Semporna: Explore 3 Islands Tour Snorkel or Dive & Lunch

Three islands, clear water, coral reefs, and a boat ride across Sabah’s southeast coast make this a strong full-day outing from Semporna. I especially like the chance to combine three separate island stops with either snorkelling or beginner scuba sessions, and I like that lunch, equipment, an instructor, and water are included.

The main caution is the sea. Timba Timba’s beach is currently closed by government instruction, and weather, currents, and official approvals can change the route. You also need cash for the Pandanan and Mataking entry fees.

Key points at a glance

• Three different stops: Timba Timba, Mataking, and Pandanan each offer time for swimming, photos, snorkelling, or shallow-water scuba activity.
• Good for first-timers: A safety talk and practice in shallow water come before the underwater session, with no scuba certificate required for the introductory option.
• Long speedboat rides: The boat journey takes about 80 minutes out and 75 minutes back, so expect a proper day at sea, not a quick island hop.
• Useful inclusions: Mask, snorkel, life jacket, scuba equipment for the scuba option, lunch, water, taxes, and jetty fees are covered.
• Small groups may happen: One recent outing had just three participants, plus an instructor and driver, which made the day comfortable for a solo visitor.
• Bring extra cash: Pandanan charges MYR 15 and Mataking MYR 10 per person, payable in cash.

Why this Semporna island day is worth your time

This trip is built around simple pleasures: warm water, pale beaches, fish below the surface, and a fast boat cutting across open sea. You leave from Semporna’s tourist jetty and spend the day moving between three islands rather than staying at one resort or beach.

I like the balance. You get active water time, but also pauses for photos, lunch, and a swim. The schedule gives you several chances to try again if your first snorkelling session feels awkward. The boat transfers are long, though, and they can feel tiring if the sea is choppy or you are prone to motion sickness.

The underwater activity stays shallow. The average depth is about 2.5 metres, with a maximum of 6 metres, making the introductory scuba option less intimidating than a standard certified scuba excursion. You still need to be comfortable following instructions and entering the water, and the experience is not suitable for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The crew speaks English, Chinese, and Malay. On one recent outing, the group had only three participants, one instructor, and one driver. That kind of small group can make a big difference when you need help with a mask, fins, or breathing technique, though group size can vary.

Leaving Semporna by speedboat

Meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna, also referred to as the Pelacong Semporna jetty in the meeting details. You need to arrive there yourself because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The operator requires each person’s full name and nationality exactly as shown on a passport, with registration submitted at least 24 hours before departure.

The first boat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is a substantial part of the day, but it is also what gets you from Semporna to the island area. Bring a waterproof bag for clothing, electronics, and documents. A motion sickness remedy is a smart choice if speedboats and open water do not usually agree with you.

Conditions matter here. The tour runs in rain or sun unless government instructions stop it, but weather, sea conditions, currents, and official approval can affect both the route and the timing. The boat may also return later than planned if conditions slow the journey.

Timba Timba: beach time and a changing plan

Timba Timba is the first main stop, reached after the long outward boat ride. The planned time here includes about 35 minutes for a visit, photos, and free time, followed by roughly 50 minutes for swimming, snorkelling, marine-life viewing, or the introductory scuba activity.

There is an important current restriction: Timba Timba beach is closed by government instruction until further notice. Do not book this day expecting a normal beach visit there. The operator may still use the surrounding waters or adjust the stop, but the exact experience depends on official rules and sea conditions.

When access allows, this island is meant to give you an easy first encounter with the water. The sheltered setting and calmer seas can help you settle in before the later stops. You may find the first session especially useful if you are new to snorkelling, since the instructor gives a safety briefing and helps you practise in shallow water.

The water time is not only for confident swimmers. The supplied details say seniors and non-swimmers are encouraged to try, with assistance available. Take that as encouragement, not as a promise that the sea will feel easy for everyone. A life jacket is included, and you should tell the instructor clearly if you are nervous.

Learning the basics before going underwater

The introductory scuba option does not require a certificate or advanced training. You receive a short theory lesson, safety instructions, equipment, and shallow-water practice before moving among tropical fish.

The package includes two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions and one snorkelling trip if you choose that option. The alternative snorkelling package gives you three snorkelling sessions for the full stop duration. Mask and snorkel are included for both choices.

For scuba participants, the equipment list includes fins, a full wetsuit rental, buoyancy control device, regulator, gauge, oxygen tank or cylinder, and related gear. The information also lists a photographer and videographer service for scuba participants, which may be useful if you want a record of your first underwater session.

You should still bring a swimsuit or wetsuit if you have one. A wetsuit or swimsuit is not included as a personal item, despite equipment being supplied for the scuba option. The advice is to wear a wetsuit if possible, particularly if you expect to spend a long time in the water.

Turtles are possible, and some outings have seen turtles and many fish, but they are wild animals. Treat a turtle sighting as luck, not as part of the guarantee. Coral and marine life are the main reason to join, but visibility can change with current and weather.

Lunch at a quiet island stop

After Timba Timba, the boat ride to the lunch stop takes about 15 minutes. The schedule allows about 70 minutes for a meal and free time at what is described as a quieter stop.

Lunch is a homemade, locally sourced meal served in a box. One 1.5-litre bottle of water is included as well. This is practical rather than elaborate dining, but it gives you a proper pause between water sessions and boat rides.

I like having lunch built into the day because island tours can otherwise leave you hunting for food while wet, sandy, and far from town. You should still bring personal snacks only if you need them, since personal expenses are not covered. Keep cash dry, since you will need it for the conservation and entry fees later.

Mataking: another chance for clear water

The boat then takes about 15 minutes to Mataking. You have around 40 minutes for swimming, snorkelling, marine-life viewing, or the introductory scuba option.

Mataking is one of the more appealing parts of the route because it gives you another setting after the first water session. If your mask leaked or your breathing felt strange earlier, you have a chance to adjust. If you are already comfortable, you can use this stop to focus more on fish and coral rather than basic technique.

There is a MYR 10 Mataking entry fee per person, payable in cash and not included in the tour price. Keep small notes if possible, and store them in your waterproof bag. The fee is minor compared with the total cost, but it is exactly the kind of charge that can catch you unprepared at a jetty.

Pandanan Bay and the final water session

The final island stop is Pulau Pandanan, reached after another 15-minute speedboat ride. The planned stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkelling, marine-life viewing, and scuba activity, with another safety briefing where needed.

By this stage, you may be ready for a slower swim rather than another lesson. Pandanan works as the final chance to get in the water before the return journey, and the schedule allows you to relax if you have had enough activity.

Pandanan has a MYR 15 beach conservation and entry fee per person, payable in cash. Combined with Mataking’s MYR 10 fee, you should budget at least MYR 25 extra per person for these stated charges. The exact use of the conservation fee is not explained in the supplied details, but it is part of the required access cost.

After Pandanan, the ride back to Semporna takes about 75 minutes. This is another long stretch on the boat, so dry clothes, motion sickness prevention, sun protection, and a secure bag are useful. The tour returns to the same Semporna jetty where you started.

What the $57 price really covers

At $57 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want a full day of water activity without arranging equipment, lunch, and boat transport separately. The price includes the day tour, instructor, multilingual instruction, life jacket, mask and snorkel, lunch box, bottled water, dock taxes, jetty fee, and taxes.

The scuba option adds a considerable amount of gear: fins, wetsuit rental, buoyancy control device, regulator, gauge, cylinder, and related equipment. Two 20-minute introductory sessions are included, along with one snorkelling trip. The photographer and videographer service is also listed for scuba participants.

The price does not cover transport to the jetty, personal expenses, the MYR 10 Mataking fee, or the MYR 15 Pandanan fee. It also does not supply your personal swimsuit or wetsuit. Once those extras are added, the true cost is a little higher than the headline price, but it remains reasonable for a seven-hour boat excursion with three island stops.

I would choose this trip over a cheaper beach transfer if you want guided water activity. If you only want to sit on sand and take photos, you may find the long speedboat rides and structured water sessions unnecessary.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a good match for you if you want several short water sessions rather than one long session in one place. Beginners get a safety talk, shallow-water practice, and an instructor nearby. Experienced snorkellers get repeated access to reefs and marine life without having to arrange their own boat.

It can also suit solo visitors. A small group is possible, and the example of three participants with one instructor and one driver suggests the experience can feel personal when numbers are low. The operator does not promise a fixed group size, so do not book solely on that expectation.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, struggle with motion sickness, or need a tightly fixed timetable. The outward and return rides alone total about 155 minutes, and currents or government instructions can change the schedule. People with pre-existing medical conditions are specifically advised not to join.

Book at least a day ahead with accurate passport names and nationalities. Check WhatsApp and email before the tour because the crew may contact you the day before. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Semporna plans are still shifting.

Should you book this island tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced day on the water with three island settings, guided snorkelling, or a gentle first scuba experience. The included equipment and lunch keep the planning simple, while the multilingual crew and shallow-water format make it approachable for beginners.

Skip it if Timba Timba beach access is essential to your plan, since that beach is currently closed, or if you want a guaranteed turtle encounter. Also skip it if long boat rides and changing sea conditions would spoil your day.

For most visitors who want to see more than one island from Semporna, the package offers a useful mix of scenery, reef time, instruction, and local food. Bring cash, a waterproof bag, dry clothes, and patience for the sea. The water may provide the day’s best surprises, but it will always set the timetable.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is seven hours. The schedule includes about 80 minutes by speedboat to the islands and about 75 minutes for the return trip, with timing subject to sea and weather conditions.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Timba Timba, Mataking, and Pulau Pandanan. The exact plan may change because of weather, government instructions, and sea conditions.

Is Timba Timba beach open?

Timba Timba beach is currently closed by government instruction until further notice. The operator may modify the stop according to official guidance.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No certificate is required for the introductory scuba option. The activity takes place in shallow water, with an average depth of about 2.5 metres and a maximum depth of 6 metres.

How many scuba sessions are included?

The scuba option includes two introductory sessions of 20 minutes each, plus one snorkelling trip for the whole duration.

Can I choose snorkelling instead?

Yes. The snorkelling option includes three snorkelling trips for the full stop duration.

What equipment is included?

Mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included. The scuba option also includes fins, wetsuit rental, buoyancy control device, regulator, gauge, cylinder, and related scuba equipment.

Are island entry fees included?

No. Pandanan charges MYR 15 per person and Mataking charges MYR 10 per person. Both fees are payable in cash.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, cash, a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention if needed, your passport or an accepted copy, and a swimsuit or wetsuit.