Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kota Kinabalu: Address, Phone Number, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park Reviews: 4/5
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
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4.0
808 reviews
Excellent
256
Very good
302
Average
165
Poor
59
Terrible
26
daydy_rich
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia17 contributions
Jul. 2020 • Couples
At Manukan, the seawater is clear, that means you get to see a lot of plastic waste and debri beneath and floating at the seaside. And these gets washed up on the beach.
Also need to watch out on vicious sand flies everywhere. My feet was bitten until swollen.
Also need to watch out on vicious sand flies everywhere. My feet was bitten until swollen.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AniaMaciejAla
Poznan, Poland96 contributions
Aug. 2019
Snorkeling was disappointing. Dead corals, garbage, not much marine life. The Marine Park is too easily accessible, so there are too many boats and too many tourists.
Written 1 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Z&M
Malaysia179 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Couples
What you need to know is that tunku abdulrahman marine park regroups 5 different islands, each one is few kms far from the other. When you buy your ferry ticket at the ferry station, you can be in the same boat with tourits going to different islands.
We went just to Sapi and Manulan island (you can check our review for both). If you ha e time you can do one island each day or combine them however you wish.
We went just to Sapi and Manulan island (you can check our review for both). If you ha e time you can do one island each day or combine them however you wish.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda and Brian G
Winnipeg4 contributions
Jan. 2020
We went to Islands, MAMUTIK & SAPI. Coral was dead. There was so much garbage on the beach, dirty diapers and plastic everywhere. Even floating in the water. Water was murky and we were unsure how clean it was.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kristy
6 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Friends
I had a great time!!! I saw a blue spotted sting ray and clown fish, and many others! It was a great day! I wanted to see all five islands but it wouldn’t have been enough time. We had a wonderful time.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
HappyHammer69
Port Macquarie, Australia532 contributions
Jan. 2020
Firstly I'll say that our family all have 20+ dives all over the world over the past 20 years, some of us 40+ dives so we are not beginners but not the most experienced either. We are usually competent able divers but the visibility here was so bad we didn't feel safe diving with our teenagers so we cancelled our second dive. The visibility was maybe 1.5 metres at 5m deep and maybe 2.5m at 16m deep so the dive master could only see the person directly behind him when he turned around.
The island we dived from was very crowded with tourists snorkelling and doing their first dives from the beach. My advice would be to save your money and if you want to dive in Malaysia go to Sipadan Mabul on the other side of Borneo.
The island we dived from was very crowded with tourists snorkelling and doing their first dives from the beach. My advice would be to save your money and if you want to dive in Malaysia go to Sipadan Mabul on the other side of Borneo.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jane M
1 contribution
Dec. 2019
I recently visited Manukan Island as the second island of a 2 island trip. I ended up leaving the island pretty upset having seen kids throwing stones at a magnificent monitors lizard at the waters edge and then 'adults' pulling at the poor creatures tail after I had reported it to several people including life guards and guys in park uniforms patrolling near the cafe. One chap who was patrolling under the trees said it was not his job to do anything about it. So who's job is it? Is there no proper park rangers responsible for the safety of the animals in a so called "nature resort"
The 2 stars are solely for the beauty of the place.
The 2 stars are solely for the beauty of the place.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
chrissie_M2000
California78 contributions
Aug. 2019 • Friends
After many years I have returned to visit one of my favorite spots in Sabah , and it was a big let down .
The logistics of transportation have greatly improved and the islands of Sapi , Manukan, Mamutik and Gaya are easily accessible with well organized boat transfers at affordable costs ( rm 20/25 return) plus marine park conservation fee.
The conservation is the big issue here . Leaving Kota Kinabalu going towards Sapi and Manukan the boat had to navigate trash all over the sea , and upon reaching the island of Sapi , there was more trash on the island and on the beach . The number of people visiting and bathing on the tiny island , in my opinion was disproportionate and out of control For such a small island ( 450 pax having bbq on the beach ) . Great organization , excellent quality of bbq food but loud , noisy and overcrowded .
The trash issue is by far more complex than a traveler might think as the continuos growth of illigal dwellings on stilts in the waters surrounding Gaya island is not just an eye sore , but a state continuous fight against illegal immigration and settling , a fight they seem to be loosing .
To sum it up - I do not reccomend visiting the islands if you are looking for peace and quite . Try further north , sepangar island , Mantanani , Mangalum island or explore the coast towards Kudat for Prestine beaches - but take into account that only TARP has close by very rich reefs for snorkeling surrounded by fish , other location are beautiful but corals are further out and scattered .
The logistics of transportation have greatly improved and the islands of Sapi , Manukan, Mamutik and Gaya are easily accessible with well organized boat transfers at affordable costs ( rm 20/25 return) plus marine park conservation fee.
The conservation is the big issue here . Leaving Kota Kinabalu going towards Sapi and Manukan the boat had to navigate trash all over the sea , and upon reaching the island of Sapi , there was more trash on the island and on the beach . The number of people visiting and bathing on the tiny island , in my opinion was disproportionate and out of control For such a small island ( 450 pax having bbq on the beach ) . Great organization , excellent quality of bbq food but loud , noisy and overcrowded .
The trash issue is by far more complex than a traveler might think as the continuos growth of illigal dwellings on stilts in the waters surrounding Gaya island is not just an eye sore , but a state continuous fight against illegal immigration and settling , a fight they seem to be loosing .
To sum it up - I do not reccomend visiting the islands if you are looking for peace and quite . Try further north , sepangar island , Mantanani , Mangalum island or explore the coast towards Kudat for Prestine beaches - but take into account that only TARP has close by very rich reefs for snorkeling surrounded by fish , other location are beautiful but corals are further out and scattered .
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mentacles
Melbourne, Australia51 contributions
Sep. 2018
We did the 3 island tour after looking at the Sunday markets. My husband I did the Coral Flyer and he and our son did parasailing. We had a great day out.
When we arrived at the first island which is only a short ride from KK there was a sense of 'wow, look at the water' which quickly disappeared when we saw how everyone is penned into small areas to swim and snorkel. There were some small fish swimming and biting in these areas but overall the visibility was poor and this continued at each island despite it being less crowded in the water. The water temperature was HOT when we went so we really felt like we cooked all day despite staying in the shade. We are spoilt in Australia to have clean and uncrowded beaches so this compared poorly. However our photos look great!
When we arrived at the first island which is only a short ride from KK there was a sense of 'wow, look at the water' which quickly disappeared when we saw how everyone is penned into small areas to swim and snorkel. There were some small fish swimming and biting in these areas but overall the visibility was poor and this continued at each island despite it being less crowded in the water. The water temperature was HOT when we went so we really felt like we cooked all day despite staying in the shade. We are spoilt in Australia to have clean and uncrowded beaches so this compared poorly. However our photos look great!
Written 29 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Aiwyne
Sheffield, UK24 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Family
We went to TAR marine park by private charter of a boat with borneoboatsandbeaches. I have read many reviews of the islands and many say the corals are gone and beaches are dirty. This is true of the crowded areas we saw and we are so glad we took the option we did. The snorkelling was wonderful and there are still clean beaches. BUT it’s up to us, the marine park authority and responsible tourism to sustain this.
Written 23 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
라즈 리
6 contributions
hey guys, anybody know the cheapest helicopter ride to see the islands, and maybe the city...not the 1 hour ride but enough to see around and take awesome videos..i heard sabah air is the one that can do that....but how much is it? just to experience a heli ride~?
Jennifer Woods
97 contributions
To my knowledge there is the one hour tour only. You can check out “Shajasa” travel and tours online; for their helicopter tour package.
Priced at MYR1,390 per person this tour is based on 4 people minimum (according to their website):
The package includes:
60 Minutes Helicopter Tour
Experienced Pilot
Air Conditioned Vehicle
English Speaking Driver
Pick Up/Drop Off at Hotel
Hope this helps. Have a great time in KK.
라즈 리
6 contributions
How do i arrange the trip to see dolphins?
Brenda Robles
Makati, Philippines43 contributions
You can check with Amazing Borneo Tours. They are very accommodating. You can check their website or you can search for Amazing Borneo right here in TripAdvisor
They offer a lot of tour packages and their people are really very helpful.
Adil Ibrahim
Singapore, Singapore12 contributions
Hi Zeeramax, did i correctly understood that the ground tour cost only 10rm for us to be brought to other places to snorkel?
Thanks in advance for the answer
Luis R
Greenwich, CT246 contributions
Hi - I was wondering if Kota Kinabalu is worth the trip. I am thinking of going in September but I do not see any attraction rated 5 stars and see a lot about rubbish. Thanks. Luis.
MichalisStefi
13 contributions
Hi Luis, we were there few days ago and what we have to say to you is don't bother! If you want to climb Mt Kinabalu, then probably you could spend a night in KK. Otherwise, consider Semporna. And then tell us how it was, because we didn't go.
UNtrotter
New Delhi, India27 contributions
If I have the option should I dive in TAR or Sipadan? If Sipadan is the best is there any other option than TAR? I see it is turning in to a very touristy and polluted place (plastic bottles,etc...)
Nursyuhada M
12 contributions
Better go to Sipadan if you want to dive. TAR is more to "picnic time with family/ friends" kind of island. Other than that, you can also go to "Pulau Tiga"/ Mabul/ Kapalai/ Langkayan islands.
lfthorn
Seattle, WA165 contributions
Wondering which island to visit while in KK. We're staying at the Rasa Ria, so out of town a ways. Interested in a day tour, snorkeling. I'm a diver, but my traveling companion is not. So snorkeling is fine. We need to rent snorkel gear. One review said to book through beach bums. Any other suggestions? Sounds like we need to get in to town and the harbor early? Thanks.
Beyn AnViL
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia43 contributions
Hi there! Looks like you are staying quite a distant from the closest islands of Kota Kinabalu. However, you can maybe arrange tours to visit the Two Island Hopping (choices: Manukan/Mamutik/Sapi Island) which takes you 40 minutes to reach to the jetty or Mantanani Island which takes you 50 minutes to reach to the jetty. Personally, i'd choose Mantanani as it offers both boat dives and boat snorkels for their visitors and the place is BEAUTIFUL! All local operators arrange tours to those islands and you can prebook via email or telephone call. Local agents you can book are Masenang Tours, Exotic Asian Explorers, Kinabalu Heritage, ect. Have a wonderful trip!
Weekleys
Malaysia
We are a family of 5 travelling to KK 19 - 24 February, how can we buy tickets for a tour to visit with our three children? Thanks.
oldcobbler71
Greymouth, New Zealand78 contributions
Hi. There a lot of touts about on the waterfront offering trips out to the Islands. Beware.
If you walk north along the waterfront you will pass by the Customs Officers building heading to Jesselton Wharf.
As you arrive at the wharf you will see a single story building in front of you.
Enter the building and you will be able to purchase tickets for what ever Island you want to visit.
They will let you know what time the "zip" boats leave for your island.
You will also be advised what time you can be picked up. Assuming you are not staying overnight.
The fares are a heck of a lot cheaper and are clearly advertised.
The Trip to Manakan Island is about 10minutes duration.
You will generally return to Kinabalu with a different driver. But you have already paid the return fare. At the office
Enjoy the visit.
Longleat
Buffalo, NY741 contributions
Hi ! Can you rent snorkel masks to use on the islands?
Longleat
you can buy a new quality affordable snorkeling set at SunnyReef divers shop, Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.
