Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) is situated at the entrance to Darvel Bay, off the East coast of Sabah, near the town of Semporna. It can be reached in approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from the town’s jetty. Named in honor of the then Head of State of Sabah, Tun Sakaran Dandai, the park was officially designated in July 2004, becoming Sabah’s seventh park. This marine park is the largest of its kind, encompassing an area of 340 square kilometers, which includes both the sea and coral reefs, in addition to 10 square kilometers of land.

The park comprises eight islands, each surrounded by vibrant reefs and pristine waters. Its primary purpose is twofold: to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the region and to encourage the sustainable utilization of its natural resources. Geologically, these islands are the result of Quaternary pyroclastic material, which was ejected during volcanic eruptions. The islands within the park are Pulau Bodgaya, Boheydulang, Tetagan, Selakan, Sebangkat, Maiga, Sibuan, and Mantabuan.

Boheydulang – Mantabuan – Sibuan

In Semporna, there are four island-hopping routes: A) Mabul, Kapalai; B) Mataking, Pom-pom, Timba-Timba; C) Bohey Dulang, Mandabuan, Sibuan; D) Timbun Mata. Today, I chose the Bohey Dulang route, which costs 180 Malaysian Ringgit for locals and 240 Malaysian Ringgit for foreigners. The prices vary between different tour operators, and mine is considered relatively expensive. Some offer much cheaper options, primarily due to differences in the quality of food and the professionalism of the tour guides.

In Semporna, there are many piers for boarding boats. You just need to inform your tour agent about the hotel you’re staying at, and they will arrange for you to depart from the nearest pier. At around 9 o’clock in the morning, the boat arrived at the Sea Fest pier to pick me up. It took approximately 40 minutes to reach Bohey Dulang. Upon arrival at the pier, we registered our names and nationalities, and then we were free to board. There is no guide for the hike, and you can explore on your own. Remember to wear shoes because climbing without them is not allowed.

Hiking may be tough, but when you reach the summit, all the scenery before your eyes is worth it.

On the way down, you can visit the adjacent Marine Conservation Center, where you’ll find sea stars and specimens of various marine animals.

The next stop was supposed to be Mantabuan, but unfortunately, Mantabuan was closed that day, and we weren’t allowed to go ashore, so we had lunch on the boat. Since we had different tour operators, the lunches varied as well.

After having lunch on the boat, we headed to the next stop, Sibuan. This place is truly stunning, and among these three islands, I found it to be the most beautiful, with incredibly clear water.