Kota Kinabalu Island Hopping Guide: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (2026)

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park comprises five islands just off Kota Kinabalu's coast — Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug — making this one of the few major Southeast Asian cities with protected marine park islands reachable by a short jetty ride (15-20 minutes from the city centre's ferry terminal) rather than a half-day boat transfer.

Manukan is the most developed and most visited, with the best range of facilities (restaurants, chalets, changing rooms) and a long, popular beach. Sapi is generally considered to have the best snorkelling of the easily accessible islands, with clearer water and a more intact reef close to shore. Gaya, the largest, has limited beach access for day visitors compared to the others but offers short jungle trekking trails. Mamutik and Sulug are smaller and quieter, often included on multi-island hopping packages rather than visited standalone.

A marine park entrance fee applies on top of boat transfer costs, usually collected at the jetty or included in a packaged tour price — confirm what's included before booking independently.

Most visitors combine 2-3 islands in a single day via a hopping package rather than picking just one, since the short distances between them make it easy. If you only have time for one, Sapi for snorkelling or Manukan for an easier, more comfortable beach day are the two default recommendations.

Go on a weekday if possible — weekends bring noticeably more local day-trippers from Kota Kinabalu itself, since the islands are as popular with residents as with tourists.