Manukan Island
Manukan Island
4
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4 within 5 kms
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- MtRainierDave90 contributionsThe best of these islandsYes it's the best of these islands. Great place to swim and spectacular snorkeling especially toward the end of the walkway. Fun large lizard encounters here too. We went with 3 boat companies and recommend beach bum Borneo as friendliest and most responsible.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 October 2023
- Adry AMiri, Malaysia5 contributionsIsland hopping and water sport package by Long Beach (Manukan & Mamutik island)Tried snorkelling & seawalking under operator named Long Beach. I recommend this operator as they are more organized, well priced, departs early, and I like their striking bright red life jackets. Got few packages, I took the one with 2 islands hopping (Manukan & Mamutik), snorkelling and sea walking (including go pro photos and videos rental). Can find other packages to (other water sport: Banana boat & Parasailing). Can find more booking info from internet (I use direct Whatsapp to book). Easy to deal with.Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 13 November 2023
- tonimcallenFremantle, Australia55 contributionsWorth a visitThis was the first of the islands around Kota Kinabalu we visited. The facilities on the island are basic but it is a pleasant place to spend time. The snorkelling was enjoyable in that there were plenty of fish to see, including small sting rays. However, the coral has been badly affected by tourism and pollution so that was disappointing.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 April 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
2,144 reviews
Excellent
621
Very good
813
Average
486
Poor
139
Terrible
85
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,870 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We decided on a last minute trip to Manukan Island and had a great half day. We snorkeled in the bay and were surprised by the variety of fish. The island offers a quick jungle trek, nice shaded areas and plenty of picnic tables. Most boats will charge 23 RM PP to get you there and they will charge 20 RM per adult for an island fee.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelCritic98
Atlanta, GA11 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Very friendly and helpful staff on the island. During this time of the year the wind is from NE so returning to KK is by 3pm, so go early if you want to make a day of it. No color to coral, few fish but clear water. Basic facilities for shower/changing clothes and food.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toru O
Setagaya, Japan3,247 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
I went on an island-hopping tour from Jesselton ferry terminal and this is one of the islands I stopped along the way. Unlike the other surrounding islands, this one is relately small with nothing much to do except going swimming. I recommend going early to visit multiple islands instead of just going to this one. You must pay a RM25 admission for every island, which kind of sucks.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adry A
Miri, Malaysia5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Tried snorkelling & seawalking under operator named Long Beach. I recommend this operator as they are more organized, well priced, departs early, and I like their striking bright red life jackets. Got few packages, I took the one with 2 islands hopping (Manukan & Mamutik), snorkelling and sea walking (including go pro photos and videos rental). Can find other packages to (other water sport: Banana boat & Parasailing). Can find more booking info from internet (I use direct Whatsapp to book). Easy to deal with.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Purple F
England, UK118 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Contrary to the other negative reviews we really enjoyed our day on this island. We found the area quite tidy and well presented.
Be warned that you will need to pay an additional conservation fee once you arrive at the island. This was RM10 for adults and RM6 for children. This is not included in the fee you pay the boats to get there.
There are free showers, changing facilities and toilets on the island.
We ate at one of the cafes on the island and enjoyed Nasi Goreng. (We had no stomach issues after eating it) Drinks such as cokes were expensive, around RM10 per can.
Snorkelling is good and we saw plenty of clown fish, angel fish, stingray and many others.
The island was large enough that we could easily find a spot away from other people.
All in all a lovely day out.
Be warned that you will need to pay an additional conservation fee once you arrive at the island. This was RM10 for adults and RM6 for children. This is not included in the fee you pay the boats to get there.
There are free showers, changing facilities and toilets on the island.
We ate at one of the cafes on the island and enjoyed Nasi Goreng. (We had no stomach issues after eating it) Drinks such as cokes were expensive, around RM10 per can.
Snorkelling is good and we saw plenty of clown fish, angel fish, stingray and many others.
The island was large enough that we could easily find a spot away from other people.
All in all a lovely day out.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron B
Sydney, Australia43 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The location & setting is really nice. Family friendly & there is enough area so that it isn’t overcrowded.
We were not advised about the snorkeling area were pending the tide. We waited four approx four hours however the main snorkeling area was opened up for snorkeling which I understand as to why however I feel they should schedule it a bit better so that it’s not wasted.
The most disappointing element to this was the amount of rubbish that was in the water. This may or may not be the Islands management fault however it was not nice seeing it like this. My family & I took numerous trips from the water to the bin in trying to do our bit for the environment.
We were not advised about the snorkeling area were pending the tide. We waited four approx four hours however the main snorkeling area was opened up for snorkeling which I understand as to why however I feel they should schedule it a bit better so that it’s not wasted.
The most disappointing element to this was the amount of rubbish that was in the water. This may or may not be the Islands management fault however it was not nice seeing it like this. My family & I took numerous trips from the water to the bin in trying to do our bit for the environment.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sani Z
10 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Quick trip to Island in the afternoon.
1. Beware of Pushers at Jesselton Pier pushing for charter boats costing RM300/island for four instead of shared boats costing 35/adult per island(inclusive of return trip). Just head straight to counters.
2. Beach is littered with rubbish. Its a pity. Sabah tourism really needs to do something about this. What are they doing with all the conservation charges they are collecting on entrance to the islands!!? Rough under the water near the beach (dead corals remains/small rocks) so its a bit hard on your feed, bring swim shoes if you want to swim. Water is murky near the beach have to swim a bit far out to the clearer water but right now its been roped off. Advisable to bring sand flies spray as well.
All in all an underwhelming experience. Put your expectation low, treat it as a day out to the beach from KK then its ok. Otherwise its a let down.
Tip: buy food and water from the pier first if you want, food and water is available on the island but they are expensive.
1. Beware of Pushers at Jesselton Pier pushing for charter boats costing RM300/island for four instead of shared boats costing 35/adult per island(inclusive of return trip). Just head straight to counters.
2. Beach is littered with rubbish. Its a pity. Sabah tourism really needs to do something about this. What are they doing with all the conservation charges they are collecting on entrance to the islands!!? Rough under the water near the beach (dead corals remains/small rocks) so its a bit hard on your feed, bring swim shoes if you want to swim. Water is murky near the beach have to swim a bit far out to the clearer water but right now its been roped off. Advisable to bring sand flies spray as well.
All in all an underwhelming experience. Put your expectation low, treat it as a day out to the beach from KK then its ok. Otherwise its a let down.
Tip: buy food and water from the pier first if you want, food and water is available on the island but they are expensive.
Written 14 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Red B
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Manukan is a beautiful island just 15 minutes away with a boat ride from KK. The process of getting the speed boat was awful because it was operated by different tour groups so they wanted to profit. Back to KK was also a mess. People flocking at the pier waiting for the boats. You can't just hop onto any boat at the time you wish, you need to wait for your tour operator. Also the island itself was full of garbage. Even the water to the islands was full of rubbish. I could not enjoy and I would not recommend this trip to anyone. It's the same with Mamutik.
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MichelleChanHL
Singapore, Singapore1,507 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Relaxing trip to Manukan Island from STAR marina jetty. There are lots to do on the island from paragliding to banana boat or just snorkel and chill at the beach. Life jacket and snorkel equipment can be rented on the island but bring your own towel. We rented a picnic mat too. Toilet with shower facilities available. There are some restaurants on the island and a small souvenir shop. Entrance fee is collected on the island.
The fishes swam around the shore and plenty of sea urchin out there. The guide told us there might be sandflies but we were fortunate not to encounter any.
Worth our 3hrs of visit there.
The fishes swam around the shore and plenty of sea urchin out there. The guide told us there might be sandflies but we were fortunate not to encounter any.
Worth our 3hrs of visit there.
Written 4 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Z&M
Türkiye193 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Some of the things that we've learned while traveling is that we should give some olaces a chance even when we hear or read negatoe things about it. That was the case for Manuka. Island. Many comments were saying that it is not worth going and that you have more chanes to see rubbish than fish. Well it was not the case when we went there. We went with very less expectations especially that the first kms from the harbour we saw a lot of rubbish. But whenwe arrived to the island, we found no waste in the water. Snorkeling was very good too. We saw many schools of fish, nemos, a turtle and many more. The coral was dead in some parts but we've seen worst.
The facilities were not bad neither, i didn't use the toilets so i cannot say how good/bad they are but there are showers outside to clean up from the sand and salty water. There are also many tables where you can eat confortably and in the shade.
We went there twice during our stay in Kota Kinabalu.
The facilities were not bad neither, i didn't use the toilets so i cannot say how good/bad they are but there are showers outside to clean up from the sand and salty water. There are also many tables where you can eat confortably and in the shade.
We went there twice during our stay in Kota Kinabalu.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long should we stsy in the Manukan island? Is 2 hrs enough?
Written 12 March 2023
Depends on what you want to do. If you only want to bathe and relax, 2 hours should be enough. There's also a trail in the island that will take you to the top of the mountain with a nice view. If you want to go trekking and also bathe in the water, I would add another hour. But the last ferry leaves at 4PM so I would advise to go early.
Written 13 March 2023
What's the price of water sports roughly sold on the island? I'm interested in sea walking and parasailing.
Written 4 February 2023
If we are staying in sutera sanctuary resort how can we have the water sports activity? Are there operators for the water sport on the island itself?
Written 4 January 2023
Is the boat being charged by pax or trip...how to book if I wanna stay-in
Written 28 March 2021
The resorts in the island cost a lot.. All budget hotels are in the mainland
Written 17 July 2020
Hi, any idea Island Manukan provide locker room?
Written 20 June 2020
No there are showers but no lockers. We went with our hotel who had someone look after our things on the beach but there are no lockers.
Written 20 June 2020
i am from BANGLADESH .currently studying china .i have valid chinese visa . i want to can i take 4 days On arrival transit visa In kina kotbali ?
Written 1 December 2019
Kota Kinabalu is in Malaysia. You will need to check the visa requirements for Malaysia with their government. The island of Manukan does not have any further visa requirements. Hope this helps you.
Have fun.
Written 1 December 2019
Planning to bring my 2 yr old and 6 yrs old for island hopping.
Do they have children life jacket for this age ?
Written 28 March 2019
Yes, they do. Just be sure to ask when you buy your tickets.
Written 30 March 2019
I have 2 young children, 3yo and 1yo. Will there be lifejackets for their size? And will we be charged for my infant and my child?
If i take grab, do I indicate 'Jesselton Point' as my destination?
Is the food at the islands halal?
Thank you.
Written 11 March 2019
They may not have lifejackets for children as you as one. There was a family on our boat and the 2 girls around 6 and 4 had life jackets but the youngest child who was around one year old did not
Written 30 March 2019
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