5 Enchanting Spots on Kota Kinabalu Island

① Islands near the city center: Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is a resort destination in Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo.
The island of Kota Kinabalu is considered a must-visit place.
You can snorkel in the emerald sea in front of you and explore the vast underwater.
You don’t have to take a boat and go far, you can enjoy the island near the city.

Among the many islands in Kota Kinabalu, “Gaya Island” has the largest square footage.
About 10 minutes away from the city, it’s an island that’s very close and also has a resort to stay at.

Located in the pristine nature where the clear sea and forest blend, Gaya Island has a variety of activities from water sports to forest trekking. It’s a great place to visit with kids as the waves are not high.
You can enjoy spending a relaxing time swimming in the clear waters of Gaya Island.

Like Gaya Island, “Sapi Island” is also a place close to the city center. About 15 minutes by speedboat, It’s an accessible island to visit and enjoy without too much trouble.

It is one of the five islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Sapi Island is a great place to visit with children as the water is shallow and safe for swimming.
You can spend time enjoying various marine activities.

Being an island close to the city, Sapi Island is a place where there are many tourists.
Although the snorkeling point in front of the beach is wide, it’s hard to enjoy due to the large crowd of people.

② Travel destinations with fantastic scenery

“Dinawan Island” is privately owned. About 10 to 15 minutes away from the pier, it’s a small island located close to the mainland.

It’s a popular place where you can see clean waters without having to ride a boat for a long time.
Because Dinawan Island is a private island, it’s a lesser-known destination, but you can enjoy the island at a leisurely pace. It’s great to spend time snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boating.

The waters of Dinawan Island are more beautiful than any other place, so any picture you take will turn out great.

“Mantanani Island” is made up of two major islands and is about 40 to 50 minutes away from the pier.
The islands are divided into a beach where you can play in the water and a small island that’s good for snorkeling. It captivates the eyes of travelers as it’s surrounded by emerald waters.

You can snorkel from the beach and dive into the emerald sea, making it a great place to swim all day.
Mantanani Island was also called “Mermaid Island” due to the myths of mermaids, which turned out to be a popular habitat for the now-endangered dugongs.

Mantanani Island is also private property, so you can only travel through a tour company.
Because the island is far away, it’s recommended to take motion sickness medication in advance.
Compared to islands close to the city, you can enjoy much clearer waters.

③ Travel destination rumored to be the second Maldives

Considered one of the most beautiful islands in Kota Kinabalu, “Mengalum Island” is a secluded island that requires about an hour of travel by speedboat.
Also considered the “Maldives of Kota Kinabalu,” Mengalum Island is a place where you can enjoy the truly outstanding natural landscape away from the city.

Mengalum Island is a place with pristine nature, home to various coral reefs and tropical fish.
You can experience clear waters where you can see the bottom of the ocean floor. The combination of the white sandy beach and the emerald sea makes to feel like you’re in a dream.
There are several photo spots on the beach.
Take a memorable photo by climbing on the swing set up on the beach.

You can see various marine life by snorkeling in Mengalum.
You can snorkel in the clear waters where Nemo and turtles pass by.
Mengalum is a place with an excellent natural environment, but due to its distance, it takes 2 hours for a round-trip journey.
If you’re a traveler prone to seasickness, it’s recommended to take motion sickness medication in advance.