Sea Star Resort
Refined overwater rooms with private balconies above the Celebes Sea in Semporna.
Refined overwater rooms with private balconies above the Celebes Sea in Semporna.
Sea Star Resort, Semporna
Floating elegantly above the Celebes Sea, our resort rests just a brief speedboat ride away from Semporna. We provide a refined collection of overwater accommodations thoughtfully designed to connect you directly with the ocean. Expansive glass doors sit right at the foot of your bed to merge the indoor space with the natural seascape outside.
Your stay features three daily buffet meals that highlight local Sabahan flavors alongside international and Chinese dishes. We also serve a delicate afternoon tea for a relaxing midday pause. Positioned perfectly for regional exploration, our retreat serves as an ideal launchpad for excursions. We arrange guided trips through licensed operators to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Kapalai, Mabul and the famous Sipadan dive site.
Your Stay
All of our refined spaces sit directly over the ocean to provide sweeping views from your own private balcony. Each room offers modern air conditioning, premium bath amenities and full access to our daily dining experiences.
A generous overwater suite featuring a large bed facing glass doors that open onto a private sea-view balcony. Enjoy a built-in daybed, overwater hammock net, marble-style bathroom and premium toiletries.
An inviting overwater space complete with a plush bed, built-in daybed lounge and a window offering partial sea views. This room includes warm timber flooring, a private balcony, air conditioning and full amenities.
A well-appointed overwater space featuring a built-in bed, hardwood floors, modern air conditioning and everything required for a comfortable stay above the Celebes Sea.
Plan Your Retreat
Semporna
Semporna serves as a globally recognized hub for exceptional diving and island adventures in Sabah. Our location provides straightforward access to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, the volcanic peaks of Bohey Dulang, Kapalai, Mabul and the world-renowned Sipadan dive site. These waters harbor incredibly rich marine biodiversity that captivates everyone from absolute beginners to advanced scuba divers.
Paddle at your own pace across the calm waters surrounding the resort. Glide above shallow coral gardens, navigate nearby mangrove channels and reach quiet sandbars during low tide. Kayaks are available for independent use or guided tours.
Explore the beautiful coral reefs of Tun Sakaran Marine Park directly from our jetty. The warm waters shelter sea turtles, clownfish, giant clams and schools of tropical fish. This activity suits all skill levels.
Semporna features some of the best dive sites globally, including Sipadan Island. Licensed operators tailor every excursion to your specific experience level, catering to both certified divers and beginners. Advance booking remains essential for Sipadan permits.
Take a speedboat to hop between the diverse islands of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. This flexible guided experience caters perfectly to snorkelers, photographers and nature lovers wanting to see white-sand beaches and thriving reefs.
Trek the 600-meter forest trail to the peak of Bohey Dulang, an extinct volcanic island in Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The sweeping view of the inner lagoon is a major highlight of any visit. We highly recommend sturdy shoes for this moderate hike.
Consistently ranked as a premier dive destination, Sipadan Island is famous for barracuda schools, hammerhead sharks and abundant sea turtles. Sabah Parks strictly limits daily entry permits. Please contact us early to secure your spot through a licensed operator.
Day Tour
Spanning eight protected islands, Tun Sakaran stands as the largest marine park in Sabah. This full-day excursion perfectly pairs vibrant reef snorkeling with a rewarding trek up Bohey Dulang. Reaching the summit rewards you with sweeping views over the expansive lagoon, making it a perfect outing for active travelers and nature enthusiasts.
Day Tour
Celebrated by ocean lovers globally, Mabul and Kapalai offer some of the most rewarding aquatic environments in the region. Your journey includes a leisurely lunch and photo stop at the wooden bungalows on Mabul. Afterward, you will jump directly from the boat into the shallow, life-filled waters surrounding the Kapalai sandbar. You might also spot traditional Bajau Laut houseboats floating nearby during your trip.
Day Tour
Rising directly from the deep ocean floor, Sipadan is Malaysia’s sole oceanic island. Deep nutrient-rich currents feed a thriving ecosystem that attracts diving enthusiasts globally. To preserve this fragile environment, Sabah Parks enforces a strict daily permit system. You must secure your place well in advance through licensed local operators because spots fill up rapidly during peak months. Please note that current regulations limit visitors to a maximum of three dives per day.
Sipadan permits are limited to 120 divers per day across all operators. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Enquire About SipadanDay Tour
Escape to the quieter side of the region with a full-day trip to Pom Pom, Timba-Timba and Mataking. Every stop presents a unique highlight, from the famous underwater post office and low-tide sandbar at Mataking to the brilliant white sands of Timba-Timba. Pom Pom offers gentle waters ideal for relaxed swimming and turtle spotting. This route provides a highly rewarding alternative for families and couples seeking a more peaceful island experience.
Included Daily
We proudly include three generous buffet meals and a delicate afternoon tea with every reservation. Our culinary team prepares a daily rotating menu that highlights authentic Sabahan recipes, Chinese favorites and international classics. We focus heavily on utilizing fresh regional produce and preparing the finest local seafood catches.
Buffet breakfast featuring Sabahan favorites, congee, eggs, fresh breads and fruit.
Buffet lunch offering local rice dishes, noodles, grilled fish and seasonal vegetables.
Evening buffet presenting fresh seafood, Malaysian specialties, Chinese dishes and sweet desserts.
Vegetarian and specific dietary requirements accommodated upon request. Please inform us when booking.
Drinking water, tea and coffee remain complimentary throughout the day.
Getting to Sea Star Resort
Your journey begins with a flight into Tawau Airport (TWU), which acts as the primary gateway to the region. Major domestic airlines like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia run multiple daily flights to this location.
Upon landing at Tawau Airport, we can arrange a smooth private vehicle or spacious tourist van transfer directly to the Semporna town jetty.
We offer pickups directly from the airport, Tawau city hotels or central Semporna.
Once you reach the jetty, our private speedboat will transport you swiftly across the water to your room. This brief ride introduces you beautifully to the crystalline waters surrounding the property.
We also manage all of your return transportation back to the airport when your stay concludes. Simply share your arrival and departure flight details with our team to ensure everything is perfectly organized.
Please provide your travel itinerary well in advance to guarantee a perfectly timed pickup. If you are traveling with a larger group or have specific transportation requests, kindly reach out via our contact form.
From Our Guests
Second visit to Sea Star and I chose it again for good reason. The room is exceptionally large with floor-to-ceiling windows at the foot of the bed — you can watch the sea without getting up. Afternoon tea is served in addition to the other meals. The toiletries provided are premium quality. Staff member Eric goes out of his way for every guest. Outstanding.
The room was the largest I have stayed in across all the Semporna water houses. The king bed faces floor-to-ceiling windows looking straight out to sea which is wonderfully romantic. Three meals plus afternoon tea were all of good quality. The bathroom has double basins and separates the shower and toilet. Eric and the team were top-tier hosts. A 10/10 stay.
Sea Star Resort earns its reputation. The room is spacious and beautifully designed with the bed positioned to face the sea through large windows. Afternoon tea alongside breakfast and dinner was a daily luxury. The premium toiletries were a thoughtful touch after long days in the water. Eric in particular was genuinely exceptional in his care for guests.
One of the best overwater resort stays I have had in Malaysia. The room is large and the floor-to-ceiling windows create a beautiful connection to the sea from the bed. Afternoon tea was a welcome daily inclusion. The bathroom with double basins and separated shower and toilet was very practical. Staff under Eric's lead were professional and caring throughout.
Came with my wife and Sea Star exceeded all expectations. The room is genuinely large and the view from the bed through the big windows was breathtaking. Afternoon tea in addition to all meals meant we were very well looked after. Activities were plentiful and well-organized. Staff member Eric set the standard for what resort hospitality should look like. Will return.
The most comfortable night's sleep I have had in a water house — the bed is huge and the sea is right there through the window. Afternoon tea with various snacks was something we looked forward to each day. The bathroom is well-equipped with double basins and premium products. Eric and his team made the whole stay feel genuinely special. Excellent resort.
