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Semporna · Sipadan & Mabul · Year-round

Swim With Turtles at Sipadan, Malaysia

The waters around Sipadan, off Semporna in Malaysian Borneo, hold some of the highest numbers of sea turtles anywhere. Green and hawksbill turtles cruise the reefs of Sipadan, Mabul and the nearby islands in such numbers that seeing several on one snorkel is normal. Sipadan itself is a permit-only dive legend, but day snorkel trips from Semporna visit the surrounding islands, where the reefs and turtles are as rich.

Green & hawksbill turtles World-class reefs Semporna islands From $54 Year-round

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1 snorkel tour
$54 starting price
Year-round turtle season
Semporna island base

Swim With Turtles in Sipadan

Semporna: 3-Island Snorkel & Turtle Reef Tour with Lunch, swim with turtles in SipadanTop Pickfrom $54

Semporna: 3-Island Snorkel & Turtle Reef Tour with Lunch

★★★★★4.3(59 reviews)·Full day
  • Snorkel three islands in the Semporna archipelago
  • Green and hawksbill turtles on world-class reefs
  • Snorkel gear and lunch included
  • Gateway to the famous Sipadan waters
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How Much Does It Cost to Swim With Turtles in Semporna?

A Semporna island-hopping snorkel day trip starts at $54, including the boat, gear and lunch, with free cancellation.

Full day
Semporna island snorkel
$54

A day trip by boat around three of the Semporna islands, snorkeling the turtle reefs with gear and lunch. The easy way to reach the Sipadan-area waters without a dive permit.

What affects the price?

Snorkel or dive

Snorkel day trips cost far less than a Sipadan dive, which needs a limited daily permit booked well ahead.

How many islands

Trips to more islands or the outer reefs cost more than a single-island snorkel.

Where you stay

Day trips from Semporna town are cheaper than staying on Mabul or a dive resort.

Bottom line: For turtles without the permit hassle, a Semporna island snorkel day trip from $54 is the easy choice, with turtles on nearly every reef. Sipadan itself is a bucket-list dive for another trip.

Sea Turtle Species & Best Months in Sipadan

Species January–March April–June July–September October–December Likelihood
Green Sea Turtle Common Common Common Common Near-guaranteed
Hawksbill Turtle Common Common Common Common Common
The Semporna and Sipadan reefs are home to large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles, which feed and rest on the coral in such abundance that snorkelers often see several on a single trip. This is one of the richest turtle regions on earth. The turtles are wild, so keep your distance, never touch or chase them, and let them surface for air undisturbed.

What to Expect on the Day

1

Meet at Semporna

Boats leave from Semporna town on the coast of Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo, for the islands offshore.

Fly into Tawau, about an hour from Semporna, and stay a night before an early boat.
2

Island-hop the reefs

Cruise to three of the Semporna islands, such as Mabul, Mantabuan or Sibuan, and snorkel their coral reefs.

3

Snorkel with the turtles

Slip in over the reefs where green and hawksbill turtles rest and feed, with a guide keeping the group at a safe distance.

4

Beach and lunch

Stop on a white-sand island for lunch and a swim before the boat back to Semporna.

No turtle sighted? The Semporna reefs have resident turtles in high numbers, so sightings on a snorkel trip are among the most reliable anywhere. To dive Sipadan island itself, book a limited daily permit through a dive operator well ahead of your trip.

Sea Turtle Behaviors to Watch For

Resting on the Coral

Green turtles rest on the coral shelves and ledges of the Semporna reefs between feeds, where snorkelers watch them from the surface.

On the reef
Cruising the Reef

Hawksbills work along the coral, feeding on sponges, while greens graze algae and seagrass. Both are seen in numbers here.

On every snorkel
Surfacing to Breathe

Turtles rise for air every few minutes to about an hour. Give them a clear path to the surface and never crowd the space above one.

On every snorkel

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

✓ Bring

  • Reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen
  • Swimsuit worn under your clothes
  • Towel and a change of clothes
  • Waterproof phone case or GoPro
  • A rash guard for sun protection
  • Cash in ringgit for island fees and tips
  • Your booking voucher (printed or phone)

✗ Leave at home

  • Regular sunscreen (harmful to the coral)
  • Anything you would touch a turtle or the coral with
  • Single-use plastics
  • Fins if you cannot control them over shallow coral
Seasickness tip: The boat rides between the Semporna islands are usually short and calm, but the open water can pick up in the afternoon. Take a tablet the night before if you are prone, and choose a morning departure.

Where Tours Depart From

Port / AreaDetailsBest for
Semporna The coastal town in Sabah that is the jump-off for all island-hopping and dive trips. Snorkel and dive day trips
Mabul Island A small island near Sipadan with resorts, a base for divers and longer stays. Multi-day diving trips
Semporna sits on the south-east coast of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Fly to Tawau, about an hour away by road, then join a day trip or stay overnight in Semporna or on Mabul. Sipadan dives need a permit booked in advance through a licensed operator.

How to Choose an Ethical Tour

What ethical operators do

  • Brief a strict no-touch, no-chase policy
  • Keep a respectful distance from turtles
  • Never block a turtle’s path to the surface
  • Require reef-safe sunscreen from all guests
  • Cap group sizes for calmer encounters
  • Support reef and sea-turtle conservation

Red flags to avoid

  • Let guests touch, ride, or chase turtles
  • Feed turtles to lure them in
  • Crowd or corner a turtle in the water
  • Stand on coral or trample seagrass
  • Oversized groups with no guide in the water
  • Any “hold a turtle” photo op

Best Shore Spots to See Turtles in Sipadan

These shore and reef spots let snorkelers and beachgoers find sea turtles in Sipadan without a boat. Keep your distance and never touch a resting turtle.

Sipadan Island

Dive legend

A pinnacle reef rising from the deep, one of the world's top dive sites, famous for walls of green turtles, barracuda and reef sharks. Access is by limited daily permit, mostly for divers.

💡 Book a Sipadan dive permit months ahead; snorkelers usually visit the surrounding islands instead.

Mabul Island

Turtles & macro

A shallow island reef near Sipadan with turtles, coral and famous macro life. A common snorkel and dive stop with resorts on the island.

💡 The house reefs off Mabul have turtles close to shore.

Mantabuan Island

Coral & fish

A quiet Semporna island with healthy coral, reef fish and turtles, a regular stop on island-hopping snorkel trips.

💡 Calm and clear on a flat morning; good for easy snorkeling.

Sibuan Island

White sand & reef

A tiny white-sand island ringed by reef, with turtles and fish and a picture-perfect sandbar, popular on day trips.

💡 A great lunch and swim stop between reef snorkels.

Sipadan Turtle Snorkeling Map

FAQ: Swimming With Turtles in Sipadan

What is the price of swimming with turtles in Semporna?

⌄
A Semporna island-hopping snorkel day trip that visits the turtle reefs starts at about $54, including the boat, gear and lunch, with free cancellation. Diving Sipadan island itself costs more and needs a limited daily permit booked ahead through a dive operator.

Can you snorkel Sipadan, or only dive it?

⌄
Sipadan island is a permit-only site, and the limited daily permits go mostly to divers, so most snorkelers do not visit Sipadan itself. The good news is that the surrounding Semporna islands, like Mabul, Mantabuan and Sibuan, have the same rich reefs and as many turtles, and day snorkel trips visit them without a permit.

How many turtles will I see?

⌄
A lot. The Semporna and Sipadan reefs hold some of the highest turtle numbers on earth, so seeing several green and hawksbill turtles on a single snorkel trip is normal. Turtles rest on the coral and cruise the reef walls throughout the day.

How do you get to Semporna?

⌄
Semporna is on the south-east coast of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Fly to Tawau airport, about an hour away by road, then take a transfer to Semporna. From there, island-hopping snorkel boats and dive trips leave for the reefs, and some travelers stay overnight on Mabul.

What is the best time of year to visit?

⌄
The reefs are diveable and snorkelable year-round, but the calmest, clearest water is from about March to October, outside the wetter months. Turtles are on the reefs all year, so the choice is mainly about sea conditions and visibility.

Is the snorkeling good for beginners?

⌄
Yes. The island reefs are shallow and clear, and tours carry life vests with a guide in the water, so beginners and children manage well. Some reef edges drop into deep water, so stay over the shallow shelf and let the guide lead you to the turtles.

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