Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a national park established in 1974 covering 50 sq km of the islands and their surrounding reefs. The Marine Park is a cluster of islands; Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug.

Pulau Sapi ( Sapi Island ), Sapi means ‘cow’ and the island is said to be shaped like a cow’s head ( I can’t see it myself ). Here are the attractions on this beautiful little island. Sapi Island is one of the most popular places in Sabah to swim, snorkel and relax and it is just 20 minutes boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu.

Sapi Island

Pulau Manukan ( Manukan Island ) with total land area of 51 acres is the second largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahamn National Park. Manukan features the most developed tourist, recreation, and infrastructure facilities. It is covered in dense vegetation and has hiking trails. Manukan offers exquisite accommodation, sophisticated cuisine and Good stretches of beaches on the southern coastline.

Manukan Island

Pulau Mamutik ( Mamutik Island ) , is thought to have the best snorkelling and is a renowned dive site for novice divers with its shallow water and gentle currents.

Mamutik Island

Pulau Gaya ( Gaya Island ) , the largest at 15 sq km and with a highest point of 300m above sea level. It is mostly thick with primary forest. Tourists are largely confined to three luxury beach resorts or restricted to organised walks on the 20km of marked trails. Unfortunately the eastern end of the island is fringed with a squatter community of 6000 or so undocumented, largely Filipino, migrants living in ramshackle stilt houses with poor sanitation and garbage disposal. While this settlement, considered illegal, provides Kota Kinabalu with much needed labour, it is a high crime zone and a no-go area for locals and tourists. The authorities would like to relocate this community to maximise the excellent tourism potential of this island which is, after all, supposed to be in a protected marine park.

Gaya Island

Pulau Sulug ( Sulug Island ) , the most unspoilt and remote island with a long sand spit and an extensive coral reef.

Sulug Island

How to Get there :

There is a ferry terminal at Jesselton Point Waterfront in Kota Kinabalu with numerous operators providing speed boat return trips to the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park at fixed prices. The boat ride can be bumpy.