Among so many places that one can go to in East Malaysia, Tawau is certainly not on one’s top list unless one opts to go snorkeling or diving at Semporna. So, what exactly is Tawau? Is Tawau worth visiting?

Here are the 3 common questions which we will address today:-

1. Are Tawau, Semporna and Sipadan the same?

The truth is they are all different, but they are located close to one another. Tawau is a city in Sabah and Semporna is a town that is about an hour away from Tawau city. Sipadan is an island, and to go there, you need to head over to Semporna Jetty. Take the boat and you are out and about in the sea, where you can do island hopping, or stay at the resort of your choice on Mabul Island, Mataking, or Kapalai Island.

2. Can you stay on Sipadan Island?

The simple answer is NO. It is not possible to stay on Sipadan Island. There’s no resort. Previously, there used to be lots of resorts, but after lots of unfortunate incidents like the kidnapping case, Sipadan Island has been declared an island for divers to go diving or for snorkeling.

To dive on Sipadan Island, you are required to get a permit/license a day before. So, the next question is, where will the travelers stay? Well, there are lots of nearby islands that host a couple of resorts which you can choose from, from Mabul Island to Kapalai island. Read HERE to learn more about Mabul Island.

3. What do you eat in Tawau?

Compared to other parts of Sabah like Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, Tawau is a small town. The food choices are pretty limited, but some are worth trying, and they are only available in Tawau.

These are the top 4 must-eats in Tawau.

1. Seafood porridge and local dessert in Leong Porridge House

Seafood Porridge

Pumpkin Sago

2. Original pork noodles in Kedai Kopi Hing Lee

3. Seafood feast in Restaurant Kam Ling

4. Fish dish and noodles in Restaurant Papa Kopitiam

Is Tawau worth a visit?

The answer is yes! Best if you can couple your Tawau visit with Semporna, and you will have a good experience of seafood, the island, sea animals, and nature.

Written by,

FoodiesTravel