Comfortable overwater rooms above the Celebes Sea in Semporna, Sabah. Three daily meals, warm staff and easy access to Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mabul and Sipadan.
Asia Rainforest Resort sits above the Celebes Sea in Semporna, offering comfortable overwater rooms with open ocean views. The resort is a relaxed, unpretentious base for exploring one of Southeast Asia's most biodiverse coastlines, whether you are here to snorkel the reefs of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, arrange a day trip to Sipadan or simply slow down beside the water.
The team here has a reputation for warm, attentive service. Guests frequently mention the staff as a highlight of their stay. The kitchen prepares three buffet meals daily, drawing from local Sabahan, Malaysian, Chinese and Western styles. Mabul Island, Kapalai and the legendary Sipadan dive site are all within reach by speedboat from the resort. If you are looking for a comfortable, good-value base in Semporna with easy access to the islands, Asia Rainforest Resort delivers on that without fuss.
Plan Your Stay
One room type available at Asia Rainforest Resort, designed for comfort above the Celebes Sea with ocean views, air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Semporna is a small coastal town in Tawau District, Sabah, known worldwide for diving, snorkelling and island adventures. From Asia Rainforest Resort, guests reach the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, the islands of Mabul and Kapalai, the volcanic ridge of Bohey Dulang and the legendary Sipadan dive site. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a first-time snorkeller, the waters here offer some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet.
Explore the coral reefs of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park directly from the resort jetty. The warm clear waters of the Celebes Sea shelter sea turtles, clownfish, giant clams and schools of tropical fish. Equipment provided. Suitable for all skill levels including beginners.
Semporna is home to some of the most celebrated dive sites in the region, including Sipadan Island. Whether you are a certified diver or a complete beginner, licensed dive operators tailor every dive to your experience level. Advance booking required for Sipadan permit dives.
Paddle at your own pace through the calm sheltered waters around the resort. Drift above shallow coral gardens, follow nearby channels and reach quiet sandbars at low tide. Kayaks available for independent hire or guided half-day tours.
Board a speedboat for a day of hopping between the islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. From white-sand beaches to thriving reef systems, a flexible guide-led experience tailored for snorkellers, photographers or anyone who wants to explore.
Tun Sakaran Marine Park is Sabah's largest marine park, spanning 346 km² of protected reef and 8 islands, just a boat ride from the resort. This tour combines a hike to the summit of Bohey Dulang with snorkelling stops at Pulau Sibuan and Pulau Mantabuan.
At Bohey Dulang you hike a 600-metre trail taking 30 to 45 minutes one way, depending on fitness level. The reward at the summit at 353 metres is a panoramic view of the surrounding islands, the turquoise waters and the lagoon below. Sturdy shoes and plenty of water are recommended.
A full-day island-hopping tour visiting three of Semporna's quieter islands. The tour departs from Semporna town jetty in the morning and returns mid-afternoon. Each island offers something different: Mataking has Malaysia's only underwater post office and a natural low-tide sandbar connecting Mataking Besar and Mataking Kecil; Timba-Timba has soft white sand and shallow snorkelling reefs; Pom Pom offers calm waters and good sea turtle sightings.
The Tun Sakaran Marine Park protects 346 km² of the Semporna region, made up of 8 islands including Pulau Sibuan, Pulau Mantabuan, Pulau Maiga and the volcanic Bohey Dulang. The park is part of the Coral Triangle, the global centre of marine biodiversity. A day of guided island hopping here covers white-sand beaches, shallow reef snorkelling and views of the open Celebes Sea.
The marine diversity of Mabul and Kapalai rivals anything in Southeast Asia. Mabul Island has been a celebrated dive and snorkel destination for decades, known for macro diving and its proximity to Sipadan. The tour includes a stop at the Mabul Water Bungalows resort for photos and a relaxed lunch break, organised by the tour operator. For Kapalai, a sandbar on the Ligitan Reefs, guests snorkel directly from the boat in the rich shallow waters around the island.
Sipadan is widely considered one of the top diving destinations in the world. The island sits on the edge of a volcanic ridge that drops to a 600-metre wall, ringed by 160 hectares of coral reef. The waters hold over 3,000 fish species, large schools of barracuda and jackfish, bumphead parrotfish and green and hawksbill sea turtles in remarkable numbers. Sipadan is a strictly protected marine reserve with a daily permit cap. Permits are arranged through licensed dive operators in advance.
Sipadan day trips depart from Mabul-area resorts. Guests of Asia Rainforest Resort can combine their stay with a 2 to 5 night extension at a Mabul-area dive resort to secure Sipadan permits and access the site.
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 (effective 1 May 2026), each Sipadan permit allows 3 fun dives or snorkelling activities per day at Sipadan.
For certified divers, Sipadan offers a concentration of pelagic and reef life that few sites in the world can match. The vertical wall at Drop Off descends straight to 600 metres, covered in soft corals, gorgonian fans and sponges. At Barracuda Point the famous swirling tornado of schooling barracuda, often numbering in the thousands, makes for one of the most photographed dive moments in Asia. South Point brings strong currents, hunting sharks and occasional scalloped hammerhead encounters.
Explore the best of Semporna above and below the water with the Semporna Island Hopping package, available in two flexible options: a relaxed snorkelling-only itinerary, or a combined snorkelling and Hiking Bohey Dulang itinerary. Suitable for non-divers, first-timers and families, this tour offers guided snorkelling at top reefs including Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Timba-Timba and Pandanan Reef.
All stays at Asia Rainforest Resort include breakfast, lunch and dinner, served buffet-style at the resort restaurant. The kitchen draws from local Sabahan, Malaysian, Chinese and Western styles, freshly prepared each day.
Sunny-side-up eggs, toast, baked beans and cereals alongside fresh tropical fruits and rice porridge. Western and local options available every morning.
A spread of rice, stir-fried vegetables, fragrant curries, sambal and Chinese-style dishes. Freshly prepared midday, suited for divers and snorkellers returning from the water.
An evening buffet featuring local Sabahan coastal cooking, Malaysian dishes, Chinese-style stir-fries and simple Western options. Fresh seafood BBQ available on request with advance notice.
Fly to Tawau Airport (TWU), the nearest domestic gateway to Semporna. Domestic carriers including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines operate frequent flights into Tawau.
From Tawau Airport, Asia Rainforest Resort organises a comfortable road transfer to the Semporna town jetty by tourist van or private SUV.
From the Semporna jetty, a short speedboat transfer organised by Asia Rainforest Resort brings you directly to the resort. The ride takes only a few minutes and offers your first taste of the calm, clear waters of the Celebes Sea.
Return transfers back to Semporna and onward to Tawau Airport are arranged at the end of your stay. Send your arrival and departure flight details after booking and we will coordinate everything with you.
Semporna
Sabah, Malaysia
From Semporna to the Resort: Morning departures
From the Resort to Semporna: Afternoon departures
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