Hike and Dive in Bohey Islands with Local Lunch

Volcanic islands, clear water, and one sharp climb. This eight-hour trip from Semporna combines the famous Bohey Dulang viewpoint with swimming, snorkeling, or introductory scuba sessions at Mantabuan and Sibuan Islands. I like the way it packs three very different island experiences into one day, and I also like the small group limit of 12 people, which should make boat transfers and guide help easier. The main catch is that the hill walk can be slippery, and the hike may be canceled by park officials or weather with no refund.

The price is $60.45 per person, which is a fair deal if you want hiking, marine stops, equipment, lunch, park fees, and boat transport in one package. I would plan carefully, though: the trip begins at 8:15 am from the tourist jetty in Semporna, hotel pickup is not included, and the scuba option carries an extra MYR150 marine park fee.

Key points to know before you book

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to the day’s best view: You look down on a turquoise lagoon, green volcanic slopes, nearby islands, and the Celebes Sea.
• The tour visits two separate marine sites: Mantabuan offers coral and tropical fish, while Sibuan has a blue-sand beach, shallow coastal scenery, and a stone arch.
• The order can change: Tide, weather, sea conditions, and park rules determine which island comes first.
• Snorkeling equipment and lunch are included: You receive a mask, life jacket, fins, a local lunch box, and 1.5 liters of bottled water.
• The hike is not guaranteed: If the national park closes the trail, the boat trip continues with snorkeling or scuba only, and no refund is offered.
• Closed shoes matter: The path can slip underfoot, so comfortable shoes with a good grip are a much better choice than sandals.

Why this Semporna day trip offers good value

At $60.45, this is not simply a boat ride to a beach. The fee covers the Tun Sakaran Marine Park entrance, the Bohey Dulang hiking fee for foreign visitors, boat transfers between the stops, snorkeling gear, a local lunch box, bottled water, dock taxes, and other listed taxes.

That bundle gives the trip real value. Paying separately for a boat, a park entrance, a mountain walk, equipment, food, and several island stops could easily become more complicated. You also get multilingual instruction for snorkeling or scuba activities, which helps if you are not confident in the water.

The value is strongest for someone who wants variety in a single day. You get a short but demanding hill walk, time in the sea, beach scenery, and a local meal. If you only want a long, relaxed beach day, this schedule may feel too active. If you want to spend most of the day underwater, the hiking stop will also take time away from the marine activities.

The maximum group size is 12. That is a useful middle ground. It is not a private charter, but it is small enough that getting equipment, hearing instructions, and boarding the boat should be less chaotic than on a large group excursion.

Meeting at Semporna’s tourist jetty

You meet at Sea Gypsies Travel, Lot C2, Jeti Pelancong, Pekan Semporna, at 8:15 am. The tour returns to this same meeting point at the end of the day.

Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, I would allow extra time to reach the jetty and confirm the exact meeting point before the morning of departure. The tour is near public transportation, but the practical details of getting there are still your responsibility.

The trip lasts about eight hours. That makes it a full day, not a quick morning outing. Bring only what you need on the boat, and keep your phone, wallet, and other small items protected from spray. The tour includes a 1.5-liter bottle of water, but you may still want sun protection and a dry change of clothes.

The boat schedule is not fixed down to the minute. The skipper may change the order of the islands according to tides and sea conditions. This is normal for a marine trip, and it can help the crew choose the safer route.

The Bohey Dulang climb and its famous viewpoint

Bohey Dulang is the visual centerpiece of the day. The islands in Tun Sakaran Marine Park were formed from volcanic remnants, and the viewpoint gives you a clear sense of that origin. From above, you can see a green mountain, a turquoise lagoon, neighboring islands, and the open Celebes Sea.

The walk is described as 600 meters to the top, while one account gives the distance as about 700 meters. Either way, the distance sounds short, but the climb is not a flat stroll. Expect an uphill path where footing can be uncertain. The surface may slip, especially in wet conditions.

I would wear closed shoes with a firm sole. This is the most useful practical advice for the whole trip. Flip-flops are a poor match for an uphill trail, and smooth-soled casual shoes may leave you struggling on loose or damp ground.

The payoff is the view. The lagoon below gives the summit its special character, while the surrounding islands show how spread out the marine park is. You get a better sense of place here than you would from the water alone. The climb also creates a welcome change of pace before the boat stops.

The hiking portion depends on official park rules, road and trail conditions, and weather. The operator has no special exemption if park officials close the trail. If the hike is canceled, the marine activities continue, but the hiking fee is not automatically returned and the tour date cannot be changed for that reason.

If you choose not to hike, you must wait for the rest of the group to finish. You cannot decide at the last moment to join the climb. Think of the hike as an important part of the schedule, but not a guaranteed part of the day.

Mantabuan Island for coral, fish, and a shaded meal

Mantabuan is one of the two main water stops. The island is described as a crumbling brick remnant that once housed a small sea-nomad community. That detail gives the stop more character than a standard beach visit. You are not only looking at sand and water, but also at a place shaped by former island life.

The water around Mantabuan is the main attraction. You can snorkel for the full stop, or choose the scuba option if you qualify and have selected it in advance. The reef includes coral and tropical fish, giving you a chance to see a different side of the marine park after the high viewpoint at Bohey Dulang.

The package includes two 20-minute DSD sessions for the scuba option. It also provides the basic equipment listed for scuba: fins, buoyancy control device, regulator, gauge, and tank. A multilingual instructor gives guidance on how to snorkel or use the scuba equipment.

There is an important extra charge here. The scuba option requires a MYR150 per-person fee for diving in Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Snorkeling does not require that fee. If you are comparing the two options by price, calculate this supplement before booking.

After the water stop, you eat a local lunch under a shaded canopy. The meal is supplied as a lunch box, so this is a simple island meal rather than a restaurant visit. That suits the day. You can dry off, eat out of the sun, and regain energy before the next marine stop.

The order of Mantabuan and the other islands may change with the tide. Do not treat the published sequence as fixed. The skipper’s decision is based on the conditions that day.

Sibuan Island and its blue-sand beach

Sibuan provides a different setting from Mantabuan. It is described as an isolated island bay with a beautiful blue-sand beach. The island is less often visited by local islanders, and its quieter feel is part of the appeal.

The second snorkeling stop lasts for the full time allocated to the stop. You can swim over underwater formations where large numbers of colorful fish gather, or stay on the beach and enjoy the view. A stone arch beneath the coast adds another point of interest if conditions allow you to see it from the boat or shore.

This flexibility is useful. Not everyone wants to spend every minute in the water, and some people may prefer to rest after Bohey Dulang and Mantabuan. You still get a worthwhile island stop if you choose to sit on the beach rather than snorkel.

At the same time, Sibuan is weather-dependent. The skipper may select a different location if conditions make the planned stop unsuitable. That is a normal limitation of a small-island excursion, but it means you should book for the overall experience rather than for a guaranteed view of one particular beach.

Snorkeling and scuba choices

The tour gives you two main participation options. The snorkeling package includes two snorkeling trips for the full duration of each stop, along with a mask, snorkeling gear, fins, and a life jacket. This is the simpler and better-value choice if you want to swim above the reef without added fees.

The scuba option includes two DSD sessions of 20 minutes each. Equipment and instructor support are provided, but the MYR150 marine park fee is not included. The information supplied does not say that you need an existing certification for this option, so I would confirm your eligibility and the exact scuba requirements before paying.

The sea conditions affect both choices. Guides provide instructions, but you still need to follow safety directions and accept that the skipper may alter the route. Snorkelers can remain in the water for the full stop, while the DSD sessions are limited to 20 minutes each.

A life jacket is available for everyone, and snorkeling gear is supplied. Even so, tell the instructor if you are uneasy in the water or need help adjusting the mask. The smaller group should make it easier to get attention than on a crowded boat, though the exact amount of individual instruction can vary.

Weather, park rules, and the limits of the promise

The biggest uncertainty is the Bohey Dulang trail. Government park officials can cancel the hike because of weather or trail conditions. The operator must follow those restrictions, and the same rules apply to every tour entering the park.

If that happens, the day continues with snorkeling or scuba activities only. You do not receive a refund or a free date change because the hike was closed. You also cannot request a personal refund if you decide not to hike.

There is a separate government hiking insurance charge of MYR6 per hiker. This is paid at the Bohey hiking counter and is not included in the tour price. It is a small cost, but you should bring enough Malaysian currency or confirm the accepted payment method before the morning starts.

The non-refundable booking rule is stricter than many visitors expect. You cannot cancel or amend the booking for a refund, and personal changes do not qualify for a refund. I would book only once your date, health, transport to the jetty, and willingness to accept weather changes are settled.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a compact introduction to Semporna’s islands and are happy with a busy day. It suits people who like to alternate between active and easy sections: climb the viewpoint, return to the boat, swim or snorkel, eat lunch, then take another water stop.

It is also a good fit if you value a small group and included gear. The combination of park fees, transport, lunch, water, and equipment keeps the planning simple. The multilingual instruction is useful for first-time snorkelers and for anyone who prefers clear guidance before entering the water.

You should think twice if you have trouble walking uphill on slippery ground. The trail is short by distance but still requires careful footing. You may also be disappointed if the hike is the only reason you want to book, since official closure is possible and no refund is provided.

The tour is less suitable for someone seeking a slow, private day. It has a set start time, several stops, and a group limit rather than a private boat arrangement. The sea route can also change with tides and weather.

What to pack for the eight-hour outing

Wear closed, comfortable shoes for Bohey Dulang. A sole with good grip is more useful than fashionable footwear, especially if the trail is wet.

Pack sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and a dry layer for the boat ride home. The tour provides life jackets, snorkeling equipment, a lunch box, and 1.5 liters of water, so you do not need to carry bulky water or rental gear.

Keep your belongings protected from spray. Since the trip includes several boat transfers and water stops, a waterproof pouch is sensible. Bring only essentials, and make sure you have any required personal medication with you for the full day.

Should you book the Bohey Islands tour?

Book it if you want the Bohey Dulang summit view plus two marine stops at a single reasonable price. The attentive guide service praised in the available five-star assessment, the complete schedule, and the small group size all support the idea that this is a well-rounded day trip.

I would choose snorkeling unless you specifically want the two DSD sessions and are prepared to pay the extra MYR150 marine park fee. I would also accept the hike only if you are comfortable with slippery footing and the possibility that park authorities may close the trail.

For an active first look at Semporna’s volcanic islands, this is a strong choice. Just book with realistic expectations: the route can change, the hike is conditional, hotel transport is your responsibility, and the booking cannot be refunded.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Sea Gypsies Travel, Lot C2, Jeti Pelancong, Pekan Semporna, Sabah, at 8:15 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Semporna.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is included in the snorkeling option?

The snorkeling option includes two snorkeling stops for the full duration of each stop, snorkeling equipment, fins, a mask, a life jacket, boat transfers, lunch, bottled water, park entrance, dock taxes, and listed taxes.

Is scuba included?

The scuba option includes two DSD sessions of 20 minutes each, scuba equipment, instructor guidance, and snorkeling access for the full duration of the stops. A MYR150 per-person Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee is not included.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, and government park rules. If officials cancel it, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba activities only, with no refund or date change.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes one local lunch box and one 1.5-liter bottle of water.