Home to the Tropical Research and Conservation Center (TRACC), Sabah’s Pom Pom Island is a hub for marine preservation efforts in the region.

Quick Facts | |
What: | Low-lying coral reef island |
Where: | Next to Tun Sakaran Marine Park and Mataking |
Why: | Snorkelling, muck diving, turtle nesting |
When: | All year long |
How: | By speedboat from Semporna |
Day trip to Pom Pom Island:
Seeking a secluded island to live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasy? Look no further than Pom Pom Island, once featured together with Mataking Island in the second season of Expedition Robinson, the original version of hit reality TV show Survivor.
There is a resort but no villages on the island, which takes about 90 minutes to walk around. With minimal human impact and pollution, Pulau Pom Pom is one of the most exciting dive destinations around Semporna.
Hop aboard a Pom Pom-bound speedboat for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and let your swashbuckling adventure begin today!
This little atoll is a shelter for both green and hawksbill marine turtles that roam the seas during the day and return to the beach at night to nest. During your vacation, if you are lucky, you might witness the hatching of the eggs and releasing of baby turtles into the ocean.
Accommodation

1. Pom Pom Island Resort
The dreamy atmosphere of Pom Pom Island Resort, which offers unlimited jetty/house reef diving, is perfect for couples desiring a grand beach wedding or honeymooners looking for the perfect romantic getaway.
Check rates for this property on:
Things to do in Pom Pom Island
Tropical Research and Conservation Center (TRACC)
TRACC organizes marine conservation projects for volunteers including reef restoration, coral planting and turtle conservation in and around Pulau Pom Pom.
Tun Sakaran Marine Park
A visit to Bohey Dulang Island in Tun Sakaran Marine Park is a must as Pulau Pom Pom is located just 15-20 minutes away.
Island hopping
Pulau Pom Pom is also located next to Mataking, Kulapuan, Boheyan, Timba Timba and Pandanan.
Turtle nesting/hatching
The island is surrounded by a beautiful white sand coral beach, a significant nesting site for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles.
Guests who stay in Pulau Pom Pom during the turtle nesting season (April – November) often get to witness first hand the hatching and releasing of baby turtles into the ocean, a unique and memorable experience.
Snorkeling & scuba diving
As one of Semporna’s top dive sites, scuba diving and snorkeling aficionados often choose to spend the day underwater fawning over the vivid and unique marine life found around Pulau Pom Pom.
Location & getting here
Pom Pom Island is located in the Malaysian state of Sabah in Northern Borneo.
Destination (by speedboat from Pom Pom Island) | |
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Nearest town | Semporna (±60 minutes) |
Nearest airport | Tawau (±2.5 hours) |
Nearby islands |
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More info
Pulau Pom Pom is a small, low-lying coral reef island 2.3 km in circumference at the high tide line with a fringing coral reef 4 km long and a maximum elevation of less than 2m above the high tide line.
The reef flat is about 50-75m wide towards the west and several hundred metres wide around most parts of the island.
The island itself is densely wooded with small trees especially from the pandanus family.