it is situated among the dive shop.
Nasi kuning (yellow rice), sold in the morning by the street. traditional breakfast for sabahan. it consist of rice, fish cook with chilli and vegetables.
mee soup (bakso), sold by indonesian immigrant. RM1 for each bowl. Good if you are in tight budget.
pisang goreng (fried banana), 10-20 cents each, sold by the street (same street with bakso and grilled chicken).
ayam panggang (roasted chciken), can be found near to mee soup stall. both sold only during night.
putu (local traditional carb) 50 cents for a portion.
grilled tuna fish (RM2-RM3 per fish).
latok (fresh seaweed) 50 cents for a portion.
[edit][add listing] Drink
The restaurant at the beginning of the causeway serves big mugs of fresh fruit juices (mango, honeydew, lychee and others) for RM 5.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
- Scuba Junkie Backpackers. Across from the Scuba Junkie dive shop. Diver discount: 20 MYR/night for dorm bed. 40 MYR for non-divers.
(Not recommended: Bad service, dirty and no rooms service).
- Dragon Inn. 20 MYR/night for a dorm bed. Between 18 and 22 beds/dorm. Nice setting over the water and near the dive shops, but beds aren't particularly clean (as in bugs & blood stains). No security boxes/lockers, but staff can keep your travel documents in the hostel's safe.
[edit] Mid-range
At the seafront:
- Hotel Seafest (3-star) [9]
- Hotel Dragon Inn [10]
- Sipadan Inn, Block D, Lot No. 19-24, Semporna Seafront Township, ☎ +60 089 782766, +60 089 781766. checkin: noon; checkout: noon. Clean and comfortable new hotel (as of July 2007). There are two computers with internet access in the lobby for free use by guests. 84 MYR for a standard twin/double room (15% off with diver discount). edit
In the city center:
- City Inn, [11]
- Lee's Resthouse. 60 MYR/night for single standard room Descent enough considering the quality around town. Aircon, tv, hot shower, no security boxes/lockers.
- Singamata Reef Lodge Adventures, Seafest complax , Castem road, ☎ 60198430550, [12]. RM 60 / person / night. edit
[edit] Get out
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |
