• Distance from Semporna: Approximately 40–50 minutes by speedboat via the North Route

• Proximity: Commonly combined with Mataking Island or Pom Pom Island within a single day trip itinerary

• Sea Conditions: Generally very calm, naturally protected by surrounding reef structures

• Visibility: Typically 15m–25m with crystal-clear shallow water

• Water Temperature: A comfortable 28°C–30°C year-round

Timba Timba Island is completely uninhabited with no resorts, preserving its wild and untouched beauty and making it an ideal location for a relaxed sandbar lunch break between dives.

We love bringing divers to Timba Timba Island because it delivers a distinctive dual experience above and below the water.

• The “Instagram” Shot: Widely regarded as the best location in Semporna for drone photography and beach shots, where the contrast between the white sandbar and deep blue channels creates truly breathtaking visuals.

• The “Stingray City” Vibe: The gentle sandy slopes are home to high concentrations of Blue-Spotted Ribbon Tail Rays, making encounters with dozens of stingrays a common and memorable highlight.

• Exclusive Feel: With no resorts on the island, the reefs remain quiet, uncrowded, and less impacted, offering a more relaxed diving environment compared to busier sites like Mabul.

Timba Timba Island is accessible for diving Semporna all year round, though choosing the right season can significantly enhance the overall experience.

• April to September (Dry Season): This is the peak season for Timba Timba diving, offering calm seas, clear blue skies, and excellent underwater visibility often exceeding 20m, making it the best period for capturing iconic sandbar photography and drone shots.

• December to February (Monsoon Season): Diving remains open and safe, with occasional surface waves or rain showers and slightly reduced visibility, while marine life activity stays high, especially encounters with stingrays and sea turtles.

• Tide Tip: To fully experience the famous long sandbar, TDB Semporna plans surface intervals around low tide, when the white sand emerges dramatically through the turquoise ocean.

Timba Timba Island is a true playground for critters and graceful pelagic gliders, offering diverse marine encounters.

• The Rays: This site is renowned for frequent sightings of Blue-Spotted Stingrays resting in the sand or gliding over coral gardens, with occasional encounters with larger Marble Rays.

• The Snakes: Timba Timba is well known for encounters with Banded Sea Kraits, docile sea snakes often observed hunting for eels among reef crevices.

• Rare Macro: Sloping reefs covered in whip corals and sea fans provide habitat for elusive Ribbon Eels, Frogfish, and impressively large Cuttlefish.

• The Turtles: Similar to nearby Pom Pom and Mataking, Timba Timba Island serves as a regular resting area for Green Turtles.

Diving at Timba Timba Island is defined by relaxing slopes rather than steep walls, creating an easy and enjoyable underwater environment.

• Topography: Predominantly sandy slopes combined with scattered coral bommies and healthy hard coral gardens

• Depth: Highly accessible profiles, generally ranging from 5m to 20m

• Current: Usually mild, making dives smooth and ideal for easy drift diving

These conditions make Timba Timba ideal for:

• Beginner Divers: The sandy seabed allows for worry-free buoyancy practice and relaxed skill development

• Underwater Photographers: Shallow depths provide excellent natural light and vibrant colors for photography

• Snorkelers: The reef begins close to the sandbar, allowing snorkelers to drift effortlessly over colorful coral gardens just meters from dry sand

Timba Timba Island is widely regarded as the Confidence Builder of Semporna diving.

• PADI Discover Scuba Diving: With clear water, shallow depths, and welcoming conditions, this is an ideal location for first-time divers who want a calm and reassuring introduction to scuba diving.

• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy: The gentle sandy slopes provide the perfect environment for practicing hovering and finning techniques without risking contact with fragile reef structures.

• Refresher Dives: Consistent conditions and easy profiles make Timba Timba an excellent site for divers returning to the water after a long break.

✅ Best Sandbar Scenery in Semporna
✅ High Chance of Sea Snakes & Rays
✅ Relaxing Easy Dives with Excellent Visibility
✅ Uninhabited Island Charm

If you are looking for a day that blends world-class diving with a beautiful beach picnic, Timba Timba Island is the ultimate choice, focusing less on adrenaline and more on enjoying the pure natural beauty of the tropical ocean.