Stay in mainaland-lah.. cheaper this way.. My hotel <RM100/day 

Yes as earlier forumer said.. Located part of Semporna chain of islands on the same Tun Sakaran Dandai chain of islands the opposite side of Mabul/Sipdana & Kapalai

you probably want to check wth them directly (try google) of try using those hotel booking website to book... BTW, for any island opposite Semporna, nothing is cheap. even a simple shared hoste style also super expensive for wg those in Mabul.

You haven't see the amount of rubbish floating in those crystal clear water 

Which hotel lead you till RM1000++/room? Btw this area 10X cheaper than Maldives.

Edit : SWV and Sipadan Kapalai are good to go. No regret!

Who said SWV no beach? Standard room for non-diver RM1130/pax all inclusive. Maldives hotel are 1k+ per night but only room and breakfast. You have to fork out another US100-150/pax for lunch and dinner unless you take maggi with you. Yes, I have been to SWV, Sipadan Kapalai and MWB. MWB are too expensive and for me not worth but accommodation are luxurious amongst those 3.

Edit : Book direct and force them to give 20% discount.

On my price list, 3d2n non diver cost RM1130/pax including 4 meal. Breakfast + Lunch + Tea + Dinner + Transfer + Sonrkeling Trip + Unlimited snorkeling in house reef. SWV water are great. You can snorkel right away from the beach or deck near the dive center. I have been 2 times to SWV, I didnt see any rubbish floating at all If you want more comfortable, request their air cond villa.

BTW, those on budget actually can stay in mainland Semporna and just charter a boat (Either legal or illegally) from those surrounding boatmen/ agensies in Semporna to either those Mabul/Kapalai/Sipadan area and another day to Sangkaran Dandai islands at ~ RM300 to RM500 per boat.

That's how I spent my days in Semporna. staying in the lousy Dragon Inn & much better hostel the next 2 nites.

At the end of Dragon Inn there is one open sea caged enclosure where you really can see lotsa giant groupers & coral fishes there.. That;s the only main attraction staying in Dragon Inn haha

Actually if dragon inn still new i will give high rating. Too bad it's old, dull and due to the fact that it's timber building including the stilt toilet...due to the age...abit geli-lor..sumore the aircon also old and not cold and water pressure..haizzzzz + sigh@###

And the water below your unit can be disturbing your sleep too  It was a relieve when I switched to Borneo backpacker Inn the following days.. The water near the lobby is not really clear & wth floating rubbish but water at the open air aquarium at the end of the hotel is clear..

There is also an old photo of dragon inn during the 80's...damn.. The water 100% crystal clear that time.. infact surrounding Sempora was clean in the 80's..but not now wth foreign population of Filipines more than locals ..including more staying on the surrounding waterwolrds esp Tun Sankaran Dandai marine park...ehhh more like filipinoes stilts kampungs liao 

Yes, buffet spread, It was huge. No alcohol.

Yeap.. Global Sipadan backpaker. no doubt simple room like hostel size but much more cleaner, better aircon and the most important thing - strong water pressure haha.. Long time ago, they are park yp seafest hotel

If you are on budget, try this http://scubajeffsipadan.com/

Got rave review from diving people but I scared to try 

LOL...Where is SPV located?

I stayed here during my trip



Lovely scenes there!

sound fishy..whats the different things?good or bad?

Semporna is not an island. It's a small town about 80km away from Tawau. You probably mean those island surrounding the town i.e the North western side - Tun Sangkaran Dandai Marine park and also the South Eastern islands of Mabul-Kapalai & Sipadan ?

Anyway, good idea of going in a group of 5.. Infact if can get 8 much better bcos going to those islands you need to hire a boat (either illegally or via proper licensed agents) Each boat can accomiodate max of ~ 8 so just nice to share the cost.

If illegal boat operators, you can get it for ~ RM350 to RM500/boat per day (RM350 to Sangkaran Dandai side & RM500 to Mabul/Sipadan side. If oing via licensed agents, you need to X 1.5 to X2. On budget hotels, there are few in Semporna ~ RM40/pax by sharing in the hostel room

Go and talk to the receptionist inside dragon Inn.. They got kantow to look for those illegal operators..cheap but be warned.. anything happen...dunno what to do..touch wood 

a proper place to stay is mutiara inn.. newly open budget hotel..
50 per nite..
a restaurant to avoid will be the one look newest.. near mutiara inn..

Not visiting Tawau? Should book atleast 1 nite there so that you cover 2 towns in Sabah at one go  .. I covered 3 towns - Semporna, Lahad Datu & Tawau  ..ehh also passing by water stilt towns in the middle of the sea..

Have your heard of mataking? the rate much cheaper- the island  surrounded coral still intact

2 night at Sipadan Water village - RM1200++ per night. Sorry your rm1200 is per room or person.

2 night at mataking - rm1,415 per person

very sorry..sorry    ..i went there 2007..cost me less then rm1k for 3 night.