Kapalai island is a pearl here in Celebes sea. It is a hidden island situated between Sipadan and Mabul island also known as the world-class diving sites here in Sabah. If you want to go there, you can go by boat. It is only 40 minutes away from Semporna town. Kapalai was a 'true' island before this. Unfortunately it was eroded by the sea and leaves only a stretch of sand bar that sits upon a reefs called as the 'Ligitan reefs'.

2. Sipadan Island

Sipadan island is one of the top 3 diving sites in the world. In his film Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle (1989) It was described by Jacques Cousteau that Sipadan as an untouched piece of art. Wowzer! This island had been broadcast in many times in the National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Not only that, Sipadan island also had won numerous awards of tourism and diving. It is infamous and renowned world wide for having more than 3000 species of fish and corals that live in its ecosystem. While you dive here, you can see many fish, shark and turtle swimming right next to you. You can easily spot 10 types of turtles here but the most common one is the barracuda tornado turtles. 

3, Mabul Island

Since 1970s, Mabul island is a fishing village but then in 1990s it become popular to divers thanks to its sister Sipadan island. But it also earned it own recognition over the years as a diving and snorkeling destination. It is a small island with 200 hectare of land. In the north western part of Mabul island is a home to a variety of marine life. It is suitable for beginner divers due the water is not really deep.

4. Tiga Island

Tiga island formed on the 1890s, it was when an earthquake on Mindanao caused a volcanic eruption near Borneo. The island is also called as "Survivor Island" and it got it named after a foreign TV game show named "Survivor". Whereas, all the contestant need to compete with each other in order to win 1 million dollar. In 1978, it is set as a Marine Park. The park consist of 3 islands. Namely, Tiga Island is the main island followed by Sands Spit Island and Snake Island. 

Tiga Island is really flat and you only need 6 hours to walk the entire Island. What really special about this Island is that there are 3 mud volcanoes on Pulau Tiga. However, two of the mud volcanoes had dry up. The most active and largest mud volcano is located in the center of Pulau Tiga. 

5. Mantanani Island 

Mantanani Island consist of 3 isolated Island. The largest and the main island is Mantanani Besar, the other 2 are Mantanani Kecil and Lungisan. It is also a famous recreational diving sites. It is also known for its dugongs. Not only that, for birdwatcher it is a great experience for them to see birds here in Mantanani Island. There are many birds here due to the lack of terrestrial predators. Mantanani island also the only place here in Malaysia where you can watch the Mantanani Scops Owl.

6. Sepanggar Island

It is situated near the Sepanggar Bay, Sabah. You can spot this island easily from the city centre and from Likas Bay. This is however not really for tourist, mostly fisherman stayed here. Sepanggar Island is also known to where some of the bomb in World War II can be found.

7. Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

The water here is very shallow, yet hold a rich variety of coral gardens. This island is the best place for the beginner diver. Moreover, in certain time of the year, the water becomes rich with plankton and it will attract the colossal whale shark. Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park got it names after Malaysian first Prime Minister itself. There are 5 island under Tunku Abdul Rahman Park which is Manukan, Sulug, Sapi, Mamutik, and Gaya Island. 

a. Manukan Island


b. Sulug


c. Sapi

d. Mamutik

e. Gaya
Gaya Island name derived from the Bajau tribe words "Gayo" which means big. It is the largest island in the park and, it is also located nearby Kota Kinabalu. However, it is not recommend to go here. Gaya island is very occupied with villager.



 The park is open daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm and it takes 15-20 minutes via speedboat ride from Kota Kinabalu. 

8. Pom Pom Island



Pom Pom Island is also one of Semporna's heavenly diving spot, you can spend the day underwater with the magnificent marine lives. Pom pom island got it name from a tree. Visitors can enjoy under the air conditoned room after a long day at the beach. Pom Pom island has a white sand coral beach and it is common nesting location for the Green and the Hawksbill turtles. Moreover, this island were being surrounded by green mangrove to make it shady and cool. The island was inhabitant by human means there's no people live in this island, no pollution, the island was totally clean and stunning. However, Pom Pom island have no monitor lizard or snake even though both of them can be found on the other islands. This make even thrilled to go here. The resorts and chalets here indeed worth it besides diving. To get to this island you need travel by speedboat approximately 45 minutes.

9. Mataking Island


You need to travel 40 minutes from Semporna to get here by speedboat. The water here is crystal clear blue water, the beach sand is pure white and the resorts here is top class. Mataking is an ideal island for divers and non-divers. Divers can go a head to the Eel Garden, Coral Garden, Turtle Playground and Hump Head Point. For non-divers can do activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jungle trekking and also you can just relax inside Jamu Spa. Moreover, you can just take a walk 20 minutes to Pulau Mataking Kecil from the main island when the tides is low.