Things to Do in Tawau — Sabah's Southern Base for Diving & Borneo
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Tawau is a port city on Sabah’s southeastern coast, close to the Indonesian border and used primarily as a transit point for travellers heading into Kalimantan. On its own merits, Tawau is a functional commercial city — not a destination in the conventional sense — but it sits at the gateway to some genuinely excellent marine and jungle attractions.
Tun Sakaran Marine Park
The most compelling reason to come to Tawau is access to Tun Sakaran Marine Park (also called Semporna Islands Marine Park), though this is typically accessed from Semporna — about 2 hours north of Tawau. If you’re already in Tawau for a border crossing, the park is a feasible day trip. The marine park covers a large area of the Celebes Sea and includes several islands with reefs in excellent condition, popular with divers and snorkellers.
Tawau Hills Park
A short drive from the city centre, Tawau Hills Park is a small but worthwhile nature reserve. It contains some of the world’s tallest tropical trees (several top 80 metres), a hot spring, and straightforward hiking trails. The park is compact — a morning visit covers the main trails. Entry is cheap and the facilities are basic but functional.
Cowie Harbour Seafood
Tawau’s port heritage shows in its seafood. The area around the waterfront has a cluster of Chinese seafood restaurants where fresh fish, mud crab, and prawns are cooked to order. Prices are lower than in Kota Kinabalu, and the quality is consistently good. This is a genuine local dining scene rather than a tourist strip.
Tawau as a Transit Point
Tawau has a regular ferry service to Nunukan in Indonesia. It’s also on the Sabah road network, making it reachable by bus from Kota Kinabalu (~8 hours) or Semporna (~2 hours). The airport has connections to Kota Kinabalu and occasional services to other Sabah towns.
Most travellers who stop in Tawau are either on the way to Semporna for diving, crossing into Indonesia, or completing an overland Sabah circuit. A one-night stop is enough for most itineraries.
Practical Notes
The city centre is walkable. Grab operates here. Basic accommodation is concentrated in the central area near the commercial district. The main bus terminal has departures to Semporna and Kota Kinabalu throughout the day — early morning departures for KK are advisable given the journey length.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Tawau and Semporna for diving?
- Tawau is an airport city and commercial hub — most divers fly into Tawau and transfer to Semporna (1–1.5 hours north) to access Sipadan, Mabul, and the surrounding reefs. Tawau itself does not have a dive scene. If diving is the goal, go straight to Semporna from the airport.
- Can I take a ferry from Tawau to Indonesia?
- Yes. Tawau has a regular ferry service to Nunukan in Indonesian Kalimantan (North Borneo). This is a common crossing for travellers doing an overland Borneo route. Check current entry requirements for Indonesia before travel and confirm the ferry schedule locally as it changes seasonally.
- Is Tawau Hills Park worth visiting?
- Worth a morning if you are already in Tawau with time to spare. The park has some of the world's tallest tropical trees, a hot spring, and straightforward hiking trails. It is a half-day outing, not a reason to extend a stay. Most travellers skip it in favour of continuing to Semporna.
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