You will need to have certain budget to travel oversea. What if you do not have that much of budget?! Maybe travel locally is a good option too. Let yourself be surprised by re-discovering the treasures that close to home!
A Malaysian netizen took social media to share her amazing trip in Semporna and her post went viral! The 4D3N trip only cost her RM2,400!
▼ Perfect pocket guide if you wanted to travel to Semporna！
We’re talking thriving sea life, powder-soft sands, and crystal-clear water, IG-worthy beach holiday! Fresh & affordable seafood! world-renowned dive sites. Most importantly, the trip is less than RM2,500!
The post read：
Semporna 4D3N trip , all in only for RM2,400.
Some said, Semporna is the Maldives in Malaysia. It’s the Top10 best dive site in the world. Blue sky and crystal-clear water definitely a wonderland.
I remembered 4 years ago, i went to Maldives for 4D3N, just air-tickets & accommodation already costing me RM10K ! But this time round we went to Semporna for 4D3N + staying in the Top 2 luxury water village in KAPALAI ISLAND. We had all sort of nice & fresh seafood, crab, lobster. But, we only spend RM2.4K.
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort 3D2N package：Shopee【Click here】
Thus, not only moon oversea looks good!
Let’s cut it short & go straight to the itinerary! 3 Best things to do in Semporna:
- Ocean kayaking -rent a transparent kayak for the photo-shooting
- Diving
- Enjoy fresh and affordable seafood
Things to take note：
If you are used to live in the world that always stay connected ( via Maxis, Celcom & Digi or some other Telco). Please do get ready a wireless network card. As the world in Kapalai Resort and when you are away for diving or snorkeling is completely different ( As you will be losing your connection). Don’t be like me, begging friends to share their hotspot.
It’s the 3 of us, girls’ trip. We decided to go for 4D3N package:
- The 1st & 2nd night staying in Airbnb in Semporna ( if you are particular in terms of stay, then you can pay additional for a hotel stay instead)
- 3rd night on KAPALAI Resort
Travel package：RM1280/pax（including 3 X Breakfast &Lunch , 1 X Dinner）
Discovery Scuba：RM300/pax （ for 2 dives）
Dive location：Sibuan Island & Mantabuan Island
I’m the last to decide going on the trip. Therefore, my airfare was slightly expensive as i booked my ticket only 8 days before the trip.
KL to Tawau round trip：RM656（I flew with Malaysia Airline）
Total cost：RM2236
Extra cost：Dinner is not included on Day 1 and 2. So, we are having seafood dinner for continuously 2 nights. We bought the fresh seafood, and asked the restaurant to cook. In average RM80/pax/meal.
▼ DAY 1：
▶ After we reached Tawau airport, the travel agent arranged someone to pick us up to Semporna ( Journey : around 1.5 hours). We were exhausted when we reached airbnb, went out for a simple lunch ( On our own) . Then we went back to the airbnb for a rest.
▶ Dinner- Restaurant near to the jetty
▶ We bought seafood and get the restaurant to cook for us.
*Tips to buy seafood：Bargain with them! They ask for RM100. You offer them RM50. Best is with the local tour guide. I’m sure you won’t get cheated. We bought fresh abalone and huge mantis shrimp, it’s fresh and delicious!
▶ After food, the local tour guide bring us to some nice places to take picture and a booze in Sky bar. Thus, to have a nice local tour guide is important!
Video：
▼ DAY 2
We chose the marine park route ( hiking + scuba).
We supposed to go to a tourist spot BoheyDulang for hiking + taking picture. However, the place was closed due to the morning rain as it might be slippery for hiking. So we can only take some pictures then go for the discovery scuba.
▶ Breakfast included – coffee shop ( Remember to eat more as the activity drain your energy)
▶ After going to BoheyDulang we went to – Sibuan Island & Mantabuan Island for our discovery dives.
▶ Lunch included – packed lunchbox and we having it on the boat.
*I personally think Mantabuan island is more interesting. More marine life to discover underwater.
Both dives took about 20 over minutes ( I think since we have gone so far, to experience diving is a must! It’s definitely worth to spend the RM300! You will fall in love with the beautiful & peaceful ocean! But please remember to apply sunscreen~)
Video：
▶ Dinner not included ( on our own) – Restaurant Sun Tak (顺德餐厅)
*We bought crab and lobster and bring over to the restaurant and get them to cook.
▶ After dinner, the tour guide bring us to mushroom village to take picture.
Video：
▼ DAY 3
After breakfast, reaching jetty around 10.30am. waiting for boat to Kapalai Resort. It took about 1 hour plus to reach the resort.
▶ Reaching Kapalai around 12 noon. Straight away going to enjoy Buffet lunch. After food then waiting for the check-in.
▶After Check-In at 2pm, it’s free & easy! We dressed up nicely and walked around the resort to take some IG-worthy pictures. Of course, transparent kayak is a must!
▶ Transparent Kayak is a MUST to rent, rental cost: RM50/hour. We were taking turn to take picture.
*1 hour is definitely enough. As the villager here will help you to take picture. Some even will guide you how to pose.
▶ In Semporna, day start early as sunrise around 6am & the sunset around 6pm. So, you will need to take picture early like morning /noon.
▶ Buffet style dinner started at 7pm. After dinner we wandered around the island for a while then going back to the room for a rest.
▼ DAY 4
▶ 7am Dressed up and went out for photoshoot again.
▶ Before the photoshoot session, we went for a seaview buffet style breakfast.
▶ After the photo session, looking at the hot sun.. crystal-clear sea and beautiful fishes, we decided to go for a snorkeling.
▶ Life jacket is free of charge in the island.
*You will need to rent the diving equipment, rental cost around RM36. But if you don’t feel like renting. You have to bring your own.
▶ 10am going back to the room to pack our luggage.
▶ Check out at 12noon then going to the restaurant for lunch (included in the package) Then going to the jetty for the ferry back to the town.
▶ Boat transfer on 2 timings ( 11.30am/1.30pm) .
*Things to take note: To select the timing for ferry very much depends on the timing of your flight. As you will still need to spare some times for journey to airport + check-in time. Because our flight was at 6.20pm. Thus, we chose the ferry at 1.30pm.
▶ Reaching the town at 2.50pm, then we took a bus to airport for check-in.
▶ Touch down at 9pm in KL airport.
My suggestion：Not much activity can be done in the town. Thus, you can choose afternoon or evening flight. We picked the earliest flight, end up we are a bit tired and slept in the room in the afternoon and only went out for dinner at night. We felt tired but actually didn’t do much for the whole day. Quite a waste.
Hydrating lotion is very important, especially for aging skin. As sea breeze and wind can make your skin extremely dry. I will suggest you to apply more hydrating lotion at night.
Swimsuit, sunglasses, dress, straw hat and sunscreen is a MUST. You can search for the checklist in XiaoHongShu
If you are not sure how to pose, checkout posing guide. 🔶 We took picture with iPhone 13 Pro !
I will suggest not to use portrait feature in the morning. Or else, the background will be blur and you are not able to see the crystal clear sea. But the function is perfect at night, with yellow light+ clear sea
Due to the limited number of chalets, you will need to do pre-booking. As what i heard Kapalai is now fully booked until June. Price will be like as usual. So, for those wanted to go please make your booking as earlier as possible.
Plan a trip with your pals for your next beach vacay!
Sabah, Semporna, Kapalai, Malaysia
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort 3D2N Package : Shopee【Click here】
Video：
▼ Q: Is it good to bring kids along? Or maybe just stay in Kapalai?
A: If with kids i will suggest you to go Mabul as Kapalai is with limited area to move around.
▼ Netizen A : Started from July, going to Kapalai at least you will need a 3D2N trip.
Netizen B: May & June is fully booked. Only left with room with fan.
Netizen C: Actually you can’t choose the room, they will give out randomly ( fan/air-cond room) But it’s still ok as night time is quite cooling,
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort 3D2N package：Shopee【Click here】
Info via ：Special thanks to Debby Ong / Facebook for the rights to share!
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