Blessed with some of the richest waters in the world, Pom Pom island offers some of the best diving and snorkelling experience. If you´re thinking what else can be better than that, well.. depending on the time of the year you’re visiting the island, you can see baby turtles making their way to the ocean. That is quite an experience! Also, on this island you have the chance to photograph some of the most beautiful sunsets, relax in a topical setting and you basically have this tiny island to yourself, because it is still not vey famous and there are very few visitors.
If you want to catch this place without many tourists, maybe you should book a trip as soon as you can because it is becoming one of the most popular locations due to its exotic landscape and secluded location. So, if you are looking to spend a few days in a tropical paradise, or just to recharge your batteries, the Pom Pom Island can be the best choice for you.
how to get to Pom Pom Island?
Most travellers arrive here by plane from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, depending on the airline company or the point of departure. Once on the main island of Borneo you’ll take a car and then a 45 minutes ride to the island.
- Plane: From Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu to Tawau in Sabah, Borneo
- Car: The trip from Tawau to Semporna is done by bus or you can hire a private driver
- Boat: From Semporna to Pom Pom, travellers will travel by boat for 45 min
Even though it seems a little bit complicated to get on the island, the trip is not very long. Moreover, the staff from the resort can make all the necessary traveling arrangements for you.
activities and excursions in Pom Pom Island
There are plenty of activities to do, for all types of travellers. Many people chose to visit the Seven Islands near Pom Pom and admire the wonderful fauna and flora. If you want to go to the Sipadan Island too, you should make arrangements in advance since it takes quite long to get there. I have to mention, that most of the travellers, prefer to spend their time on the island, sunbathing, or snorkelling, which means some of those excursions might be canceled, since they need a certain number of people per group.
The main activity on the Pom Pom Island is diving. Many divers are attracted by this little corner of paradise. Diving lovers choose this place especially for the clear water and the good visibility in most spots. You can arrange diving once you are on the island, at the little shop that’s on the island (you’ll find it right away). I haven’t asked, but I suppose they also offer diving lessons.
However, those who do not really enjoy this activity can admire the beautiful scenery and relax under the palms in a hammock. The white sandy beaches and the turquoise water offer a very romantic landscape. This is why this place attract also many honeymooners.
If you want to try other water sports, you have plenty of options. You can go kayaking, snorkelling, or simply take a biking trip on the island. You should know that the island is quite small, which is why visiting it by foot is an excellent idea. If you decide to take a walk during the day time, try to use a lot of sunscreen, because the sun hits really hard at noon.
snorkeling
The wildlife marine lovers will be amazed by the rich marine biodiversity, the abundance of rare and uncommon marine species and the many small creatures located in the shallows in front of the resorts. This is a paradise for divers, but it is perfect also for those who prefer snorkelling. I have to say that this is one of the best snorkelling experience I’ve ever had.
The water was so clean and clear, there are many fish species, healthy coral reefs, starfish (I have never seen so many in the same place), we even seen turtles, manta ray. It is a true Heaven for those who love the underwater world.
The good news is that you don’t have go far away to experience this beautiful world, it is just a few meters from the shore you can find this wonderful world. I mean our water villa was above the most amazing coral garden. Each morning when we were waking up, the first thing to see was the amazing and colourful coral garden.
turtle hatchery
The marine environment it is very important and a job taken very seriously by the Marine Biology unit at the resort and it’s team members. Here you will find a great example of a resort giving something back to the eco-system. The resort’s very first turtle hatchery has come along way and expanded over the years, having grown in both size and popularity each year.
The Green turtle nests all year round but peak nesting is May to September. The Hawksbill nests in small numbers. Both turtles are present on the reef throughout the year with an average of 7 green turtles seen per hour on a dive or snorkel. Each night and very early in the morning we’ve seen a few adult turtles in the water. It seems that during the day time they prefer to spend their time in the open sea.
best time to visit Pom Pom Island
Depending on the purpose of the trip, you decide which time of the year is best for yourself. Pom Pom island has an average temperature of 25°C all year round, making it a great destination, no matter the season or the reason. If you´re looking for warm temperatures and little rain, February through December is a good time to visit.
But, if you are looking to experience something that will give you memories for life, then you should choose to visit the island between the months of May to September. This is the time when the sea turtles nest on the island and I talk from experience, seeing baby turtles going for the first time in the ocean, is the best thing you’ll ever experience. It is so satisfying to see how the little turtles get out from their shells.
sleep in a overwater bungalow
Make sure to book in advance for Pom Pom Island as they usually have the lowest rates and it gets rapidly booked. I like it because it’s free to cancel and change the dates.
There is a wide range of choices, you can chose water villas, garden villas, or beach villas. I think there is no bad choice, as each villa has something special. However, the best panoramic view of the sea can be seen from the water villas, which are actually built on the water. We chose a water villa, because, let´s be serious, how many times you can say that you slept above a garden of corals and the first thing you see in the morning is the sea full of fish. It’s romantic and special.
Just when you arrive you are welcomed to the reception with a drink and they take care of your luggage, they place it in front of your villa door. That’s nice. Basically they take care of everything, so you are worry-free. They can even pick you up at Tawau Airport.
Staying at such remote place it means there are no restaurants, which means breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in the price. To be honest, I think this is the only thing they should improve, the food is not the best, not too much choice of food, or fruits.
sunsets
Sunsets are mind blowing, particularly here on the one and only Pom Pom island. There’s nothing like a beautiful sunset to end a fabulous day. It’s the little things that make happy moments. I loved being on this tiny island, surrounded by water, watching a Heavenly sunset, while the turtles are coming back from the open sea, to spend the night close to the island. It´s quite an experience. Here on Pom Pom island, I’ve seen some of the best sunsets and I can presume that I’ve seen a few.
safety in Pom Pom
Do the pirates kidnap tourists? Yes. All about these not official sultanate and pirates sounds bizarre, but they really make a mess in the east Sabah. While victims of most of the kidnappings in Semporna were Malaysians, there were cases of intercepting foreign tourists.
Recently safety in Semporna have been improved and after 2013 there was no more kidnapping. Tourism is a great source of income and gives jobs to many people. Therefore, it’s a high priority for the government to provide safety for the tourists. There are army bases and patrols on the most touristic spots such as Mabul Island, Sipadan Island or Sibuan Island.
Moreover, there is Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), special forces to control the safety of Semporna’s coast. I felt very safe during all my trip in Borneo. So there is no reason to be worried about. On the island of Pom Pom, is an army base, so the island is very safe.
With soft white sandy beaches, palm trees and colourful flora and fauna, this tiny island is a dream worth living. Out of all the islands of Malaysia, Pom Pom has the most laid back and romantic ambience, which makes it an ideal retreat for a relaxing holiday. It not only lets you enjoy privacy, but also comfort, making your trip a beautiful memory you would cherish for a long time. If you are seeking tranquility then this is one of the best Malaysian islands.
Madeleine 𐙚 
One Comment Add yours