Refined overwater chalets above the Celebes Sea. Scuba diving, snorkelling, bioluminescent night walks.
Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia
Positioned on a secluded private island within the Celebes Sea, Santiri Island Resort provides a premium escape just a swift speedboat journey from Semporna. The surrounding marine environment features exceptionally clear, temperate waters that shelter a diverse ecosystem of vibrant reef fish and unique aquatic life, offering an ideal setting for couples seeking a romantic and peaceful refuge.
The retreating tide reveals an intricate coastal landscape populated by starfish and sand dollars along the shallow shoreline. For marine exploration, our dedicated dive centre provides top-tier rental gear and professional instruction, readily accommodating both uncertified beginners and seasoned divers.
Under the personal guidance of our owner, Ming, our boutique team maintains an exceptional standard of hospitality to ensure your island getaway remains completely effortless and tailored to your needs.
Accommodation
Elegant overwater sanctuaries set directly over the Celebes Sea, complete with individual verandas and open ocean vistas. Every suite features full climate control and includes all daily meals.
Expansive overwater accommodation featuring ocean views, private balcony, hanging chair, and bathtub. Configured for up to 3 guests with 2 single beds or 1 king bed. Includes WiFi, complimentary water, and air conditioning.
Refined 33 m² options featuring large windows, integrated bathroom facilities, and full air conditioning. Accommodates 3 travelers via 1 king or 2 single bedding setups. Non-smoking layout with internet access and drinking water.
Generous spaces equipped with 2 single beds along with 1 bunk bed to host up to 5 guests. Fully en-suite with air conditioning, complimentary internet, and fresh water. Strictly non-smoking.
Intimate 15 m² settings looking directly out to sea, custom-tailored for couples. Includes private bathroom amenities, continuous air cooling, high-speed WiFi, and daily bottled water.
Well-appointed 23 m² areas containing 1 queen bed or dual single configurations for up to 3 travellers. Features dedicated bathrooms, cooling systems, web access, and bottled water supply.
Practical shared units featuring 6 robust bunk beds, perfect for independent explorers and divers. Outfitted with climate controls, internet connectivity, direct water supply, and common washrooms.
Book Your Stay
Things to Do
As a primary destination for global marine exploration, Semporna hosts some of the most dynamic aquatic environments, with our property situated at its core. From our island base, travelers enjoy direct access to the protected waters of Tun Sakaran Marine Park, the diverse ecosystems of Mabul and Kapalai, the renowned drop-offs of Sipadan, and the scenic volcanic topography of Bohey Dulang. Every itinerary is tailored to respect individual comfort levels, ensuring an enriching journey for seasoned divers and snorkeling enthusiasts alike.
Observe the diverse shallow reefs of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park straight from our marine pavilion. These temperate environments shelter sea turtles, vibrant anemonefish, massive giant clams, and active schools of native species. Top-tier snorkeling gear is provided for all guest excursions.
Our location grants direct access to premium regional dive destinations, including the renowned marine sanctuaries of Sipadan Island. Our resident instructors customize daily sub-surface excursions to match your specific certification tier, providing meticulously inspected rental gear. Special clearances apply for managed conservation zones.
Navigate the protected, glass-like waters immediately surrounding our private island shorelines. Glided over shallow marine gardens, chart nearby coastal mangrove channels, or land on temporary sandbars that appear during low tide cycles. Premium sea kayaks are ready for guest use throughout the day.
Step onto our private speedboats for a managed daily journey through the diverse islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. This curated experience balances white-sand beaches with complex coral reef networks, led by experienced marine guides for photographers and ocean enthusiasts.
Ascend the steep, managed 600-meter forest pathway to reach the high summit of Bohey Dulang, revealing expansive views of the underlying volcanic lagoon and distant island chains. The trek requires roughly 30 to 45 minutes each way. Enclosed athletic footwear and personal hydration packs are strictly recommended.
This strictly protected ocean reserve features a dramatic 600-meter drop-off wall that fields thousands of marine species, dense schools of barracuda, and exceptional populations of green sea turtles. Entry is highly regulated by state authorities. Our team coordinates necessary credentials with accredited operators on your behalf.
Protecting 346 km² of pristine marine environments across eight distinct islands, Sabah's largest sanctuary offers an exceptional wilderness encounter. This single-day itinerary pairs the demanding Bohey Dulang volcanic ridge climb with extensive underwater exploration across the shallow reef systems of Pulau Mantabuan and Pulau Sibuan.
An expansive maritime journey targeting three of Semporna's more serene island habitats. Each location presents distinct ecological characteristics: Mataking features a low-tide sand bridge alongside unique aquatic diving markers; Timba-Timba boasts exceptionally fine white sand banks with accessible reef fringes; while Pom Pom provides shallow, slow-moving currents favored by foraging sea turtles.
The protected habitats of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park serve as a critical sanctuary within the broader Coral Triangle ecosystem. This professional, guide-led snorkeling excursion introduces guests to several diverse island reefs, emphasizing specific aquatic formations and varied wildlife, making it highly appropriate for families and non-certified swimmers.
The macro marine concentration around Mabul and Kapalai remains unmatched across regional waters. Mabul acts as an essential center for specialized macro diving within Sabah, including managed photography stops at Mabul Water Bungalows during scheduled mid-day breaks. For Kapalai, ocean discovery is conducted directly from the vessels across extensive shallow sand flats.
Renowned globally as a premium aquatic destination, Sipadan sits over an oceanic sea mount bordered by 160 hectares of highly active coral networks that host more than 3,000 distinct species. Due to strict daily environmental quotas, access remains highly limited. Guests typically incorporate an extended multi-night stay at a neighboring Mabul facility to efficiently clear state permits through licensed channels.
Sipadan trips depart from Mabul-area dive resorts. We recommend combining your Santiri stay with a Mabul extension to access permits. Contact us for recommended operators.
For fully certified enthusiasts, the drop-off geography of Sipadan offers profound underwater experiences, featuring regular sightings of grey reef sharks and schooling pelagics. To facilitate these excursions, we coordinate directly with accredited Mabul operators holding official state quotas, allowing guests to structure their itineraries around known vessel schedules:
| Dive Resort | Min. Stay | Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Sipadan Mabul Resort | 6 days / 5 nights | 8:00 AM |
| Mabul Water Bungalows | 6 days / 5 nights | 8:00 AM |
| Borneo Divers Mabul | 4 days / 3 nights | 6:30 AM |
| Sipadan Water Village | 4 days / 3 nights | 6:30 AM |
| Seaventures Dive Rig | 3 days / 2 nights | 6:30 AM |
November is Sipadan's annual conservation month. Diving resumes 1 December. Permits are only available through licensed dive operators.
Effortlessly experience the best of the regional archipelago via versatile multi-day packages. These custom routes are available as purely leisure surface snorkeling itineraries or combined with the challenging Bohey Dulang ridge climb, ensuring an accessible approach for uncertified travelers and families without technical diving demands.
Food and Drink
All guest accommodations feature full daily culinary services presented buffet style at our central oceanfront dining room. Our chefs expertly prepare a rotating selection of local Sabahan, authentic Malaysian, regional Chinese, and classic Western dishes daily, utilizing fresh, seasonal provisions.
Included
Eggs, toast, baked beans, cereals and fresh tropical fruit. Simple familiar options to start the day.
Included
Stir-fried noodles, fried rice and Malaysian-style dishes prepared fresh at midday. A popular choice among guests.
Included
A full buffet spread each evening with curries, stir-fried vegetables, sambal, fresh seafood and local favourites.
Rice, fragrant curries, stir-fried vegetables, sambal, ulam (local herb salad) and fresh tropical fruits. Authentic coastal home cooking prepared daily.
Stir-fried noodles, fried rice and Chinese-style dishes for lunch and dinner. A popular choice among guests from the region.
Sunny-side-up eggs, toast, baked beans and cereals for breakfast. Simple familiar options available alongside local dishes at every meal.
To enhance your island experience, specialized evening seafood barbecues can be coordinated upon advance request. We feature fresh catches sourced from local Celebes Sea fishermen, prepared over open flames to highlight natural quality. Supplementary rates apply; please consult our reservation agents during booking.
Vegetarian choices are integrated into every daily meal cycle. Kindly note any specific ingredient adjustments when making your reservation. For critical health considerations or unique allergies, inform our kitchen staff ahead of arrival for custom adjustments.
Purified drinking water remains freely accessible throughout your entire stay. Fresh juices, sodas, premium espresso options, and teas can be purchased directly at the main lounge, along with selected alcoholic beverages.
Travel Information
Schedule your arrival into Tawau Airport (TWU), which serves as the principal aviation gateway for the Semporna region. Leading national operators like AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines supply reliable daily flights connecting from major transport hubs.
Upon landing at Tawau, Santiri Island Resort arranges private automotive transport down to the coastal Semporna jetty via spacious passenger vans or premium multi-purpose vehicles.
Custom vehicle coordination accommodates terminal collections directly from Tawau Airport, regional hotels within Tawau city, or central points across Semporna town.
From the central Semporna marine terminal, our private speedboats carry you directly across the water to our resort docks. This brief crossing offers an immediate look at the protected, clear ecosystems defining the Celebes Sea.
Onward departure scheduling is handled end to end by our guest services team at the end of your stay. Simply provide your comprehensive airline timings post-booking to allow our staff to align your land and sea transfers.
Please submit your flight parameters well ahead of your travel date to guarantee synchronized vehicle assignments. For larger family assemblies or specialized transport requests, message our operations desk directly through the contact interface.
Guest Feedback
A private island resort with outstanding activities. The night crab walk and the glowing blue sea were unlike anything I had experienced before. Scuba diving with the resort's instructor was excellent and equipment was clean and well-maintained. The food for every meal was very good. Owner Ming made sure everything ran smoothly. A truly memorable stay.
Santiri Island was one of the best stays of the whole trip. The water is very clear and at low tide the beach is full of starfish and sand dollars which the children adored. Scuba diving is available with equipment to rent. Staff member Mandy was excellent, professional, friendly and genuinely helpful throughout. Boat pickup from Starbucks was well-organized.
A private island with a wonderful atmosphere. The clear water is full of colorful fish and the snorkeling off the beach is very easy and rewarding. The night walk to find crabs and watch the bioluminescent sea was a genuine highlight. All meals were included and the food was very good. Highly recommended for families and couples alike.
Stayed two nights and would happily have stayed longer. The island setting is beautiful and the water is exceptionally clear. Low tide walks along the beach uncovered starfish and sand dollars which were fascinating. Scuba diving from the resort was very well organized with good instructors. Meals were plentiful and delicious throughout. Mandy and the team were excellent.
The combination of clear water, excellent diving and a peaceful island atmosphere made this one of my favorite Semporna stays. The night crab walk was an unexpected highlight, spotting crabs in the torchlight then watching the bioluminescent sea glow was extraordinary. Staff were professional and warm. The food served throughout was very good quality.
A well-run private island resort with activities for every kind of guest. The snorkeling off the beach was great and scuba diving was available for those who wanted more depth. The night crab walk and glowing sea were unforgettable. Low tide brought starfish and sand dollars right to the shore. Meals were included and very satisfying. Excellent in every way.