Borneo Beach & Reef: Kota Kinabalu, Semporna & Kuala Lumpur | 8 Nights and 9 Days Malaysia Package

Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, usually via Kuala Lumpur, and transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Kota Kinabalu is compact and walkable, with the waterfront a short distance from most hotels. In the late afternoon head to Tanjung Aru beach for the sunset that Sabah is known for, with the marine park islands sitting on the horizon. Dinner at the Filipino Market food stalls, where grilled fish and prawns are priced by weight.

Boat out from Jesselton Point to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, only 15 to 20 minutes offshore. Spend the day between Manukan Island, which has the best swimming beach and a good house reef, and Sapi Island, popular for snorkelling and the sea walking and zipline activities across to Gaya Island. Snorkelling gear is provided and the shallow water suits non-swimmers with life jackets. Lunch on the island. Return to the city by evening and walk the Kota Kinabalu waterfront.

Morning transfer to Mari Mari Cultural Village on the city outskirts for a walk through replica longhouses of the Bajau, Rungus, Lundayeh, Murut and Dusun communities, with bamboo cooking, blowpipe demonstrations and a lunch of local dishes. Afternoon free for the resort beach at Tanjung Aru, a spa session or shopping at Suria Sabah and the handicraft market. Those who want an extra activity can add a Klias river cruise for proboscis monkeys and fireflies at their own cost.

Morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, about 50 minutes, then a road transfer of roughly 90 minutes to Semporna town, the gateway to the Celebes Sea reefs. Check into your hotel or a water village resort. Semporna is a working fishing town, so the evening is best spent at the waterfront seafood restaurants where you pick your catch from tanks. Confirm your island trip timings and permit paperwork with the operator tonight.

Full day boat trip into the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Stops usually cover Sibuan Island with its sandbar and lone palm cluster, Mantabuan for clear shallow reef, and Mandul or Maiga where Bajau Laut sea nomad families live in stilt houses. Snorkelling here brings up giant clams, cuttlefish, reef fish and the occasional turtle. Lunch is served on one of the islands. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a dry bag, since shade on the sandbars is limited.

Boat out to Mabul, about 45 minutes from Semporna and the base island for Sipadan. Snorkel the shallow reefs and artificial reef structures around the water bungalows, where frogfish, turtles and schooling batfish are regular sightings. Certified divers can arrange dives at Mabul or Kapalai, and Sipadan permits can be requested in advance at extra cost. Walk through the Mabul village and stilt settlement, then return to Semporna in the late afternoon.

Free morning in Semporna for a slow breakfast or last snorkel session, then road transfer to Tawau airport for the flight to Kuala Lumpur, usually two and a half to three hours. Arrive at KLIA and transfer to your hotel in Bukit Bintang. Evening free for the Jalan Alor food street, the Bukit Bintang malls or the KLCC fountain show. This is a good night for Indian food, with Little India in Brickfields a short Grab ride away.

Half day city tour covering Merdeka Square, the National Mosque and Islamic Arts Museum area, the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC Park, and Batu Caves with its 272 painted steps and Lord Murugan statue. Afternoon free for shopping at Suria KLCC, Pavilion or Central Market for pewter, batik and chocolates. Optional evening at the KL Tower deck or a Klang Valley Indian dinner. Pack tonight for the flight home.

Check out after breakfast and transfer to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for your flight back to India. If your flight is in the evening, keep the morning for the Aquaria KLCC, the Bird Park at Lake Gardens or a final round of shopping at Mitsui Outlet Park near the airport. Allow three hours before departure for international check-in and duty-free.