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$300Jalan Pawagan Lama , Semporna, 91308, Malaysia
Reservations:
+1 (888) 385-6828720 reviews
1/50
Free wifi
Room service
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Non-smoking rooms
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 720 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
35.6miLahad Datu Airport
43miFree wifi
Room service
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Non-smoking rooms
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Room - 2 Twin
2 Twin Beds
Free wifi
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Show 5 photos
King Room, Shared Bathroom
1 King Size Bed
110 sqft
Air conditioning
Tea/Coffee maker
Shower
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Show 4 photos
Dormitory, Bunk
1 Bunk Bed
185 sqft
Air conditioning
Tea/Coffee maker
Shower
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Dormitory, Bunk, Female Only
1 Bunk Bed
235 sqft
Air conditioning
Tea/Coffee maker
Shower
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Standard Room
1 Double Bed
110 sqft
Air conditioning
Tea/Coffee maker
Shower
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Show 4 photos
Queen Room
1 Queen Size Bed
110 sqft
Air conditioning
Tea/Coffee maker
Shower
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Show 3 photos
Room - 2 Twin, Shared Bathroom, No Window
2 Twin Beds
110 sqft
Air conditioning
Tea/Coffee maker
Shower
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Dormitory, 10 Bed, Single Use
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Dormitory, 10 Bed, Single Use, Female Only
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Family, Shared Bathroom, No Window
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Double Room, Shared Bathroom, No Window
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Triple Room
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8.3
720 reviewsCategories of assessments
Cleanliness
Comfort
Location
Facilities
Staff
Value for money
WiFi quality
Breakfast
Featured reviews:
Timothy
10
November 2024
Very good place to stay for a couple of nights. It is clean, good beds with curtains, spacious room, free washing machine, very friendly and helpful staff, convenience location, good common area to sit. Would definitely stay again
No lights in the beds You can book tours through the hostel but the company that provides them is an ecological nightmare. Guides throwing cigarettes in the ocean and throwing the anchor straight into the coral which destroys it. That partly explains the dead coral you see. If you want to do island hopping i suggest to find a company in the city that has some ecological awareness.
Sumit
8.2
May 2025
The private room was clean and air-conditioned. Shared bathrooms were well-maintained, with hot showers and provided shampoo. Breakfast and unlimited drinking water were included, which was a nice touch. The location is excellent—just 250 meters from the Semporna jetty, making it super convenient for island tours. The host was very helpful, stayed in touch via WhatsApp, and arranged a shared van from the airport to the hostel for only RM30.
The room is a bit small, which might be a concern for some. Also, the hostel is on the 2nd floor with no lift, so be prepared to carry your luggage up the stairs.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙏🏾
Ms
9.1
February 2025
They have FREE washing machine service, which I immediately used - and even the washing powder was included! THANK YOU! Breakfast was buffet style and staff was able to tell me which ones are for vegetarians.
I arrived and there was nobody at the reception. Guests didn't speak English so I waited for 5 minutes to realize that the guy on his phone WAS the receptionist and just didn't bother to make himself known.... not welcoming!
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
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.
Airports
Tawau Airport
35.6miLahad Datu Airport
43miAirports
Tawau Airport
35.6miLahad Datu Airport
43miFree wifi
Room service
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Non-smoking rooms
Accessibility
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Bathroom
Hairdryer
Shared bathroom
Shower
Toilet
Toilet paper
Bedroom
Linens
Cleaning Services
Dry cleaning
Ironing service
Common Areas
Shared lounge/TV area
Entertainment & Family Services
Books, DVDs or music for children
Food & Drink
Tea/Coffee maker
Front Desk Services
24-hour front desk
Baggage storage
Lockers
General
Air conditioning
Designated smoking area
Non-smoking rooms
Room service
Internet
Free wifi
Kitchen
Electric kettle
Living Area
Desk
Physical distancing
Contactless check-in/out
Room Amenities
Iron
Safety & security
24-hour security
Safety features
First aid kits available
Transportation
Airport shuttle
Shuttle service
Pets are not allowed.
WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
There's no age requirement for check-in
Come and go whenever you want
Parking may not be available
Reservations
Call us for our best daily rates
+1 (888) 385-6828Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome.
To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.
Crib and extra bed policies
7+ years
Extra bed upon request
$12 per person per day
The price in MYR has been converted to show you the approximate price in USD.
Additional fees are not calculated automatically in the total cost and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.
The maximum number of cribs, extra beds, and children allowed in existing beds can vary depending on the option booked.
All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.
No capacity for cribs.
This property accepts cash only.
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