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

The best view costs a little effort. I like the 600-meter hike on Bohey Dulang, which leads to a wide view of the lagoon, nearby islands, and the Celebes Sea. I also like the way this seven-hour outing combines mountain scenery, two water stops, and a local lunch instead of offering just another boat ride.

The main drawback is the extra cost. The advertised $58 price does not include the Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee, Bohey hiking permit, hiking insurance, or the separate marine park scuba fee. The schedule can also change with tides, weather, sea conditions, or park rules, so you should treat the hiking portion as possible rather than guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to the day’s finest view, but the climb can feel tiring in hot weather.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan provide two water stops for swimming, snorkelling, or introductory scuba, with about 20 minutes in the water for each scuba session.
• The boat ride takes about 95 minutes each way, so expect a full marine excursion rather than a quick island hop.
• Lunch is served on or near a secluded island, but bringing snacks is wise if you are particular about packed meals.
• The crew supports nervous swimmers, using life jackets and safety rings when needed, and provides instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay.
• Bohey Dulang may close to hikers, in which case the tour continues with snorkelling or scuba and the hiking-related fees are not charged.

From Semporna Jetty to Tun Sakaran Marine Park

You meet the crew at Jeti Pelancong Semporna, commonly called Semporna Tourist Jetty. Bring your passport, or a copy if accepted for registration, and have your full name and nationality ready before departure.

The first speedboat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is a sizeable part of the day, but it carries you from Semporna to the islands of Tun Sakaran Marine Park, where the reward is open sea, scattered islands, and water that shifts toward clear blue and turquoise tones.

You should prepare for a boat-focused day. A waterproof bag is useful for phones, passports, spare clothes, and cash. Motion sickness prevention is also sensible, since the outward and return rides together take about three hours and sea conditions can alter the feel of the trip.

The boat schedule is not fixed to the minute. Tides, weather, lunch timing, and government rules can change which island comes first or how long the group spends at a stop. That flexibility helps the crew find better conditions, but it also means you should not plan a tight connection immediately after the tour.

Bohey Dulang’s trail and the view from above

Bohey Dulang is the visual centerpiece. The island formed from remnants of volcanic activity, and the walk gives you a chance to see more than the shoreline before reaching the main viewpoint.

The trail covers about 600 meters. That distance sounds modest, but the climb can be tiring, particularly under the tropical sun or after a long boat ride. Wear proper hiking shoes, bring water, and expect the path to require steady effort rather than a casual stroll.

At the top, you look across the green peak, the lagoon below, neighboring islands, and the open Celebes Sea. The contrast between the young green land and the bright water is what makes the hike worthwhile. Several visitors found the climb hard but felt the view paid them back.

The guide leads the walk and provides a safety briefing. You can also stop for photographs along the way, although the total island visit is listed at about 75 minutes. That time includes the walk, views, sightseeing, and movement through the area, so it is not an unlimited summit visit.

A crucial detail: the hike depends on weather, road conditions, and approval from the national park. If officials close the trail, the group does not simply arrange a last-minute walk. The tour continues with water activities, and the hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance are not required in that case.

If you select the no-hike option, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up. The operator cannot add a hiker at the last moment because permits are issued under each hiker’s name. For many people, selecting the hike is the better choice, provided you can manage the physical effort and accept that the park makes the final decision.

Mantabuan: coral, fish, and a short water stop

After Bohey Dulang, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The listed stop lasts around 35 minutes and includes a safety briefing, swimming, marine life viewing, and either snorkelling or introductory scuba.

Mantabuan has an unusual human story. It was once home to a small population of sea gypsies, people whose lives were spent largely on the water rather than on land. Only crumbled brick remains are noted today, but that small detail gives the island more meaning than a pretty beach alone.

In the water, expect coral and schools of tropical fish. The crew provides masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets. If you choose scuba, the equipment includes a wetsuit, buoyancy control device, regulator, gauge, and oxygen tank or cylinder, along with an instructor.

You do not need a scuba certificate for the introductory sessions. Two sessions are included, with each underwater session lasting about 20 minutes for the actual activity. Safety instructions and the time spent getting ready are separate, so the entire stop is longer than those 20 minutes.

This arrangement works well for mixed groups. Strong snorkellers can see the reef, while first-time scuba participants can try the activity with an instructor. Din received specific praise for helping first-time scuba participants, and the crew has also been helpful to people who are less comfortable in the water.

Still, strong swimmers may want more time. One experienced snorkeller felt the water periods were brief because the crew needed to keep the whole group together. That is a fair trade-off for safety and mixed ability, but it matters if your main goal is hours in the water.

A local lunch in the shade

The middle meal break lasts about 90 minutes. Lunch is served as a box or deli-style local meal in the shade of a canopy, either on the planned island or at another suitable spot according to the day’s conditions.

This is a practical pause after the hike and first water session. You have time to eat, change clothes, walk, and enjoy the shore without being rushed straight back onto the boat.

The meal is not the strongest reason to book the tour. One person found it only average and recommended carrying snacks in case the food did not suit their taste. That is easy advice to follow, especially if you have dietary restrictions or need extra fuel after the climb.

The location matters more than the meal itself. Eating in a quiet island setting, with the boat nearby and water around you, feels far removed from a standard restaurant lunch. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a packed meal on an island, not a restaurant service.

Sibuan’s remote bay and second water stop

After lunch, the boat takes about 15 minutes to Sibuan Island. The stop lasts around 40 minutes and includes free time, swimming, snorkelling, marine life viewing, and another safety briefing.

The captain chooses the exact area based on weather and sea conditions. That can mean a secluded blue-sand beach, a stone arch beneath the coastline, or an underwater formation surrounded by colorful fish. You may not see every feature on every departure, but the flexibility lets the crew use the safest and clearest area available that day.

Sibuan is a good final water stop because you can choose your pace. Swim from the shore, snorkel above the reef, or stay on the beach and take photographs. The crew can assist with life jackets and safety rings, which makes this more manageable for people who are not confident swimmers.

The stop is still fairly short. If you want a slow beach day with long stretches of swimming, this schedule may feel compressed. If you prefer variety, Sibuan completes the day nicely: Bohey Dulang supplies the high viewpoint, Mantabuan brings reef life, and Sibuan adds a more remote shoreline.

What the seven-hour schedule really feels like

The advertised duration is 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, though it is also described as seven hours. The listed timing adds up to roughly seven hours: 80 minutes to Bohey Dulang, 75 minutes there, 15 minutes to Mantabuan, 35 minutes in the water, 90 minutes for lunch, 15 minutes to Sibuan, 40 minutes there, and about an hour back to Semporna.

That calculation shows where your time goes. You spend about three hours on the speedboat, around two and a half hours at the islands and lunch stop, and the rest moving between activities. The boat rides are not wasted, but you should book this for the complete day rather than expecting nonstop snorkelling.

The crew aims to leave promptly and reach the islands before the busiest periods when conditions allow. One particularly positive account described the boat arriving early enough to make the islands feel almost empty. That will depend on departure time and the day’s traffic, but an early start can improve the atmosphere.

Communication is generally available in Chinese, English, and Malay. The crew received praise for managing a group in both English and Mandarin, although one person found communication limited when some staff knew only a few English words. Instructions for snorkelling and scuba are provided, but you should ask questions clearly before entering the water.

Cost, extra fees, and overall value

At $58 per person, the tour offers a lot for a single day: boat transport, the island visits, lunch, water, life jackets, snorkelling equipment, and either two snorkelling sessions or two introductory scuba sessions, depending on your selection. The Bohey Dulang hike is included only when selected and available.

The headline price needs careful reading. You must pay the Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee of RM30 per person. Hiking adds a Bohey permit and climbing fee of RM50, plus RM7 for Bohey insurance under the updated park regulation stated for June 20, 2025.

Scuba participants face another charge: RM150 per foreign visitor or RM100 per Malaysian resident for the Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee. This charge applies to scuba only, not snorkelling. If the hike is canceled by park rules, scuba fees still apply if you take part in the scuba sessions.

I consider the price fair for people who want several activities in one day. The value is strongest if you plan to hike and use the included equipment. It is less compelling if you mainly want long snorkelling sessions, since the water stops are structured around a mixed group and the boat rides occupy much of the day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Still, the practical issue is not cancellation. It is accepting that the itinerary can shift or that Bohey Dulang may be unavailable for hiking.

Who should book this island day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad taste of Semporna’s marine park in one outing. It suits solo visitors, families with children old enough to manage the boat and hike, first-time scuba participants, and groups with mixed swimming ability.

Families received especially strong praise from one group traveling with children aged 7, 10, and 12. The crew’s support in the water also helps if someone needs a life jacket or extra reassurance.

You should be comfortable with a long speedboat day, basic outdoor conditions, and a changing schedule. The hike requires proper shoes and reasonable fitness, while the water activities require you to follow the safety briefing and tell the instructor if you have concerns.

This outing is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. If you want a dedicated scuba day, a longer reef session, or a quiet beach stay with little movement, a more specialized tour may suit you better.

Should you book the Bohey Dulang tour?

Book it if you want the classic mix of Semporna: a famous island viewpoint, clear water, reef fish, two snorkelling or introductory scuba sessions, and a simple meal on an island. The best parts are the Bohey Dulang view, the friendly assistance in the water, and the range of activities packed into one day.

Before paying, add the marine park fee and any hiking or scuba charges to your budget. Pack snacks, a waterproof bag, spare clothes, hiking shoes, cash, and motion sickness medication. If you accept the long boat rides, short water sessions, and weather-based changes, this is a strong-value introduction to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Jeti Pelancong Semporna, also known as Semporna Tourist Jetty. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience is scheduled for about seven hours, or 450 minutes according to the activity details. Weather, sea conditions, tides, and government instructions can affect the start and finish times.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and official national park approval. If the park cancels hiking, the tour continues with snorkelling or scuba activities.

How long is the Bohey Dulang trail?

The hiking route is about 600 meters. You should bring hiking shoes and expect the climb to feel tiring in tropical conditions.

Can I join the tour without hiking?

Yes, a no-hike option is available. You must wait at the jetty while the hiking group completes the route, and a last-minute change from no-hike to hike is not possible because the permit is issued under the hiker’s name.

Is scuba certification required?

No scuba certificate is required because the activity is an introductory session with an instructor. Two sessions of about 20 minutes each are included when the scuba option is selected.

What water activities are included?

You can select two snorkelling sessions or two introductory scuba sessions. Swimming stops are also included, and the crew provides instructions, masks, snorkels, fins, life jackets, and scuba equipment when applicable.

What extra fees should I expect?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. Hiking adds RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee plus RM7 for hiking insurance. Scuba participants must also pay the marine park scuba fee of RM150 per foreign visitor or RM100 per local visitor.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, your passport or an accepted copy, a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention, and a wetsuit. Snacks may also be useful because lunch is a packed local meal.