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| Meta Title | Regatta Lepa Festival In Semporna: A Visitors Guide For 2026 |
| Meta Description | Experience the vibrant Regatta Lepa water festival in April. Discover the traditions of the Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) during this unique cultural event. |
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| Boilerpipe Text | REGATTA LEPA
Semporna, Sabah
Regatta Lepa is a local water festival which displays the interesting traditions and customs of the
Bajau Laut tribes
.
Also known as the Sea Gypsies, the festival celebrates this ethnic group’s unique nomadic way of life.
The Regatta Lepa has taken place annually since 1994, but the Bajau Laut tribe’s culture is rich with legacies that have been passed down for many generations.
The event is one of the most unique and longest running celebrations in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia and in 2003 was declared a national festival.
The Regatta Lepa brings together foreigners, locals and VIPs such as heads of state to enjoy the great festivities of this unique water festival.
Dates & Venues
Start: End of April 2026 at 8am
Duration: 3 days
Venue: Regatta Lepa Square and Harbour Front, Semporna, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
How to Get There
Fly: Flights are available from Kuala Lumpur and various international cities to Tawau via Kota Kinabalu. From Tawau Airport, take a 1h20mn drive to Semporna.
Bus: You can take a bus from Kota Kinabalu from the Outstation Bus Terminal at Inaman town for a 9 hour trip to Semporna.
Taxi: If you are coming from Tawau, catch a 1.5 hour taxi ride to Semporna.
Highlights
Watch the most dazzling Lepa, musicians and dancers
Beauty Pageant
Cultural Shows
Row Boats
Sea Sports
Sailing competition
Keleh-Keleh
Cultural night performance
SEMPORNA ACCOMMODATION
Find a hotel room in Semporna, Tawau and Mabul island. |
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# REGATTA LEPA
Unique Water Festival in Semporna
[Contact us now\!](https://www.mabul.com/contact/)
## REGATTA LEPA
### Semporna, Sabah
#### Regatta Lepa is a local water festival which displays the interesting traditions and customs of the [Bajau Laut tribes](https://www.mabul.com/bajau-laut/). Also known as the Sea Gypsies, the festival celebrates this ethnic group’s unique nomadic way of life. The Regatta Lepa has taken place annually since 1994, but the Bajau Laut tribe’s culture is rich with legacies that have been passed down for many generations. The event is one of the most unique and longest running celebrations in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia and in 2003 was declared a national festival. The Regatta Lepa brings together foreigners, locals and VIPs such as heads of state to enjoy the great festivities of this unique water festival.
## Dates & Venues
Start: End of April 2026 at 8am
Duration: 3 days
Venue: Regatta Lepa Square and Harbour Front, Semporna, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
## How to Get There
Fly: Flights are available from Kuala Lumpur and various international cities to Tawau via Kota Kinabalu. From Tawau Airport, take a 1h20mn drive to Semporna.
Bus: You can take a bus from Kota Kinabalu from the Outstation Bus Terminal at Inaman town for a 9 hour trip to Semporna.
Taxi: If you are coming from Tawau, catch a 1.5 hour taxi ride to Semporna.
## Highlights
#### Watch the most dazzling Lepa, musicians and dancers Beauty Pageant Cultural Shows Row Boats Sea Sports Sailing competition Keleh-Keleh Cultural night performance
## THE FESTIVAL
### 3 DAYS OF CULTURE AND PERFORMANCES
#### Celebrations revolve around the [rich culture of the Sea Gypsies](https://www.mabul.com/bajau-laut/) and their beautifully coloured traditional lepa boats. There’s a boat parade, boat racing, an annual tug-of-war competition and a beauty pageant, not to mention the grand finale of fireworks over the stunning ocean. The Regatta Lepa happens every year towards the end of April and continues for 2 or 3 consecutive days.


###
## SEMPORNA ACCOMMODATION
#### Find a hotel room in Semporna, Tawau and Mabul island.
[CHECK AVAILABILITY](https://www.mabul.com/contact/)
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| Readable Markdown | REGATTA LEPA
### Semporna, Sabah
#### Regatta Lepa is a local water festival which displays the interesting traditions and customs of the [Bajau Laut tribes](https://www.mabul.com/bajau-laut/). Also known as the Sea Gypsies, the festival celebrates this ethnic group’s unique nomadic way of life. The Regatta Lepa has taken place annually since 1994, but the Bajau Laut tribe’s culture is rich with legacies that have been passed down for many generations. The event is one of the most unique and longest running celebrations in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia and in 2003 was declared a national festival. The Regatta Lepa brings together foreigners, locals and VIPs such as heads of state to enjoy the great festivities of this unique water festival.
## Dates & Venues
Start: End of April 2026 at 8am
Duration: 3 days
Venue: Regatta Lepa Square and Harbour Front, Semporna, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
## How to Get There
Fly: Flights are available from Kuala Lumpur and various international cities to Tawau via Kota Kinabalu. From Tawau Airport, take a 1h20mn drive to Semporna.
Bus: You can take a bus from Kota Kinabalu from the Outstation Bus Terminal at Inaman town for a 9 hour trip to Semporna.
Taxi: If you are coming from Tawau, catch a 1.5 hour taxi ride to Semporna.
## Highlights
#### Watch the most dazzling Lepa, musicians and dancers Beauty Pageant Cultural Shows Row Boats Sea Sports Sailing competition Keleh-Keleh Cultural night performance

## SEMPORNA ACCOMMODATION
#### Find a hotel room in Semporna, Tawau and Mabul island. |
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