Semporna, Sabah
☀️ Danawan Island
The Untouched Coral Gardens & Sea Gypsy Village
While its neighbor Si Amil is known for WWII wrecks and deeper-water diving, Denawan Island is celebrated for its pristine, untouched coral reefs and strong sense of local culture. Located roughly one hour south of Semporna, Denawan is a lush and peaceful island inhabited by a traditional Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) community, offering visitors a glimpse into a slower, more authentic side of Sabah’s maritime heritage.
For divers, Denawan Island offers a distinctly different pace. The reefs here are among the healthiest in the Semporna region, featuring massive table corals and dense staghorn coral gardens that have flourished far from the heavy boat traffic common around Mabul. This makes Denawan an ideal destination for relaxed diving and snorkeling, where calm conditions, rich biodiversity, and quiet surroundings create an experience often described as “Old Semporna”—traditional, unhurried, and naturally abundant.
Join TDB Semporna for professionally guided excursions diving Danawan, a pristine highlight of any carefully planned Semporna itinerary. Our team ensures proper certification alignment and strict safety standards for these untouched reefs, allowing you to fully enjoy the experience. Whether you are seeking vibrant coral gardens or a peaceful escape from the crowds, diving Danawan delivers a relaxed and rewarding underwater adventure in one of Semporna’s most unspoiled locations.
📍 Location & Accessibility
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Distance from Semporna: Approximately 60 minutes by speedboat via the South Route.
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Proximity: Located less than 1 km from Si Amil Island, and the two islands are commonly dived together on the same trip.
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Vibe: Traditional island life, with stilt houses lining the shoreline and children often waving at passing dive boats.
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Topography: A large, jungle-covered island surrounded by a shallow fringing reef that drops into the deep waters of the Celebes Sea.
🧭 Why TDB Semporna Dives Danawan
Danawan Island is the perfect complement to the adrenaline-filled dives of Si Amil.
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Pristine Hard Corals: For divers who appreciate colorful reefscapes, Danawan stands out. Hard coral coverage—including staghorn, lettuce, and table corals— remains nearly 100% intact in many areas.
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The “Surface Interval” Experience: Surface intervals at Danawan are uniquely immersive. Divers drift near the village, observing Bajau fishermen free-diving and witnessing traditional boat-building along the shoreline.
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Macro Surprises: Nutrient-rich slopes near the village jetty form a hidden hotspot for nudibranchs and other rare macro critters.
📅 Best Time to Dive Danawan Island
Like Si Amil, Danawan Island is an open-ocean destination.
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April to September (Dry Season): This period is considered the golden window for visiting Danawan. Calm seas make the approximately one-hour boat ride comfortable, while excellent visibility of 20–30 meters reveals the full scale and color of the coral gardens.
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October to March: Diving is possible but highly weather-dependent. Strong winds may create rough conditions on the southern crossing; however, when winds are light, the diving remains spectacular throughout the year.
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Time of Day: Mid-morning is ideal, as the higher sun angle illuminates the shallow hard corals in vivid colors, making this the best time for underwater photography.
🐠 Marine Life & Underwater Highlights
Danawan Island is a true reef life destination.
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Turtles: A healthy population of hawksbill turtles regularly feeds on sponges along the reef walls.
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Cuttlefish & Squid: The reef slopes serve as a favored breeding ground for pharaoh cuttlefish and bigfin reef squid.
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Critters: Careful observation of sea fans may reveal pygmy seahorses and orangutan crabs.
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Schooling Fish: Expect dense clouds of red-tooth triggerfish and surgeonfish moving across the reef crest.
🤿 Diving Conditions at Danawan Island
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Depth: 5–25 meters, generally shallower and more relaxed than Si Amil.
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Currents: Mild to moderate. Danawan Island features multiple sheltered bays, making it easier to avoid stronger currents compared to Si Amil.
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Visibility: Excellent, typically ranging from 15 to 25 meters.
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Topography: A mix of gently sloping reefs and vertical wall sections.
🎓 Courses & Experience Level at Danawan
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PADI Open Water: Danawan Island is highly beginner-friendly, with shallow reef tops and gentle slopes that provide a comfortable learning environment.
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Underwater Naturalist: The wide variety of hard and soft corals makes Danawan an ideal natural classroom for learning about marine ecosystems.
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Snorkeling: Rated excellent. With healthy coral beginning at just two meters deep, snorkelers often enjoy an even better experience here than at Mabul.
✅ Summary: Is Danawan Island Worth Diving?
✅ Healthiest Hard Coral Gardens in Semporna
✅ Cultural Glimpse of Sea Gypsy Life
✅ Relaxed, Colorful Reef Diving
✅ Perfect Combo with Si Amil (Wrecks + Reefs)
If you want to experience what Semporna’s reefs looked like 20 years ago—untouched and overflowing with life—Danawan Island is the destination to visit.
🌍 Famous Dive Sites at Danawan Island
Because of the distance (1 hour from Semporna) and the lack of resorts. Most mass-tourism boats don’t come this far. This means you often have the entire reef to yourself—no crowding underwater!
No. Danawan is very Open Water friendly. The sites are shallow and calm. However, if you plan to do the Si Amil wrecks on the same trip, an Advanced license is recommended for that portion of the day.
Yes. Danawan is located within the ESSZONE (Eastern Sabah Security Zone). There is a security presence in the area, and TDB captains are experienced in navigating these waters safely.
The currents at Danawan are generally mild to moderate. It is much more sheltered than Si Amil. Most dives are relaxing drifts where you just float along the reef.
Absolutely. In fact, it is better for snorkeling than Si Amil. The Coral Highway site starts at just 2–3 meters deep, meaning snorkelers can see the same vibrant colors and turtles as the divers.
Yes, typically excellent (20m+). Because Danawan is far from the mainland rivers, the water is clear blue, often clearer than Mabul or Kapalai.
Think of them as sisters with different personalities. Si Amil is the wild, deep, adrenaline junkie (Wrecks/Sharks). Danawan is the pretty, relaxed sister (Colorful Coral/Turtles). We usually dive both in one day to get the best of both worlds.
Generally, we do not take tourists onto the island itself. Danawan is a traditional village, and out of respect for the local community’s privacy, we keep our activities to the water and the beach fringe. You can still wave to the kids and see the stilt houses clearly from the boat!
