Mantanani Snorkeling & Kawa Kawa River Cruise – Full Day

“If you're looking for good diving and snorkeling I would highly recommend taking the time to travel out to the Mantanani Islands. The corals are beautiful and it's the first time I've seen such an abundance of turtles! Crystal clear waters and not at all crowded! The islands themselves are beautiful and a little piece of paradise.” — Carina, Hong Kong

No trip to Kota Kinabalu would be complete without a visit to the breathtaking Mantanani Island, said to be one of the best snorkeling spots in the world.

The waters around the island are famous for its coral reefs and aquatic life. Whether you’re a beginner or a snorkeling enthusiast, our certified instructors will be happy to assist you. Who knows? You might even get the opportunity to swim alongside the island’s cutest residents, the dugongs or sea cows!

Fun Fact: While a dugong has flippers and flat tails resembling a whale, they are in fact more closely related to the elephant!

The tour begins with a hotel pick up followed by a transfer to the jetties of Rampayan and Kota Belud. We’ll then jump on a boat to Mantanani Island, made up of two flecks of land fringed by bleach-blond sand and ringed by a halo of colorful coral. We’ll snorkel here – 25km off the coast of northwest Sabah – a remote an untouched jewel within reach of Kota Kinabalu (KK).

After a tropical lunch, we’ll return to the sea for swimming and more snorkeling at the house reef. We’ll then either head back to KK, or continue onto Kawa Kawa River for the dinner cruise (optional add-on).

The boat cruise begins at the jetty, where homemade cakes will be served with coffee and tea. As we float on the river, keep a lookout for endemic wildlife species the likes of playful proboscis monkeys. Buffet dinner ensues, and as night falls, the glow of fireflies will light the way…