Relax in a comfortable overwater room above the Celebes Sea in Semporna. Your stay includes three daily meals, friendly service and easy access to Mabul, Sipadan and the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Asia Rainforest Resort sits directly above the water in Semporna. We offer comfortable overwater rooms with open ocean views. The resort provides a relaxed setting for exploring the biodiverse marine parks of Sabah. You can snorkel the reefs of Tun Sakaran Marine Park, take a day trip to Sipadan or simply rest by the water.
Our team provides warm and attentive service. Many guests mention our friendly staff as a highlight of their holiday. The kitchen prepares three buffet meals every day featuring local Sabahan, Malaysian, Chinese and Western options. You can easily reach Mabul Island, Kapalai and the Sipadan dive site by speedboat. Asia Rainforest Resort is a great choice if you want a reliable base in Semporna with direct access to the islands.
Check availability
We offer one comfortable room type at Asia Rainforest Resort. Each room sits directly above the Celebes Sea with ocean views, air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Semporna
Sabah, Malaysia
From Semporna to the Resort: Morning departures
From the Resort to Semporna: Afternoon departures
Semporna is a small town in Tawau District famous for diving, snorkelling and island day trips. Guests at Asia Rainforest Resort can easily travel to Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mabul, Kapalai, Bohey Dulang and the Sipadan dive site. The waters here offer rich marine biodiversity for both certified divers and first-time snorkellers.
Explore the coral reefs of Tun Sakaran Marine Park right from our resort jetty. The clear waters of the Celebes Sea shelter sea turtles, clownfish, giant clams and tropical fish. We provide the equipment. This activity is suitable for all skill levels including beginners.
Semporna features some of the best dive sites in Southeast Asia. This includes the famous Sipadan Island. Licensed dive operators can tailor every dive to your experience level whether you are a certified diver or a complete beginner. You must book Sipadan permit dives in advance.
Paddle at your own pace through the calm waters around the resort. You can drift above shallow coral gardens, follow nearby channels and visit quiet sandbars at low tide. We have kayaks available for independent hire. You can also join a guided half-day tour.
Board a speedboat to hop between the islands of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. You will see white-sand beaches and healthy reef systems. Our flexible guides can tailor the experience for snorkellers, photographers and island explorers.
Tun Sakaran Marine Park is the largest marine park in Sabah. It protects 346 square kilometres of reef and eight islands. This tour combines a hike to the summit of Bohey Dulang with snorkelling stops at Pulau Sibuan and Pulau Mantabuan.
The Bohey Dulang hike follows a 600-metre trail. The walk takes 30 to 45 minutes one way depending on your fitness level. The 353-metre summit offers a panoramic view of the surrounding islands and the turquoise lagoon below. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and bringing plenty of water.
Join a full-day island-hopping tour to visit three of the quieter islands in Semporna. The tour leaves the Semporna town jetty in the morning and returns mid-afternoon. Each island offers a unique experience. Mataking features a natural low-tide sandbar connecting Mataking Besar and Mataking Kecil. Timba-Timba has soft white sand and shallow reefs. Pom Pom offers calm waters and excellent sea turtle sightings.
The Tun Sakaran Marine Park protects a large section of the Semporna region. The park includes eight islands such as Pulau Sibuan, Pulau Mantabuan, Pulau Maiga and Bohey Dulang. A guided day trip here includes white-sand beaches, shallow reef snorkelling and open sea views.
The marine life at Mabul and Kapalai is exceptional. Mabul Island is a famous destination for macro diving. The tour includes a stop at the Mabul Water Bungalows resort for photos and a relaxed lunch break. Kapalai is a sandbar on the Ligitan Reefs. Guests can snorkel directly from the boat to see the rich marine life in the shallow waters.
Sipadan is a famous diving destination. The island sits on the edge of a volcanic ridge that drops to a 600-metre wall. The surrounding waters hold over 3,000 fish species, large schools of barracuda, bumphead parrotfish and sea turtles. Sipadan is a strictly protected marine reserve with a daily permit limit. You must arrange permits through a licensed dive operator in advance.
Sipadan day trips depart from Mabul. Guests at Asia Rainforest Resort can combine their stay with a short extension at a Mabul dive resort to secure Sipadan permits.
Mabul-area resorts with guaranteed Sipadan permits:
| Sipadan Mabul Resort |
| Mabul Water Bungalows |
| Borneo Divers Mabul Resort |
| Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort |
| Seaventures Dive Rig |
| Sipadan Water Village |
Under the latest Sabah Parks rules, each Sipadan permit allows three dives or snorkelling sessions per day at Sipadan.
Sipadan offers a high concentration of pelagic and reef life for certified divers. The vertical wall at Drop Off descends to 600 metres. The wall is covered in soft corals, gorgonian fans and sponges. Barracuda Point features a massive swirling school of barracuda. South Point brings strong currents, hunting sharks and occasional hammerhead sightings.
You can explore Semporna with our multi-day island hopping package. We offer two options: a snorkelling-only itinerary or a combined itinerary with the Bohey Dulang hike. This package is suitable for non-divers, beginners and families. You will visit top reefs including Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Timba-Timba and Pandanan Reef.
Every stay at Asia Rainforest Resort includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. We serve all meals buffet-style at the resort restaurant. Our kitchen prepares fresh dishes daily using local Sabahan, Malaysian, Chinese and Western recipes.
We serve eggs, toast, baked beans and cereals. You can also enjoy fresh tropical fruits and rice porridge. We offer both Western and local options every morning.
Our lunch spread features rice, stir-fried vegetables, curries, sambal and Chinese-style dishes. We prepare everything fresh for guests returning from their morning water activities.
The evening buffet includes local Sabahan cooking, Malaysian dishes, Chinese-style stir-fries and simple Western food. We can also prepare a fresh seafood BBQ on request with advance notice.
Fly to Tawau Airport, the nearest domestic gateway to Semporna. Domestic airlines like AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines operate regular flights into Tawau.
Asia Rainforest Resort can organise a comfortable road transfer from Tawau Airport to the Semporna town jetty. You will travel in a tourist van or private SUV.
A short speedboat ride from the Semporna jetty brings you directly to our resort. The quick journey offers your first view of the Celebes Sea.
We will arrange your return transfers back to Semporna and Tawau Airport at the end of your stay. Please send us your flight details after booking so we can coordinate your travel.
The staff here are genuinely warm and looked after us throughout our stay. The sea view is nice and the activities crew were friendly and attentive. Meals were delicious and the chef clearly put effort in. The facilities are on the simpler side but everything worked and the overall experience was comfortable and enjoyable.
Christophe D.
France
Came with the family and the staff made us feel very welcome right from arrival. The sea view from the resort is pleasant and the food was a highlight with both lunch and dinner being well-prepared. A relaxed and unhurried place. Good for families who want something calm and easy.
Hafiz N.
Malaysia
Not a flashy resort, but the staff are among the friendliest I encountered in Semporna. They were helpful and enthusiastic throughout. The food was tasty and the sea setting is peaceful. Simple, comfortable and well worth a stay if you want a low-key base in the area.
Hua X.
China