Semporna

Welcome to Semporna

Semporna is a bustling coastal town located on the eastern tip of Sabah. It is globally recognized as the primary gateway to some of the most spectacular deep-ocean diving reefs on Earth. The surrounding Celebes Sea is dotted with tropical islands, sandy islets, and shallow coral gardens that attract marine researchers and eco-travelers from all over the world.

Sipadan: The Deep Marine Wall Sanctuary

Just off the coast lies Sipadan Island, a volcanic island rising 600 meters from the deep ocean floor. This highly protected marine reserve is famous for its vertical walls covered in healthy soft corals, where divers float alongside swirling schools of barracudas, reef sharks, and green sea turtles. To preserve this delicate habitat, visitor numbers are strictly limited through a daily permit system.

Nomadic Customs of the Bajau Laut

The shallow coral lagoons surrounding Semporna are home to the nomadic Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies). Living in traditional stilt houses built over the water or on small wooden houseboats, they are master free-divers who spend their entire lives in close connection with the ocean tides, maintaining a unique lifestyle that has remained unchanged for generations.

The Spectacular Regatta Lepa

Every April, Semporna erupts in celebration during the Regatta Lepa, the premier water festival of Sabah. The festival honors the ancient boat-building traditions of the Bajau Laut. The town’s harbor fills with dozens of Lepa—beautifully hand-carved, traditional wooden sailboats adorned with bright flags and geometric banners. Travelers can watch exciting boat parades, traditional water sports, and beautiful cultural dances performed on floating platforms to the sound of rhythmic brass gongs.