2D1N Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort

As we're not allowed to travel abroad during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) phase, therefore we proceed by planning more trips to travel within Malaysia. Since we did our trip to Sandakan, thus for this round we plan our trip to Tawau and Semporna. In addition, my husband managed to grab round-trip fares for RM24 between Kota Kinabalu to Tawau. 

OUR TRIP FROM KOTA KINABALU TO TAWAU

Driving from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau is doable but not for those who are in rush cause the drive will takes you nearly 7 hours. So the faster and convenient way is by taking flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia. 

#1: Finally my backpack is out from the storeroom after storing for almost two years due to the pandemic. 


#2: Always my favourite aerial view 

#3: The flight duration from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau takes nearly an hour. 

Upon reaching Tawau Airport, it need at least another an hour and a half drive to Semporna town. Due to RMCO, there was no direct bus services running between Tawau and Semporna and therefore, we opted for Grab which cost us RM100-110. 

CHECK-IN SIPADAN-KAPALAI DIVE RESORT

By the way, this is not my first time to Tawau and Semporna but my trip there was like more than 10 years ago. And since we will be returning there again, I was thinking why don't we splurge a little bit by staying in Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort as they were doing special promotion for Sabahan only at that period of time. Keep seeing the photos of this luxury water village all over the social medias and this making me more excited and thrilled to experience it.  

#4: Check-in process for Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort at Semporna Jetty, not at the resort  

Thank goodness, we managed to arrive at Semporna Jetty 15 minutes earlier before the speedboat depart to the resort at 10.30am. All the check-in process will be done here, not at the resort. Therefore, it's advisable to reach the jetty earlier. 

 

Speedboat Schedule:

• Semporna Jetty to Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort - 10.30am
• Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort to Semporna Jetty - 1.30pm

#5: It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour speedboat ride from Semporna Jetty to Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort. Look at the crystal clear turquoise seawater.  

#6: We're blessed with blue sky throughout our two days one stay here. 

#7: Wooden walkway where you can ride bike around 

#8: Feels like in paradise 

#9

ROOM & AMENITIES 

There are 59 wooden chalets built on this floating resort, and as for the room that assigned to us, it was relatively distance away from the reception and restaurant. Fret not cause they do have buggy services where they will pick-up the guests from reception/restaurant to their respective chalet. However, the buggy services only available between 8am to 5pm. 

#10: The charming wooden chalet built resembles a traditional Kampung-styled house. 

#11: The aesthetic and chic bathtub 

#12: Love the design of the bathroom - two round mirrors and two wash-basin 

#13: We're given a triple sharing room - one queen bed size and a single bed. The room is pretty spacious and I personally think can fit up to 4 guests. 

#14: Other basic amenities such as mini fridge, coffee and tea making facilities, in-room safe, sofa, ceiling fan and air-conditioned can be found in the room, except for television. 

#15: Each chalet has its own private balcony overlooking the glimmering ocean with countless of sea creatures swimming underneath it. 

#16: Mile-long white powdery sandbank 

RESTAURANT & FULL-BOARD MEALS

Our two days one night package also inclusive full-board meals; 

• 2 lunch (12.30pm - 2pm)
• 1 tea break (3pm - 5pm)
• 1 dinner (7pm - 8.30pm)
• 1 breakfast (7am - 9.30am)

#17: Restaurant or the dining hall where I believe can accommodate more than 100 guests. 

#18: Meals are served in buffet-style and there are mixture of both Asian and Western cuisines. 

#19: Their breakfast were not disappointed too. They even have egg station where you can request for scramble, sunny-side up and omelet. 

OVERVIEW OF SIPADAN-KAPALAI DIVE RESORT

#20: Drone shot of the resort which took by my husband 

#21: Another drone shot of the resort with the artificial island 

#22: Artificial island 

#23

The two night and one day package costs RM530 per pax for non diver rate (minimum 2 pax) includes:

• One-night stay in chalet accommodation
• Return boat transfer between Semporna Jetty and Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort 
• Full-board meals

However, there are few flaw areas such as:

• No television and WiFi within the chalet 
• For mobile network, only Maxis and Celcom are workable whereas for Digi and U-Mobile are pretty weak.
• Air-conditioned wasn't strong enough especially during the noon time where we're so hot and stuffy staying inside the chalet. 

From endless crystal clear blue sea to scrumptious food and friendly services, Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort is no doubt one of the most mesmerising and beautiful resorts I've had experienced so far. No wonder, this charming water resort is dubbed to be "Maldives of Malaysia".

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First Flight in 2021

 Initially I thought that I'm not going to fly anywhere for the year 2021,

#1: Oh well! I guess no one knows what future holds

It's been more than a year since my last flight to Kuala Lumpur end of July last year and you know what, there were few nights I kept dreaming of packing my luggage bags and catching flights. Obviously, I miss the feeling of flying and travelling until it kept appearing in my dreams. But when comes to travel abroad, although our government allows those who have been fully vaccinated to travel overseas now, somehow for me I'm still pretty skeptical about it. What if I fall ill abroad? How it might affect my subsequent travel plan and so. Lots of these uncertainties keep appearing in my head. Travel has somehow become so foreign to me and frankly speaking, I'm not ready yet to travel abroad at this moment. How about you? Would you dare to take the risk to travel abroad now? 

As for now, I choose to travel domestically first and last week, both of my husband and I went to Tawau. Trying to recall when was my last trip there cause previously, I kept focusing to travel out of Malaysia. Feeling good to be back again and our journey don't end here as we continue to Semporna. 

#2: One of the sights I miss the most - The airport board 

#3: Time to dig out my backpack from the store room 

Sometimes, flight cancellation is not a bad thing afterall. Originally, our trip to Tawau and Semporna was supposed to be 4 days 3 nights but due to the flight cancellation by AirAsia, both of us decided to extend for another day for our trip. And because of that, we splurged a bit by staying overnight on Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort which dubbed as Maldives of Malaysia. 

#4: Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort (will blog more about this)

#5: Checked-in to paradise 

Besides snorkelling for me and diving for the husband, one of the most popular activities that shouldn't miss out by any visitors when comes to Semporna is hike up to Bohey Dulang. 

#6: Not an easy hike up to Bohey Dulang but once you get to the top, it's worth all the sweat. 

#7: Thank goodness for the perfect weather cause once it's raining, visitors are not allowed to hike

That's a quick sneak peak of my trip to Semporna and Sipadan - short and brief. I will try to spend some time to blog in more details soon.

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