A beautiful lepa is judged based on :

1- decoration
2- local ethnic music
3- dances performed on board
4- sambulayang (sails)
5- tipas-tipas (small flags)

Regatta Lepa is an annual gathering of the most skillful fishing boat builders in Sabah. The Bajau in Semporna have their yearly festival for remembering their old heritage. In this festival the Bajaus from different village and different island will meet. During the festive meeting they select the best Lepa boat of the year. During the 2 to 3 days. the Bajau’s show their Lepa‘s with the different style’s and color. In each Lepa is a group of musicians and a couple of dancer. The flotilla of colorful banners ridden Lepa will make a round in front of the VIP’s and the judge’s stage. The judges will give a point for their performance related to beautiful Lepa’s and the best dancer’s.

Semporna celebrates the annual Water Festival of Regatta Lepa in April.

Lepa boat has been a significant part of the Sabah Bajau fishermen since immemorial time.

Regatta Lepa is an occasion to show-off all the beautifully built Lepa. The annual event’s highlight is a competition to choose the most dazzling lepa. Colorful adorned lepa(s) grace the waterfront, decked with the smiling faces of dancers and musicians.

For the Bajau people, Lepa Boats are multi utility. The boat serves as a fishing vessel and as a mean of transportation. It is also utilized for wedding venues and cultural performances. The unique lifestyle and festival is a cultural legacy inherited by many generations.

The celebration includes
1- cultural performances,
2- Lepa Beauty Pageant,
3- cultural performances,
4- fireworks display
5- traditional and contemporary sports and games.

Bajau people's dialect, Lepa means “boat”. The Lepa boat is a cultural legacy inherited by Bajau people from many generations ago.

LEPA boats originate from the fishing community of Bum Bum Island and used by the fishermen along the coast of Semporna Town.

In 1994 The Regatta Lepa Semporna was officially introduced as an Sabah Annual event.

In 2003 Regatta Lepa was officially added in the calendar ‘Malaysia Water Festival’ as one of a annual event in Malaysia.

A flotilla of colourful boats dot the Celebes Sea as they compete for the title of ‘Most Beautiful Lepa’.

The Water Festival

A splashing good time

Sail into the sea

Video on 23rd April 2016 Saturday

LEPA are sailing boats made from tropical hard wood.

Lepas boats are often decorated with unique carvings and bear colorful sails and small tapis flags.

The regatta tradition began in 1990s and has been a major festival since.

A splashing good time

Spread over three days, the Regatta Lepa is packed with fun and activities.

Traditional dance, traditional music,  rowing competitions etc.

The second day of the festival is the one when the real action takes place with all the crowds moving to the sapphire water front.

What everyone waited  is this grand regatta.

Sail into the sea

The regatta sees elaborately decorated LEPA sail into the waters.

On board are beautiful women in traditional garments with long glittering nails and elaborate head gears.

They are dancing to the tunes of gongs and drums played by a band also on board each boat.

LEPA boats are judged not only on the basis of their beautiful carvings, paintings, sails and flags

but also on the beauty and grace of its dancing women and its musicians.

LEPA boats sail around the bay giving tourists and locals a real feast for the eyes.

During the festival is also a very crowded and busy time in Semporna Town. Those wishing to be part of it must make their hotel bookings well in advance.

There was one case of  ignorant tourists from China came specially for the festival. Coming early and happily seeing these empty chairs shaded from strong sun. They thought this was a view platform prepared for tourists. They sat the front seats in order to get a good photography. Only to be asked by security to go somewhere else away from the tents.  They could not understand why.

Ask your hotels or travel agents, they be able to arrange for chairs to sit somehow for the tourists. Or you can charter a boat.