Snorkeling in Semporna: 3 locations with guide and lunch

Three snorkeling stops, a packed lunch on the sand, and a speedboat ride through turquoise water

A snorkeling activity in Semporna, Malaysia, where you board a speedboat at Seafest Jetty, visit three island locations in the Semporna Archipelago, and spend the day in the water among corals, reefs and sea turtles. The schedule rotates through different islands throughout the week: Mabul and Kapalai on Mondays and Tuesdays, Mataking and Pandanan on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and Si Amil on Wednesdays and Fridays. Equipment rental, a packed lunch with rice, stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water, a marine jetty fee, and a live English- or Malay-speaking guide are all included. A minimum of two participants is required to depart.

The experience

You meet at Seafest Jetty in Semporna at 8:15am for marine jetty registration, then board a speedboat and head out to the islands. The boat carries both snorkelers and divers, so you're part of a shared ocean experience. The three stops rotate by day of the week: Mabul and Kapalai are world-renowned for their coral and marine life; Mataking and Pandanan are considered the best for snorkeling; Si Amil is the most scenic and least crowded. You'll spend roughly an hour at each location, snorkeling among hard and soft corals, colorful reefs thick with tropical fish, and green sea turtles.

Around midday you return to an island for lunch and a break on the beach or jetty: a packed meal of rice, stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water. The third snorkeling spot happens in the afternoon before the boat heads back to Seafest Jetty, where the day ends by 4 or 5pm. Mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket are provided. The guide stays with the group throughout and speaks English or Malay.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket).
• packed lunch with rice, stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water.
• marine jetty fee.
• live guide in English or Malay.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts 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

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bigfin Divers

Is this one for you?Book the day that matches your island preference: Mabul and Kapalai for world-class coral, Mataking and Pandanan if snorkeling is your priority, or Si Amil for the quietest, most scenic experience. The fixed schedule and included pickup at Seafest Jetty work well if you're staying in Semporna without a car.

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 are the three snorkeling locations and when do I visit each one?

The islands change by day of the week. Mabul and Kapalai operate Mondays and Tuesdays and are world-renowned for their coral and marine life. Mataking and Pandanan run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and are considered best for snorkeling. Si Amil runs Wednesdays and Fridays and is the most scenic and least visited by tourists.

What's included in the snorkeling day trip?

Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket), a packed lunch with rice, stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water, the marine jetty fee, and a live guide in English or Malay are all included in the price.

What time does the day start and end?

You meet at Seafest Jetty at 8:15am for registration, depart by speedboat at 8:45am, and return to the jetty by 4 or 5pm. The full day runs roughly seven hours on the water and islands.

What should I expect to see underwater?

You'll snorkel among hard and soft corals, colorful reefs full of tropical fish, and green sea turtles. The specific marine life varies by island, with Mabul and Kapalai known for their coral diversity and Mataking and Pandanan for their overall snorkeling conditions.