Semporna: Bohey 3 Islands Hike, Snorkel/Dive Tour with Lunch

The best views require a little effort. This Semporna day trip combines a 600-meter hike up Bohey Dulang with swimming and snorkelling around Mantabuan and Sibuan islands, giving you both a mountain lookout and a full day on the water. I like the strong mix of scenery and sea time, and I like that the crew supports nervous swimmers with life jackets and safety rings. The main catch is that the day can feel tightly timed, especially if you want longer in the water or if the hike group is slow to get moving.

You pay about $58 per person for roughly seven hours, including boat transport, lunch, snorkelling equipment, an instructor for the introductory scuba option, bottled water, and dock taxes. You should also budget for the Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee and, if the hike goes ahead, separate Bohey permit, climbing, and insurance charges.

Quick take: five things worth knowing

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to one of the trip’s finest views, with a green volcanic summit, island-dotted seas, and the turquoise lagoon below.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan provide two very different water stops, with coral, tropical fish, beaches, and underwater formations.
• The boat ride takes time, about 80 minutes out and one hour back, so this is a full marine excursion rather than a quick island hop.
• The schedule can change, based on tides, weather, sea conditions, lunch timing, and government rules at Bohey Dulang.
• Extra fees matter, especially the RM30 marine park charge, RM50 Bohey permit and climbing fee, RM7 Bohey insurance, and the additional scuba fee when applicable.

From Semporna Jetty to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Your morning begins at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You need to arrive there yourself, complete registration, and provide your full name and nationality for the boat arrangements. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow extra time to reach the jetty.

The outward speedboat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is not a minor transfer. It is a substantial part of the day, but it also gives you time to watch Semporna’s coastal scenery change into open water and scattered islands.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone, passport or an accepted copy, cash for local fees, and a change of clothes. Motion sickness prevention is sensible, since the trip includes several boat rides and sea conditions can affect both comfort and timing.

The boat carries basic snorkelling equipment, life jackets, and 1.5 liters of water per person. You should still bring more water if you know you drink heavily in the heat. The operator advises bringing hiking shoes, and I would take that seriously. Sandals may be fine on the boat, but the Bohey Dulang trail is a different matter.

Bohey Dulang: a short trail with a big payoff

Bohey Dulang is the visual centerpiece of the day. The island formed from volcanic activity, and the trail climbs about 600 meters to a viewpoint above the lagoon and surrounding islands.

The climb is short by hiking standards, but it is not effortless. One visitor described the climb as tiring but well worth it, which is probably the fairest way to frame it. You should expect an uphill walk rather than a gentle stroll, and proper shoes will make the experience easier.

The reward is a wide view over young green hills, pale islands, and clear blue-green water. The lagoon below gives the scene its distinctive shape, and the lookout offers something you cannot get from the boat. I would schedule this trip partly for that viewpoint alone.

The stop lasts about 75 minutes, including the safety briefing, guided walk, sightseeing, and time for photographs. That gives you enough time for the trail under normal conditions, but not necessarily enough for a leisurely pace, long photo sessions, and extended rest breaks.

The hike is not guaranteed. Government park rules, weather, road conditions, and official approval can cancel it for everyone. This is important: the operator cannot simply add a last-minute hike for someone who booked the no-hike option, because permits must be issued in the hiker’s name.

If Bohey Dulang closes the trail, the trip continues with the water activities. You do not pay the hiking permit, park entry, or insurance charges when the hike is canceled under the park rules. The scuba charge still applies if you take part in the introductory scuba sessions.

Anyone who skips the hike must wait at the jetty while the hiking group finishes. That could be an awkward use of time, so book the hiking option only if you are prepared to walk and accept that weather or government rules may still change the plan.

Mantabuan: coral, fish, and the first water stop

After Bohey Dulang, the boat takes about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The planned stop lasts approximately 35 minutes and includes time for swimming, snorkelling, marine-life viewing, and a safety briefing.

Mantabuan has an unusual connection to sea-based communities. It was formerly home to a small population of sea gypsies who spent most of their lives on the water. Today, the remains of crumbled brick structures offer a brief reminder of that past.

The main attraction here is underwater. You can expect coral and schools of tropical fish, with the crew choosing a suitable spot based on conditions. The guides provide instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay, and life jackets are available if you are not confident in open water.

The water stop is also used for the introductory scuba option. No scuba certificate is required for the two 20-minute sessions, which are conducted with an instructor. Equipment includes fins, a buoyancy control device, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and cylinder.

I would set your expectations carefully. The two underwater sessions are 20 minutes each, not including the safety briefing or the full time spent at each stop. That is enough for a first taste, but experienced snorkellers may want more time. One strong point of the crew is its attention to beginners, with support in the water and safety rings available when needed.

The marine park scuba charge is separate from the tour price. It is listed as RM150 for each foreign visitor or RM100 for each Malaysian visitor, and it applies only to the scuba option, not to snorkelling.

Lunch in the shade, with time to slow down

The schedule allows about 1.5 hours for lunch and free time at a secluded island location. The exact island used for lunch may change, since the crew adjusts the order according to tides, sea conditions, and the most practical lunch timing.

A lunch box is included, along with water. The meal is described as a local meal or deli-style lunch served under a canopy. It is useful rather than luxurious, and you should bring extra snacks if you are selective about food. One visitor found the lunch only average and suggested carrying backup snacks.

This longer break gives the day some breathing room after the hike and first water stop. You can walk, swim, rest in the shade, or simply dry off before the final island visit.

Do not expect a private island experience in the strict sense. The location is secluded in feel, but the order of stops and choice of bay depend on the day’s conditions. The flexibility is practical, though it means your exact schedule may not match the printed order.

Sibuan: the final island and another chance to swim

A 15-minute boat ride brings you toward Sibuan Island. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkelling, free time, and marine-life viewing.

Sibuan is presented as a more remote stop, and the captain chooses the best bay based on weather and sea conditions. You might snorkel beside a blue-sand beach, see a stone arch along the coast, or encounter an underwater formation surrounded by colourful fish.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal. You are not promised one fixed underwater scene, because the crew may move to a better location on the day. At the same time, you should understand that a weather-based choice can mean the exact photo stop or water feature changes.

The final stop is fairly short. Forty minutes can work well for a quick swim and snorkel, but it may feel brief if you are already enjoying the water. Experienced snorkellers should not expect long, uninterrupted sessions. The trip is designed to give a mixed group a taste of several sites rather than let one person stay in one bay all afternoon.

Boat time, timing, and the real pace of the day

The listed schedule adds up to a busy seven hours. You spend about 80 minutes reaching the marine park and another hour returning to Semporna, with shorter boat rides between islands.

That makes the tour attractive if you want to see several places in one day, but less suitable if you dislike long boat transfers. The boat rides are the price of reaching islands that are not accessible by ordinary road transport.

The crew may leave promptly and try to reach the islands before the busiest period. A well-paced departure can make the stops feel more peaceful, and one visitor particularly appreciated reaching the islands early enough to enjoy them with fewer people around.

Still, group timing affects everyone. Waiting for people to change clothes, prepare equipment, or finish personal routines can reduce time at the water stops. You should keep your own transitions quick. Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack your gear where you can reach it, and avoid treating each stop like a full beach afternoon.

The order can change. Bohey Dulang may come first, but the crew can rearrange Mantabuan, lunch, and Sibuan to suit tides, weather, and sea conditions. The itinerary may also start or end later than expected if conditions change.

What the crew does well

The strongest part of this experience is the crew’s practical support. Several visitors found the guides friendly and helpful, and the staff can give instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay.

That language range helps with equipment, safety, and basic coordination, though communication may still be limited with individual crew members. One visitor enjoyed the day but found that some staff spoke only a few words of English. You should not expect every guide to hold a detailed conversation in English.

For first-time snorkellers and introductory scuba participants, the safety support is especially useful. Guides can assist in the water, provide life jackets and safety rings, and help people who are nervous about swimming.

The crew also adjusts the route to conditions rather than forcing a fixed plan. That is good seamanship, even if it means you cannot predict every stop in advance.

Is $58 good value?

At about $58, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour day that includes boat transport, two island water stops, lunch, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, water, dock taxes, and the Bohey Dulang hike when selected and approved.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. In one outing, you get a mountain viewpoint, a volcanic island setting, two sea locations, lunch, and the option of introductory scuba.

The headline price does not cover every charge. You should add:

• RM30 per person for the Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee
• RM50 per person for the Bohey permit and climbing fee, when the hike is available
• RM7 per person for Bohey insurance, when the hike is available
• RM150 for each foreign scuba participant, or RM100 for each Malaysian scuba participant

Snorkellers do not pay the scuba fee. If the hike is canceled by park authorities, the hiking permit, park entry, and insurance fees are not needed.

For a solo visitor, the tour is convenient because transport, equipment, guiding, and meals are handled in one package. For families, the support in the water can be reassuring, and children aged 7, 10, and 12 have been included successfully according to the supplied experience details. Even so, you should judge your own family’s comfort with a 600-meter uphill walk and several boat rides.

People with respiratory issues should not take this tour. You should also think carefully about the hike if you have difficulty with uphill walking.

What to pack for a smoother day

You will be happier with a small, practical kit rather than a heavy beach bag.

• Hiking shoes with a secure grip
• Swimsuit and a complete change of clothes
• Waterproof bag for your phone and documents
• Cash for the additional fees
• Passport or accepted copy
• Motion sickness prevention
• Extra snacks
• Wetsuit if you prefer your own fit

The operator lists a wetsuit among the recommended items, while the scuba option includes equipment. If you are snorkelling, ask about available gear at the meeting point and bring your own mask if you already have one you trust.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The boat and island stops are built around movement, water, and short transfers, not secure personal storage.

Who should book this Semporna island trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day that mixes walking, photographs, swimming, and reef viewing. It suits solo visitors, families with older children, first-time snorkellers, and people who want to try introductory scuba without holding a certificate.

It is also a good choice if Bohey Dulang is high on your Semporna list but you do not want to arrange the boat, equipment, lunch, and island stops separately.

I would be more cautious if you want long snorkelling sessions, a quiet private outing, or a slow lunch by the sea. The tour covers a lot of ground, and the 35-minute Mantabuan stop and 40-minute Sibuan stop may feel short to experienced swimmers.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want the classic Bohey Dulang view plus two good chances to get in the water. The combination is the real value, and the crew’s support makes it approachable for beginners.

Before paying, confirm whether you selected the hiking option, check the current park rules, and calculate the extra fees. If the hike is the main reason you are going, remember that government restrictions and weather can cancel it. If the view matters less than reef time, the snorkeling-focused version may suit you better, especially since a no-hike booking can involve waiting at the jetty.

FAQ

Where does the Bohey Dulang tour start and finish?

The tour starts and finishes at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 450 minutes, or about seven hours. Weather, sea conditions, tides, and government decisions may affect the start and end time.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and official park restrictions. If authorities cancel the hike, the tour continues with swimming, snorkelling, or the selected scuba activities.

How long is the Bohey Dulang trail?

The trail is approximately 600 meters and leads to views over the lagoon, nearby islands, and the Celebes Sea.

Do I need a scuba certificate for the underwater sessions?

No. The tour offers two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions with an instructor, and no scuba certificate is required.

What extra fees should I expect?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. If the hike is available, the Bohey permit and climbing fee is RM50 per person, with RM7 per person for Bohey insurance. The scuba option has an additional marine park fee of RM150 for each foreign participant or RM100 for each local participant.

What languages are used during the tour?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication with individual crew members may vary.