Snorkeling in Semporna: 3 dives, certified divers only

Three dives in a day, small groups, island lunch between

A three-dive day trip from Semporna for certified divers, departing at 8:30 AM and returning by late afternoon. You dive at rotating island sites (Mabul and Kapalai for macro life, Mataking for clear water and reef sharks, or Si Amil for sea kraits and devil rays) with a maximum of five divers per guide and a packed lunch on the island after the second dive. All sites are home to sea turtles.

The experience

The day starts at Seafest Jetty in Semporna at 8:15 AM for registration, then a speedboat carries you out to the islands. Your first dive is at 10 AM in turquoise water among hard and soft corals, tropical fish and sea turtles. The second dive follows at 11 AM at a different site on the same island. After that, you climb onto the beach or jetty to eat a packed lunch of rice, stir-fried vegetables and chicken, with fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water while you rest and dry off.

The third dive happens at 2 PM at a final location before the boat returns you to Seafest Jetty by 4 or 5 PM. Which islands you visit depends on the day of the week: Mondays and Tuesdays go to Mabul and Kapalai, known for macro and muck diving where frogfish and seahorses hide in the rubble; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays visit Mataking and Pandanan for clear turquoise water, soft coral drop-offs and white-tip reef sharks; Wednesdays and Fridays head to Si Amil, the least crowded island, where sea kraits patrol and devil rays gather at a cleaning station. Every site holds sea turtles.

You bring your own certification card. The operator provides mask, fins, shorty wetsuit, BCD, regulator, weight belt, weights and tank. A live guide leads all three dives in English or Malay and keeps groups to a maximum of five divers, so you get personalized attention and safety checks throughout the day. A minimum of two people is required to book.

What’s included

• Dive equipment rental including mask, fins, shorty wetsuit, BCD, regulator, weight belt, weights and tank.
• a live guide leading all three dives.
• marine jetty fee.
• packed lunch with rice, stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (15 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Malay

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bigfin Divers

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Malay, so you need to understand dive briefings in one of those languages. Groups stay small, five divers maximum per guide, which suits anyone who wants personalized attention and safety checks rather than a large group experience.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Malay.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of diving is at each island in Semporna?

Mabul and Kapalai specialize in macro and muck diving, where small creatures like frogfish and seahorses live in the rubble. Mataking and Pandanan offer clear turquoise water with soft coral drop-offs and white-tip reef sharks. Si Amil is the most scenic and least crowded, with sea kraits and a cleaning station where devil rays gather. All islands have sea turtles.

Do I need to bring my own dive certification?

Yes, you must be a certified diver and bring your certification card. This trip is not for beginners or people learning to dive.

What's included in the packed lunch?

Lunch includes rice, stir-fried vegetables and chicken, plus fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water. You eat on the island between the second and third dive.

How many people dive together on this trip?

Groups stay at a maximum of five divers per guide, so you get personalized attention and safety checks throughout the day.

What time does the day start and end?

Meet at Seafest Jetty at 8:15 AM for registration. The boat departs at 8:45 AM. You return to the jetty by 4 or 5 PM after the third dive at 2 PM.

Which islands do you visit on different days of the week?

The schedule rotates: Mondays and Tuesdays visit Mabul and Kapalai; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays go to Mataking and Pandanan; Wednesdays and Fridays head to Si Amil. You can dive multiple days to experience different locations.