BIGFIN BEACH RESORT
KOTA BELUD
5* PADI dive center & secret beach resort in Sabah
Bigfin beach resort is a small private beach resort in Sabah with a 5* PADI dive center. We offer scuba diving, Kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, snorkelling and jungle trekking activities, divers and non-divers welcome!
Our rustic Sabah beach escape appeals to the adventurous social traveler looking for a place where they can appreciate the natural beauty of Borneo both above and below water. Enjoy fun activities or simply come to relax and chill in the stunning surroundings at our secret hideaway.
Our rustic Sabah beach escape appeals to the adventurous social traveler looking for a place where they can appreciate the natural beauty of Borneo both above and below water. Enjoy fun activities or simply come to relax and chill in the stunning surroundings at our secret hideaway.
How to get here?We are located on Pantai Merakit beach opposite Pulau Pandan Island in Mengkabar Bay, Kota Belud. We are approximately 60km north of the city Kota Kinabalu on a stretch of undeveloped coastline nearby Mantanani Island.
Our PADI Dive Center is only accessible by boat. For outside guests or day trip divers from Kota Kinabalu or Kota Belud we offer boat pick up service from Dragon Pearl Beach, Kampung Mengkabar village. |
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Taxi from Kota Kinabalu (recommended!)
RM150 - Private Taxi / RM120-170 Grab (book via app) Mini van bus from Kota Kinabalu Padang Merdeka Terminal KK to Kota Belud (RM10, 2 hours, bus departs when full), then taxi to Mengkabar (40 mins) Boat/Taxi from Mantanani Island Boat transfer from Mantanani to Rampayan Laut, Taxi to Bigfin Divers meet point, (RM80, 40 mins) Private Transport / Rental Cars Follow Google Map for directions to Bigfin meet point, Dragon Pearl Beach, Kampung Mengkabar |
Bigfin Beach Resort Sabah
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Bigfin Beach Resort is built above a private sandy beach in Mengkabar bay, directly opposite Pulau Pandan Island. We are nestled in the surrounding jungle with a stunning backdrop of Mount Kinabalu in the distance. Since we have no road access our place is only accessible by boat from a small village called Kampung Mengkabar.
We have private hilltop en-suite chalets, all with fantastic panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding coastline. Onsite facilities include a restaurant/bar, hang out areas, water sports, jungle paths and PADI dive center. Perfect for divers and non-divers alike who seek affordable accommodation in a idyllic location where you can enjoy the lush, peaceful surroundings. Our Sabah beach escape is ideal for nature lovers who are searching for a place to relax in paradise. |
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Scuba Diving in Kota Belud
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We are the first PADI dive centre to operate in Kota Belud. We offer an exciting alternative to scuba diving in Kota Kinabalu, with trips to Mantanani, Pandan and Usukan Island plus many secret submerged reefs in Kota Belud. We offer PADI dive courses and fun dives for introductory to experienced divers.
After years of scuba diving in Sabah, we have discovered some spectacular dive sites away from the crowds! Since we are the only dive resort in the area, you can dive with us and encounter no other divers underwater. Expect a personalized service where you can experience the underwater world undisturbed. Learn to dive with our experienced qualified instructors, with a safe professional learning experience with a fun atmosphere! |
UNCHARTED REEFSDrift with the current across huge submerged reefs with healthy hard coral gardens and schools of colourful reef fish. Explore beautiful dive sites in blissful tranquility. Since we have discovered most of our dive locations ourselves we are the only dive centre to visit these stunning sites!
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SHARKS AND RAYS
Our dive sites are home to resident bamboo sharks, cat sharks, many species of rays, and if you are lucky you many encounter passing giants during whale shark season! Kota Belud is one of the few places in Sabah outside of Sipadan where you are almost guaranteed to see sharks!
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IDYLLIC ISLAND'S We are located directly opposite the tiny uninhabited island PULAU PANDAN. The island's safe shallow waters and surrounding coral reef is a perfect location for beginner divers to learn and refresh dive skills. We also run day trips to USUKAN ISLAND and the famous Mantanani Island.
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5* PADI DIVE CENTRE
SEMPORNA
underwater enthusiasts only!
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Semporna is the place to go scuba diving in Sabah if you have caught the dive addiction! Scuba diving in Semporna is suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. We offer fun dives and a full rage of PADI dive courses. Conditions are perfect for new divers, with calm seas, warm water and good visibility. Experienced divers will be captivated by the wide variety of marine life, and will want to cram in as many dives here as possible!
The huge Semporna archipelago is comprised of a number of beautiful islands with fantastic dive sites. We dive at the Northern islands in and around the Tun Sakaran Marine park, as well as the Southern islands of Mabul, Kapalai & Si Amil. For advanced divers we also arrange trips to the famed SIPADAN Island. |
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How to get here?
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FLIGHT to TAWAU
Tawau has frequent daily direct domestic flights within Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru. TAXI from TAWAU AIRPORT to SEMPORNA 1 hour 45 mins, RM120 per taxi each way BUS Depart to/from Semporna bus station to the following destinations: Kota Kinabalu (12 h), Sandakan (7 h) Lahad Datu (4 h), Tickets online at easybook.com/en-my Speed boat to Bum Bum Island Boat transfers between Semporna town and Bum Bum Island run frequently from 7am - 7pm. |
Bigfin water bungalow
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Bigfin water bungalow is a small homestay built over the water on Bum Bum Island, Semporna. Being only 20 minutes outside of Semporna, Bum Bum island is a convenient area to base yourself for diving. Due to our central location we are able to offer diving & snorkeling trips to islands both north and south of Semporna. Stay here to experience the traditional style of living right on the ocean!
We have only 4 private rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, AC and 24 hour power, and BIGFIN 5* PADI dive center right on premises. We have a large deck area for sunbathing and relaxing, surrounded by clear turquoise waters, blue skies and open ocean. An idyllic place to hang out and meet other divers and travelers whist drinking a cold drink as the sun sets in the Sulu sea. |
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Scuba Diving in Semporna
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We love scuba diving in Sabah and are eager to share our passion. Our guides have eagle eyes and will surely find something to surprise you!
Expect a personalized service in small groups without that dive factory feeling. Learn to dive with our experienced qualified PADI dive instructors, at our fantastic ocean front location. With so many idyllic islands in the area there are literally hundreds of different incredible dive sites to discover when scuba diving in Semporna! |
VARIED DIVE SITESWith a wide variety of different dive sites suitable for both beginners and experienced divers, you will not get bored diving here. Beautiful reef drift dives, vertical wall dives, wrecks, original artificial reefs and sandy bottom muck dives. Above the water is just as spectacular, the picture perfect islands of Semporna have been likened to the Maldives.
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TURTLES, TURTLES, TURTLES!Semporna is home to hundreds of resident green and hawksbill turtles! They favor the shallow seagrass habitat, and lay eggs at nearby islands. Many of these turtles have travelled far and wide to return to their nesting site. Some of the turtles here are gigantic and very old. Green turtles can live to up to 70 years and weight up to 300KG! They are also incredibly placid, so long as you pay them due respect and do not touch, they will think nothing of a diver swimming right past them or lying next to them in the sand.
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MACRO MANIA!Semporna is world famous macro diving. Avid divers flock here in search of crazy underwater critters. This is a dream destination for underwater photography as we can find such a wide variety of species here. A night dive in the Semporna straights is especially thrilling as even the MOST experienced divers can discover something new!
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