Is Semporna safe? Read the advice first
No page can answer this with a plain yes. Governments describe the risk for the islands and dive areas of east Sabah in different words and for different areas, and the mainland of Sabah is treated separately. This guide reports their statements with dates. It gives no verdict of its own, and it neither plays the risk down nor adds to it.
This is an independent site, not an official source. Read the current advice of your own government on the day you book and again before you leave. Ask your insurer whether your policy covers a destination where your government advises against travel.
What the governments say about east Sabah
Three advisories, quoted by area and date.
| Government | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Last change 19 March 2026, shown as current on 21 October 2026 | Advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive areas off east Sabah between Sandakan and Tawau, including Lankayan, because of the threat of kidnapping. The mainland of Sabah is expressly excluded |
| Germany (Federal Foreign Office) | Status 21 October 2026, unchanged since 16 October 2026 | Islands and dive areas between Terusan and Tawau: urgently avoid non-essential travel. East coast including Semporna: avoid non-essential travel. A warning covers the Sulu archipelago and the sea between, and private boat passages off north and east Sabah are strongly discouraged |
| United States (State Department) | Issued 22 February 2026 | Malaysia overall Level 1. Islands and sea areas of east Sabah from Kudat to Tawau Level 2, "Exercise increased caution", because of the risk of kidnapping. US government employees need special permission |
The US advisory refers to past kidnappings for ransom at island resorts and during activities at sea in east Sabah. The differences between the three texts are real, so do not read one as a summary of the others.
Our picks: a daytime island trip
A daytime island trip with instructors and life jackets that you book ahead, as the practical steps below advise.
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.
ESSZone, curfew and sea travel
What the sea rules cover, and what they do not.
The ESSZone
The German Foreign Office describes a security zone in east Sabah with a stronger police and military presence, including Semporna and Sipadan. A larger administrative area is not automatically the exact area of the night rule for boats below.
Night hours on the water
The Foreign Office gives 18:00 to 06:00 in the adjoining coastal waters up to 3 nautical miles. The Australian government gives the same hours and distance, names 6 coastal districts and mentions possible extensions and exceptions that need a permit. The rule is described for water traffic. It is not described as a general curfew on land for visitors in Semporna.
Whose rule is it
These times are the statements of foreign governments. They are not a local police order quoted here with its number and term. Ask your operator and your resort what applies on your dates, and plan boat returns to be well within the hours they give you.
Night water activities
The Australian advice reports a ban on night water activities organized by resorts, including diving and fishing. A resort brochure for 2026 offers unaccompanied house-reef night dives for experienced buddy pairs. How the two fit together is not clear. Do not assume that night diving is allowed, and ask the resort.
Practical steps before you go
- Read the advice yourself. Check your own government's page for Malaysia on the day you book and again before you leave. The dates above show the status of each text.
- Check your insurance. Ask your insurer in writing whether your policy covers the islands and dive areas, and what it requires.
- Book ahead. Sabah Tourism advises booking resort and boat in advance, because some resorts do not accept visitors who have not booked. Sipadan day permits are issued through licensed operators. See Sipadan.
- Mind private boats. Germany strongly discourages private boat passages off north and east Sabah. Use an operator named by your accommodation or your booking, and keep to the hours they give you.
- Know your dive limits. One operator asks for at least Advanced Open Water for Sipadan and attributes this to Sabah Parks. Turtle Cavern needs special training and equipment for overhead diving, and it is not a normal Advanced Open Water dive. See diving in Semporna.
- Protect the reef. Do not stand on coral and do not touch animals. Follow the park rules on island hopping trips too.
The getting there page covers flights, transfers and the arrival card, and the accommodation page compares bases.
Plan your trip
More pages to read alongside the advice.
Is Semporna safe? Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Semporna?
There is no single answer. As of its update on 19 March 2026, the UK advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off east Sabah, and the mainland is excluded. Germany asks travelers to avoid non-essential travel to the east coast including Semporna, and the US rates the islands and sea areas Level 2 as of 22 February 2026. Read the advice of your own government.
Is there a curfew in Semporna?
Germany and Australia describe night hours of 18:00 to 06:00 for water traffic in the adjoining coastal waters up to 3 nautical miles. The rule is not described as a general curfew on land for visitors. Ask your operator what applies on your dates.
What is the ESSZone?
The Federal Foreign Office describes it as a security zone in east Sabah with stronger police and military presence, including Semporna and Sipadan. It is not the same as a closed area.
Can I do a night dive?
Do not assume so. The Australian advice reports a ban on resort-organized night water activities, including diving, while a resort brochure lists house-reef night dives. Ask the resort what is allowed.
Do I need special travel insurance?
Ask your insurer whether your policy covers a destination where your government advises against travel, and keep the answer in writing.
Does the advice apply to mainland Sabah too?
The UK expressly excludes the mainland of Sabah from its advice against all but essential travel. The German and US texts describe their own areas, so read each one for the places on your route.