Semporna Water Resorts
The water resorts are the newest face of Semporna: stilt-built villages of chalets standing over seagrass beds and reef flats on the islands and sandbars around town, most of them family-run by local Bajau and Chinese-Malaysian owners. They are not the polished dive resorts of Mabul or Kapalai - and that is the point. You sleep a few metres above the sea, you snorkel off your own veranda, and you pay a fraction of an island dive-resort rate.
Below is the full map of the scene - every water resort around Semporna, one by one. The entries that link through have a full page with photos, room types and transfer details.
Luxury Water Resorts
Blue Ocean Resort
Blue Ocean Resort stands on stilts over the tide near Semporna, its chalets facing the Celebes Sea. It suits couples and travellers who want an over-water stay without a luxury price tag.
Crystal Resort
Crystal Resort sits above the turquoise shallows of the Celebes Sea near Semporna, with sea views from the chalets. Being out on the water puts the surrounding islands and reefs closer than a base in Semporna town does.
Larapan Water Village
Larapan Water Village is a group of wooden chalets built on stilts above the sea near Semporna. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and ensuite, each with a sea-facing balcony.
Pearl Island Resort
Bohey Dulang Resort, also known as Pearl Island Resort, is an over-water dive resort at Bohey Dulang island inside the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, about 20 minutes from Semporna. It is the newest over-water address in the park.
Royal Resort Semporna
Royal Resort Semporna rests over shallow sandy water and keeps a quiet, uncrowded atmosphere. It is aimed at couples, offering local elegance rather than five-star service.
Sand Bay Resort
Sand Bay Resort has no beach or shoreline access at all — the wooden chalets are perched above calm, shallow sandy water. That makes it a genuinely over-water stay rather than a beach resort with a jetty.
Sea Star Resort
Sea Star Resort is built entirely on stilts over shallow turquoise water near Semporna. It is a simple over-water place rather than a large five-star complex, suited to snorkelling and island-hopping days.
Sky Water Villas
Sky Water Villas is a mid-range over-water resort above the Celebes Sea near Semporna. Every room has a sea-facing balcony, and the setting suits couples wanting a quiet stay.
Anyu Pool Villa Resort
Anyu Pool Villa Resort offers private villas with outdoor pools, aimed at couples and families. It sits close to Semporna town — roughly a fifteen-minute walk from the harbour where the reef boats leave.
Arcadia Beach Resort
Arcadia Beach Resort is the only resort on its island, so the beach stays uncrowded. Its water villa holds three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, which suits families and small groups travelling together.
Bubblefish Water Villa
Bubblefish Water Villa sits at Kampung Bum Bum with over-water villas, sea-facing balconies and full-board dining. Boats leave daily for the reefs of Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.
Bum Bum Bay Resort
Bum Bum Bay Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Cupid Resort
Cupid Resort opened in 2025 with private overwater suites above the Celebes Sea, each with a glass-sided plunge pool set into the deck. It sits about thirty minutes by boat from Semporna town, within short reach of the surrounding marine parks.
Doris Mataking Resort
Doris Mataking Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
F Lina Water Villa Resort
F Lina Water Villa Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Check F Lina Water Villa Resort
Grand Dive Resort
Grand Dive Resort is built entirely on wooden stilts over the sea near Semporna, with full-board packages and day trips out to Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai and the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Meals are served as daily buffets of Sabahan, Chinese and Malaysian dishes.
Jelly Sea Resort
Jelly Sea Resort is a group of over-water villas above the Celebes Sea near Semporna, each with a private deck and a stair leading straight down into the water. Three meals a day are included in the stay.
Kulapuan Island Resort
Kulapuan Island Resort occupies its own island in the Semporna archipelago, reached from a town that is about 45 minutes from Tawau airport. Snorkelling, diving and island tours are run from the resort.
Reserve Kulapuan Island Resort
Moana Water Village
Moana Water Village is built directly above the water of the Semporna archipelago, in sheltered water near Bum Bum island. It offers over-water pool villas, daily buffet meals and reef access into the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Nia Resort
Nia Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Noura Resort
Noura Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Nusakuya Resort
Nusakuya Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Orange Wave Resort
Orange Wave Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Sagittarius Resort
Sagittarius Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Santiri Island Resort
Santiri Island Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Sea Coral Resort
Sea Coral Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Sea Plus Water Chalet Resort
Sea Plus Water Chalet Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Check Sea Plus Water Chalet Resort
Sicily Hotel Semporna
Sicily Hotel Semporna is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Starz Water Village
Starz Water Village is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Turtle Garden Resort
Turtle Garden Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a package covering the transfer, full board and a snorkelling or island-hopping programme.
Set your expectations like a local. Power usually comes from a generator or solar bank and often runs only in the evening; fresh water is barged in and showers are simple; food is whatever the kitchen cooked that day, and it is usually excellent. Everything works on a package: boat transfer from the Semporna jetty, full board, and an island-hopping or snorkel program. There is no walking to a shop - once you are out there, you are out there, which is exactly why people love it.
Who suits a water resort? Snorkelers, families, photographers chasing that villas-on-turquoise shot, and anyone happy to trade air-conditioning hours for sunsets. Divers heading for Sipadan should remember the hard rules - 254 permits per day, arranged in advance, and Advanced Open Water required since October 2022 - and confirm whether their resort can obtain permits before booking, or base themselves with a Semporna dive operator instead.
Budget & Family Water Resorts
Danglai Resort
Danglai Resort lies about 15 minutes by speedboat beyond Semporna town, a no-frills over-water resort built in white stilt-house style. It suits couples and mid-range travellers after a quiet water villa.
Dayang Resort
Dayang Resort is built on wooden stilts over clear shallows, with direct access to the sea for snorkelling and island-hopping in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The chalets pair local simplicity with comfortable over-water living.
Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort
Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort sits close to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, an affordable base with easy access to the nearby islands for divers and snorkellers. Its restaurant serves local, Chinese and western dishes including fresh seafood.
Book Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort
Sisipan Island Resort
Sisipan Island Resort is modest in design but quiet and private. The over-water bungalows are basic, with wide balconies and open sea views.
Adil Waterhouse Resort
Adil Waterhouse Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Amina Holidays
Amina Holidays is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Asia Rainforest Resort
Asia Rainforest Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Bigfin Water Bungalow
Bigfin Water Bungalow is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Bihing Angan Water Chalet
Bihing Angan Water Chalet is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Bihing Angan Water Chalet
Coco Seaweed Resort
Coco Seaweed Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Coco Seaweed Resort — deals
Dreamy Wave Dwelling Resort
Dreamy Wave Dwelling Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Dreamy Wave Dwelling Resort
Egang-Egang Resort
Egang-Egang Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Egang-Egang Resort — deals
Fairyland Resort
Fairyland Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Lato Lato Resort
Lato Lato Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Luma' Selakan
Luma' Selakan is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Maglami Lami Water House
Maglami Lami Water House is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Mussah Poteh Resort
Mussah Poteh Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Mussah Poteh Resort — deals
Paghalian Water House
Paghalian Water House is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Parapat Water Village Resort
Parapat Water Village Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Parapat Water Village Resort
Pavalintang Resort
Pavalintang Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Pavalintang Resort — deals
Seaweed Village Resort
Seaweed Village Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Sunny Holiday
Sunny Holiday is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Tampi-Tampi Resort
Tampi-Tampi Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Tampi-Tampi Resort — deals
Turtle Garden Lodge
Turtle Garden Lodge is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Book Turtle Garden Lodge — deals
Turtle Seaweed Resort
Turtle Seaweed Resort is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
WB Shun Shun Water Bungalows
WB Shun Shun Water Bungalows is an over-water resort in the Semporna archipelago, its chalets built on stilts above the reef and reached by boat from the Semporna jetty. Stays are arranged as a simple package covering the boat transfer, full board and time on the water.
Not sure which one fits your dates, budget and snorkel-versus-dive plans? That is literally our job.