Semporna with Kids: Island Tours to Bohey Dulang, Mabul & Sipadan

If you’re visiting Semporna with kids, you can choose between overwater or beach resorts for a unique experience, or stay in Semporna town for convenience and lower costs. Both options have advantages, depending on your budget, travel style, and the age of your children.

• 🤩 Unique experience: Our kids loved the overwater villas; you can swim whenever you want (which can be a challenge for parents 😉). From our balcony and under the pier, we spotted colorful fish and even sea turtles.
• 🤿 Snorkeling at your doorstep: Many resorts have house reefs that are easily accessible.
• 🚤 Tours & timing: Most tours start early and end in the late afternoon. With full-day tours, there may be limited time to enjoy your villa.
• 💰 Price: These resorts are significantly more expensive than staying in Semporna town, but meals and boat transfers are often included.
• ⏰ Tide-dependent transfers: Arrival and departure times can be affected by tides; check with the resort, especially if you have connecting flights.

Recommended resorts:

• Aloha Mabul Scuba Lodge – Budget-friendly with a dive center in Mabul
• Sisipan Resort – Fun, relatively affordable, and flexible for kids.

💡 Crew Tip: Always watch your kids carefully at overwater resorts; there are no railings near the water. Keep them close at all times.

• 💰 Budget-friendly: Hotels and homestays are cheaper, perfect for families staying multiple nights.
• 🛒 Convenience: Easy access to supermarkets, pharmacies, and local shops, handy for babies and toddlers.
• 🚤 Boat trips: Island tours take a bit longer (around 30–60 minutes from town)
• 🌆 Town environment: Semporna itself isn’t very scenic, but it’s practical and has everything you need.

Recommended resorts:

• Ang Lee Holiday Home 1 – Apartment with its own kitchen, perfect for families with small kids.
• Ang Lee Holiday Home 2 – Another apartment with kitchen facilities, convenient for preparing meals for little ones.
• Timba Garden – Outside the main town but with a pool and kid-friendly facilities.

If your budget allows, an overwater or beach resort is a great experience, just plan a “rest day” to enjoy the villa. If you plan multiple day tours like we did (3 nights), staying in Semporna town can save money while still being very convenient. In hindsight, we would probably have stayed in Semporna and used the money saved for a private tour instead of a shared one (more on that later).

Semporna and nearby islands such as Mabul and Mataking offer stunning island tours with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and excellent snorkeling. Most tours depart from Semporna town or local resorts on nearby islands. While all tours are beautiful, not every stop is equally kid-friendly: some islands require hiking, and shared tours can mean waiting times for young children.

Semporna is the gateway to some of Borneo’s most beautiful islands, home to what many call Malaysia’s best beaches. It’s an ideal base for families who want a mix of snorkeling, short hikes, and island-hopping. Most tour operators organize trips to the following islands:

• Tour A: Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, Sibuan
• Tour B: Mabul, Kapalai
• Tour C: Timba-Timba, Mataking, Pom Pom

After research, we chose Tour A and C, as they seemed the most scenic and family-friendly.

All tours generally include:

• Life jackets for all ages
• Snorkel gear (note: children’s snorkels usually not provided)
• Lunch, drinks and snacks
• Short boat transfers (20–60 minutes depending on departure point)

Bohey Dulang is absolutely gorgeous, but the famous hike is only allowed from age 6. The climb takes around 20–30 minutes one way for reasonably fit adults and includes stairs, rocks, slippery mud paths, and small rivers. With our daughters (3 and 4), we had to split up: one of us went up, the other stayed behind with the kids.

‼️ Important to know: there is no (public) beach or place to swim on Bohey Dulang. On shared tours, you depend on the slowest hiker in the group, which meant our kids ended up waiting nearly 4 hours before the climb was finished. Understandable of course, but tough with little ones. A private tour lets you go up and down faster and continue right after.

Both islands are great for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. Calm waters, soft sand, and plenty of shade make these stops a lot easier with kids.

Book this tour:

• Klook – Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan & Sibuan
• GetYourGuide – Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan & Sibuan

The absolute highlight of our trip! The beach here is pristine, the water is shallow and calm, and snorkeling is super easy for families. Our kids loved splashing around safely while we spotted plenty of fish close to shore.

Both islands are equally stunning, with house reefs and overwater villas in sight. Perfect for a mix of snorkeling and enjoying the picture-perfect beaches.

Book this tour:

• Klook – Timba Timba, Mataking & Pom Pom
• GetYourGuide – Timba Timba, Mataking & Pom Pom

Private tours are more expensive but much easier with young children. On shared tours, waiting is common (for climbers, snorkelers, or divers) and this reduces your actual time on the islands. In hindsight, we would probably have stayed in Semporna town and used the money saved for a private tour. That way, we could choose exactly which islands to visit and how long to spend at each stop, which is much more family-friendly.

Semporna offers Malaysia’s best beaches and a stunning underwater world, perfect for families seeking snorkeling, beach fun and adventure

Semporna is a paradise for families who love clear waters, soft sand and colorful fish. Snorkeling is possible on nearly all tours and many islands have shallow, calm waters perfect for toddlers. Bring water shoes, a kids’ snorkel set and some snacks.

If you stay at an overwater resort, you often have access to extra activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or short guided nature walks. These activities are ideal for filling a relaxed day between island tours.

All tours offer diving options, but the ultimate spot is Sipadan. Permits are limited so you need to book well in advance. Sometimes multiple days of diving are required to secure one day at Sipadan, especially in the high season (July and August).

For our trip, one of us went diving during Tour C which was already amazing. It makes you dream about how incredible Sipadan must be. Keep in mind that if you dive on a tour with kids, they stay on the boat for a long time so you need to plan carefully.

Traveling to Semporna, Mabul, or Tun Sakaran Marine Park with a baby or toddler requires careful planning. While toddlers can enjoy calm beaches and easy snorkeling, traveling with a baby is challenging due to long boat rides, lack of facilities, and limited shade.

Our daughters, aged 3 and 4, had a fantastic time on the islands. They loved the beaches, swimming, and snorkeling in calm, shallow waters. Tun Sakaran Marine Park offers safe spots for toddlers, though supervision is needed near rocks or water. On shared tours, waiting for other guests to finish snorkeling or climbing can be a bit long, but overall, toddlers can have a very enjoyable day.

• 🩴 Bring water shoes and a kids’ snorkel set
• 🥨 Pack extra snacks and drinks
• 🎽 Make sure all kids have life jackets
• 🧴 Bring a small towel and sunscreen
• 🥱 Plan rest breaks on the beach or boat

Taking a baby on island tours is possible with careful preparation, but it comes with challenges. Life jackets for babies are not provided, shade is limited, facilities are minimal, and boat rides can be bumpy or rainy. Personally, we would not do it with a baby, but every family is different and some parents may feel confident trying it. Staying in Semporna town gives you easier access to clinics, supermarkets, and other necessities, which can make a trip with a baby more manageable.

Semporna and the nearby islands are popular for beaches and snorkeling, but several governments currently list eastern Sabah in their travel advisories because of historical security incidents in the wider region. Many families visit without problems, however it is important to check current government advice, confirm insurance coverage, and follow local safety guidance.

While Semporna is an amazing base for exploring some of Malaysia’s best beaches and islands, you may notice that Eastern Sabah, including Semporna, appears in international travel advisories. These advisories are mostly based on past security incidents with piracy and kidnappings many years ago, especially near the Philippines border.

Like many families, we doubted at first whether to go. After doing a lot of research on travel forums and recent trip reports, we found no negative experiences from travelers in recent years. Once there, we felt completely safe. Most tours are well-organized, guides are professional, and Semporna town itself felt busy but fine to walk around during the day.

👉 The most important thing is to check your travel and health insurance, since some providers exclude coverage if you visit areas with an active travel advisory.

• Boat Trips: Transfers to the islands can be rough, especially during the rainy season. Ensure that children wear approved life jackets at all times.
• Health Precautions: Bring a first aid kit and any necessary medications, as medical facilities on the islands are limited.
• Local Regulations: Respect local communities and follow cultural customs. Be aware of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) regulations, which may include water travel curfews.
• Insurance: Verify that your travel and health insurance cover activities in regions with a yellow travel advisory, as some policies may have exclusions.

Essential practical advice for families traveling to Semporna, Mabul, and Tun Sakaran Marine Park, covering weather, boat rides, packing, and safety with kids.

Most of our stay had good weather, but the rain can be unpredictable. On arrival it seemed like the biggest downpour ever, and during our last night it rained so hard water even came through tiny gaps in our accommodation. Luckily, the rain stopped just before we left for our flight and boat transfer. This shows it is important to be prepared for sudden showers and plan flexible activities for children.

Here’s what we found most useful to bring for island days with kids:

• Kids’ snorkel set – makes it easy for little ones to enjoy the clear waters.
• Water shoes – protect feet from rocks, shells and hot sand. We’re big fans of 👉 Slipstop water shoes, but an alternative is 👉 Bigib
• Life jackets (babies and kids) – available for kids locally, but bring your own for babies.
• UV shirts – extra sun protection during long days outside; check out 👉 this one
• Sunscreen – reef-safe if possible, and reapply often.
• Towels – handy after swimming and for shade if needed; check out these 👉 quick-dry towels
• Extra snacks and drinks – island food options are limited.
• 100% waterproof drybag – keep phones, money and clothes safe from waves. We use a small dry bag like 👉 this one.
• Lightweight rain poncho – sudden tropical downpours are common.
• Swim ring, floaties, or puddle jumper – Safe, age-appropriate swim aids for pool and ocean play.
• Bucket and shovel for beach play – Small, 👉 foldable sets to keep kids entertained at the beach.

Getting to Semporna with kids is possible via Tawau Airport or by road from the Kinabatangan River. Families should plan extra time for boat transfers to overwater resorts and be prepared for changing weather and tides.

Most families arrive in Semporna via Tawau Airport, the closest airport with domestic connections to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur. From there it takes around 1.5–2 hours by car to reach Semporna town.

Another option is to come by road from the Kinabatangan River, like we did. This drive takes about 4–5 hours and is long but doable with kids if you plan breaks.

If you are staying in an overwater resort, you will need to continue by boat. Our boat ride took about 15 minutes, but the duration depends on your final destination. One thing to keep in mind is that boats cannot always dock directly at the resort depending on the tide. Check with your accommodation beforehand how this is arranged.

Be prepared for the weather at sea. On one of our rides we got completely soaked because of heavy rain. Bring a poncho, a dry bag for electronics and some spare clothes for the kids. It is also smart to plan some buffer time for transfers, since boats do not always leave on time.

To be honest, Semporna and the surrounding islands really surprised us with how beautiful they are. We highly recommend visiting. It can get quite pricey, but if you stay in Semporna town and join shared tours, it’s very manageable on a budget.

This is also the perfect way to wrap up a trip through Sabah: start in Sandakan with Sepilok, then explore the Kinabatangan River, and finish with these stunning islands and Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches.

Helpful guides for planning your next family trip in Malaysia and beyond:

• Lombok with Kids
• Family-Friendly Beaches in Bali
• Nusa Islands with Kids
• Lovina with Kids
• Bali & Lombok Packing List with Kids
• Where to stay in Bali with Kids
• Kuala Lumpur with kids

📥 Want more? Visit our 👉 Family Travel Shop for printables and travel journals to make your trip even smoother.

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Happy travels and enjoy your Semporna & Borneo family adventure! 🌴🍼
– The Little Passport Crew

FAQ: Semporna, Mabul & Surrounding Islands with Kids

Is Semporna suitable for a family trip with kids?

Yes, Semporna is great for families. The islands nearby, including Mabul and Tun Sakaran Marine Park, offer calm beaches, shallow snorkeling spots, and stunning scenery. Toddlers can enjoy Timba Timba’s gentle waters, while older kids can explore snorkeling and short hikes.

Can I visit Tun Sakaran Marine Park with a baby?

Visiting with a baby is possible but requires preparation. There are no baby-specific life jackets, limited shade, and boat rides can be long or bumpy. We personally wouldn’t do it with a baby, but families with older kids will have a great experience.

What are the best family-friendly island tours from Semporna?

Tour A (Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, Sibuan) and Tour C (Timba Timba, Mataking, Pom Pom) are excellent for families. Tour A includes a mountain hike (for kids 6+), while Tour C offers calm waters ideal for toddlers. Private tours provide more flexibility and reduce waiting times for children.

Are life jackets and snorkeling gear available for kids?

Life jackets are provided for children (3+), but there are no life jackets for babies. Bring your own kids’ snorkel set.

Are Semporna and nearby islands safe for families?

Eastern Sabah has a travel advisory due to past incidents, but in recent years there have been no negative tourist reports. We felt safe throughout our stay, especially on organized tours. Always check your travel and health insurance before visiting.

How do I get to Semporna and the islands with kids?

Fly into Tawau Airport (1.5–2 hours to Semporna) or drive from the Kinabatangan River (4–5 hours). Overwater resorts require additional boat rides (15–30 minutes). Check weather and tides, as boats may be delayed by rain or low tide.