Diving and Snorkeling

Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park consists of several islands just off KK.

Islands: Sapi, Gaya, Manukan, Mamutik, Sulug 

There is accommodation at Mamutik, Manukan and Gaya. Gaya is the largest, followed by Manukan, which has a large resort too. Mamutik has also accommodation on a board basis. 

Corals: some interesting, many are almost destroyed and slowly recovering.
It is very easy to make a day or even a half day trip there from KK.  
   
Pulau Tiga Park

It consists of three islands of the West coast of Sabah. 
Attractions: catfish, scorpion fish.
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Sipadan Island 

Sipadan island is a very small island about 30 km off Semporna. It is known as one of the best diving sites in Malaysia. Prices are however somewhat higher than at many other excellent dive sites in SE Asia. It is not connected to the continental shelf.
Attractions: turtle, barracuda.

Layang Layang Atoll

It is around 300 km off Sabah mainland in the South China Sea. The island can be reached by plane from KK.
Attractions: hammerhead sharks, parrot fish.

Labuan

About 8 km off Sabah. 
Attractions: wreck diving.


Beaches

Around Kota Kinabalu:

Tanjung Aru Beach

This beach is very easy to reach from KK. Tanjung Aru is home to Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort, a very well known honey moon resort. 


Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

This is one of the oldest national parks in Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park consists of several beautiful islands with spectacular diving sites just off KK.


Tuaran area
(approximately 30 km North of KK).

Nice beach with some excellent accommodation. The excellent Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is located there. They run a regular shuttle bus to KK.

Papar area
(approximately 35 km South of KK).
 
There are some very good beaches just North of Papar with good accommodation.
Pulau Tiga Park
It consists of three islands of the West coast of Sabah. 

Near Kudat: 
(approximately 160 km North of KK).

North of town there are some nice beaches.
Location of beaches at: Bak Bak, Bangau, Indarsan.

Turtles
 
Turtle Islands Park

This park lies 40 km off Sabah's East coast. The nearest town is Sandakan. 

It consists of the following islands: 

1. Pulau Bakkungan Kecil
 
This is the largest island.
Attractions: Green turtles.
  
2. Pulau Selingan

The second largest island of the park provides also accommodation and a restaurant.
Attractions: Green turtles.

3. Pulau Gulisan
Attraction: Hawksbill turtles and green turtles.

Best time to visit: between July and October.

Getting there: by boat from Sandakan, the boat ride may take in between one hour and three hours.