Kinabatangan

Kinabatangan is a town on the Kinabatangan River in eastern Sabah, best known for the Kinabatangan River Safari — a wildlife cruise through the richest rainforest ecosystem in Sabah. Proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants, and hornbills are commonly sighted.

By Plane

Tawau Airport (TWU) — 1.5 hr drive to Semporna. Flights from KL (3 hr) and KK (50 min).

By Train

No train.

By Car / Road

Semporna is 400 km from KK (8 hr drive) and 100 km from Tawau (1.5 hr).

Grab and taxis are available. The town is compact. A car is useful for exploring the islands.

• Semporna town — the dive hub with gear shops and the jetty for Sipadan

• Semporna central market — fresh seafood and local produce

• Bajau Laut sea gypsies — traditional stilt villages around Semporna

• Tun Sakaran Marine Park — a group of 8 islands with coral reefs, snorkelling, and hiking

• Scuba diving at Sipadan — the main draw; book months ahead

• Snorkelling at Mabul and Kapalai

• Island hopping — boat tours to the islands for snorkelling and beach time

• Photography of the sea gypsy villages

• Semporna seafood restaurants — ikan bakar, chilli crab, butter prawns; RM 10–25
• Semporna central market — local Malay food; RM 3–6
• Dive resort restaurants on Mabul/Kapalai

• Teh tarik (RM 2)
• Fresh coconut water (RM 2–3)
• Bottled water — essential for island trips

• Budget: Hotel Semporna (RM 40–70/night); Semporna Dive Lodge (RM 50–80/night)
• Mid-range: Seafest Hotel (RM 80–130/night); Dragon Inn (RM 60–100/night, over-water chalets)
• Resorts on Mabul/Kapalai/Mataking (RM 200–800/night)

• Semporna market — fresh seafood, local crafts
• Dive gear — several dive shops in town
• Pearls — Semporna is known for cultured pearls

• Sipadan Island (45 min by boat)
• Mabul Island (30 min by boat)
• Kapalai Resort (30 min by boat)
• Mataking Island (45 min by boat)
• Tawau (1.5 hr drive)
• Danum Valley (3 hr drive from Lahad Datu)