Pom Pom Island at a glance
Pom Pom Island lies off the Semporna coast and is known for its resort and a turtle conservation project. It is not on the Tun Sakaran Marine Park island list, so do not apply the park fees from the Bohey Dulang page here. Access is organized through the resort, and you should book the resort and the boat ahead. Some island resorts have their own jetties and do not accept visitors who have not arranged a stay.
One rule matters for planning. Pom Pom Resort has stated that after check-in, guests do not join tours or activities organized by outside companies during their stay. That is a notice for this resort, not a rule for the whole island, and its start date is not given. If you plan to combine Pom Pom with diving trips by another operator, ask the resort first.
Turtles and reef protection on Pom Pom
What a conservation group reports, and what nobody can promise.
Which turtles
The conservation group TRACC names green turtles and hawksbill turtles on Pom Pom. It reports nesting through the year, with the main season from July to November. Protection patrols run together with Mussah Poteh Resort, and the group has its own hatchery.
Reef work
TRACC also runs reef restoration and identifies individual turtles on Pom Pom. That shows that people are working on protection. It does not mean every reef around the island is in the same condition.
No sighting guarantee
Turtles are wild animals. A sighting depends on the day, the tide and your luck. Public access to the hatchery is not announced, so ask the resort what guests can see and when.
Behave around turtles
Keep your distance, do not touch or chase animals and stay off the reef. Follow your guide's instructions on how close you may go.
Safety first
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off eastern Sabah between Sandakan and Tawau (changed 19 March 2026). The German Federal Foreign Office (as of 21 October 2026) advises strongly against non-essential travel to the islands and dive areas between Terusan and Tawau, and the US State Department (22 February 2026) rates the islands of east Sabah Level 2.
Details, the sea curfew and what the governments say are on the safety page. Check your travel insurance before you pay a deposit.
Our picks: tours compared
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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.
Discover scuba day trip for beginners
All dive equipment, an instructor, the marine jetty fee and lunch are included. It is an introductory dive only and does not lead to a certification.
Check availability →
Bohey Dulang day trip: hike, snorkel or try diving
An instructor, gear, life jacket, water, lunchbox and port fees are included, with two snorkel stops or two 20-minute intro dives depending on the option. Marine park entry, the Bohey hiking permit and any extra dive fee are paid on top.
Check availability →Island and snorkeling trips from Semporna
Island hopping, snorkeling and boat trips around Semporna, with live prices and availability.
Timba Timba Island
A boat destination for snorkelers and divers.
Timba Timba is offered in two ways. The Mataking resort lists it in its dive program, together with Mataking, Pandanan and nearby reefs in its rates for April 2026 to March 2027. A separate day route also includes it: Mataking, Timba Timba and Pandanan. This guide treats Timba Timba as a place you reach by boat on a trip, not as an island to stay on.
The day route from one operator was priced at RM 270 per person. It includes snorkeling gear, lunch, water, the boat, a guide and jetty or island fees, with departure at 08:00 and return from the island at 16:00. The offer shows no year, so confirm the price for your date. Its title mentions a minimum of 4 guests, while the conditions mention 2 or an arrangement with the dive base. Ask about the minimum before you count on a price for one person.
| Pom Pom Island | Timba Timba | |
|---|---|---|
| How you visit | Resort stay, arranged with the resort | Boat trip for snorkeling or diving |
| Turtle information | Green and hawksbill, main nesting July to November | – |
| Listed by | Pom Pom Resort and the conservation group TRACC | The Mataking resort dive program and a day route |
| Outside tours | Not for guests of Pom Pom Resort after check-in | Bookable as part of a day route |
Planning your visit
Semporna is the usual starting point, and most boats leave from the town. Ask the resort how the boat transfer is arranged, and tell it your arrival time from Tawau Airport. Our Tawau Airport to Semporna page shows the road leg and flight options. For the weather, see the weather page, and for the other resort islands read about Mataking.
Pom Pom suits a resort stay built around the beach, the reef and turtle conservation. If your main goal is diving at Sipadan, compare it with the other bases on the diving page. Prices for resort stays are set by each resort and change by season, so ask for the current offer.
Pom Pom Island and Timba Timba: frequently asked questions
Where is Pom Pom Island?
Pom Pom Island lies off the Semporna coast in Sabah. You reach it by boat arranged through the resort. It is not on the Tun Sakaran Marine Park island list.
Can I see turtles on Pom Pom?
Green and hawksbill turtles are reported, with nesting all year and a main season from July to November. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the hatchery is not announced as open to visitors.
Can I book outside tours while staying at Pom Pom Resort?
The resort states that guests do not join outside tours or activities after check-in. Ask the resort before you plan to dive or snorkel with another operator.
What is Timba Timba?
Timba Timba is a reef and island stop that appears in a resort dive program and in a day boat route. It is reached by boat and is not described here as a place to stay.
How much is a Timba Timba day trip?
One operator lists RM 270 per person for a day route through Mataking, Timba Timba and Pandanan, with gear, lunch, water, boat, guide and fees included. The offer carries no year, so confirm the current price.
Is it safe to visit the islands around Semporna?
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off eastern Sabah (changed 19 March 2026). The German and US governments also publish advice. Read the safety page and check your insurance.