Semporna

Semporna Town

Semporna town (YouTube) is the gateway to Sipadan Island. There has been a growing interest in the dive sites in this region, including in the now-protected Tun Sakaran Marine Park which consists of eight islands and is the largest marine park in Sabah. All these dive sites have made Semporna more popular, and diversified the experience that one can gain while in Semporna. The name Semporna means place of rest and was given after the British quelled resistance from the local Bajaus in the mid-1880s, changing it from Tong Talun. Another story is that Semporna was called place to settle or meeting place. The majority of the population is Bajau, many of whom live in sprawling stilt villages over the water on the outskirts of town and is visited by tourists as a base for scuba diving or snorkeling trips to some of the country’s finest diving sites including the world knowned Sipadan Island and Mabul Island.

Semporna is also known for the Regatta Lepa traditional boat races which occur annually in April. Their unique Lepa Boat resembles the modern day’s catamaran vessels, with two adjoining legs for added stability when roughing the wild Celebes Sea.

Off the coast is a marine park called Tun Sakaran Marine Park also known as Semporna Islands Park. It was gazetted by Sabah Parks in 2004.

 Things you can find in Semporna

• GIANT Hypermarket – Guardian Shop
• Police Station  – Marine
• WWF Office – Sabah Parks Office
• Wet Market (Selling Fish, Vegetables.. etc)
• Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant
• Bars – Pubs – Karaoke
• Dives Shop – Private Clinics – Hospital
• Hotel – Lodge – Backpackers – Water Village Resort
• Proboscis Monkey River Cruise
• Massage Shop – Seafood Restaurants –  Floating Seafoods Restaurant – Cyber Cafe
• Long Distant Bus Terminal
• Maybank Bank – BSN Bank – ATM Machine
• Shell Gas Station
• School – Post Office
• Semporna Tourist Jetty
• Church – Mosque