Semporna, located in Sabah, Malaysia on the island of Borneo, has links to both major international and national transport hubs.
The closest airport to Semporna is Tawau airport (TWU), around a 90 minute drive away. Scuba Junkie can arrange an airport transfer service and pick you up if you let us know you are coming ahead of time.
The journey time from Tawau airport to Semporna by taxi is around a 90 minute drive or by public transport around 2 hours. It is usually possible to find local minivans at the airport but these will take you to Tawau town first (which is in the opposite direction from Semporna town). You would then need to catch another minivan from there to Semporna town.
However, your best option is to let us know you're coming ahead of time and we can send our private shuttle to pick you up. Not only can we pick you up from the airport and take you directly to Semporna, but you can split the shuttle costs with multiple passengers (our shuttle operates daily). Send us an email or give us a call to let us know you're coming and you'll be greeted by our driver on your way out of arrivals - just look for a sign with your name on it!
Please note from 1st January 2026, a Jetty fee will be applicable when departing from Semporna to Mabul:
Non-Malaysian Adult: RM10
Non-Malaysian Child (under 11): RM5
Malaysian Adult: RM2
Malaysian Child (under 11): Free
As small change can be difficult to get in Semporna, we kindly ask you to bring the exact amount or small notes if possible.
Please note that we book transfers with trusted third party operators- if you confirm that you would like a transfer arranged we ask you to pay the fee directly to the driver in cash. If you choose to cancel the transfer with less than 24 hours notice, you will be required to pay a fee of 45RM to cover all fuel and time costs.
Prices below are valid for airport transfers in 2026
You can either fly or catch a bus from Kota Kinabalu. Buses leave daily for Semporna at 7:30 AM & 7:30 PM from the Kota Kinabalu bus terminal. It takes about 10 hours to reach Semporna by bus and costs approximately RM67 - the overnight bus can get very cold so don't forget to take some warm clothing warm onboard with you!
Batik Air and Air Asia offer multiple flights daily to Tawau. If you plan to take the 230pm afternoon boat transfer to Mabul Beach Resort on the same day we recommend these flights:
Please note that schedules can change without notice, please contact your airline for the most up to date flight times!
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and the major International transport hub for the country, you'll likely arrive here if you're flying from overseas. Please don't forget to check with your consulate for the most up to date Visa and passport requirements (for most international travellers, at least 6 months or more prior to expiry is required!)
You'll want to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau in order to get to Scuba Junkie (see Tawau section for details on getting to Semporna from Tawau).
Batik Air, Firefly, Air Asia & Malaysian airlines provide daily direct flights to Tawau, and you can also connect through Kota Kinabalu. The flight time from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau is just under 3 hours.
If you plan to take the 230pm afternoon boat transfer to Mabul Beach Resort on the same day we recommend these flights:
Public Buses depart daily at 7.30 am and take around 5 to 6 hours to reach Semporna. Buses can also pick you up from the Sepilok junction if you are coming from Sepilok orangutan sanctuary, tickets to Semporna from either location cost around RM50. The bus will usually reach Semporna in time for you to catch our last transfer boat to Mabul.
Malaysian Airlines operates daily flights from Sandakan to Tawau airport.
If you plan to take the 230pm afternoon boat transfer to Mabul Beach Resort on the same day we recommend these flights (currently only available on Tuesday's, Friday's & Sunday's):
Your lodge on the Kinabatangan River can transfer you to Sukau Junction in time to catch the bus that leaves Sandakan at 7.30 am. You will then reach Semporna around 1.30 pm (assuming no delays!) and can either spend the night in Semporna or catch a transfer the same afternoon to Mabul. Our sister company River Junkie also arranges Kinabatangan River trips inclusive of a private transfer to/from Semporna.
Guests coming from Singapore can fly directly to either Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu and follow advice on how to reach us from there. There is also a direct flight from Johor Bahru to Tawau 4 days a week (MON-WED-FRI-SUN), this flight will, unfortunately, arrive too late for a same-day transfer to Mabul but we can help you with suggested hotels in Semporna, near to our office for the night, so that you can join our 8am boat to Mabul the next day. The 8am boat is also our dive boat- so you will not miss a day of diving
Scuba Junkie Sipadan and Scuba Junkie Sangalaki make an excellent combo dive trip! If you're leaving Scuba Junkie Sangalaki from Tarakan Ferry terminal, we can arrange a taxi to collect you from the Ferry port in Tawau directly to our office, or your hotel in Semporna.
The first ferry from Tarakan will see you arrive in Tawau approximately 4pm- you will be able to spend the night in Semporna town, ready to take the 8am boat (and also our dive boat!) across to Mabul the following morning.Â
If you're coming from anywhere else outside of Malaysia, you'll want to book flights to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and the major transport hub for the country. Many major airline carriers offer flights to Kuala Lumpur including Malaysian Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. Check with your travel agent for the cheapest prices, or visit some of the many online ticket vendors including Skyscanner, Expedia, and more. Don't forget your passport!
See the Kuala Lumpur section for details on getting to Semporna from Kuala Lumpur.
Scuba Junkie is located down by the waterfront, just a 5-minute walk from both the mini-van bus stop and the long-distance bus station.
Here's a simple map that should get you here with no problem.
Mabul Beach Resort is approximately a 1-hour boat speed-boat ride from Semporna town and we have boats departing twice daily from our dive centre at the following times:
Semporna to Mabul: 8am and 2.30pm
Mabul To Semporna: 10am and 4pm
To transfer to Mabul the same day that you arrive, you will need to book a flight landing no later than 12.00pm at Tawau airport.
The 10 am transfer back to Semporna is suitable for flights leaving at 2 pm or later. If you wish to fly earlier then you will need to check out 1 day before and sleep in Semporna the night before your flight.
Boat transfers for guests staying at Mabul Beach Resort are RM90* per person per way and can be booked together with your diving/snorkelling package.
Boat transfers for guests not diving or snorkelling with us are RM115* per person per way and are based on last-minute availability.
If you are diving or snorkelling on the day you transfer to or from Mabul with us, your transfer will be free of charge!*
*Possible additional transfer fee of RM150 each way if no other people are on the boat.Â
For advice on getting to/from the resort based on your travel plans please just contact us.
Please note from 1st January 2026, a Jetty fee will be applicable when departing from Semporna to Mabul:
Non-Malaysian Adult: RM10
Non-Malaysian Child (under 11): RM5
Malaysian Adult: RM2
Malaysian Child (under 11): Free
As small change can be difficult to get in Semporna, we kindly ask you to bring the exact amount or small notes if possible.
