Aerial drone shot of the Grand Dive Resort overwater structures

Grand Dive Resort

Base your Semporna getaway at Grand Dive Resort. Our wooden water chalets sit directly over the ocean. You can easily access top dive sites across Sabah while enjoying comfortable mid-range accommodation.

About Us

Grand Dive Resort offers classic overwater accommodation off the eastern coast of Sabah. Built entirely on wooden stilts over the ocean, our property provides a balanced mix of comfort plus value for your Malaysian Borneo holiday.

We serve as a central hub for accessing famous locations like Tun Sakaran Marine Park as well as Sipadan Island. You can easily organize speedboat excursions from our jetty to reach nearby destinations like Sibuan, Kapalai, Mabul alongside the volcanic peak of Bohey Dulang.

Our traditional wooden structures face directly out to the open ocean. Guests enjoy daily buffet meals featuring an array of Sabahan, Chinese alongside Malaysian recipes. We bundle our room rates with full-board dining, boat transfers plus guided ocean excursions for a stress-free travel experience.

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Scenic view of the wooden overwater chalets at the resort Grand Dive Resort

Our Rooms

Select your preferred layout from our two overwater chalet categories. Every room sits directly above the ocean to provide continuous views of the surrounding waters.

Double Room - Sea View

This wooden water chalet provides a private escape with open sea views. You will find an attached en-suite bathroom as well as easy access to the main resort areas via connected walkways. It is a highly practical choice for couples, honeymooners plus single travelers seeking a peaceful base.

  • Double bed
  • Air conditioning
  • Private sea-view balcony
  • Free WiFi

Triple Room Sea View

Families as well as small groups will appreciate the extra space in this three-bed chalet layout. The attached balcony lets you relax right above the water while the en-suite bathroom adds everyday convenience. A direct connection to the main walkway makes it easy to move around the property.

  • Three beds
  • Air conditioning
  • Private sea-view balcony
  • Free WiFi

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Marine Activities

Semporna provides an incredible variety of ocean-based adventures throughout the year. You can join simple snorkeling trips right near the property or book extended excursions to explore multiple islands.

Guided snorkeling excursion in the nearby coral reefs Grand Dive Resort

Snorkeling

You can explore thriving coral gardens right outside your room. The shallow waters surrounding our property host an abundance of marine life including reef sharks, sea turtles as well as colorful tropical fish.

Guests swimming in the crystal clear turquoise sea Grand Dive Resort

Swimming

Jump straight into the ocean from our wooden platforms. The surrounding waters remain calm throughout the year with average temperatures hovering between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Guest enjoying a kayaking session in Semporna Grand Dive Resort

Sea Kayaking

Grab a kayak to navigate the calm waters near the property. Paddling along the shoreline gives you a fantastic perspective of the local archipelago at a highly relaxed pace.

Aerial drone view of a beautiful beach island in Semporna Grand Dive Resort

Island Hopping

Spend a full day visiting some of the most beautiful islands in the region. These organized trips take you to pristine white sand beaches inside the marine park with plenty of time set aside for snorkeling.

On-Site Activities

  • Snorkeling
  • Ocean swimming
  • Sea kayaking
  • Lounge relaxation
  • Sunrise viewing
  • Sunset viewing
  • Local fishing
  • BBQ facilities

Island Tours & Day Trips

Panoramic lagoon view from the Bohey Dulang peak Grand Dive Resort

Hiking Bohey Dulang

This extinct volcano crater features a steep hiking trail leading to a highly rewarding viewpoint. The 45-minute climb requires navigating wooden stairs alongside roped paths. Once you reach the peak, you are treated to an incredible panoramic view of the entire marine park.

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Welcome signboard on the beach at Timba Timba Island Grand Dive Resort

Mataking & Timba-Timba

Mataking attracts visitors with a massive sandbar that reveals itself during low tide. Nearby Timba-Timba provides excellent snorkeling opportunities right off its pristine sandy shores. We package these two locations together for a full day of beach exploration.

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Pristine beach and clear water at Sibuan Island Grand Dive Resort

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

As Malaysia’s largest marine reserve, this area spans eight separate islands alongside their connecting reefs. Our guided trips stop at locations like Bodgaya, Sibuan as well as Mantabuan. You will also get a glimpse of the Bajau Laut sea nomad communities along the way. Please note that conservation fees must be paid prior to departure.

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Famous photo spot at the I Love Mabul sign on Mabul Island Grand Dive Resort

Mabul & Kapalai

Mabul stands out as a premier destination for macro diving with a huge diversity of unique sea creatures. Visitors love taking photos by the main beach sign before heading back into the water. We also include a stop at the Kapalai sandbar to observe the incredible reef structures below.

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Official sign board at the Sipadan Island Marine Park Grand Dive Resort

Sipadan Day Tour

This world-famous marine habitat sits roughly 36 kilometers away from our main jetty. The island features a massive underwater drop-off filled with schooling barracudas alongside hundreds of sea turtles. Sabah Parks strictly limits daily visitor numbers. You must contact us well in advance to secure your entry permit.

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Scuba diving session at the famous Sipadan Marine Park Grand Dive Resort

Sipadan Diving

Experienced divers can explore legendary underwater locations like South Point, Barracuda Point as well as the Hanging Gardens. The sheer vertical walls attract massive pelagic fish alongside localized reef species. You must hold an advanced diving certification to participate. We can help you arrange the mandatory government permits depending on current availability.

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Multi day island hopping and snorkeling tour packages with Grand Dive Resort near the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

Multi-Day Excursions

Our multi-day itineraries offer the best way to experience the entire region without the hassle of daily planning. A standard three-day schedule might feature a hike up Bohey Dulang, a trip to Mabul plus a permitted visit to Sipadan. These all-inclusive bundles cover your accommodation, daily meals alongside boat transfers.

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Selection of buffet meals for breakfast and dinner Grand Dive Resort

Dining & Meals

We provide three daily buffet services to keep you energized during your stay. Most of our accommodation packages already include full-board dining so you never have to worry about planning your meals.

Our kitchen prepares an appetizing mix of authentic Sabahan curries, classic Chinese recipes as well as standard Western fare. You can expect freshly caught seafood to be served on most nights. Guests also have unlimited access to drinking water, coffee plus tea from morning until evening.

Breakfast Morning buffet with local & Western choices
Lunch Malaysian & Chinese style buffet
Dinner Fresh seafood & Sabahan dishes

Note: Meal inclusions depend on your selected package. Please verify details prior to booking.

How to Reach Us

Traveling to Grand Dive Resort requires a combination of road and sea transport. Your journey starts at the local airport before transferring to our private boats at the main jetty.

Arrive at Tawau Airport (TWU)

Tawau serves as the primary aviation hub for this region. You can catch daily flights via AirAsia or Malaysia Airlines originating from Kota Kinabalu as well as Kuala Lumpur. Direct flights from the capital take roughly two hours.

Ground Transfer to Semporna

The drive from the airport terminal to the mainland town covers 85 kilometers. A typical van ride takes about 90 minutes depending on local road conditions. Our staff is happy to assist you with booking a reliable driver ahead of time.

Airport transfer van service from Tawau to Semporna Grand Dive Resort

Boat Ride to the Resort

The final leg of your journey involves a direct speedboat ride straight to our overwater property. We schedule our boat departures based on daily guest arrivals. Please message our team 24 hours in advance to finalize your boarding time.

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Essential Travel Info

Best time to visit
The months between March and October offer the clearest waters for underwater photography alongside calm surface conditions. If you travel between November and February, be aware that seasonal winds might restrict access to certain offshore locations.
Currency
All transactions use the Malaysian Ringgit. We strongly recommend withdrawing cash at the ATMs located inside Semporna town before boarding your boat. Digital payment options at the property are currently limited.

Guest Reviews

A good base for diving in the Semporna area. The resort is well-positioned for accessing the nearby dive sites and the staff were helpful in arranging everything. The rooms were comfortable and the sea setting made for a peaceful stay. Recommended for divers looking for a straightforward and well-run place to stay.

Michael R. United Kingdom

Came here specifically for the diving and the resort delivered. Access to the dive sites was straightforward and the staff were knowledgeable about the area. The accommodation was clean and sufficient for a diving trip. The sea views around Semporna are beautiful and the underwater experience in the area is outstanding.

Mei-ling T. Taiwan

A comfortable and well-run resort in the Semporna area. The setting over the water is peaceful and the sea around the resort is clear and full of marine life. Staff were helpful throughout the stay. A good choice for anyone looking to explore the dive sites and islands in this part of Sabah.

Yong T. China