8.4

649 reviews

Island Backpackers

Island Backpackers

2nd Floor, Wisma Sri Melanu Jalan Panggun Wayang Lama, 91308, Semporna, Malaysia, Semporna, 91308, Malaysia

Reservations:

+1-833-728-2041

Choose dates to view prices

Free wifi

Room service

Air conditioning

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Island Backpackers

Welcome to Island Backpackers, your tropical retreat nestled in the heart of Semporna, Malaysia! With a fabulous starting price of just $15 per night, you’ll be able to enjoy the splendid beauty of this vibrant area without breaking the bank. Conveniently located just 0.2mi from the city center, you'll be right at the pulse of Semporna's action, allowing for easy access to its stunning beauty and lively atmosphere.

Step onto the 2nd Floor of Wisma Sri Melanu, where a warm invitation awaits you at the doorstep of your new home away from home. Our adventure-friendly space comes fully equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a 24-hour front desk ready to assist you around the clock. Plus, enjoy a delightful breakfast on us as you fuel up for a day of exploring! For those arriving via air, we offer shuttle services (additional charges apply), ensuring your travel is as smooth as your Malaysian experience.

Join the ranks of our happy guests, who’ve left over 649 glowing reviews. Travelers rave about our cozy, non-smoking rooms and the friendly, accommodating service that makes your stay a pleasant breeze. So whether you're an adventurous backpacker or simply looking for a serene getaway, Island Backpackers provides the perfect launching pad to discover the beauty of Semporna and beyond. Book your escape now, and let the adventure begin!

At Island Backpackers, every day holds the promise of adventure waiting just outside your door! Enjoy the laid-back vibes of Semporna as you unwind in our non-smoking rooms designed for comfort. Choose between our cozy standard room, one with a queen bed, or two twin beds—perfect for families or friends traveling together. Each option accommodates up to two adults and one child, providing a peaceful retreat after a day of exploration. And don’t worry, you can kick back and relax without worrying about the scent of smoke hanging around.

With our complimentary breakfast, you’ll wake up each morning excited to tackle the day ahead! Fill up on tasty bites before heading out to experience the natural wonders that Semporna has to offer. Whether you're venturing out to discover the vibrant marine life while snorkeling in crystal-clear waters or trekking along lush green trails, your days here will be packed with excitement. And when you're ready to wind down, our welcoming environment makes it easy to share stories with fellow travelers or simply sit back and soak in the tropical ambiance.

As you plan your stay, keep in mind that we operate on a cash-only basis, ensuring a seamless check-in process as you kick off your island adventure. With the friendly service and a supportive atmosphere at Island Backpackers, you’ll feel like you’ve struck gold in your quest for the perfect getaway. Don't just take our word for it—join the buzzing community of backpackers and experience all that Semporna has in store. Go ahead, take the plunge, and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Closest airports

Tawau Airport

35.6mi

Lahad Datu Airport

43mi

Most popular amenities

Free wifi

Room service

Air conditioning

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Rooms

Show 4 photos

Standard

Tea/Coffee maker

+

More details

Show 4 photos

1 Queen Bed

Tea/Coffee maker

+

More details

Guest reviews

8.4

649 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Breakfast

Featured reviews:

🇩🇪

Melissa

8.2

February 2023

The beds and dorms were very clean and super comfortable a lot of privacy with curtains. The owner is super friendly and helpful and you can also book 3 different tours over the hostel (can highly recommend they were amazing). It even has a small breakfast which he picks up freshly from the market. Location is great close to the ferry and easy to go to Mabul Island

Not a super social Hostel which is fine but maybe some evening activities could make it a little more interactive. Breakfast mostly done very early already, maybe leave it out a little longer :)

🇫🇷

Xiaoyan

9.1

June 2023

The staffs are very kind, I love them so much! The location is good, not noisy like those near the jetty. Fresh Malaysian breakfast every day. We can wash and hang out diving equipment and clothes. Air-conditioning and lockers in the dorms.

Lockers are just enough for small bags, not big enough for big hiking bags.

🇲🇾

Che

9.1

January 2023

I decide to stay one more night here, while my sister check out early. But they are so nice to let my sister use the toilet and put the bag in the room. Nice staff, very helpful. Good breakfast. You can eat like a king. Great for a heavy eater like me in the morning 😆.

Even though its not facing to jetty area or seaview but still within walking distance. So no problem at all. And its very close to shell station where you can take the bus to airport.

🇸🇪

Romana

9.1

September 2024

Had quiet nights and a good rest in the female dorm, beds are comfortable and have curtains, AC worked well, place very clean, complimentary water, coffee, tea and toast, local food for breakfast (get up early to not miss it). You can do your laundry for free, there's a fridge for storing food, a little common area to hang out. Location is great, just a few minutes walking from the bus terminal and to the port where all the tour providers are located. Staff very friendly and I met nice people at the hostel, chill atmosphere. Loved my stay there and kept extending.

🇸🇪

Tobias

10

November 2023

I've never stayed in a more friendly local Hostel. Super clean, loads of space, nice showers, nice bathrooms and best of all - the staff! I got so much help from everyone working here especially the head owner. Everything from helping me out booking the cheapest way of fun diving on the islands (via the hostel, which was at least 70 ringgit cheaper than the six other companies I compared them with down town?? turned out great!) to advise on local places to eat, buying fruit for breakfast, helping me plan my visit in Kinabatangan, sending me my bag all across Sabah when my plans got changed... and was always friendly and available! Crazy good service to me much more worth than what I paid per night for, to be honest. If I'm going back to Semporna, this is where I'll be staying. 🙏🏾

🇨🇦

Stephanie

8.2

September 2023

Lots of amenities, from free laundry detergent and toothpaste, to a lot of kitchen equipment (hot plate, microwave, pots/pans, refrigerator). They offer great tour packages (the scuba dives were especially a good deal) and the staff are very responsive and helpful. Breakfast includes a range of dishes from curry puffs and noodles to sesame balls and toast with margarine, kaya, peanut butter and pineapple jam. They also have a hot and cold water dispenser which is very handy.

The place is prone to water leaks, particularly in the two toilets (sometimes it's a pipe connection, sometimes it's the toilet water tank). Although there are sufficient clothing drying racks, the room they are in is very humid and damp so nothing actually dries and the clothing ends up smelling quite bad. While the range of breakfast offerings is appreciated, it would help if they were replenished throughout the breakfast period (oftentimes early morning guests consume all of it before the official breakfast period and there is not much left for others). It would also be very helpful if the breakfast items could be labeled with ingredients as some vegetarians unwittingly ended up biting into meat. The internet kept dropping every now and then, so do not rely on it for video calls.

🇲🇾

Zasmira

9.1

March 2024

Staffs are very helpful, friendly and accommodating. The bed is comfy enough, aircond is cold and I can sleep comfortably at night. The bed also have a curtain so there's some privacy. Bathroom is good

The area is a bit dark and tucked in an alley. The dorm common space is quite small and people talking outside at night. I don't mind since I can sleep through anything, but I can imagine for some people it might be annoying

🇲🇾

Sk

8.2

April 2023

-staff/owner help to keep shoe to prevent from missing -pantry is equip with microwave, coway water dispenser, eating plate cup mug, eating cutlery and stuff -got bread, 3in1 beverage self service -got locker need deposit -aircone working fine -hot shower, no water issue like run out of water -got drying rack at (like backyard) for sharing -got tables and chairs at living room for sharing -cheap price, facilities quite complete -can book airport shuttle service from them at cheap price, mini bus sharing

-smell, air circulation in male dormitory room -used(wet) towel don't have hanging/drying area in dormitory room, although have drying area at backyard for sharing, might get confuse if everyone use the same towel given -better install small night light in each bed, because when sleeping at night (sharing) main lights is(should be) off

🇺🇸

Katarina

8.2

February 2024

Pros -cold water cooler available all the time -air con in dorm rooms -helpful staff -fridge to store treats and area to cook -fast and reliable internet -plugs near beds -curtains for privacy on each bunk -free washing with drying rack area -comfy pillow

Cons -no enforced quiet hours for washing, so could be heard banging to the wee hours -peeling walls and paint exasperated by ants coming through cracks -needs updating -mattress not thick enough for side sleepers, could feel the slats underneath

🇲🇾

Mark

10

March 2023

The staff named Munir (if Im not mistaken) and Kak Ju doing exceptionally great.. They always smile, share a lot of useful info.. They book airport transfer (van/minibus) for me from airport to hostel and hostel to airport with standard rate rm30 one way (March 2023).. There is towel provided, there is pantr,y, fridge, microwave oven, electric kitchen, toaster, plate and utensils are all organized.. There is banana, bread, spread, drinks.. Breakfast also provided (except for ramadhan).. The room is clean, air conditioned, curtain, pllug point for each bed, wifi.. What "could" be improved? 1) tighten the screw of the handle of the locker 2) tighten the screw of the lock of the toilet 3) mirror in the toilet 4) open the microwave door to air out all the time.. 5) claen the inner side of the microwave until all the smell and residue is clear.. 6) Fan or heater to dry out clothes faster in the hanging area.. 7) The sliding door at the entrance is a bit not smooth... 8) Number passcide can be use to enter and leave the premise.. Or mayb some type of scanning or pressing mechanism.. So it is easier for traveller and the staff to enter and leave the premise without have to lock and unlock the sliding door after midnight..

Points of Interest Around Island Backpackers

Airports

Tawau Airport

35.6mi

Lahad Datu Airport

43mi

Amenities of Island Backpackers

Free wifi

Room service

Air conditioning

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Stay rules - Island Backpackers

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Reservations

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property