Semporna package inclusions: permits, dives and meals

A Semporna package can bundle the room, meals, boat, permits and dives into one price, and each line needs its own check. Sipadan permits are booked by operators, so ask who holds yours and on which date. Snorkellers and divers should read different lines.

For the area, see our Mabul guide and Sipadan guide. For the general method, read what a full-board package includes and excludes.

Which lines does a Semporna quotation hide?

Semporna quotations often fold several items into a sentence like “includes transfers, permits and meals”. Break that sentence apart with the table.

Line	What to ask	Applies to
Room and meals	Which meals on arrival and departure days?	Everyone
Tawau to Semporna	Is the road leg included?	Those who fly in
Semporna jetty to island	Both ways, and which boat?	Everyone
Jetty fee	In the price, or paid separately?	Everyone
Sipadan permit	Named, dated, and who books it?	Divers, and day visitors
Conservation fee	In the price, and for how many visitors?	Sipadan visitors
Diving fee	In the price?	Divers
Equipment	Rented or included?	Divers and snorkellers

What do the road and boat legs look like?

One operator package lists Tawau airport to the Semporna jetty by van at about 75 minutes, then a speedboat of about 45 to 60 minutes to a Mabul resort. It also reports a Semporna jetty fee of RM2 for Malaysians and RM10 for non-Malaysians, not included in some packages ^[4].

Treat these as an example of how the legs add up. Our guide on Tawau airport to the Semporna jetty explains the road leg in detail.

How do Sipadan permits and fees work?

Sipadan permits are booked by dive and tour operators through Sabah Parks, up to six months ahead. Payment is 50 percent as a deposit and the balance two weeks before. A cancellation more than two weeks before keeps 10 percent, and under two weeks forfeits it all ^[2].

Sabah Parks lists a conservation fee of RM50 for Malaysians and RM100 for international visitors, and a diving fee of RM250 for Malaysians and RM350 for international visitors ^[1]. The island is about 45 minutes from Semporna town by speedboat in calm seas, and no one stays there ^[3].

That is why operators ask for early deposits. Our guide on Sipadan permit wording in a package explains how to read the line.

What should snorkellers ask?

Snorkellers can skip the diving fee, but should read the snorkel lines. Ask how many outings are included, who supplies the equipment and how many guests share a guide. Our guide on Semporna snorkel inclusions goes through them.

A better fit if…

An all-in package may suit you if you want one price and one plan. A package that lists each fee separately may suit you better if you want to see every cost. Either way, ask for permits and fees to be named in writing.