Beyond the Obvious: Semporna’s Instagrammable Cafés, Semporna, Malaysia

Typically accessible from Tawau Airport, Semporna is mostly known as the gateway to the world-famous Sipadan and many of the pristine sun-kissed islands of Eastern Sabah.

Majority of the population is Bajau people, whom traditionally live as nomadic seaborne people though when they do settle, they settle in stilt villages over the water.

Despite being mostly known for many of its surrounding islands, Semporna is quite probably one of my most favourites hidden gems in Malaysia.

While Semporna doesn’t exactly strike jackpot from historical angle to me, its culinary scene is one of the most memorable in Malaysia. And it is an interesting blend of traditional and contemporary fares to keep you excited all around!

It is filled with many secret Instagrammable cafés once you look beyond the obvious, and this guide will walk you through some of its most memorable sights.

The area around Dragon Inn Floating Hotel is an absolute must-visit for its stilt vibe and simply by the virtue of its unique location by the water. After all, Semporna is a seaside town and this is the point from where many tours take off! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).