Island Backpackers vs Project X Scuba
Both are in Semporna, 370 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.
HostelSemporna
Island Backpackers
- Guest rating
- 9.1 Excellent
- Location score
- 6.3
- Score by category
- 8 of 16
HostelSemporna
Project X Scuba
- Guest rating
- 7.6 Good
- Location score
- 6.1
- Score by category
- 1 of 16
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?
- 1Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 7.6)+1.5
- 2340 m closer to the area centre−340 m
- 3More guest reviews (404 vs 10), so the rating is more reliable×40
- 428 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+28
Why is Project X Scuba better than Island Backpackers?
- 1Newer 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 vs Project X Scuba: which hotel is better? | 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 | ✓ | – |
Price for your dates
Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.
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
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.
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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