Getting to Semporna in short
The airport you plan with is Tawau (TWU). A dive operator lists it as the nearest arrival airport, about 90 minutes by road from Semporna. From Semporna town, boats leave for Mabul, Mataking, Kapalai and the day-trip islands. Plan the whole chain, from flight to boat, before you book. For the trips that start from the town jetties, see the Semporna trip comparison.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by an airline, an airport, Sabah Tourism or any transfer company. Times and fees below are the ones published for 2026, and they can change. Tawau Airport and Tawau town are two different places, so check where your transfer picks you up.
Flights to Tawau
Direct routes shown by one airline in October 2026.
| Step | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Tawau (TWU) | About 3 hours | Direct flights shown, with examples for November 2026 |
| Kota Kinabalu (BKI) to Tawau (TWU) | About 55 minutes | Direct flights shown, with examples for November 2026 |
| Tawau Airport to Semporna | About 90 minutes | By road, with a transfer arranged in advance if you wish |
| Semporna jetty to Mabul | Operator boats at 08:00 and 14:30 | One operator's schedule, not a public ferry |
The airline listings show examples, not a fixed daily timetable or lasting fares. Check the current schedule before you go. A late flight can cost you the boat of the day, so read the boat section below before you pick a flight.
Our picks: from Tawau Airport
A shared van from Tawau Airport covers the road leg to Semporna.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours from Semporna
Island hopping, snorkeling and dive trips from Semporna, with live prices and availability.
From Tawau Airport to Semporna
A dive operator gives about 90 minutes by road from the airport to Semporna and offers a transfer you arrange before you arrive. Traffic, weather and a tight boat connection can change the time, so build in a margin.
Sabah Tourism confirms long-distance buses from Kota Kinabalu and Inanam to Semporna and other east coast towns, and taxis and e-hailing at airports and in towns. That does not confirm a direct scheduled bus from Tawau Airport to Semporna or a fixed fare for it. Ask your accommodation or operator what they advise for your arrival time, and check the current options before you go.
If you travel on to the rainforest, Danum Valley is reached via Lahad Datu. The road from Tawau to Lahad Datu alone takes about 2.5 hours, so it is a multi-day trip, not a day out from Semporna. See the Danum Valley page.
Book a private transfer from Tawau Airport (TWU) to Semporna at a fixed price on Kiwitaxi.
Top-rated hotels in Semporna
Boats, jetties and fees in Semporna
The last stretch of the journey is by water.
Which jetty
The public jetty and the Seafest Jetty serve tours and dive trips. Some resorts have their own piers and do not accept visitors who have not booked. Sabah Tourism advises booking resort and boat in advance.
A boat schedule example
One operator runs Semporna to Mabul at 08:00 and 14:30, with returns at 10:00 and 16:00. If you arrive on the 14:30 boat, you are on Mabul in the afternoon without a dive trip that day. For this boat, that operator asks for a flight landing at Tawau by 12:00 at the latest.
Semporna jetty fee
The same operator lists a Semporna jetty fee from 1 January 2026: RM 10 for international adults and RM 5 for children under 11. Malaysian adults pay RM 2, and Malaysian children under 11 are free. How an 11-year-old is treated is left open, and the fee is separate from park fees.
Mataking transfers
The Mataking resort lists a shared boat transfer on your actual check-in and check-out day. A free shared airport transfer applies only when flight and pickup times match. Do not count on a free private ride at any time. See Mataking Island.
Sea travel in east Sabah has its own rules. Read the safety page before you arrange a private boat.
Entry: MDAC and visa
The Malaysian embassy in Manama reminded travelers on 30 September 2026 to fill in the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arrival, one per person and also for children. The MDAC is not a visa. The immigration authority publishes the official portal. Special groups may have other rules, so read your own entry information.
For German citizens, the Federal Foreign Office lists a visa-free stay of up to 3 months without work. Sabah and Sarawak have their own entry control, and permission is regularly given for up to 90 days. Passport, return ticket and proof of accommodation can be asked for. This applies to Germans only. Other nationalities should check their own government's entry advice.
Also read the travel advice for the islands before you book flights. It is summarized with dates on the safety page, and your insurer should hear about your plans.
Plan the rest of your trip
Once you know how you arrive, choose where to sleep and what to book.
Where to stay
Town, Mabul, Mataking or Kapalai: what each base means for transfers and costs.
Weather and best time
Monthly rainfall, the monsoon months and the November break at Sipadan.
Sipadan
Permits, fees, dive sites and the visiting rules.
Mabul Island
Resorts, muck diving and village life.
Getting to Semporna: frequently asked questions
Which airport do I fly to for Semporna?
Plan with Tawau (TWU). A dive operator names it as the nearest arrival airport, about 90 minutes by road from Semporna. An airline lists direct flights from Kuala Lumpur (about 3 hours) and Kota Kinabalu (about 55 minutes).
Is there a direct bus from Tawau Airport to Semporna?
Sabah Tourism confirms long-distance buses from Kota Kinabalu and Inanam to Semporna, and taxis and e-hailing at airports and in towns. A direct scheduled bus from the airport is not confirmed there, so check the current options or arrange a transfer in advance.
Can I reach Mabul on the day I land?
It depends on your flight. One operator's boats leave Semporna at 08:00 and 14:30 and asks for a flight landing at Tawau by 12:00 for the afternoon boat. After an afternoon arrival you have no dive trip that day.
Do I need a visa for Malaysia?
German citizens can stay up to 3 months without a visa if they do not work, and Sabah has its own entry control, with permission regularly up to 90 days. Everyone needs to check their own nationality's rules. The MDAC is a free arrival card, not a visa.
What is the Semporna jetty fee?
One dive operator lists, from 1 January 2026, RM 10 for international adults and RM 5 for children under 11, and RM 2 for Malaysian adults, with Malaysian children under 11 free. It is separate from the park and Sipadan fees.
Is there official travel advice for the islands?
Yes, and the advice differs by country. The UK advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off east Sabah as of its update of 19 March 2026. Read the details on the safety page and talk to your insurer before you book.