The Ultimate 2-Day Adventure in the Stunning Paradise Islands of Sabah, Borneo
By Alejandra Mendoza Garcia - Posted on October19th, 2026 - Ale Around the World
My trip kicked off in the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur. After spending three days exploring the city, it was time to head over to the beach side of the country. We decided on the state of Sabah, specifically the town of Semporna, which is home to some of the most stunning beaches in Malaysia. Because you’re traveling all the way to the other side of the country, you have to take a 2.5-hour flight to get there. We flew with AirAsia and paid around $200 CAD for our tickets.
We spent two full days in Semporna, which felt like the perfect amount of time, though three days would be ideal if you want to fit in extra tours. To get there, you fly into Tawau Airport, the closest airport to Semporna. From the terminal, you can book a ride using Grab (the local version of Uber) or grab a standard taxi, as there are plenty of drivers waiting outside ready to pick up passengers. The drive to Semporna takes about an hour and 15 minutes and costs around $30 CAD
During our stay, we checked into Sipadan Inn 2 Semporna, a laid-back budget hotel with a sea view. It was very comfortable, and we had daily housekeeping service. Hotel rates in Semporna are a bit higher than in Kuala Lumpur, so expect to pay around $80 to $100 CAD per night for a place like this.
While we were there, we booked two different island-hopping tours through GetYourGuide. Each tour cost approximately $80 per person, and the best part was that lunch was included with both.
The day after arriving, we set out on our first tour. All the boat tours depart from Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, so you’ll need to make your way there from your hotel. While you could walk from the town center in about 20 minutes, it was far too hot for us to consider that, so we took a quick Grab ride for less than $5 CAD.
We made sure to arrive early at the port. Once you get there, you'll see a lot of local tour operators offering day trips on the spot, but we were glad we had already secured our bookings in advance through GetYourGuide.
Our first trip was an island-hopping tour to explore the magnificent coastlines and islands of Timba-Timba, Mataking, and Pandanan. It was a 7-hour excursion filled with swimming, snorkeling, and diving in magical crystal-blue waters, discovering the islands' hidden marine life. The instructors spoke Chinese, English, and Malay. One important thing to keep in mind: make sure you bring some cash, as most of the islands charge an entrance fee that you have to pay in cash.
Also, if you suffer from dizziness or motion sickness, this might not be the best activity for you since you spend most of the time on the boat. The ride from the port to the first island takes almost an hour on a high-speed boat, and the waves will definitely have you bouncing in your seat!
Still, it’s completely worth it. The beaches and snorkeling spots are absolutely gorgeous. Lunch was delicious, too, they served traditional Malaysian food and took us to an island where they handed out the meals so we could sit back, relax, and eat.
After the tour, we spent some time checking out the local markets and malls to pick up some souvenirs and, of course, grab some food. We also visited the oceanfront Starbucks and had a bite to eat there.
The next day, we headed out on another boat trip to explore Mabul and Kapalai. It was a 6.5-hour tour where we got to marvel at the crystal-blue ocean, walk on white sandy beaches, visit a tourist resort, and enjoy more swimming, snorkeling, or diving, along with lunch. Just like the first trip, the destination is a bit far from the port, so you travel by high-speed boat, and lunch is provided.
What I loved even more about this tour was that they took us to the Mabul Water Bungalows, which gave off major Bora Bora vibes. The water is crystal-clear, and there are local vendors paddling around in small boats selling fresh coconuts. I highly recommend buying one, they're delicious, and it's a great way to support the locals.
The snorkeling here was absolutely stunning, too. We saw so much marine wildlife, including turtles!
And that’s how our adventure in Semporna came to an end. The next day, we headed back to the airport to catch our flight to Kuala Lumpur, ready to kick off a new adventure in another country. Stay tuned for my next blog!
