Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park Island Hopping from Kota Kinabalu
Five islands sit within 20 minutes of Kota Kinabalu's Jesselton Point jetty: Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik, Gaya and Sulug. Together they form Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the standard first stop on any Sabah itinerary. Speedboats leave through the morning and most packages cover two or three islands with lunch.
Sapi has the best shallow snorkelling, with clownfish, parrotfish and sergeant majors close to the beach, along with resident monitor lizards on the sand. Manukan is the largest and most developed, with a long stretch of white sand, changing rooms and a restaurant. Mamutik is smaller and quieter. Between Sapi and Gaya runs the Coral Flyer zipline, roughly 250 metres across open water, which is the longest island-to-island zipline in the region.
Other add-ons include sea walking, parasailing, banana boat rides and a Scuba discovery dive at Gaya. Kayaks and glass-bottom boats are available on Manukan.
Water visibility is best from March to May. Indian travellers on Sabah packages usually pair this with a Kota Kinabalu city tour, the Tanjung Aru sunset and dinner at Filipino Market, where fresh fish and prawns are grilled to order.
Location
Manukan, Sapi and Mamutik islands, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Duration
6-8 hours
Best Time to Visit
March to May for calmest seas and clear water; avoid the wetter December to February window
Pricing
₹2,800-4,500 per person for a two-island tour with snorkelling gear and lunch; water sports charged separately at ₹1,200-3,500 per activity
Activity Type
Highlights
Snorkelling over shallow coral reefs at Sapi Island
Coral Flyer zipline between Gaya and Sapi islands
Wide white-sand beach and glass-bottom boat rides at Manukan
Sea walking and parasailing options on the same trip
Views back to Mount Kinabalu on clear mornings
Itinerary
Report at Jesselton Point, pay jetty and marine park fees, board the speedboat
Carry cash in ringgit for terminal and conservation fees if not prepaid
Snorkelling and beach time at Sapi with optional zipline
Rent a mask and fins from the beach counter; life jackets are compulsory
Boat transfer to Manukan and buffet lunch
Halal food is standard; request vegetarian in advance
Water sports, kayaking or walking the island trail on Manukan
Book banana boat and parasailing slots at the beach kiosk
Return boat to Jesselton Point
Last boats leave by 5 pm; do not miss the pickup time
Safety Requirements
Life jackets mandatory on all boats and while snorkelling regardless of swimming ability
Stay inside the buoyed swim zones away from boat channels
Do not touch or stand on corals; marine park rules prohibit it
Zipline riders must meet the operator's weight limits and wear the provided harness
Apply reef-safe sunscreen; the equatorial sun burns within 20 minutes
Tips
Book the first boat out at around 8:30 am to get clear water before crowds
Carry a dry bag, water shoes and your own snorkel mask for hygiene
Marine park conservation fees are often not included in tour prices, so confirm
Sapi and Manukan get very busy on weekends; choose Mamutik or Sulug for quiet
Change and shower on the island as facilities are basic at the jetty
