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Town and district capital in Sabah, Malaysia
Photo: (WT-shared) Robert Biuk-Aghai, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Site
The site of an archaeological dig in the 1990s discovering prehistoric artefacts and bones. If you visit now you can take a tour through the small museum and then walk up the hill for about 10 minutes to get a nice view from the covered overlooks. Many people are in town mainly for the scuba diving and snorkeling, and if you have a couple of hours on your way in or way out, this is a different way to get a feel for the natural landscape.
Bukit Parapat
This hill is an easy hike with great views of the islands to the south. If you have a few hours, this is a quiet and beautiful area.
BSDS
Biggest dive operation in Semporna, very friendly and professional, internationally experienced dive masters.
PADI 5*IDC centre
Only operator with fully functional online booking system to secure a diving permit for Sipadan. Very professional and great service.
Great experience and good service.
Easily found because it is situated among the dive shop.
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 hotel's safe.
This is a good budget option. Basic rooms with ensuite bathroom.
Limited space. Rundown shared toilet outside the room.
A nice clean hotel. The hotel is attached to the PADI 5-star IDC dive centre Sipadan Scuba.
A 3-star hotel.
Clean and comfortable hotel. There are two computers with internet access in the lobby for free use by guests.
A decent quality hotel. A/C, TV, hot shower. No security boxes.
By bus
From Kota Kinabalu: Direct from Inanam station to Semporna (or Tawau), 8-10 hrs, 75 MYR one-way. Departs 7:30AM & 7:30PM.50 MYR) to the Inanam bus station, or a taxi (~20 MYR).
Because of its small size, Semporna town is easily explored on foot. However, there are also commercial passengers' vans and "kereta sapu (prebet)" for getting around.
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Tawau · Regional · TWU
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