Island Hopping Kota Kinabalu
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park comprises a group of five islands, are Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Gaya Island, Mamutik Island and Sulug Island. These island situated in Sabah, Borneo the third largest island in the world.
Gaya island origins name come from the Bajau word. Gaya island is the largest island in the park, closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu formerly know Jesselton and is abundant with dense untouched tropical forest.
Recent development in Gaya island, five stars resort name Gaya island Resort a high-end resort amazingly surrounded by white sandy beach, coral reefs and abundant tropical rainforest. This classy resort comes with spa village, yoga session classes, babysitting services, library, meeting/concierge service and it main highlight is the outdoor pool. The villas equipped with air conditioned with a private veranda, a flat screen monitor TV, private minibar and of course en suite bathroom an oversized bathtub to pamper yourself. Good news for non smoker, this 5 stars resort is a non smoking resort.
It only takes 15 minute speedboat ride from downtown Kota Kinabalu, boat transfer depart only from Sutera Harbour Marina because of it privately owned and exclusively for high-end customer.
Manukan island is the second largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, the most popular for local resident especially during the school and public holidays. This island always crowded not only locals but tourist as well. The beaches offer white sandy sand and healthy coral reefs which is a heaven for snorkelers and scuba divers. Restaurant and dive shops cater for tourist snorkelling or diving activities and delicious local foods
Mamutik Island the smallest island of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park but offers fantastic beaches and rich with coral reefs. The island itself have facilities such as rest house, changing rooms, toilets, picnic designated area.
Sapi Island also known by the local as Cow Island in Malaysia national language Malay. Located south western tip of the island, equipped with facilities such as restaurant, scuba diving operators, sea sport rental for those visitor keen to rent these activities. Most of the shops and dive operators accept major credit cards like visa, master card and JCB. The island colonized by long tail macaque and if lucky you probably spot few monitor lizards. Facilities such as changing rooms, toilets, and picnic also available.
Sulug Island is the furthest away island compare to Manukan, Sapi, Gaya and Mamutik Islands. You will surprise this island considered not as famous compared it neighbour islands has a hidden treasure with good reef patches and macro marine life, a perfect dive site for scuba divers and not crowded with tourist.
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