[Semporna, Malaysia 2022] Island Hopping Trip to Bohey Dulang, Pulau Mantabuan & Pulau Sibuan
By Elin Chow - Saturday, July 08, 2023
Photo By: Elin Chow
Island hopping is definitely one of the top things to do when visiting Semporna. Located in the Sulu Sea, just off the coast of Semporna, the Tun Sakaran Marine Park is 350 square kilometers in size, and comprises eight islands. The marine park is home to a diverse array of marine life, vibrant coral reefs and exceptional flora and fauna.
We booked our island hopping tour package with Yun Sheng Travel Semporna online prior to our Semporna trip.
The package, which costs RM 207 per pax, includes:
- A hike up Bohey Dulang
- Lunch and snorkeling at Mantabuan island
- Snorkeling at Sibuan island
- Tour guide
- Snorkeling equipment
- Water
There are many tour operators in Semporna that offers island hopping day trips to the nearby surrounding islands. Therefore, it is important to do your research and select one that alights with your preferences and budget. Check out my 3D2N stay at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort as well!
Most of the boat departures for the nearby islands take place at Semporna public jetty. Our boat departed early in the morning at 8 am from Semporna public jetty.
The first stop of the island hopping tour was Bohey Dulang. A popular destination for trekkers and birdwatchers , Bohey Dulang is the second largest island among the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, also known as Semporna Islands Park. Formed by the remnants of an ancient volcano, the mountainous island is known for its majestic lagoon and beautiful jungle trail. In fact, Bohey Dulang is the only island in Tun Sakaran Marine Park with a hiking trail.
The island is located 30 minutes boat ride away from Semporna mainland. While the island is largely uninhabited, it is home to a small community of Bajau laut, or sea gypsies.
THINGS TO NOTE
- Proper walking shoes are required for the hike. Flip flops, sandals and crocs are not allowed.
- Remember to bring a bottle of water with you to avoid getting dehydrated.
The hike is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, etc. Please note that hiking activities may be cancelled in the event of adverse weather due to safety concerns. Children under the age of six are also not permitted to participate in the hike.
ABOUT THE HIKE
The Bohey Dulang hiking trail has two routes - one for climbing up and another for going down. It is 700 meters heading up and 600 meters heading down. The difficulty of the hike is highly dependent on your stamina .The trail is pretty steep and slippery (and muddy after rain), but there are ropes, handrails, steps made of wooden planks to make your climb easier. However, most of the trail will be soil and rocky paths.
The hike to the peak will take you through a tropical forest where you will see a variety of flora and fauna.
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It took us 40 minutes to reach the summit. At the end of the arduous hike, a majestic views of sapphire blue lagoon awaited us at the top. The view was absolutely breathtaking!
I would highly recommend anyone to do the hike up Bohey Dulang if your physical fitness permits because the view at the top is totally worth it.
After leaving Bohey Dulang, we headed to Mantabuan island for a quick lunch stop. Similar to Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan island is also inhabited by a small community of sea gypsies.
For lunch, we were each given a pre-packed lunch box consisting of rice, curry chicken and vegetables. Food was cold but still tasted good because we were starving after a strenuous hike.
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Mantabuan island is the smallest island in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. It is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving activities as it has excellent visibility.
All snorkeling and diving equipment (only if you signed up for diving) are provided onboard. You can bring your own snorkeling gear if you want. While we were in the waters, our guide had used pieces of bread to attract fishes to our spot, which created a bit of feeding frenzy.
The last stop of the island hopping tour was Sibuan island. Sibuan island, which also known locally as Battleship island for its extinctive shape, is one of the most beautiful islands due to its unspoilt beauty. In fact, it is one of the most photographed islands in Sabah after Sipadan island.
The tear-shaped sand cay is fringed by white sandy beaches, beautiful coconut palms and crystal clear waters. There are no resorts or public facilities on the island.
With clear, calm waters and an abundance of marine life, Sibuan island is not only ideal for snorkeling and muck diving, but also for swimming and sunbathing.
We really enjoyed exploring the paradise-esque islands of Semporna with the crew from Yun Sheng Travel Semporna. The accompanying staff were very friendly and took good care of us. Plenty of water were also provided on the boat to prevent us from getting dehydrated.
The boat was very clean and well-maintained as well. The boatman was well-experienced and skilled at navigating through the waters. If you are lucky, you will get a quality photo shoot from one of the staff named Yusri like us. It was definitely an added bonus!
Island hopping in Semporna is truly an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed. Don't forget to apply plenty of sunscreen, your sunhat and sunglasses when you are visiting the islands. Also, make sure you bring your camera to capture the stunning views.
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