Pom Pom Island Resort

My family and I ended up at Pom Pom Beach Resort after our travel plans changed unexpectedly, and we're so glad we found it. The marine life was incredible: turtles right by the resort, plus rays, colorful fish, and lovely coral reefs. It felt like swimming in an aquarium. As an Australian veterinarian, I was especially moved by the turtle conservation program. Turtles are endangered, with some species critically endangered, so work like this matters. An accredited biologist shares his knowledge and passion with guests during the memorable baby turtle releases. It felt special to give something back to the ocean we enjoyed every day. The staff made the stay feel personal, often remembering our names and food orders, and even making custom drinks. Their service was better than at many 5-star resorts, and nothing seemed too much trouble. The comfort and luxury here, together with the chance to support conservation, is a rare combination. We won't forget this place, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

We don't usually book somewhere this expensive, but for the end of our Borneo trip we paid 2000 ringgit (about 426 euro) a night and expected good service. Pom Pom Beach Resort fell far short, and we would never return or recommend it. The water villa was shabby, old, and nowhere near worth that price. It also seemed that shower and sink wastewater, including soap and shampoo, went straight into the ocean and coral reef beneath it. The beach and sea were heavily littered with plastic, including diapers. They cleaned the beach half-heartedly in the morning, leaving about half the rubbish behind, and it built up again through the day. It was disgusting and sad to see. They kept baby turtles in a container all day before releasing them in the evening. Some looked exhausted or half-dead when released. I've volunteered with turtle hatchlings before, and that didn't seem normal to me. I don't think this activity is ethical. During our stay we saw two dead adult sea turtles. One had a badly fractured shell; the other was too far away to see clearly. We assume a boat caused this. That made us uneasy about the snorkeling boat speeding and repeatedly crashing down on waves near reefs where turtles are often found. The food was bland, with little choice and no desserts, and I once found ants in my food. There was no Wi-Fi, which surprised us since even cheap accommodation in other remote parts of Borneo had offered it free. Activities such as kayaking cost extra. We told staff we were unhappy, but they didn't take us seriously. We can't understand how they charge 2000 ringgit a night for a place like this.

The villas were clean and comfortable, right by the sea, and I especially liked the garden villa. The staff were always smiling, kind, and helpful, and the food was delicious. Pom Pom Island Resort is a peaceful place to enjoy nature, with turquoise clear water, white sand, and lovely sunsets. I spent three days here and everything felt perfect. An unforgettable stay, and a hidden gem.

We came in late April for four days and three nights with our children, aged 4 and 8, and stayed in a beach house. We wanted a relaxed family break with snorkeling, and the island exceeded our expectations. It's peaceful and almost feels private. Being able to snorkel right around the resort was a real plus. The water is clear, with reefs, turtles, and lots of colorful fish. We also took a snorkeling and diving trip to Mataking Island, which was very nice. The best spot near the resort was by the visiting boats, and we could swim there from the far end of the water villas. Our kids especially enjoyed the turtle conservation program. There was a kids club and an informative session led by the island's biology expert, a Dutch marine management specialist. Adults learned a lot too. We donated to a turtle nest, which became a memorable experience for the children. We booked breakfast only, which I understood was an option during low season. It worked out well: menu dishes cost a reasonable 30-50 MYR, and there was even hotpot. That was much cheaper than full board. The resort is well maintained, and the reception and restaurant teams were friendly and helpful. Speaking some English will improve the experience, since we didn't meet any staff who spoke Chinese. Walking around the island takes about 40 minutes, and on the other side we saw plastic waste. There was visible pollution on the mainland too. We found it interesting to see both sides of reality, though anyone who'd rather avoid it might want to take a taxi straight from the airport to the boat port. A wonderful family trip, with great snorkeling and a strong focus on turtle conservation.