kk or semporna?
Both are Sabah sea trips, so they often come up in the same conversation. KK is the easy all-rounder, with islands 15 minutes offshore and Kinabalu inland, while Semporna is a small town that's all about the water, the gateway to Sipadan, Mabul and the islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
kota kinabalu
Dear group chat,Island hopping by day, waterfront sunsets, Kinabalu on the horizon.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingKota KinabaluMY, Sabah
semporna
Dear group chat,The way to Sipadan and Mabul: turtles, reef walls and stilt villages on the sea.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingSempornaMY, Sabah
- From KL
- kkAbout 1,620 km
- sempornaAbout 1,880 km
- Best months
- kkAll year
- sempornaAll year
- Vibe
- kkBusy capital with islands and a mountain
- sempornaSmall dive town and a jumping-off point
- In the water
- kkEasy snorkelling at Manukan and Sapi
- sempornaDiving at Sipadan and Mabul, island snorkelling
- On land
- kkKinabalu, Kundasang, the seafood night market
- sempornaThe Bohey Dulang hike, Bajau Laut stilt villages
- Getting there
- kkAbout 2.5 hours' flight from KL
- sempornaFly to Tawau, then 1–1.5 hours by road
- How long
- kk3–4 days
- semporna4–5 days
- Best for
- kkMixed groups of swimmers and non-swimmers
- sempornaDivers, and snorkellers after clearer water
Go kk if…
- not everyone in the group swims or dives
- you want city food, islands and cool mountain air in one trip
- you'd like a short flight with no road transfer
- you only have three or four days
Go semporna if…
- diving Sipadan has been on your list for years
- you want clearer water and better reefs than the city islands
- you'd like to stay at a stilt resort on Mabul
- you have four or five days and can book dive permits early
The verdict
KK is the easier all-rounder, with islands, food and the mountain all close to town; Semporna is the trip for the water, especially if anyone in the group dives. Can't decide? Non-divers will be happy in KK; divers should pick Semporna and book Sipadan permits well ahead. Check the current travel advice for Sabah's east coast before you book Semporna.