Sabah Island - Make You Delight

Sabah is sought after by many ocean loving travelers (including mtyself) as the seas are abundant in coral reefs(but recently the extinction of coral reefs are become serious) and marine life. According to Deputy director Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), Ahmad Fauzi Nordin, 2011, say that Sabah has the largest number of islands in Malaysia which is 394 islands and is one of the most active states in naming islands and other geographical features. These islands make a fantastic gateway for thos who want an exciting vacation on the beach.

In this topic i will introduce some of the island which have their own characteristic which include:

1.)Sipadan Island- one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world.

2.)Sibuan Island-  one of the most beautiful islands in Celebes Sea

3.)Mabul  Island- the most popular island from 5 star to backpacker.

4.)Mantanani Island-one of  the most beautiful island on the west side of Sabah

5.)Manukan Island- Most popular picnic island for city people in Sabah

Below is the description of each islands..

1.)Sipadan Island-one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world.

Intro to the Island:
Sipadan island was established as a bird sanctuary in 1993 and in 2004 and the Government of Malaysia has decided that all onsite dive resort operators are to move their operations out of Sipadan Island by 31^st December 2004.

The island is open from 6am to 4pm and NO night dives are allowed. The number of divers allowed to dive in Sipadan daily has been limited to 120 pax in an effort to preserve the island’s pristine state. So, for dives lover u will need to booking early yoh.

Sipadan Island have total 12 dive sites and the most popularly recommended dive sites are the Turtle Carvern, Barracuda Point, South Point and Hanging Gardens. From Kota Kinabalu, take a 55 minute flight to Tawau and enjoy and hour’s drive to Semporna. From Semporna Sipadan is another 40 minutes by speedboat. Remember to pre-arrange transportation with your respective resort or dive operator.

Where to stay?

From 31^st December 2004, Malaysian Government has decide all the existing onsite dive resort operators were to move their operations out of the Sipadan Island to conserving and maintaining a balanced marine and land ecosystem on Sipadan’s environment. However, Sipadan will remain as a dive site and diver are to be ferried by operating from the mainland or nearby islands other than Sipadan and Ligitan. There are same excellent resorts:

a         A.)    Borneo Diver & resort Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd

b         B.)    Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (Sipadan- Mabul Resort)

c         C.)    Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd

           D.)   Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd

2.)Sibuan Island-  one of the most beautiful islands in Celebes Sea

Intro to the Island:

Sibuan Island is located approximately 16km from Semporna which can reach in 30 minuted by speed boat. Sibuan Island locally known as “Battleship Island” because of it’s extinctive shape. Sibuan Island got a gentle falling, white sandy beach that is perfect for swimming and non swimmers. For diver will get a chance to see unique cuttlefish as well as turtle and may  saw sting rays too. For experienced divers will appreciate the chance to get close up to mandarin fish, frog fish, pygmy seahorse and ghost pipe fish.

The reef lies at a depth of 3-6 meters. The reef then drops away steeply before ending at about 22 meters. Beyond this is a slightly less steep sand and boulder slope with the occasional coral outcrop. 

3.)Mabul  Island- the most popular island from 5 star to backpacker.

Intro to the Island:

Mabul is arguably one of the riches single destinations for exotic small marine life anywhere in the world. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus and bobtail squids are just of the numerous types of cephalopods to be found on Mabul’s reef. The sight of harlequin shrimp feeding on sea stars and boxer crabs waving their tiny anemone pompoms are just a small example of the endless species of crustaceans. Many types of gobies can be found including the spike-fin goby, black sail-fin goby and metallic shrimp goby. Frogfish are everywhere- giant, painted and clown frogfish are regularly seen along with the almost the whole scorpion fish family.

From Kota Kinabalu take a 55 minute flight to Tawau and enjoy an hour’s drive to Semporna. From there, mabul is another 45 minutes by speedboat. A small remind, be sure to pre-arrange transportation with youe respective resort or dive operator. 

4.)Mantanani Island-one of  the most beautiful island on the west side of Sabah

Intro to the Island: 

Pulau Mantanani is a group of three isolated islands northwest of Kota Belud, and it 80 km north of Kota Kinabalu. It was so isolated in fact that not until recently, only a few locals knew the existence of the islands. But most popular attraction of Pulau Mantanani are the dugongs (sea cows). Here you can swim with them. 

The island is virtually unknown to most people, although the indigenous Ubian fishing tribe here have for years sighted dugongs. The sheltered bays around the Mantanani Islands seem to provide the ideal habitats for dugongs. Sea grass beds are found on shallow sandy areas within the encircling fringing reef of the islands. A small human population has caused minimum pollution and there is little noisy boat traffic.

5.)Manukan Island- Most popular picnic island for city people in Sabah

Intro to the Island:

Manukan was the site of an old stone quarry before WWII and the remains of the old manager's house and some old graves can still be seen. It is now the site of the Park Headquarters. They were moved form Camp Bay on Gaya Island a few years ago. 

Manukan Island is the island with the most complete facilities: tropical timber chalets, restaurants, swimming pool, tennis court and a marine exhibition centre. Snorkelling equipment hire and water sports, as well as daily beach BBQ's are also available.

Manukan Island is the most visited island in the TAR Park, and it is popular with locals and foreign visitors alike. One of the star attractions and must see on Manukan Island is the fish feeding at the jetty where large school of fishes have made their home. You can even snorkel and dive amongst the fish here! There is a 1.5 km paved trail right to the tip of the island. You pass through tropical forest and enjoy a different view of Kota Kinabalu City!  

By: Low Lik Yuen
      BA 1111 0171