Semporna Town & Waterfront

Pekan Semporna

The starting point for every island trip, a small town of piers, dive shops, seafood stalls and the Bajau fish market. The Regatta Lepa boat festival each April is the biggest celebration on Sabah's east coast.

Semporna is a fishing town of about 30,000 people in the Tawau Division. The whole town revolves around its pier. The waterfront road (around Seafest) holds nearly all the dive shops, travel agencies, speedboat piers and hotels. From 7 to 8 a.m., the pier is crowded with visitors and gear heading out to sea, and in the evening people return to town to eat seafood. Sights are few, but the town has plenty of local life. The Bajau fish market on the waterfront sells freshly caught reef fish, lobster, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. Several seafood stalls, such as Tianxiake and Feima, price by weight and cook on the spot, far cheaper than on the islands, and they are a must-visit for Chinese travelers. The Kampung Bangau-Bangau water village on the edge of town is Semporna's largest stilt-house village. The Semporna Mosque by the sea and the old Chinese shophouses in the town center are good for evening strolls. In late April each year, the Regatta Lepa festival takes place. The Bajau decorate traditional lepa boats with colorful sails for a parade, accompanied by dance and song competitions and fireworks, making it Sabah's most distinctive ethnic festival. Transport: Tawau Airport is about 1.5 hours from town. An airport bus or shared taxi costs about RM 30 to 50, or you can book a transfer in advance. The town is walkable. Tips: on arrival, explore the town and book island-hopping or diving for the next day. Spend the night before departure in town to catch an early flight. Notes: hygiene in town is basic, so drink bottled water. Don't go alone to quiet pier areas at night. ATMs are limited and many islands don't accept cards, so withdraw enough cash in town.

Semporna Town & Waterfront

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