Melo Villareal
Discover The Natural Beauty Of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park In Kota Kinabalu
Looking for some exciting activities to do in Kota Kinabalu? Visit Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – a National Marine Park off the coast of the island of Borneo in Malaysia. It comprises five islands: 5 islands: Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Sapi Island, Sulug Island, and Mamutik Island.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park By Flanegan – Flaneganb.net, CC BY 3.0, cc
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Marine Park was named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and by 1974, it was gazetted as Sabah’s second national park. This state park is located in Gaya Bay, which is 3 kilometers away from the City of Kota Kinabalu. The marine park is a cluster of five islands, 4,929 hectares, of which two-thirds of the park is covered by the sea.
The beautiful five islands showcase well-preserved coral gardens, shallow waters, and white sandy beaches. Initially, there were only two islands in the park, Sapi and Gaya, but Sulug, Mamutik, and Manukan were added later to expand marine preservation. The origin of the islands’ names is historically related to the early discoverers.
Pulau Gaya Island is the largest among the five islands, with an area of 15 square kilometers and 300 meters of elevation. It got its name from the word “Gayo, ” meaning ‘big.’ The thick tropical forest is the main feature of Gaya Island. The 5-star resorts, hiking trails, etc., are other peculiarities of this island. It is also known for the beautiful Police Beach at the Police Bay. Gaya Island is enriched with coral reefs, which are in good condition, making the island a good diving destination.
Pulau Mamutik is the smallest among the other islands and the nearest island to Kota Kinabalu mainland. Coral reefs and good beaches are the features of this island. This island is a good place for swimming, but the swimmers must be careful because there are large sea urchins on the rocks and corals on the island.
Pulau Manukan is the second largest island among the other islands. It is a crescent-shaped island, and it is the most developed. The Headquarters of the Sabah Park is located on this island. The best beach is also on this island. This island has the best tourist facilities, providing a clubhouse, diving centers, swimming pools, volleyball courts, a football field, and restaurants. There are hiking trails for those who love adventures.
Pulau Sulug is an undeveloped and remote island compared with the other islands. A tranquil and quiet atmosphere is the main feature of this island. It is a rocky island with an area of less than 200 m.
Pulau Sapi is known as “Cow Island.” Five kilometers of natural trails make this island popular. Pulau Sapi is linked to Gaya Island by a sand bar during low tide. This island has a 200-meter width and half-half-kilometer length. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the main things that attract the tourists. There are many thick forests on this island.
Each island has its own administrative office, but the administrative center of the entire Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park can be found on Manukan Island.
Permit and Fees
Sabah Parks diving permits are RM 50 for non-Malaysians and RM 20 for Malaysians. The island conservation fee is RM 10 for adults.
Where to Stay
- Gayana Resort – catering to tourists wishing to stay the night and enjoy the excursion in Gaya or island hop to the other islands. It is built on stilts and is situated in a bay on the island It offers chalet-style accommodations complete with a restaurant, souvenir shops, and conference facilities.
- Manukan Island Resort – For the avid diver, the reefs at Manukan Island offer excellent crystal water and beautiful corals. For those who want to enjoy the scenery, take a leisurely stroll along the nature trail or simply laze by the long stretch of beautiful beach.
- Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa is an award-winning property on Gaya Island, with 52 timbered villas over the hills of Police Bay.
How to get there
You can reach Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park via speedboat available at Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal at the northern end of Kota Kinabalu, along Jalan Fuad Stephens. A compulsory Tariff Fee of RM6 per person must also be paid at the Jesselton Point Terminal before departing. An RM10 per person Environmental Conservation Fee is payable upon arrival to the first island you will be visiting.
Each additional island you want to visit will cost an extra RM17. Boats depart every hour to the island of your choice, with the earliest departure at 7:30AM and the last departure at 4:30PM. The last return boats are at 5 p.m. The trip takes 15-20 minutes, depending on the island.
Travel Tips
- It is best to visit these islands during the week as the islands are crowded with locals during the weekend.
- You can rent your boat to do Island Hopping at your own pace.
- Be careful during jellyfish season to avoid painful stings.
- Be on time; the last boats back to the city leave at 5PM. Unless you are willing to pay additional fees or rent your own boat.
- Bring along enough sun lotion and insect repellant.
Contact details of Sabah Parks Headquarters
Lot 45 & 46, Level 1-5
Block H Signature Office
KK Times Square Coastal Highway
88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: +6088-486430, 486430, 486432
Email address: sabahparks@sabah.gov.my / sabahparks@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park?
Explore the wonders of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park with ease! From the northern end of Kota Kinabalu, head over to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, where plenty of boats are ready to take you to the islands of your dreams. Upon arrival, you must purchase a ticket to enter the park for only 15 RM (around 3.50 USD).
Don’t forget to hold onto your ticket as you’ll need it for each island you visit. If you happen to lose it, you’ll need to purchase a new one. So come and explore the beauty of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park!
What can you do at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park?
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a haven of adventure and fun! From snorkeling and scuba diving to beach sports and water sports, there is something for everyone. The Marine Park comprises five beautiful islands: Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug. Except for Sulug, the other four are easily accessible and ready for visitors to explore.
Each island offers a unique experience, and visitors can participate in the thrilling Coral Flyer zipline experience, Malaysia’s longest island-to-island zipline, starting from Gaya to Sapi Island. Additionally, visitors can enjoy hiking trails through lush forests, turquoise waters, and diving facilities on Gaya Island, which boasts a few luxury resorts such as Gayana Marine Resort and Gaya Island Resort.
How much is the boat fare in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park?
For adults, the ticket pricing for one island is RM35 inclusive of the terminal fee of RM7.20, while for multiple islands, the fare is RM45. Similarly, for children, the ticket pricing is RM30 for one island, including the terminal fee of RM3.60, while for multiple islands, the fare is RM40.
Please note that these prices may change over time, and visitors should confirm the prices with the operator before purchasing the tickets. Boats leave the terminal from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with the last boats from the islands back to Kota Kinabalu departing at 5 p.m. The return boat fare is RM 23 (adult) and RM 18 (child below 11), with a Terminal fee of RM 7.20 (adult) and RM 3.60 (child).
How much is the entrance to Manukan Island?
The entrance fee to Manukan Island is RM20 for adults and RM10 for children, per the Sabah Parks website. Visitors need to purchase a ticket called Conservation Fee to enter the island, and the ticket rates are the same for all the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Before boarding the boat, visitors can purchase the tickets at the island’s entrance or at the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.
This trip was made possible by AirAsia Zest – The Right Way to Fly and Sabah Tourism Board – Visit Malaysia 2014. AirAsia Zest flies to Kota Kinabalu from NAIA Terminal 4 in Manila and Cebu Mactan International Airport. Visit www.airasia.com for flight schedules, promos, and online flight reservations. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Read:
- Ultimate List of the Best Hotels and Resorts in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- 8 Ways to Enjoy Kuala Lumpur for Free
