Celebes Sea near Semporna, Malaysia

Getting to Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort

Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort is located on Kapalai Island, East Coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The nearest airport to this resort is Tawau Airport.

Popular domestic flights to Tawau includes from:

  • Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI-TWU),
  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL-TWU) and
  • Senai International Airport (JHB-TWU) in Johor Bahru.

There are flights too from Sandakan Airport (SDK-TWU), if you plan on visiting Sandakan first before going to Tawau.

Arrival

From your location, find your way to Tawau Airport. A resort coordinator will meet you at the airport.

Plan to arrive before 10:30 a.m., otherwise you will need to spend a night in Semporna and only transfer to the island the next day.

Arrive Tawau Airport

On your arrival, a resort coordinator will meet you at the airport.

Land transfer to PSR Private Jetty

Transfer from airport to PSR Private Jetty near Semporna town which takes 90 minutes. The jetty itself is located about 10 minutes from the Semporna town centre.

Boat transfer to Kapalai Island

Boat transfer from PSR Jetty takes 45 minutes to arrive Kapalai Island.

There are two scheduled boat transfers daily between PSR Private Jetty and Kapalai Island.

Airport ArrivalBoat Transfer Time
Before 8:30 a.m. or earlier9:30 a.m.
Before 10:30 a.m. or earlier12:30 p.m.

If you arrive Tawau Airport before 8:30 a.m., then you will take the 10:30 a.m. boat transfer. Similarly if you arrive before 10:30 a.m., you will take the 12:30 p.m. boat transfer.

Departure

Plan to take the 3:15 p.m. flight or later out of Tawau.

Boat Transfer TimeAirport Departure
11:00 a.m.3:15 p.m. or later
1:30 p.m.6 p.m. or later

If your flight is at 3:15 p.m. or later, you will take the 11:30 a.m. boat transfer. Similarly, if your flight is at 6 p.m. or later, you will take the 1:30 p.m. boat transfer.

Boat Transfer to PSR Private Jetty

Boat transfer from Kapalai Island takes 45 minutes to arrive at PSR Private Jetty.

Land Transfer to Tawau Airport

Transfer from jetty to Tawau Airport. The journey will take about 90 minutes.

Depart Tawau Airport

Depart Tawau Airport to your next destination.

See available rates and packages.

Location