Crystal Resort
Overwater chalets above the sea, Bum Bum Island, Semporna
Overwater chalets above the sea, Bum Bum Island, Semporna
Crystal Resort is a private overwater retreat of 14 chalets on Bum Bum Island, the largest island in the Semporna archipelago. Each chalet sits on wooden stilts above the Celebes Sea, with open ocean views and a private balcony where guests watch the water shift through shades of blue and green through the day.
The resort draws couples, small groups and guests who want a quiet overwater setting without the crowds of the larger island properties. The water here has a reputation: vivid and clear, with coral and reef fish visible through gaps in the wooden walkway at low tide. Guests often describe it as the jelly-colored sea they had seen in photographs and wanted to see for themselves.
All stays include full-board meals, 24-hour electricity and air conditioning, a glass-bottom boat and snorkelling equipment. The resort keeps its focus on the water, the surrounding reef and the natural character of the Semporna islands.
2 seaview suite types, each with a private overwater balcony and ocean views across the Celebes Sea.
A seaview room with a private overwater balcony, featuring twin or queen bed configuration, smooth timber floors and glass doors that open directly onto the water. Clear ocean views from both the room interior and the balcony deck. Air conditioning, private bathroom and in-room Wi-Fi are standard.
A larger suite designed for families or small groups. Features a double bed and a single bed, solid hardwood floors, a traditional Sabahan pointed timber roof and sliding glass doors to a private overwater balcony with wooden seating and unobstructed sea views. Air conditioning, private bathroom and Wi-Fi included.
The Semporna area is home to some of the most biodiverse waters in the world. Crystal Resort sits near the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, giving guests direct access to coral reefs, sea turtles and a range of water activities from the resort. Further afield, the Semporna archipelago offers day tours to Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and other islands, each with its own distinct character.
The waters around Crystal Resort are sheltered and clear. Snorkelling gear and a glass-bottom boat are included for all guests. The reef directly around the chalets has good coral coverage and is home to reef fish and sea turtles. Guided snorkelling trips to nearby marine park reefs can be arranged.
The Semporna area sits within the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine region in the world. Certified divers can explore sites near Bum Bum Island and access Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai through partner dive operators. Courses and guided dives for all certification levels are available.
Explore the calm waters around Bum Bum Island by kayak, paddling along the coastline past traditional Bajau fishing villages. Morning and late afternoon offer the flattest water and the best natural light for paddling and photography.
Day trips by speedboat to the outer islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, including Sibuan, Mantabuan and Bohey Dulang. Each island offers a different reef environment, white sand and sheltered snorkelling reefs away from the mainland.
Bohey Dulang is a twin-summit volcanic island within the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The trail to the summit takes around 1 to 2 hours return and is one of the most rewarding hikes in Sabah. From the top, the view takes in the surrounding lagoon, smaller islands, open sea and the full arc of the marine park. Wildlife including macaque monkeys, hornbills and sea eagles are common along the trail.
A full-day island-hopping tour to 3 quieter islands north of Semporna. Mataking is known for Malaysia's only underwater post office and a natural sandbar that emerges at low tide between Mataking Besar and Mataking Kecil. Timba-Timba has a soft white sand beach and shallow coral reef. Pom Pom has calm waters and regular sea turtle sightings. All 3 islands are within the Tun Sakaran Marine Park area.
The Tun Sakaran Marine Park covers 346 km² of reef, open sea and small uninhabited islands around Semporna. The most visited islands include Sibuan and Mantabuan, both known for clear water, healthy coral and accessible snorkelling directly from the beach. Sea turtles are commonly spotted in the surrounding waters and the reefs are rich in reef fish species.
Mabul Island is a well-known dive destination south of Bum Bum Island. The reef around Mabul is best known for macro diving: frogfish, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, ribbon eels and other small species are found in high concentrations. Kapalai is a nearby sand bar built with overwater dive lodges and ringed by a healthy, accessible reef. Both are reachable by speedboat from Semporna.
Sipadan is widely considered one of the top diving destinations in the world. The island sits on the edge of a volcanic ridge that drops to a 600-metre wall, ringed by 160 hectares of coral reef. The waters hold over 3,000 fish species, large schools of barracuda, jackfish and bumphead parrotfish, plus green and hawksbill sea turtles in high numbers. Sipadan is a strictly protected marine reserve with a daily permit cap. Permits are arranged through licensed dive operators in advance.
Guests staying at Crystal Resort can combine their stay with a 2 to 5 night extension at a Mabul-area dive resort to access Sipadan permits. Day trips depart from Mabul-area resorts by speedboat (10 to 15 minutes to Sipadan).
Sipadan has 6 named dive sites, each offering something distinct. All are accessible within a 10 to 15 minute speedboat ride from Mabul Island.
The Semporna area rewards guests who take more than a few days. A typical multi-day itinerary combines a stay at Crystal Resort with island day trips and, for divers, an extension at a Mabul-area resort to access Sipadan permits. The islands each have a distinct character: Bohey Dulang for hiking, Mataking for the sandbar and underwater post office, Sibuan for beach photography and Sipadan for diving.
Crystal Resort operates on a full-board arrangement. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the room rate and served at the resort dining area, with a selection of local Sabahan and Malaysian dishes, Chinese-style preparations and Western options at each meal.
A morning buffet with eggs, fresh fruit, rice, noodles, toast and hot drinks. Local, Chinese and Western options served each morning.
A midday selection of local seafood, stir-fried vegetables, rice, soups and light dishes. Fresh fish and local ingredients are a regular feature.
An evening spread of local Sabahan dishes, Chinese-style seafood preparations and Western mains. A good selection for varied tastes.
Dietary requirements can be accommodated on request. Let us know at booking time.
Fly to Tawau Airport (TWU), the nearest gateway to Semporna. Domestic carriers including AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines operate frequent flights into Tawau.
Crystal Resort organises a comfortable road transfer to the Semporna town jetty by tourist van or private SUV. The distance is approximately 85 km, with a journey time of about 90 minutes. Pickup is available from Tawau Airport directly, Tawau city hotels or Semporna town.
From the Semporna jetty, a short speedboat transfer organised by Crystal Resort brings you directly to the resort. The ride takes only a few minutes and offers your first taste of the calm, clear waters of the Celebes Sea.
Return transfers back to Semporna and onward to Tawau Airport are arranged at the end of your stay. Send your arrival and departure flight details after booking and the team will coordinate everything.
We recommend sending your flight details as early as possible before arrival so we can plan your pickup. For groups or special requests, use the contact form on this page.
The sea here is the jelly-colored water I had seen in photos and it fully lived up to expectations. At low tide we could see coral and fish through the gaps in the wooden walkway. The room was clean, bright and came with a balcony. Staff were simple, friendly and responsive throughout the stay.
We chose Crystal for our honeymoon and it was perfect. The resort is small and quiet, we practically had the place to ourselves. The snorkeling and glass boat were included and we used them every day. The room is photogenic from every angle and the sea backdrop made everything feel special. Great staff too.
Stayed for 4 days and 3 nights with my group of friends. On both nights there was a storm and the bungalow shook, which was honestly thrilling in a good way. The room is better than the photos suggest. Meals were good. 24-hour air conditioning meant we were always comfortable even in the heat.
Very peaceful water villa with an incredible sea view. We valued the privacy here compared to the more crowded resorts nearby. All staff were friendly. Snorkeling around the resort showed good coral coverage and the glass boat gave a great view of the marine life below. Well worth choosing.
The service was amazing throughout. The resort arranged our shuttle boat for an early morning flight without us even asking. Food was excellent and the setting, with the sea visible through the window, was something we had never experienced before. A truly relaxing place to unwind.
Beautiful resort with a genuinely photogenic setting. The water color changes throughout the day and the balcony view is hard to leave. The staff were kind and welcoming and the food was satisfying. We brought a camera and had amazing material. A lovely choice for couples.