Aerial drone view of the overwater bungalow resort Bigfin Water Bungalow

Bigfin Water Bungalow

Private overwater bungalows on Bum Bum Island run by 5-star PADI instructors from Semporna.

Check Available Dates Explore Our Bungalows
Welcome

Our Resort

A quick 20-minute speedboat ride from the mainland jetty brings you to our quiet location on Bum Bum Island in Sabah. Our property features six private overwater rooms suspended right above the Celebes Sea. Guests enjoy clear ocean views stretching out toward the surrounding Semporna islands.

As a 5-star PADI dive centre, Bigfin Divers operates the property with a focus on personalized underwater experiences. Our certified instructors know the local waters well. They guide small groups to dive sites away from the heavy tourist traffic. We cater to all experience levels, from absolute beginners taking their first open-water breaths to highly experienced divers seeking new marine encounters.

Staying on Bum Bum Island places you close to renowned spots like Sipadan, Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mataking, as well as Timba-Timba. Our private speedboat takes you to reefs rarely visited by the usual crowds. Back at the property, you can rely on 24-hour electricity alongside satellite WiFi in the restaurant. We serve all three daily meals in our waterfront dining space with ocean views in every direction.

Scenic view from the wooden boardwalk between bungalows Bigfin Water Bungalow
Your Stay

Overwater Rooms

Every room at our property rests right over the Celebes Sea. You get a private outdoor deck providing clear ocean views right from your doorstep. All six units come fully equipped with air conditioning along with private en-suite bathrooms for a comfortable rest.

A bright double bedroom at Bigfin Water Bungalow in Semporna featuring a modern style desk, smooth wooden floors, AC, and an open wooden door leading to the overwater deck.
A cozy double room at Bigfin Water Bungalow over the Celebes Sea offering a large bed, traditional style wooden desk, hardwood floors, AC, and an open door opening to the overwater deck.
A cozy double bedroom at Bigfin Water Bungalow near Pulau Bum Bum featuring a large bed, traditional style furniture, dark wooden floors, and AC.
An inviting bedroom at Bigfin Water Bungalow near Pulau Bum Bum featuring a large bed, traditional style furnishings, sleek timber floors, air con, and a window framing the ocean.
A practical bedroom workspace at Bigfin Water Bungalow near Tun Sakaran Marine Park featuring a modern style wooden desk, solid wood floors, AC, and a sliding window with stunning seaviews.
Expansive private outdoor deck with sea views at Bigfin Water Bungalow, featuring relaxing fabric hammocks. A barefoot luxury retreat perfectly suspended over the Celebes Sea.
A long light-blue overwater bungalow featuring a continuous wooden deck with blue bean bags and multiple room entrances at Bigfin Water Bungalow.
Double Room with Balcony and Sea View

Features traditional wooden furnishings, cool air conditioning alongside a private overwater deck facing the ocean. Step outside to find a relaxing hammock and comfortable seating right over the Celebes Sea.

  • Cozy double bed
  • Air conditioning
  • Direct sea view
  • Private overwater balcony
A relaxing bedroom at Bigfin Water Bungalow near Pulau Bum Bum showcasing two beds, a traditional style wooden desk, dark hardwood floors, air con, and a door opening to the deck.
A cozy room entryway at Bigfin Water Bungalow over the Celebes Sea featuring a wooden desk, dark timber floors, AC, and an open wooden door leading to the overwater deck.
A simple twin bedroom at Bigfin Water Bungalow in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park offering two comfortable beds, traditional style wooden headboards, dark wooden floors, and A/C.
A longhouse-style water bungalow painted in light blue with a spacious shared wooden deck overlooking turquoise water at Bigfin Water Bungalow.
Room

A comfortable overwater room equipped with wooden decor, air conditioning plus a private deck. It connects straight to the sea for easy reef access.

  • Air conditioning
  • Direct sea view
  • Private wooden deck
Plan Your Trip

Book Your Stay

Our team replies within 24 hours.

Our Location

Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia

Boat Schedules

  • Morning: Leaves the Semporna jetty
  • Afternoon: Return trips available
  • Duration: Around 20 minutes
  • Booking: Arranged when you reserve

Resort Highlights

  • Fully air-conditioned rooms
  • Continuous 24-hour power
  • Satellite WiFi in dining area
  • Three daily meals provided
  • Personal overwater decks
Activities

Water Adventures

Guided scuba diving activities for guests Bigfin Water Bungalow

Semporna is famous for its rich marine biodiversity within the Coral Triangle. You can start snorkeling or freediving right from your room's deck by simply climbing down the wooden ladder into the sea. Our team at Bigfin Divers plans engaging scuba sessions along with multi-day trips. We take you to Sipadan, the scenic Tun Sakaran Marine Park, plus the beautiful southern islands.

Exploring the diverse underwater marine life and corals Bigfin Water Bungalow

House Reef Snorkeling

Step off your deck to view colorful coral gardens, tropical fish, plus the occasional sea turtle without needing a boat.

Scuba diving sessions exploring the seabed Bigfin Water Bungalow

Guided Scuba Diving

Follow our experienced PADI instructors to explore quiet, lesser-known dive sites around the region.

Stunning ocean sunset view from the bungalow Bigfin Water Bungalow

Ocean Kayaking

Paddle through calm turquoise waters right near your room. Sunrise kayaking offers a truly special perspective of the ocean.

Speedboat used for transfers and island hopping Bigfin Water Bungalow

Speedboat Island Hopping

Ride our resort speedboat to visit scattered local islands. Each destination features unique reefs to explore.

On-Site Activities

  • Reef Snorkeling
  • Ocean Swimming
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Quiet Relaxation
  • Sunrise Viewing
  • Sunset Viewing

Explore the Region

Hiking the jungle trails at Bohey Dulang with Bigfin Water Bungalow in the Semporna area for island views.

Hiking Bohey Dulang

A short boat trip brings you to Bohey Dulang, an impressive volcanic peak covered in dense forest inside the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Hiking up the natural jungle path takes about 45 minutes to reach the top. Once at the summit, you are rewarded with wide views of the surrounding islands surrounded by bright blue ocean waters.

  • Guided jungle trail climb
  • Wide views of the archipelago
  • Located in Tun Sakaran Marine Park
  • Spot local birds along the way
Close up photography of colorful marine life Bigfin Water Bungalow

Sipadan Diving

Rising 600 meters from the ocean floor, Sipadan Island ranks as a premier global diving destination. It provides divers with incredible encounters among dense marine life populations. Sabah Parks tightly manages visitor numbers by issuing just 120 daily permits to protect the fragile environment. Please note that starting May 1, 2026, all visitors are restricted to a maximum of three dives per day here.

Barracuda Point

Large schools of spiraling chevron barracuda

Drop Off

Steep 600m vertical wall attracting pelagic fish

Turtle Patch

Many green turtles resting along the reef

Whitetip Avenue

Active channel area popular with whitetip reef sharks

South Point

Watch for seasonal oceanic sharks passing through

Diverse species of fish and coral underwater Bigfin Water Bungalow

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Spanning 350,000 hectares, this protected zone is the largest marine park in Malaysia. It includes eight beautiful islands alongside extensive reef systems perfect for underwater exploration. Visitors enjoy quiet snorkeling sessions away from busy tourist zones. The protected status ensures healthy coral formations full of aquatic life.

  • Rich underwater coral gardens
  • Frequent sea turtle sightings
  • Healthy protected reef ecosystems
  • Visit up to eight distinct islands
Spotting sea turtles at Mabul Island with Bigfin Water Bungalow in the Celebes Sea near the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

Mabul and Kapalai

Divers from everywhere visit Mabul Island to experience its famous macro diving conditions. The area is filled with rare tiny sea creatures hiding in the seabed. Just nearby is Kapalai, a shallow sandbar featuring a mix of sandy floors beside isolated coral blocks. Both spots offer excellent chances to swim alongside large sea turtles.

  • Excellent macro diving opportunities
  • Swim with friendly sea turtles
  • Explore the Kapalai sandbar
  • Rich marine life viewing
Adventure-filled multi-day packages with overwater stay and island tours Bigfin Water Bungalow

Multi Day Packages

You can group several dive spots into a single extended trip using our multi-day packages. We customize these itineraries based on your skill level to ensure the best possible experience. Enjoy your overwater room while spending your days exploring Sipadan, Mabul, plus Mataking with our experienced guides.

  • Customizable diving schedules
  • Visit several top dive sites
  • Led by skilled local guides
  • All daily meals included
Vibrant tropical fish and marine life in the reef Bigfin Water Bungalow

Sipadan Day Trip

Spend a full day diving the famous walls of Sipadan Island with our knowledgeable instructors. They know exactly how to navigate the local currents for a safe trip. Because only 120 access permits exist each day, Bigfin Divers helps manage your allocation. We highly recommend booking well ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

  • Dive the best Sipadan locations
  • Professional dive guide support
  • Limited daily park permits
  • Spot large pelagic fish species
The beautiful sandbar at Mataking Island with Bigfin Water Bungalow near Semporna in the Celebes Sea.

Mataking and Timba-Timba

Head to Mataking Island to see its dedicated turtle hatchery beside a peaceful house reef with excellent water clarity. Traveling a bit further south brings you to Timba-Timba, where quiet coral gardens wait to be explored. The boat ride itself provides wonderful scenery as you travel toward these beautiful shallow diving environments.

  • Visit the Mataking turtle hatchery
  • Enjoy clear swimming conditions
  • Beautiful corals at Timba-Timba
  • Quiet diving away from crowds
Food & Drink

Dining Experience

Assorted dishes available at the guest buffet meals Bigfin Water Bungalow

We serve all guest meals in our open-air restaurant right beside the ocean. Our kitchen team uses fresh ingredients to cook tasty local Malay recipes as well as familiar western dishes. Every booking automatically includes breakfast, lunch, plus dinner so you never have to worry about your next meal.

Breakfast

Start your morning with fresh fruits, eggs, bread, alongside local favorites before heading out to dive.

Lunch

Enjoy a hearty midday plate of rice, fresh seafood, plus local vegetables served right by the water.

Dinner

Relax during our evening service featuring delicious regional recipes while watching the sun set over the sea.

Travel Guide

How to Reach Us

  • Fly to Tawau Airport (TWU)

    Most travelers arrive through Tawau International Airport. You can find direct flights from several major cities:

    • Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Around 2 hours via AirAsia or Malaysia Airlines
    • Kota Kinabalu (BKI): Roughly a 40-minute flight via MASwings
    • Singapore flights: Connect easily through Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu

  • Drive to Semporna Town

    Hire a taxi or ride a shared minivan from the airport directly to Semporna. The 85-kilometer trip usually takes about one hour. Transport services wait right outside the main arrivals area.

  • Boat to Our Island

    We provide a quick 20-minute boat ride straight to our property. We will confirm your exact transfer schedule when you finalize your room reservation.

View of the ocean from the private overwater deck Bigfin Water Bungalow Open in Google Maps

Travel Tips

Reserve your Tawau flights early if traveling between June and September to secure your seat.
Bring enough Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) with you. It is best to use ATMs in Tawau or Semporna first.
Visit between April and October to experience the clearest water conditions for your diving trips.
Guest Feedback

What Guests Say

"A wonderful place to base yourself if you want to get away from the busier dive spots. The owners are PADI instructors and know the area inside out. The patio with its sofa and hammock is perfect for doing absolutely nothing in a very beautiful spot. The food was delicious and the view from the bungalow is hard to beat."
Lin L. China
"From the moment we got on the boat we felt welcome. Small, personal and affordable accommodation with unobstructed sea views and a laid-back atmosphere. The staff are friendly and the whole setup is genuine rather than generic. A great choice if you want a quieter Semporna experience."
Thomas R. France
"Very good place to stay for divers. The owners are knowledgeable instructors and the location offers dive sites that are less crowded than the main spots. The food was tasty and the atmosphere relaxed. Simple rooms with good views. Would recommend to anyone looking for something personal and affordable in the Semporna area."