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

Bohey Dulang is the star of this Semporna day trip: a 600-meter uphill trail leads to a lookout over green islands, a turquoise lagoon, and the Celebes Sea. You also get two water stops, lunch, and a ride through the Tun Sakaran Marine Park for $58 per person.

I like the mix of land and sea. You get a real viewpoint rather than only beach time, then swim or snorkel among coral and tropical fish at Mantabuan and Sibuan. I also like the friendly, careful water support, especially for beginners. Guide Din has been particularly helpful with first-time scuba participants.

The main catch is pace. The water stops are short, and the hike can be canceled by weather, sea conditions, or park rules. Bring cash for extra fees, sturdy shoes for Bohey Dulang, and patience if other people take a long time changing after the hike.

Key points to know before booking

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter hike brings the best views, but it is uphill and only runs when park authorities permit it.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan offer two separate water stops, generally around 20 minutes in the water for each scuba session.
• Lunch is served on a quieter island, with about 90 minutes for eating and free time.
• The $58 price does not include several local fees, including the RM30 marine park charge and, for hikers, the RM50 Bohey permit.
• English, Chinese, and Malay support is available, though communication may be limited with some crew members.
• No scuba certificate is required for the introductory sessions, but people with respiratory problems should not join.

Why this Semporna trip works so well

This is a good choice if you want more than a standard boat ride to one beach. The day combines a short mountain hike, island views, swimming, reef time, and a simple meal outdoors. You get a broad look at the Tun Sakaran Marine Park instead of spending the entire day at one site.

The scenery changes nicely as the day goes on. From Semporna, you ride across open water to Bohey Dulang, walk through forest toward the island’s lookout, then trade the trail for clear water around Mantabuan and Sibuan. That variety is the main value.

At $58, the base price is fair for a seven-hour outing with a speedboat, equipment, lunch, a guide, water, and park transport. It is not the final cost, though. Foreign visitors pay RM30 for the marine park, and the Bohey hike adds RM50 for the permit and climbing fee, plus RM7 for required hiking insurance when the hike is allowed. Scuba participants also pay a separate Tun Sakaran marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for Malaysian citizens.

If you only want snorkeling, the extra scuba charge does not apply. That makes the snorkeling option the simpler value for most people who want reef time without a major additional bill.

Leaving Semporna by speedboat

The meeting point is Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You should arrive with your full name and nationality already supplied for registration, and bring your passport or an accepted copy. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the jetty.

The first boat ride to Bohey Dulang takes about 80 minutes. That is a substantial stretch on the water, and conditions can affect both comfort and timing. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medication or another prevention that works for you.

The boat is not just transportation. The ride gives you your first look at the scattered islands around Semporna, though the open sea can be choppy. Keep a waterproof bag nearby for your phone, passport, and spare clothes. You receive a 1.5-liter bottle of water, but extra drinks and snacks are sensible.

The crew gives safety instructions before the active parts of the day. Life jackets are provided, and the staff can explain snorkeling in English, Chinese, or Malay. Some communication may be brief, so pay close attention to hand signals and instructions around the boat.

Bohey Dulang and its uphill 600-meter trail

Bohey Dulang was formed from volcanic remnants, and its lookout is the visual high point of the day. The walk covers about 600 meters and takes roughly 75 minutes, including the safety briefing, walking, sightseeing, and time for photographs.

This is not a long mountain trek, but it is still a proper uphill walk. You should wear hiking shoes rather than flip-flops, especially if the trail is damp. The effort is worthwhile because the top gives you a wide view of neighboring islands, the Celebes Sea, and the lagoon below.

The most memorable feature is the contrast between the young green peak and the blue water around it. From the top, you see the park as a chain of islands and channels rather than as isolated beach stops. Bring a little patience on the trail, since the group may need to stay together.

The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and official park restrictions. The operator cannot simply promise access if the authorities close the trail. If the hike is canceled, the day continues with snorkeling or scuba activities, and the hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance are not charged.

If you book the no-hike option, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group finishes. Last-minute changes from no-hike to hike are not possible because the government permit is issued using the names of the hikers. This point matters if you are traveling with people who want different activity levels.

Mantabuan: reef time after the trail

After Bohey Dulang, the speedboat takes about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The stop lasts around 35 minutes and includes free time, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

Mantabuan has a quiet, remote feel. It was once associated with a small sea-based community whose way of life rarely involved going ashore. Today, the remains of crumbled brick are part of the island’s story, giving the stop more character than a simple swim break.

In the water, you can expect coral and schools of tropical fish. The crew gives a basic safety briefing before you enter. Life jackets and safety rings are available, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer or if snorkeling is new to you.

The water time is the one area where strong snorkelers may want more. Each stop is designed for a mixed group, including beginners and people taking introductory scuba sessions. The guides need to watch everyone, so experienced swimmers may find the schedule a little restrained.

That said, the shorter format also makes the stop approachable. You do not need advanced water skills, and staff can help you enter the water and stay comfortable. If you have never used a mask and snorkel before, this is less intimidating than being left to manage alone.

A simple lunch on a secluded island

The schedule includes about 90 minutes at a quieter island for lunch, a break, and a walk. The exact island order can change with the tide, weather, and meal timing. That flexibility is sensible in this part of Sabah, where sea conditions can affect the most carefully planned route.

Lunch is provided as a box or deli-style meal and is served under shade. It is practical food for a day on the water, not a restaurant meal. If you are selective about food, pack snacks. One person found the lunch merely adequate, so I would not choose this trip for the meal alone.

The long break is useful after the Bohey Dulang hike and the first water stop. You have time to dry off, change clothes, and rest before the next boat ride. Bring a waterproof bag and a full change of clothes, since the boat and beach stops can leave everything damp.

This is also a good moment to slow down. The day has a fixed route, but the lunch stop keeps it from feeling like nonstop transfers and timed water entries. You can eat, walk along the shore, or simply sit in the shade before the final island.

Sibuan and the final snorkeling stop

After another 15-minute speedboat ride, you reach Sibuan Island. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

The crew chooses the exact water site based on the conditions that day. Possible sights include a secluded blue-sand beach, a stone arch below the coast, or underwater formations surrounded by fish. You should treat these as possible features rather than guaranteed stops, since the captain makes the final call.

Sibuan is a fitting final stop because it feels less developed and more remote than a standard beach excursion. The appeal is the combination of shore scenery and underwater viewing. If the sea is calm, this can be one of the prettiest parts of the day.

The second water stop is again fairly short. For an experienced snorkeler, that may feel frustrating if visibility is good. For a mixed group, though, the timing lets the crew keep the schedule and get everyone back to Semporna before the day runs too late.

The return boat ride takes about an hour. The full outing is advertised at seven hours, or 450 minutes, but weather, government instructions, tides, and changing conditions can affect the starting and ending times.

Choosing snorkeling or introductory scuba

The snorkeling option includes two snorkeling sessions, mask and snorkel, a life jacket, multilingual instructions, and swim stops throughout the day. It is the easiest choice if you want to see the reef without extra fees or specialized equipment.

The scuba option includes two 20-minute sessions with an instructor. Equipment includes fins, a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and oxygen tank or cylinder. You do not need a scuba certificate because these are introductory sessions, but you still need to follow the instructor closely.

Guide Din has been singled out for helping first-time participants feel safe and supported. That is important because introductory scuba is less about covering a large area and more about learning to breathe, move, and remain calm underwater.

Remember that the scuba option brings an extra mandatory marine park fee, even if the Bohey Dulang hike is canceled. People with respiratory issues should not take part. If you are unsure about your health, ask a medical professional before booking rather than deciding at the jetty.

Timing, crew support, and group comfort

The crew’s strongest feature is practical care in the water. Staff can assist people who are nervous, use life jackets and rings to support less confident swimmers, and provide basic instructions before each session.

Communication is generally available in English, Chinese, and Malay. Still, the quality of spoken English may vary between crew members. If you need detailed explanations, repeat instructions back or ask the guide to demonstrate them.

The experience can work well for solo visitors because the boat and activities give you a ready-made group. It also suits families with older children. A family with children aged 7, 10, and 12 found the day manageable and enjoyable, but every child must be comfortable with a long boat ride, an uphill trail if selected, and open-water activity.

I would be more cautious with very young children, people who dislike boats, and anyone expecting a relaxed luxury cruise. This is an active day with wet clothes, shared timing, and changing sea conditions.

What to bring and what to budget

Pack the following:

• Hiking shoes if you are taking the Bohey Dulang trail
• A change of clothes
• A waterproof bag
• Cash for local fees
• Your passport or an accepted copy
• Motion sickness prevention if needed
• A wetsuit if you prefer to use one
• Snacks if lunch choices matter to you

The included 1.5-liter water bottle is helpful, but you may want more water in hot weather. Keep your passport and electronics sealed, since you will be moving between speedboat, beach, and water.

At minimum, budget beyond the $58 tour price for the RM30 marine park fee. Hikers should add RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee, plus RM7 for required insurance when applicable. Scuba participants add RM150 if foreign or RM100 if Malaysian. These extra charges can change the true cost considerably, so calculate them before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. The route itself remains subject to official decisions, so no booking can guarantee the hike or exact stop order.

Should you book this Semporna island tour?

Book it if you want one active day that combines Bohey Dulang’s famous viewpoint with reef time at Mantabuan and Sibuan. The best reasons are the mountain-and-sea combination, helpful water support, and access to several islands without arranging separate boat trips.

Choose the snorkeling option if you want a straightforward day and predictable costs. Choose the introductory scuba option if underwater time matters more to you and you are comfortable paying the extra marine park fee.

Skip it if you need long, unhurried snorkeling sessions, dislike speedboats, or cannot manage a 600-meter uphill trail and a backup plan if that trail closes. For everyone else, this is a strong Semporna day trip, provided you arrive prepared for basic food, shared timing, and weather-led changes.

FAQ

How long does the Bohey 3 Islands tour last?

The experience is scheduled for about seven hours, or 450 minutes. Actual departure and return times can change because of weather, tides, sea conditions, and government instructions.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, and Sibuan. The order can change according to sea conditions and lunch timing.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The 600-meter hike depends on weather, road conditions, and official park restrictions. If it is canceled, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba activities.

What fees are not included in the $58 price?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. The Bohey hike adds a RM50 permit and climbing fee plus RM7 insurance when the hike operates. Scuba participants also pay a separate marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for Malaysian citizens.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No. The scuba option consists of introductory sessions with an instructor, and no scuba certificate is required.

What languages do the guides speak?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay. The exact level of spoken English may differ among crew members.