Blue Ocean Resort
Overwater retreat on the Celebes Sea, Semporna, Sabah
Overwater retreat on the Celebes Sea, Semporna, Sabah
Blue Ocean Resort
Blue Ocean Resort is positioned on the Semporna waterfront, where the calm waters of the Celebes Sea begin. Rooms face the open sea, each with a private balcony and unobstructed views across the surrounding waters.
The resort runs 3 meals a day from a kitchen drawing on local Sabahan, Malaysian and Chinese cooking. Fresh seafood comes from the surrounding waters and the morning market. The staff keep things running with quiet attentiveness throughout each stay.
The clear, warm water directly in front of the resort offers easy snorkelling from the property. For those wanting to go further, boat trips to the islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan are all arranged through the resort. The Celebes Sea here is part of the Coral Triangle, home to some of the richest marine diversity on the planet.
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Explore
Semporna is a small coastal town in Tawau District, Sabah, known worldwide for diving, snorkelling and island adventures. From the resort, guests reach the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, the islands of Mabul and Kapalai, the legendary Sipadan dive site and the volcanic ridge of Bohey Dulang. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a first-time snorkeller, the waters here offer some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet.
Explore the coral reefs of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park directly from the resort jetty. The warm clear waters of the Celebes Sea shelter sea turtles, clownfish, giant clams and schools of tropical fish. Equipment is provided. Suitable for all skill levels including beginners.
Semporna is home to some of the world's top dive sites, including Sipadan Island. Whether you are a certified diver or taking your first try-dive session, Semporna's licensed dive operators tailor every dive to your level. Advance booking is required for Sipadan permit dives.
Paddle at your own pace through the calm sheltered waters around the resort. Drift above shallow coral gardens, follow nearby mangrove channels and reach quiet sandbars at low tide. Kayaks are available for independent hire or guided half-day tours.
Board a speedboat for a day of hopping between the islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, from white-sand beaches to thriving reef systems. A flexible guide-led experience tailored for snorkellers, photographers or anyone who simply wants to explore.
Bohey Dulang is the most photographed island in the Semporna area. The island is the rim of an extinct volcano, with a sheltered shallow lagoon inside. The hike to the summit follows a 600-metre trail through forest and over volcanic rock, taking 30 to 45 minutes one way depending on fitness. The reward at the top is a panoramic view of the surrounding islands, the turquoise lagoon below and the open Celebes Sea beyond. The summit sits at 353 metres above sea level.
A full-day island-hopping tour visiting 3 of Semporna's quieter islands: Mataking, Timba-Timba and Pom Pom. The tour departs from Semporna town jetty by speedboat and returns mid-afternoon. Each island offers something different: Mataking has Malaysia's only underwater post office and a low-tide sandbar connecting Mataking Besar and Mataking Kecil; Timba-Timba is known for soft white sand and shallow snorkelling reefs; Pom Pom has calmer waters and is good for relaxed swimming and reef sightings.
Departure from Semporna town jetty, around 8:00 to 9:00 AM. Returns approximately 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Contact us for current pricing and availability.
The Tun Sakaran Marine Park is Sabah's largest marine park, just a short boat ride from the resort. The park spans 346 km² of protected sea and coral reefs, made up of 8 islands including Bohey Dulang, Pulau Mantabuan and Pulau Sibuan. This tour suits nature lovers, snorkellers, hikers and adventure travellers.
At Bohey Dulang you hike a 600-metre trail that takes 30 to 45 minutes one way. The reward at the top is a panoramic view of the surrounding islands, turquoise waters and the lagoon below. Pulau Mantabuan and Pulau Sibuan offer quiet beaches, shallow reef snorkelling and postcard-perfect tropical scenery. Ideal for couples, families and small groups.
The marine diversity of Mabul and Kapalai rivals anything in Southeast Asia. Mabul Island has been a fishing village since the 1970s and grew into a celebrated dive and snorkel destination because of its closeness to Sipadan Island. The tour includes a stop at the Mabul Water Bungalows resort, a popular spot for photos and a relaxed lunch break, organised by the tour operator.
For Kapalai, guests snorkel directly from the boat in the rich waters around the island. Day visitors cannot access the Kapalai resort itself. Throughout the day you may pass the Bajau Laut, Sabah's nomadic sea people, on their houseboats near Mabul. They often sell fresh seafood from their boats.
Sipadan is widely considered one of the top diving destinations in the world. The island sits on the edge of a volcanic ridge that drops to a 600-metre wall, ringed by 160 hectares of coral reef. The waters are home to over 3,000 fish species, large schools of barracuda, jackfish and bumphead parrotfish, plus green and hawksbill sea turtles in unusual numbers. Sipadan is a strictly protected marine reserve with a daily permit cap of around 250 visitors. Permits are arranged through licensed dive operators in advance.
Sipadan day trips depart from Mabul-area dive resorts or Semporna town jetty, not directly from Blue Ocean Resort. Guests can combine their stay with a 2 to 5 night extension at one of the Mabul-area dive resorts to access Sipadan permits. Contact us for recommended operators and logistics.
Annual conservation closure: 1 to 30 November each year. Diving resumes 1 December.
Sipadan's 5 key dive sites each offer a distinct underwater experience for certified divers. The sites are within a short boat ride of the island jetty and can be visited across a multi-dive day.
Best visibility March to October (often 30 to 50 metres). Permits required; cost varies and must be obtained through a licensed dive operator.
Explore the best of Semporna above and below the water with the Semporna Island Hopping package, available in 2 flexible options: a relaxed snorkelling-only itinerary, or a snorkelling and Hiking Bohey Dulang combo. Suitable for non-divers, first-timers and families, this tour offers guided snorkelling at top reefs including Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Timba-Timba and Pandanan Reef. No dive licence required.
Contact us for current packages, availability and pricing.
Available directly at the resort without booking a separate tour.
Where to Stay
All rooms at Blue Ocean Resort face the Celebes Sea with private balconies and sea views.
A well-appointed room with 2 large beds, air conditioning, a private balcony and sea views. Features hardwood floors, modern furnishings, a vanity area with a lit mirror and a glass-partitioned electric shower.
A spacious room with traditional wooden walls, polished floors, air conditioning, floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to sea views and a private balcony. Includes a vanity desk, seating area and a glass-enclosed electric shower.
A comfortable room with one large bed, traditional wooden walls, polished timber floors, air conditioning and a private sea-view balcony. Includes a sleek vanity desk and a compact glass-enclosed electric shower.
Dining
All stays at Blue Ocean Resort include 3 meals per day, served buffet-style at the resort restaurant. The kitchen draws from local Sabahan, Malaysian, Chinese and Western styles, freshly prepared each day.
Vegetarian options are available at every meal. Please let us know about any allergies or special dietary needs at the time of booking. Soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea are available at extra cost. Drinking water is included throughout your stay.
For guests who want something special: a fresh seafood BBQ is available on request with advance notice. Freshly caught from the surrounding Celebes Sea including fish, prawns, squid and shellfish, grilled simply. Additional charges apply.
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Getting Here
Fly to Tawau Airport (TWU), the nearest domestic gateway to Semporna. Carriers including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines operate frequent flights into Tawau.
From Tawau Airport, Blue Ocean Resort organises a comfortable road transfer to the Semporna town jetty by tourist van or private SUV.
From the Semporna jetty, a short speedboat transfer organised by Blue Ocean Resort brings you directly to the resort. The ride takes only a few minutes and offers your first taste of the calm, clear waters of the Celebes Sea.
We also arrange return transfers back to Semporna and onward to Tawau Airport at the end of your stay. Send us your arrival and departure flight details after booking and we will coordinate everything with you.
We recommend sending us your flight details as early as possible before arrival so we can plan the pickup. For groups or special requests, send us a message through the contact form on this page.
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Guest Experiences
What past guests have said about staying at Blue Ocean Resort.
We came here for our honeymoon and were very happy with the whole experience. The staff welcomed us warmly on arrival and the sea view from the room is beautiful. The water in front of the resort is calm and clear, great for snorkeling. The food was very good and everything was well-prepared. A lovely choice for a couple.
The sea view from this resort is genuinely impressive. Very clear water, a calm atmosphere and rooms that are clean and comfortable. We bought fresh lobster from a vendor nearby and asked the kitchen to cook it, and it was delicious. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout. A peaceful place to spend a few days.
Came with my partner looking for somewhere quiet and this delivered. The atmosphere is relaxed and the sea in front of the resort is beautiful. The food was well-prepared at every meal. One staff member in particular was exceptionally attentive from check-in to check-out. Clean rooms and a good overall stay.
Came with family for a few nights and everyone was satisfied. The sea view is the main draw and it does not disappoint. You can snorkel right in front of the resort. The food was good including fresh seafood prepared well. Rooms were clean and the staff kept things running smoothly throughout our stay.
A nice sea resort outside the bustle of Semporna town. The view over the water is calming and the rooms are clean and adequate. Snorkeling is easy from the resort. The food met our expectations with seafood as the highlight. Staff were hospitable. A good option for a couple or small group.
Quiet and pleasant resort with good sea views. The water was clear enough to snorkel comfortably and we saw fish and coral close to the resort. Meals were tasty with fresh seafood prepared daily. The staff were friendly and checked in on us to make sure everything was fine. A comfortable stay.