Overwater rooms with direct ocean access and included buffet meals on the Celebes Sea
About Us
Floating above the protected shallows near Bum Bum Island, Nusakuya Resort provides a relaxing base for your Semporna holiday. We established the raised platform layout in this area to grant guests immediate access to the surrounding water. Wide wooden steps lead straight from your private deck into the ocean below.
Our 27 accommodations share an open design that frames endless ocean sightlines. You can spot sea anemones sheltering clownfish right through the timber floorboards or directly from your balcony stairs. The shallow water around the property remains wonderfully clear throughout the day.
We operate as a Muslim-friendly destination equipped with reliable 24-hour power. Your daily rate covers three full meals alongside scheduled boat transport connecting to the main Semporna jetty. This creates a highly convenient environment for couples and small groups seeking a peaceful stay by the sea.
Accommodations
Every unit at Nusakuya Resort rests on a sturdy wooden platform directly above the ocean. Guests enjoy their own private balcony complete with stairs stepping right down into the water. We equip each space with a ceiling fan alongside portable air conditioning for your comfort while framing wide-open views of the Celebes Sea.
Warm timber walls paired with polished wooden floors create a welcoming atmosphere for two guests. The sleeping area holds a pair of single beds facing outward. Step through the glass doors onto your private deck to relax on sun loungers before descending the wooden stairs right into the clear water.
Rich wood paneling lines the interior of this romantic space designed especially for couples. A large double bed centers the room while polished timber floors lead out toward bright glass doors. Your outside deck offers private wooden stairs reaching down into the inviting Celebes Sea.
Families needing extra space will appreciate this bright layout featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The broad private balcony uses glass railings to maximize ocean sightlines. Parents and children can easily step down the attached wooden stairs for a swim right outside their door.
Authentic timber walls create a rustic charm inside this large accommodation. Glossy hardwood floors stretch toward an outdoor deck featuring modern glass railings. Small groups sharing this space will love the immediate water entry provided by private stairs extending from the balcony.
This highly sought-after option serves as our most spacious layout. Gleaming hardwood floors complement traditional Sabahan wood paneling across the interior. Wide panoramic glass doors reveal an oversized deck where guests can walk straight down wooden steps into the ocean.
Guests staying in this comfortable unit will find varnished wooden floors alongside timber-clad walls. Glass doors reveal a private outdoor space furnished with sun loungers hovering right above the ocean. You can spot clownfish hiding in anemones just below the platform before taking the steps down for a swim. We include a ceiling fan alongside portable air conditioning while the en-suite bathroom features a hot electric shower.
Couples often choose this romantic double room outfited with rich wood paneling. The interior highlights polished timber floors leading up to floor-to-ceiling glass doors. These open onto a private deck granting immediate access to the turquoise water via wooden steps. You will enjoy wide ocean sightlines as well as a private en-suite bathroom equipped with an electric shower. Portable air conditioning alongside a ceiling fan keeps the space cool.
Designed specifically for parents traveling with children, this airy layout sleeps up to four guests. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels flood the natural wooden interior with sunlight. The wide balcony uses glass railings to ensure uninterrupted views of the sea. Families will appreciate the easy ocean entry from their own attached stairs. A private bathroom with an electric shower joins portable cooling units to complete the amenities.
Perfect for small groups desiring shared space without sacrificing comfort. This large room highlights authentic wooden walls alongside glossy hardwood flooring. The private deck overlooks the ocean through glass railings while wooden steps descend straight into the sea. Inside you will find multiple beds arranged conveniently for a relaxing stay. We provide a ceiling fan alongside portable air conditioning as well as an en-suite electric shower.
Enjoy the best ocean-facing position on the property inside our most generous floor plan. Traditional Sabahan styling meets gleaming hardwood floors to create a beautiful group setting. Panoramic glass doors open onto a massive private deck showing off the surrounding waters. Four beds provide ample resting space while attached wooden stairs encourage daily swims. The en-suite bathroom includes a glass-partitioned electric shower.
Get in Touch
Please fill out the details below to request a stay. Our reservations team will review your dates before emailing back a custom quote alongside room availability.
Near Bum Bum Island in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia
Celebes Sea region
Morning and afternoon schedules from Semporna jetty.
Boat transport is included in your rate. Please contact us after reserving to confirm timing.
Local Excursions
Semporna acts as a brilliant gateway for marine exploration right on our doorstep. Guests can grab a kayak or snorkel gear to enjoy the water directly from our platform. If you want to travel further out, guided boat tours depart daily to highlight the very best reefs around the region. You will never run out of ways to fill your vacation days.
The surrounding reefs host thriving communities of clownfish, sea turtles, and colorful nudibranchs. You can jump right off our platform to explore these habitats or take a quick boat ride to nearby coral patches.
Southeast Asia offers some of its most famous diving right here in Semporna. Mabul and Kapalai stand out for exceptional macro life while the legendary drops at Sipadan sit just a short boat ride away.
Take a paddle around the resort platform to experience these calm waters at your own rhythm. The sheltered zone near Bum Bum Island provides the perfect environment for a relaxing morning glide.
Dozens of beautiful islands sit within easy speedboat range of Semporna. A standard day tour hits three to five different spots where you can walk pristine beaches, snorkel vibrant reefs, and view traditional Bajau Laut water villages.
This forested volcanic peak rests inside the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. A quick boat ride gets you to the trailhead where a steep thirty-minute hike awaits. Reaching the summit rewards you with a spectacular view overlooking a massive sheltered lagoon filled with bright blue water.
Mataking offers shallow reefs frequently visited by sea turtles. Timba-Timba features a highly photogenic sandbar stretching out into the ocean. Finally, Pom Pom provides an authentic look at Bajau Laut fishing communities living traditionally on the water.
This massive protected zone covers eight distinct islands spanning a huge marine area. It currently sits on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Taking a day tour here allows you to snorkel healthy reefs, relax on remote beaches, and photograph unique stilt villages built directly over the shallows.
Mabul remains a top-tier destination for macro diving enthusiasts hunting for frogfish or flamboyant cuttlefish. Kapalai consists of a massive sandbar topped by a sprawling water village resort. The marine habitats stretching between these two locations hold an incredible density of rare underwater creatures.
Rising straight up from the deep ocean floor, Sipadan exists as Malaysia's only true oceanic island. The government protects this former volcanic cone strictly by limiting daily diving permits to just 120 visitors. Advanced booking is essential to secure your spot among the schooling barracudas and resident reef sharks.
Jacques Cousteau famously praised this exact location decades ago. Divers come from around the globe to experience steep wall drop-offs covered in coral alongside massive schools of jackfish. Sites like Barracuda Point and Turtle Cavern consistently deliver world-class encounters with large pelagic species.
Semporna works perfectly as a starting point for wider adventures across Sabah. A quick domestic flight connects Tawau to Kota Kinabalu for Mount Kinabalu climbs. Wildlife lovers can drive toward the Danum Valley rainforest or visit the orangutan centers near Sandakan to discover rare jungle species.
Dining Experience
Every booking includes three daily meals to ensure a seamless holiday. We serve breakfast and lunch buffet-style inside our main restaurant area. Dinner switches to a carefully planned set menu that highlights flavors from Malaysian, Chinese, Sabahan, and Western cuisines.
Start your morning with a wide buffet spread covering both Western classics and Malaysian favorites. Fill your plate with stir-fries, curries, toast, fresh tropical fruit, and eggs cooked to your liking. We provide hot coffee, tea, and drinking water.
Our midday buffet rotates through various local dishes to keep things interesting. Expect an array of noodles, rice, fresh seafood, meat options, and stir-fried vegetables prepared daily by our kitchen team.
The evening meal offers a more focused dining format. Our chefs prepare a multi-course set menu designed to showcase distinct regional cooking styles throughout your stay. This allows for higher quality dishes than a standard buffet while ensuring guests taste authentic local recipes.
Travel Guide
Your journey begins by flying into Tawau Airport, the primary entry point for Semporna. Major domestic airlines like AirAsia fly here daily from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. International travelers can easily connect through these major hubs.
We organize comfortable private vehicles or passenger vans to bring you directly from Tawau Airport to the Semporna jetty. The drive takes roughly ninety minutes through local scenery. We can also pick you up from hotels in Tawau city if needed.
We can arrange your pickup or drop-off directly from:
A quick speedboat ride serves as the final step of your journey. We depart from the Semporna jetty to whisk you across the water straight to our reception area. Just send us your flight details after booking so we can coordinate the entire trip for you.
Guest Feedback
"A Muslim-friendly resort with a genuinely beautiful setting. You can walk down the stairs from the room straight into the sea which is something we used every morning and evening. Clownfish were visible right beneath the room in their anemone. The view is unobstructed and the atmosphere is very quiet and peaceful. Food was good and the room was clean and spacious."
"Chose Nusakuya for our honeymoon because it is Muslim-friendly and the reviews looked good. We were not disappointed. The room is spacious and clean with a sea view that stretches in every direction. Stepping off the stairs into the sea is a real luxury. Clownfish lived just below our room. The couple package was a lovely touch. A perfect romantic stay."
"One of the nicest overwater stays I have had in Semporna. The room is clean and large with a wide unobstructed sea view. Direct sea access from the stairs is excellent, very easy to go in and out of the water. We spotted clownfish in the anemone directly below every day. Food was good and plentiful. A very peaceful and comfortable resort."
"Came as a couple and the resort was very well suited for a romantic break. The sea access from the room stairs was something we used constantly. The clownfish below the room were charming company throughout the stay. Views were wide and unobstructed in every direction. The quiet atmosphere made it very easy to relax and switch off completely."
"The room is spacious and very clean with a panoramic sea view. Going into the sea from the steps outside the room was easy and the water was clear enough to see clownfish and their anemone right below. The resort is peaceful throughout the day. Food included was good and satisfying. An excellent overwater resort in the Semporna area."
"A quiet and well-run overwater resort. The unobstructed sea view from the room is excellent and the direct access to the sea from the stairs is a real practical benefit for swimmers and snorkelers. Clownfish were an unexpected delight just below the floorboards. The rooms are kept clean and the food is satisfying. Highly recommended for couples."