Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maybank
( 089-784852; Jln Jakarullah)
Expect small lines and the occasional beg-
gar, especially in the evening.
Getting There & Away
Air
Flights to Tawau from KK and KL land at Tawau Airport, roughly 28km from town. A
private taxi from Tawau Airport to Semporna costs RM90, while Tawau-Semporna buses
(RM15) will stop at the airport if you ask the driver nicely. Buses that do not stop at the
airport will let you off at Mile 28, where you will have to walk a few (unshaded) kilo-
metres to the terminal. Remember that flying less than 24 hours after diving can cause ser-
ious health issues, even death.
Bus
The 'terminal' hovers around the Milimewa supermarket not too far from the mosque's
looming minaret. All buses run from early morning until 4pm (except Kota Kinabalu) and
leave when full.
Kota Kinabalu
(RM65, nine hours) leaves at around 7am or 7pm.
Lahad Datu
(RM25 to RM30, 2½ hours)
Sandakan
(RM35 to RM40, 5½ hours)
Tawau
(RM15, 1½ hours)
Semporna Archipelago
Take the word 'blue' and mentally turn it over through all of its possibilities. From the
deepest, richest shades to the light robin's egg shade of the sky to kelp-like aqua. This is
the rippled waterscape of the Semporna Archipelago, broken up with pebbles of white
sand and swaying palms and the rainbow-coloured boats of copper-skinned Sea Gypsies.
But no one comes this way for islands, such as it were - rather it is the blue, the ocean and
everything beneath it, that appeals, because this is first and foremost a diving destination,
one of the best in the world.
