Trip Moments Recommendations
#Jelly Sea Resort Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Head to Semporna! Avoiding pitfalls is the right way to go
Semporna is a district in the Tawau Division of Sabah, Malaysia, located on the east coast of the state of Sabah. It has a population of about 167,000. Semporna was originally just a small fishing village in Malaysia, so obscure that it couldn't even be found on a map, but now it has gradually developed into a world-famous underwater tourism center. If you want to go to Semporna, it's important to plan well and avoid pitfalls as the right approach.
♦When is the best time to travel?
The average temperature in Semporna is around 29°C, with less rainfall. It generally cools down at night, and the temperature difference throughout the year is quite stable, with no significant fluctuations or obvious seasonal changes. Therefore, the best time to travel to Semporna is from February to October, while November to January of the following year is the rainy season. The rain is usually just a shower and stops after a while. This period is not very suitable for diving as the underwater visibility is not high, but it does not greatly affect tourism.
♦What diving activities are available?
🎈Snorkeling: Available near the island resorts and on day trips.
♦How to choose between water bungalows and sand bungalows?
There are many water bungalows in Semporna, and it's essential to understand them clearly. Check whether they provide 24-hour hot water supply, wireless internet, private bathrooms, airport transfers, etc. Make sure to look carefully. Everyone can choose a resort that suits their situation.
【Malaysia Travel Guide】Explore the dreamy underwater world of Semporna!
Hey babies! 🌸 Want to escape the hustle and bustle and experience a real island trip? 🌊 Then follow me to the mysterious Semporna in Malaysia to explore the dreamy underwater world! 👩🌼
🏝️ Semporna, a place known as the 'forgotten corner of paradise', has intoxicating clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and those cute marine creatures! 🐠🐟
🌅 During the day, you can enjoy sunbathing on the beach, or participate in an exciting diving trip, dance with the fish, and feel the wonderful experience of being in the ocean world!
🌙 At night, let's have a romantic beach dinner together, watching the sunset, enjoying delicious food and wine, and spending a good time with friends and family! 🌆🍽️
🎉 What are you waiting for? Come and join our trip to Semporna in Malaysia! Let's leave unforgettable memories in the underwater world together! 👩🌼🌴
4-Day Tour in Sabah | Street Photography in Kota Kinabalu
Guangzhou cannot fly directly to Semporna, many people just use Kota Kinabalu as a transit without staying, but if you have enough time, remember to leave 1 day for a city walk in Kota Kinabalu.
🗺️My 4-day tour itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kota Kinabalu➡️University of Sabah (Pink Mosque)➡️Floating Mosque➡️Tanjung Aru Beach➡️Gaya Street Night Market
Day 2: Tawau➡️Jellyfish House
Day 3: Island hopping (Mataking Line)➡️Semporna Town
Day 4: Stroll around Semporna Town➡️Fly to Kota Kinabalu➡️Buy souvenirs at Gaya Street➡️Return to home country
🚗Most of the travel times between attractions in the city are about ten minutes, and it's very convenient to take a Grab taxi.
🌈University of Sabah
📍 Universiti Malaysia Sabah, if you only want to see the Pink Mosque, you can navigate to Mosque UMS
🎫10 MYR
⏰No entry after 17:30, the tour takes about 2-3 hours.
Most people go straight to the Pink Mosque for a photo, but I think there are many places to visit on campus.
👍I highly recommend renting an electric skateboard, which is available at the ticket office, for 26 MYR
①The campus is large, and the skateboard is labor-saving.
②There is a dedicated lane, which is safe.
⚠️You will be given a tour map when you buy a ticket. The art gallery closes at 4 o'clock, remember to check the time.
💔The day I went was Friday, they were praying and we couldn't go inside the mosque for a visit, but it was great to take pictures outside.
🌈Floating Mosque
📍Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
🎫5 MYR for taking photos outside; if you want to visit inside, you need to rent clothes, 5 MYR
⏰No entry after 17:00
The blue and white color scheme + water reflection is very beautiful. Similarly, because of Friday prayers, I didn't go in.
🌈Tanjung Aru Beach
📍Tanjung Aru Beach
The sunset is absolutely beautiful‼️It's now the rainy season, the weather is not very good, the clouds are thick, but you can still see the sun dyeing the sea pink. Even in the rainy season, you can imagine how beautiful the sunset clouds would be in summer.
⏰Check the sunset time in advance, there is a bit of traffic on the way to the beach
✅The view from the Sunset Bar at the nearby Shangri-La Hotel is very good, but you need to make a reservation
💔Although there are many tourists, it's not too bad, but there is a night market next door and there will be a smell of garbage
🌈Gaya Street
Morning market: Sunday morning 6:00-12:00
Night market: Every Friday/Saturday 18:00-24:00
I only went to the night market, the snacks and juices are good.
On the way back, there was a 2-hour gap in the transfer, and I also went to Gaya Street. Although there is no morning market, most of the buildings here have graffiti, suitable for taking pictures, and you can buy some souvenirs to take home.
🍜Food Recommendations
✅Hung Jin Rice Shop - Highly recommended‼️
The shop is unremarkable, the decoration is similar to ordinary noodle stalls in China, but the taste is unique and the price is very affordable.
👍Oyster sauce chicken wings, tree vegetable scrambled eggs are a must, each bite is amazing; garlic shrimp balls are also delicious.
⚠️You need to go early, the shop is small and there are few seats.
✅Da Jia Lai Seafood Restaurant
The cream shrimp is a must-try, the remaining sauce is also great with white rice. The egg yolk crab is not bad, suitable for Chinese taste.
If you don't order lobster and pipi shrimp, the per capita cost is 150-200 MYR.
✅CFC Mongkok Restaurant on Gaya Street
Next door is Yifeng Laksa, but it closes at 18:00, so I went to this restaurant temporarily.
The laksa is okay, the durian shaved ice is great. A full cup, the ingredients are generous, and the taste is good.
🏠Accommodation Recommendations
Hyatt Regency Hotel, more than 600 per night, can be directly booked on Ctrip.
The facilities are relatively new, it is a ten-minute drive from the airport, and it is also close to Gaya Street and Hung Jin Rice Shop, you can start a city walk right out of the hotel.
✨Other tips
1️⃣The front desk of the hotel and many shop assistants are Malays, it's best to be able to communicate in simple English
2️⃣Malaysian hotels charge a tax of 10 MYR per night, payable at the hotel
Semporna, Malaysia | Go to a warm place to see the sea
After a busy year and the arrival of winter, do you also want to find a warm place facing the sea, where spring is in full bloom? Consider going to the fairy-like Semporna!
Before going to Semporna, know these before you set off, especially for families with children‼️
✈️Transportation: Semporna is a small town under Tawau, including Semporna town and surrounding islands. To get to Semporna, you usually have to transfer flights. Fly from domestic cities to Kuala Lumpur/Kota Kinabalu and then transfer to Tawau Airport. Then take a car for about 70 minutes to reach Semporna town. For those staying on the island resorts, take the corresponding speedboat.
Starting from January 23, there is a direct flight from Nanjing to Tawau, which is very convenient with a 5h direct flight.
💞Language: There are many Chinese in Malaysia and they are very willing to communicate in Chinese. But if you are asking for directions, it is recommended to ask in English place names, as locals do not understand transliterated place names.
Those who are worried that their English is not good enough can download a translation software in advance, and it is completely sufficient with gestures➕translation software.
💖Should you join a group tour for the first time?
Even if it's your first time going there, and you don't speak English, there's no need to join a group. Semporna is not big, you can travel freely or find a professional customizer, design a route, book a hotel and itinerary, and you can have a lot of fun.
💝About currency
Bring cash and visa card, Semporna mainly uses cash, you can exchange at the airport and banks in the town.
☀About the weather
December-January is the rainy season, but the island weather there, the rain comes quickly and goes quickly, it rarely rains for a long time, it does not affect travel, and it does not affect the view of the glass sea.
🌟About entry materials
You need to carry the following materials for entry: a passport valid for more than 6 months, a round-trip ticket electronic itinerary, a hotel itinerary, and an electronic entry card. Fill in the electronic entry card within three days before arriving in Malaysia.
🚔About safety
There are military forces stationed on various islands in Semporna, and there are patrols at sea. Island hopping trips require registration at the dock.
🏠About accommodation
Accommodation in Semporna mainly includes island resorts, town hotels, town holiday villas, and you can also find local homestays.
If you have a sufficient budget for island vacations, go directly to Madajing, Mabu Island Water House and Kapalai. If your budget is average, you can consider a hotel on the island (Bantanan Akadia and Santorini), Bangbang Island Dragon Ball and White Pearl, Mabu Borneo Resort. There are also some special water houses (such as Frozen Sea, Crystal, Coral Sea, etc.) to choose from.
Conditions in Semporna town are very average, hotels🈚star concept, if you need convenience, it is recommended to live near the dock (such as Yongda, Lighthouse, Xin Pali, grace sea view🌊, etc., eating, drinking, and living are very convenient; if you want quiet, it is recommended to live in a holiday villa farther from the dock (such as Pineapple Sea, Manju Lin She).
☎Many people plan to travel during the winter and spring festival after visa-free, many resorts are already full on popular dates, whether it's air tickets or accommodation island hopping, it is recommended to book early.
Semporna's Mabul Island Jellyfish Sea Bungalow
Semporna is really worth the visit! Every island is so beautiful, and the sea is super clear.
Here's a brief summary of the main itinerary:
Day 1 Timbatimba-Madai-Bonbon Island (Photo shoot at Timbatimba's trailing sand beach
Snorkeling & diving at Madai Bonbon Island🤿)
Saw big turtles🐢, schools of fish🐟, and starfish while diving
Personally, I think these few days had the most beautiful underwater scenery for diving and snorkeling
Day 2 Mabul Island-Kapalai (Checked in at the flower bungalow, met Bajau children🥥)
Day 3 Jellyfish Sea Bungalow🏖️
After much research, I chose the Jellyfish Sea Bungalow
Pros: Direct access to the water
Clear water, decent room decor
Beautiful sunrise and sunset, vanity facing the sea
Cons: The swimming pool in our room was not yet fixed, looked like a construction site
Don't expect too much from the meals
No coffee machine, only instant coffee
Day 4 Pearl Island-Ocean Park-Mandabuan Island-Warship Island
Hiked to overlook the entire panorama of Tun Sakaran Marine Park
Snorkeling & diving at Mandabuan Island🤿
Warship Island trailing sand beach photo shoot🏖️Snorkeling & diving🤿
Aside from getting several shades darker, the mood of this trip was still very beautiful～
How to Choose Accommodation in Semporna for Different Budgets? Understand it all in one article
Semporna Accommodation Guide: A Complete Guide to Choosing for Different Budgets including Town Hotels/Water Bungalow Resorts/Island Resorts
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🔸Average 200+/night
Yongda Hotel, Lighthouse Hotel
Grace Hotel, PALY Hotel
NEO PALY Hotel
✔️The town's popular choice, close to the pier, convenient for checking in to gourmet food/going out to sea
-
🔸Average 400+/night
Pineapple Sea
Manju, Zhongliang
Semporna Paradise
✔️Ten minutes' drive from the town, quiet and comfortable independent holiday wooden houses, with shuttle service
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🔸3 days and 2 nights average 2k
1️⃣Pom Pom Island's White Pearl, Dragon Pearl
Both resorts are very suitable for families, with a large activity area and baby turtles
2️⃣Arcadia on Bum Bum Island
Exclusive and romantic, one island one hotel
3️⃣Mabul Island's Borneo
Close to Sipadan, a paradise for diving enthusiasts
4️⃣Crystal Water Bungalows
Short boat ride but beautiful sea view
5️⃣New Jiamada Water Bungalows
The cost-effective choice for diving certification
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🔸3 days and 2 nights average 3k
1️⃣Kapalai
The popular water bungalow on the internet, facing the sea, you can see turtles just by looking down, very suitable for a relaxing holiday
2️⃣Mabul Island's SWV
Developed earlier, with older facilities and fewer people
3️⃣Jelly Sea
Newly opened water bungalows, with a net on the balcony for photo shooting
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🔸3 days and 2 nights average 4k
1️⃣Madajin Resort
2 islands one hotel, landmark trailing sand beach, the strongest Maldives holiday vibe
2️⃣Mabul Island's MWB
Li Xian's same model water bungalow, with relatively luxurious facilities
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For more information and booking Semporna resorts, click the link below to find Lazy Cat Travel
Malaysia | Semporna Mabul Island Water House
Malaysia🇲🇾 | Semporna Mabul Island Water House🌸
Mabul Island is our first stop after arriving in Semporna🛬. Before coming, because January is the rainy season in Semporna🌧️, we were worried that the rain would affect our travel. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to have clear skies when we arrived at the Mabul Island Water House for photos📷, otherwise the scenery of Mabul Island would be like the last picture.
Below is our itinerary for the day, you can choose to arrive at the hotel front desk before 8:10 in the morning to arrange for the hotel shuttle bus🚌 to take you to Fat Mama Pier. Arrive at the store before 8:50 to sign in, the meeting point is next to Fat Mama Pier. Then you can ask for the front desk's phone number, so you can call📲 the front desk to arrange for a car to take you back to the hotel. But we walked to the meeting point that day (better control of time), about a 10-minute walk.
Note: Our itinerary for the day is Mabul Island and Kapalai Day Tour
1. Pay attention to sun protection throughout the journey, the ultraviolet rays are super strong
2. About the restroom🚻, Mabul Island has a restroom where you can change clothes and go to the toilet
3. To take photos in Mabul mwb resort, guests need to pay 50 MYR💰 for the resort entrance ticket🎫;
4. You can wear regular clothes when you go out, bring a swimsuit👙, the first stop of the itinerary is to play on Mabul Island, Mabul Island has a restroom🚽 where you can change clothes, you can change clothes after playing on Mabul Island to go snorkeling
5. Our itinerary includes lunch🍱 and mineral water, so we didn't bring much food, but it is recommended to prepare some snacks🍫, because the meals included in the itinerary are not very good, and they are cold
A little note⚠️: The coconuts sold by the Bajau children are 5 MYR each, don't buy them expensive❗️❗️
Finally, a little dressing suggestion: Try to wear some brightly colored clothes, don't wear black, the sunny☀️ Mabul Island is still quite colorful, so black will not stand out in the photos
Semporna Travel Guide! No one has more fun than me!
Semporna Travel Guide! No one has more fun than me!
Although the town of Semporna is a bit messy, it doesn't affect the beauty of the jelly sea at all!!!!
Because the flight arrived at the hotel in the middle of the night the day before, so there was no itinerary arranged for the first day. I just strolled around the town, checked in at Starbucks, had a seafood dinner in the evening, watched the sunset on the hotel balcony, and the day ended, quite leisurely~
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Let's start the main text!!!
D1
Madajing + Bong Bong Island, deep diving, you will encounter sea turtles! We booked the experience diving of the Conch family on Ctrip, which includes two deep dives. The price has an absolute advantage, and the little blacks are very enthusiastic, always cheering, and the deep dive 1V2 is very safe, and there will be a go pro following to take pictures
In the evening, I went to the seafood market to bargain crazily. This can be a separate guide hahaha
D2
Pearl Island + Mandawan + Battleship Island (need to climb) Snorkeling Lots of fish and corals
This itinerary suggests that you must wear sports shoes, prepare a pair of slippers in your bag, this mountain is not easy to climb, very wild, but the scenery after going up is unbeatably beautiful!!!! I personally think it's worth it. There are many Chinese people and they are friendly. Because I didn't bring a bag up the mountain, I wanted to drink iced cola after climbing up. I was invited by a big brother, and at the same time, many people were invited. He refused to accept the money transfer haha
Then there will be two snorkeling sessions, there are a lot of fish in the snorkeling place! The little black will attract a group with fish food to cooperate with the photo
Later, I went to Battleship Island, which is very, very beautiful for taking pictures. The little black is very enthusiastic and brought a lot of photo tools to help take pictures, and it is free!!! How can they love their work so much, I cry 55555
In order to relieve the fatigue of climbing the mountain during the day, I went to the town to do a massage in the evening
D3 Moved to the water house
D4 Return to Semporna from the water house and transfer to Kota Kinabalu
D3 and D4 are relatively leisurely, but the water house is really worth it. The water is very clear, very suitable for sitting on the balcony in a daze, the balcony is directly connected to the sea surface, you can clearly see the fish, corals and starfish inside! Who understands 555, it's really comfortable, you can go snorkeling at any time, the experience is Max!!!!!! (But to be honest, I have been playing in the water for two days before, and I don't want to go down to play in the water anymore, especially D2 is sunburned 5555)
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