Tunku Abdul Rahman Park: Kota Kinabalu Island Hopping

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers five islands and the reefs around them in Gaya Bay, just off the Kota Kinabalu waterfront. Gazetted in 1974 and managed by Sabah Parks, it is the city’s beach: you can be on white sand with a snorkel 20 minutes after leaving your hotel. For travellers short on time, a day of island hopping here is the simplest way to see Borneo’s coral without heading to the east coast.

The islands are busy by Malaysian standards, especially Sapi and Manukan at weekends, and the coral near the main beaches has suffered from heavy use. Go with the right expectations (calm water, fish, sand, easy logistics) and it makes an excellent day.

The five islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

Pulau Manukan

The most developed island and home to the park headquarters. It has the park’s only resort (run by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges), a restaurant, a long beach on the eastern tip and short forest trails. Camping is not allowed.

Pulau Sapi

Small, pretty and the most popular island, joined to Gaya by a sandbar at low tide. There is a café, a 5km network of trails and decent snorkelling off the main beach. Arrive early, as day-trippers fill it by late morning.

Pulau Mamutik

The smallest island and the closest to the mainland. It is quieter than Sapi, with a café, a short beach and fish right off the jetty.

Pulau Gaya

The largest island at about 15 sq km, with around 20km of marked trails, a mangrove plank-walk and Police Beach, one of the nicest stretches of sand in the park. It feels wilder, and fewer public boats go there, so it suits walkers more than snorkellers.

Pulau Sulug

The furthest from the city and the least visited. It has no facilities to speak of, which is the appeal if you want space to swim.

Getting there and island hopping

Boats leave from Jesselton Point, the ferry terminal at the northern end of the Kota Kinabalu waterfront. The fast-boat crossing takes about 15 minutes. Several operators sell one, two or three-island tickets at counters in the terminal, and you pay the Sabah Parks entrance fee separately (RM25 for international adults and RM20 for under-18s at the time of writing, per day). Snorkel sets and life jackets can be hired at the jetty or on the islands.

Agree your return time before you leave, and keep your ticket: boats between islands and back to the city run on the operator’s schedule. The last boats come back mid to late afternoon, as the park closes at 5pm.

Best time to visit

The sea is generally calmest from around March to October, with clearer water and fewer cancellations. The wetter northeast monsoon from roughly November to February can bring choppy crossings, though trips still run on most days. Whatever the month, go on a weekday and catch a boat between 8am and 9am, before the crowds and the afternoon showers.

How it fits your trip

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a half day or a full day from Kota Kinabalu, and it works well as a recovery day after climbing Mount Kinabalu. If you are on the east coast later and want serious diving, save your energy for Sipadan. Both our Sabah itinerary and the 2 weeks in Malaysia route include a day on the islands. See our Sabah guide for more of the state, and the Sabah Parks website for current fees.