Transit airports for Sabah islands
You are flying to Sabah from afar and need to know where to land and connect.
Use Tawau for the Semporna islands such as Mabul and Mataking, and use Kota Kinabalu for Mantanani and the park islands. If your trip connects through another airport, protect the connection with a generous gap. Check which routes run on your dates, because the airlines for these flights are unconfirmed.
Our guides on Tawau Airport to Semporna jetty and Kota Kinabalu airport to Jesselton Point describe each gateway in detail.
Which airport fits which island?
| Island group | Reported airport | What follows |
|---|---|---|
| Mabul, Mataking, Pom Pom (Semporna) | Tawau | Van to Semporna, about 75 minutes, then speedboat about 45 to 60 minutes [1] |
| Mantanani | Kota Kinabalu | Road to Kuala Abai or Rampayan, then boat; sources differ [2] |
| Park islands near Kota Kinabalu | Kota Kinabalu | Short boat from the city |
The result is two gateways, and the island you choose picks the airport. If your trip includes both areas, read Kota Kinabalu to Semporna: the long haul.
How do you protect a connection?
When your trip passes through another hub, three things decide whether it holds.
- One ticket or two: a single booking usually gives you protection if a leg is late, and two separate tickets usually do not.
- Bag handling: ask whether bags are checked through to the final airport.
- The gap: leave time for a late first flight and a slow bag belt.
Run the sum for the whole chain. Our guide on checking a flight against a boat cut-off shows how, and planning a buffer between your flight and island transfer covers the margin.
What could we not confirm?
We did not research the airlines that fly to Kota Kinabalu or Tawau, nor the connection schedules. The notes above come from operator pages and a news report, so check each airline’s current timetable before you buy a ticket.
What should you ask the airline and the resort?
- Which routes and days run for my dates, and is there a through fare?
- Are bags checked through, and what is the minimum connection time?
- Which airport does the resort recommend for my island?
- What is the latest check-in at the jetty?
- Do I need my MyKad or passport for the trip [3]?
When does a night in Kota Kinabalu help?
If your connection is tight or your last flight lands late, a night in Kota Kinabalu lets you start fresh. Read overnight in Kota Kinabalu before Semporna or Mantanani to compare the cost against the morning gain.
A better fit if…
A direct flight to the right gateway is a better fit if you have limited time or travel with children. A connection through another hub may be a better fit if the fare is much lower and you can leave a generous gap. If you are unsure, send us your start and dates.
Common questions
Which airport do I use for Mabul or Mataking?
Tawau is the airport reported for the Semporna islands. One operator describes about 75 minutes by van from Tawau airport to the Semporna jetty, then a speedboat of about 45 to 60 minutes to Mabul. Ask your resort which airport it recommends.
Which airport do I use for Mantanani?
Kota Kinabalu. Sources differ on the road and boat legs: one says about 2 hours by road to Kuala Abai then about an hour by boat, another says about 90 minutes to Rampayan then about 30 minutes by boat. Ask your resort which jetty it uses.
Can I connect through Kota Kinabalu to Tawau?
Possibly, but we could not confirm the airlines or schedules for the Kota Kinabalu and Tawau routes. Check each airline's current timetable, and ask whether your bags are checked through if you book on one ticket.
Do I need a passport to go to Sabah from the Peninsula?
One report says Peninsular Malaysians enter Sabah with MyKad, and a 90-day stay limit was mentioned in 2022. Rules can change, so confirm with Sabah immigration and bring the documents you may be asked for.
Sources
- Amazing Borneo (operator) (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Amazing Borneo; Sabah Tourism (accessed 2026-10-16)
- The Vibes (accessed 2026-10-16)