Semporna snorkeling: how a boat day works
Semporna snorkeling starts at a jetty in town. A boat takes you to the island group around Tun Sakaran Marine Park, which the park's own activity page puts at about 1 hour from Kg. Bangau-bangau. You do not need a dive certificate, since the park lists snorkeling between the coral reefs for visitors without scuba training. The operators supply a mask, snorkel and life jacket, and the five tours below add a guide or instructor and a lunch box.
A day lasts 7 to 8 hours in total, with the stops spread over the morning and early afternoon. The reefs you swim over depend on the route. Bohey Dulang, Mataking and the Mabul and Kapalai area all feature in day routes, and each operator picks the stops for its own day.
Which snorkeling tour fits you
All prices are per person and as of November 2026.
Three-island day, from $54
Three snorkel stops make this the day with the most time on the reefs. It leaves from the Semporna jetty and includes instructor, gear, life jacket, water and lunch. Small fees for the islands you land on, such as Pandanan and Mataking, are paid in cash on the day. Divers on the intro-dive option get underwater photos.
Island day trip with lunch, from $50
A 7.5 hour day from the town jetty with a guide, snorkel gear, the tourism jetty fee and lunch. It is a straightforward choice for first-time snorkelers who want the basics covered at the lowest price.
Marine park three-island trip, from $50
Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket come with this 7.5 hour day, along with lunch, a guide and all taxes. Marine park entry is paid on top. Hiking is optional and its fee is separate.
Three Semporna islands with an instructor
This eight hour day starts at the Jetty Pelancongan and includes multilingual instructors, a life jacket, mask, snorkel, a towel, bottled water and lunch. It has the highest rating on the list, 4.9 from 12 reviews.
What explains the price gap
The spread is only about $7, so the choice comes down to the route. Cost differences come from the hike option, whether fees for individual islands are paid on the day, and the extras such as photos and a towel. Park fees are not part of the card price on several of these tours, and a dive option adds its own fee.
Season, weather and reef rules
The northeast monsoon runs from November to March and brings heavy rain to eastern Sabah. The southwest monsoon, from late May to September, is not reliably dry either. Operators place guests by wind and swell the day before, so the calendar matters less than the sea. Mornings are often clearer in the changeover months, while storms build in the afternoon.
Reef rules are simple: do not stand on live coral, do not touch or take marine animals and carry your rubbish back to shore. Reef-safe sunscreen and a long-sleeved UV shirt protect both you and the coral.
Our picks: snorkeling day trips
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three Semporna islands with snorkeling instructors
- Multilingual instructors
- Mask, snorkel and life jacket
- Lunch box and bottled water
Dock taxes and the jetty fee are included.
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Three-island day trip with snorkeling or intro dives
Three snorkel stops or two 20-minute intro dives plus snorkeling, with instructor, gear, life jacket, water, lunchbox and jetty fees. The small island fees for Pandanan and Mataking are paid in cash on the day.
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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.
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Island day trip with snorkeling and lunch
- Snorkel gear
- Guide
- Lunch and jetty fee
A 7.5 hour day with gear rental, a guide, the tourism jetty fee and lunch. The tour also offers a diving option.
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Marine park three-island day with snorkeling
- Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket
- Guide
- Lunch and all taxes
A 7.5 hour day. Marine park entry is paid on top, and hiking is optional with a separate fee.
Check availability →Semporna snorkeling tours
Day trips with snorkeling from the Semporna jetty, with live prices and availability.
Semporna snorkeling: frequently asked questions
Do I need a dive certificate to snorkel?
No. The park lists snorkeling between the coral reefs for visitors without scuba training, and the tours provide the gear. The marine park management has to be informed about snorkeling.
How long is a snorkeling day trip?
Between 7 and 8 hours from the jetty, according to the five tours compared here. The boat ride to the park takes about 1 hour.
Can I snorkel at Sipadan?
None of these tours includes Sipadan. It needs a day permit arranged through a licensed operator. See the Sipadan page.