This glass-like sea holds all imaginings of blue

🌞 Best Time to Visit

- Dry season (March to October): Sunny weather with high underwater visibility, ideal for diving and snorkeling. April and May offer the clearest waters.
- Rainy season (November to February): Occasional showers and waves may close some islands, but fewer tourists mean lower accommodation prices.

✈️ How to Get There

- Fly internationally to Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, then transfer to Tawau Airport.
- From Tawau Airport to Semporna town: ~1.5-hour drive; pre-book transfers or shared rides.

🏨 Accommodation Options

- Luxury resorts: Kapalai Water Villas, Mabul Water Bungalows, or Pom Pom Island Resort—perfect for honeymoons or immersive stays.
- Budget-friendly: Hotels/homestays in Semporna like Seafest Hotel or Scuba Junkie, convenient for day trips.

🌊 Must-See & Do

- Diving/Snorkeling: Sipadan Island (top 10 global dive sites); Mabul Island (macro photography paradise); Kapalai for coral and fish sightings.
- Island hopping: Route A (Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan); Route B (Mabul, Kapalai) with Bajau village visits.

🍤 Food Highlights

- Seafood feast: Try pepper salt mantis shrimp, butter tiger prawns, or steamed grouper at night markets or restaurants like "Fat Mother Seafood."
- Local snacks: Satay, nasi lemak, teh tarik; fruits like durian, mangosteen, and rambutan.

📝 Tips

- Apply for Malaysia eVISA.
- Currency: MYR (ATMs in town); some resorts accept cards.
- Pack high-SPF sunscreen, rash guards, waterproof phone cases, motion sickness pills, and practice eco-conscious travel.