Regatta lepa-lepa is the annual celebration of the Bajau community in Semporna District which is celebrated every April. The Lepa-lepa Regatta celebration was first introduced in 1994 to commemorate the tradition of Lepa-lepa (Mohd Shafie 2006: 28). Regatta Lepa which was introduced in 1994 as a Sabah state level fest. In 2003 the Regatta Lepa was included in the calendar "Malaysian Water Festival" and now Regatta Lepa is one of Malaysia's annual events.

This water festival will open its curtain with the arrival of various Lepa (boats) from all over the village located in Semporna District led by their respective Village Head. Attendees who came to witness this celebration were able to see the decorated lepa parade and the traditional dance of the Bajau Semporna community that was accompanied by local ethnic music on the lepa. In addition, sea events such as lacebirds, swimming kayaks, and fireworks showcasing the celebrations.

The lepa regatta is an annualized year for all fans, entrepreneurs and artists of the artistic and bastard culture. Through this celebration the Bajau which is located everywhere including the islands will meet, socialize and compete. The main competition is to win the title "Lepa Tercantik". This festival takes two to three days. The Regatta Lepa activity is divided into two divisions namely the "sea show" at the edge of pantaui and "Cultural Performance" and exhibition in Padang Pekan Semporna. Meanwhile, in the evening the visitors will be able to witness the local cultural performances as well as the local artists. A fireworks show was also launched to enliven the celebrations.

There is one festival famous in Sabah,The Regatta Lepa festival is famous Dragon Boat Race taking place every year in April in Semporna (21 - 23 Apr 2017). The festival was introduced to honour the legacy of the Bajau Laut, a nomadic community of Sea Gypsies, whose connection with water is legendary. Lepa is the name of the single-mast sailing boat traditionally used by them. The Regatta Lepa is an annual Sabah State event, and year after year this festival attracts more and more people from all nationalities and backgrounds. The Regatta Lepa. “Lepa” means “boat” in the dialect of east coast Bajau. Semporna’s Regatta Lepa is one of the most popular and colourful annual tourism events. All the hotels there were fully booked and more foreigner tourists than any other events, the Bajau at east coast, someone calls them Sea Bajau or Suluk, is good at sailing too. Bajau got the most colourful culture in Sabah. They like to use bright colours in their costumes, handicrafts and even boat (lepa). In this festival, they decorated their boats with colourful flags, trying to win the first place in Beautiful Lepa Contest.