--- title: "Island Backpackers vs Project X Scuba: which hotel is better?" description: "Island Backpackers or Project X Scuba in Semporna? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side." url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/island-backpackers-semporna-vs-project-x-scuba-semporna/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-26 --- # Island Backpackers vs Project X Scuba Both are in Semporna, 370 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Hostel · Semporna ## [Island Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/island-backpackers-semporna/) - **Guest rating:** 9.1 · Excellent - **Location score:** 6.3 - **Score by category:** 8 of 16 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1668365/agoda/?lang=en) Hostel · Semporna ## [Project X Scuba](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/project-x-scuba-semporna/) - **Guest rating:** 7.6 · Good - **Location score:** 6.1 - **Score by category:** 1 of 16 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1983330/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick Island Backpackers It comes out ahead on 8 of 16 compared facts. 370 m apart. ### Choose Island Backpackers if you want - the more consistently praised stay (9.1 / 7.6) - a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 3 / 10) ### Choose Project X Scuba if you want - a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 10 / 3) - a newer or recently renovated building (2025 / 2017) ### Why is Island Backpackers better than Project X Scuba? 1. Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 7.6) (+1.5) 2. 340 m closer to the area centre (−340 m) 3. More guest reviews (404 vs 10), so the rating is more reliable (×40) 4. 28 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+28) ### Why is Project X Scuba better than Island Backpackers? 1. Newer or more recently renovated (2025 vs 2017) (+8y) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Island Backpackers | Project X Scuba | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+1.5) | 7.6 | | Location | 6.3 | 6.1 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 9.0 (+1.0) | 8.1 | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+1.5) | 7.6 | | Number of reviews | 404 (+394) | 10 | | Google rating | – | 4.9/5 | | Google reviews | – | 54 | | Rank in Semporna | top 4% (+60%) | bottom 36% | | Location | | Location score | 6.3 (+0.2) | 6.1 | | Distance to Semporna centre | 160 m (−340 m) | 490 m | | To the airport | 57 km | 57 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 89 (+28) | 61 | | To the nearest food shop | 210 m | 220 m | | Shops within 500 m | 7 | 6 | | Sights within 1 km | 3 | 3 | | Rooms & building | | Rooms | 3 | 10 | | Floors | – | 2 | | Newest building or renovation | 2017 | 2025 (+8y) | | Listed amenities | 10 (+4) | 6 | | Policies | | Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 12:00 | 12:00 | | Amenities | | Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ | | Shuttle | ✓ | – | | Concierge | ✓ | – | | Laundry | ✓ | – | | Room service | ✓ | – | | Wheelchair accessible | ✓ | – | | Smoke-free | ✓ | – | | Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | | Free parking | – | ✓ | | Airport transfer | – | ✓ | | Which hotel suits you | | Couples | ✓ | – | | Business trips | ✓ | – | ## Live prices around both hotels Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer. ## Location 370 m apart Island Backpackers: city centre: 280 m, Tawau Airport (TWU): 57 km, 89 places to eat within 500 m, 3 sights within 1 km. Project X Scuba: city centre: 110 m, Tawau Airport (TWU): 57 km, 61 places to eat within 500 m, 3 sights within 1 km. ## Weather in Semporna [Semporna weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/malaysia/sabah/semporna/weather) ## Island Backpackers or Project X Scuba: common questions ### Which is better, Island Backpackers or Project X Scuba? Island Backpackers leads in 8 of 16 categories, including StayVersus score, guest rating, number of reviews. Project X Scuba is stronger in newest building or renovation. ### Which is cheaper, Island Backpackers or Project X Scuba? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### Which hotel is closer to the centre? Island Backpackers is closer: 160 m from the centre, against 490 m for Project X Scuba. ### How far apart are Island Backpackers and Project X Scuba? The two hotels are 370 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [Project X Scuba vs Perfect Hub](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/perfect-hub-semporna-vs-project-x-scuba-semporna/) - [Project X Scuba vs DZ Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dz-backpackers-semporna-vs-project-x-scuba-semporna/) ## Compare now Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/island-backpackers-semporna-vs-project-x-scuba-semporna/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/