A Hidden Overwater Escape
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Floating on the quiet waters about 15 minutes by speedboat beyond Semporna town, Danglai Resort is a cozy, no-frills overwater resort built in white color stilt-house castle style. The resort is ideal for couples and mid-range honeymooners looking for a romantic and peaceful water villa. Travelers will also appreciate its proximity to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park snorkeling and island hopping trips.
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The resort is built entirely over the sandy shallows, with a beautiful walkway connecting each water chalet. Guests can seat back and relax enjoying the scenic ocean views with the silhouette of Bohey Dulang on the horizon. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular with shades of blue, red and gold colors.
Experience Seaside Living
Danglai Resort is not a high-end island resorts with services like the luxury resorts on nearby Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and Pom Pom islands. Instead, it offers something more charming and local: wooden water chalets with air conditioning, private bathrooms and balconies with stairs offering direct access to the sea. The design is using traditional style with local materials being used to create a luxury feel along with the local warm atmosphere and friendly services.
Some chalets face north and Bohey Dulang island, while others have views bum bum island in the distance. If you’re lucky, you might spot flying sea turtles swimming across the surface below the resort.
Easy Access to Tun Sakaran’s Island Hopping
Danglai Resort is well-situated for day trips to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park beautiful islands. Join us on an island-hopping tour that may includes a hike up Bohey Dulang island 700 meters peak which offers specatcular views, snorkeling or relaxing at pearl shaped Sibuan island and if times allows at Mantabuan island. You might want to at the lesser-known Maiga island for that less crowded-island feel.
Thanks to Danglai being close to Semporna town, island hopping tour pickups in the morning are fast and easy. You can often join a tour last-minute or plan your own combo route packages with us.
Snorkeling and Chill Time
While the waters around the resort aren’t as marine life and coral-rich as Mabul, Kapalai or Sipadan, there are still fish to spot around while snorkeling at its shallow sandy bottom (snorkeling gear are available for rent). The wooden deck and your own private balcony are also great spots to just seat back and relax, sunbathe, read a book, or just sip on a coconut drink while watching Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) boats go by.
Journey to Mabul and Sipadan
For scuba diving and snorkeling, most guests would spend a night or two at Danglai Resortbefore heading to the world famous Mabul Island for a multi-night dive or snorkel trip. Note that Sipadan permits should be arranged in advance and you can contact us to get a guaranteed permit, so plan your itinerary in advance if diving at Pulau Sipadan is your goal.
Danglai Resort makes a nice “soft landing” or “pre-departure” stay before continuing on to your big underwater adventures at Mabul or Sipadan. If you arrive late in Semporna, please check the last transfer boat time from Semporna jetty because all boats need to be back to the port at 5pm.
Who Is Danglai Resort For?
If you’re a couple looking for a romantic stay or on a mid-range honeymoon and you seek a relaxing and leazy overwater stay near Semporna town, Danglai Resort fits the bill. It’s not flashy, but it’s comfortable—and far more memorable than a standard hotel in Semporna. If you are looking for more activities including snorkeling and diving, head directly to Mabul island after just 1 or 2 nights.
The resort is also popular with Chinese tourists and local Malaysian travelers doing short trips along with travellers seeking an ocean escape before splurging on a Mabul and Sipadan trip.
Final Thoughts
Danglai Resort is all about the feeling of being connected to the ocean. It’s not luxury—it’s local charming mid-range resort with fantastic seaviews. Stay and just enjoy the fresh sea breeze and let yourself ease into the pace of Semporna’s unique ocean life.
How to Book
Ask us about including island hopping or snorkeling trips in your stay.
Book Danglai Resort now and enjoy special online rates.
To combine your stay with diving at Sipadan, consider pairing 1 or 2 nights at Danglai Resort with a dive package at a Mabul Island resort.
Book your reservation online to receive a special discount.