Photo taken by Jason T. Fowler, courtesy of Flickr.com
The “Almost” Untouched Island
When you think of an island, you think of a place that is isolated from the rest of the world, surrounded only by blue waters, or a patch of unspoiled paradise like the island in ‘Lost’ with sandy beaches on the fringes and a dense jungle in the center, where you can hear the constant chirping of exotic birds and small insects.
Mantanani Island fits into either category, only accessible by jetty from Kota Belud and abundant in raw, spectacular natural scenery.
True Beauty of Mantanani Island
The true beauty of Mantanani Island, though, lies beneath the surface of its surrounding crystal blue waters, where an underwater paradise lies in waiting. Here, there are 16 marked diving spots to explore, along with a few more that have not yet been mapped, which consist of ancient and fascinating shipwrecks. The most famous of which are the three wrecks along Usukan Bay, which were Japanese ships sunk by a US submarine during World War II, and magnificent coral reefs swirling with fish of various colors.
The usual wildlife can you spot here
Some species which have been spotted in the area include dolphins, clown fish, sting rays, eagle rays, moray eels, ribbon eels, sea turtles, the blue-ringed octopus, scorpionfish, imperial shrimp and even seahorses. There are also dugongs here, gentle mammals belonging to the same family as the manatee which have been mistaken for mermaids in the past, lending Mantanani the name ‘Mermaid Island’.
Condition of the sea
Aside from the wealth of marine treasures, the current here is also mild most of the year and the underwater visibility is fairly good up to a depth of 40 meters, which make it even more alluring for divers from all over the world.
Learn to dive!
If you don’t know how to dive, there is a course offered at the PADI-certified dive center on the island, which you can take so you won’t have to miss out on the best that Mantanani Island has to offer.
Photo taken by Jason T. Fowler, courtesy of Flickr.com
Lay on soft sands
Even if you don’t go diving, though, you can still enjoy your visit to Mantanani Island. You can simply lounge on the soft sands of Palm Beach, which is the best beach on the island, so named for the palm trees that sway in the gentle breeze and provide enough shade for those who don’t want to get a tan. You have the option to go snorkelling here, as well.
Hidden bird sanctuary
Apart from spending time on the beach, you can also bring along your binoculars and go birdwatching. In fact, Mantanani is a bird sanctuary, a result of the well-preserved habitat and the relative lack of predators.
Choice of resort
If you wish to spend the night on the island, you can also do so at the Mari Mari Backpackers Lodge which has a dormitory, twin bed rooms and single bed rooms. Some of the rooms have their own private bathrooms and as such, are more expensive, while others share a common bathroom. Wi-fi is also available at the lodge for an additional charge.
Mantanani Spellbinding Sunset
Most people, though, simply spend the day at Mantanani Island then return to their hotel in Kota Belud or Kota Kinabalu at the end of the day. If you would rather opt for this, just make sure you leave the island after sunset, which is a particularly spellbinding sight from Mantanani, with the clouds painted several shades of orange as they swirl around the fading sun.
Mantanani Island Tour Operators:
Traverse Tours Sdn Bhd
Lot 227-229, 2nd Floor, Wisma Sabah,
Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, 88000,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: +6 088 260 511 / 522
Fax: +6 088 260 533
Hotline: +6 013 883 4921
email: [email protected]
Amazing Borneo Tours & Events Sdn. Bhd
Lot 1-39, Asia City Complex, 1st Floor
Jalan Asia City, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: (+6) 088-448409
Fax: (+6) 088-448509
Mobile: (+6) 012-8552009 / 012-8216821
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Sensi Borneo Diving Resort & Tours
Tel: +60 88 788 111
Mobile: +60 17 402 0631
Email: [email protected]
Diverse Borneo Sdn. Bhd.
Lot G30, Ground Floor,
Wisma Sabah, Jalan Tun Razak,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,
88000, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 88 299262 – Office
Fax: +60 88 299262 – Office
Mobile: +60 12 838 1630 – Mark Hedger
Emails:
[email protected] – Enquiries
[email protected] – Office
[email protected] – Mark
Scuba Paradise Sdn. Bhd.
Lot G28, Ground Floor,
Jalan Tun Razak, Wisma Sabah,
88000, Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: (60) 88 266695 / 256695
Fax: (60) 88 236695
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
BGB Country Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd.
Lot 29, Ground & 1st Floor
Karamunsing Godown, Jalan Karamunsing
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia
Tel: +6088 270976
Fax: +6088 270975
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Borneo Dream Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
F-G-1 Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh
88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: +60 17 811 8149
Fax: +60 88 244 931
Email: [email protected]
Borneo Attractions Holiday Sdn Bhd
Lot F2.72, 2nd Floor,
Asia City Complex, Phase 2A,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 88 486932
Fax: +60 88 486931
E-mail: [email protected]
Only In Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd
Wisma Sabah, 2nd Floor,
Lot 230, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens,
88000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Tel: +6 088 262507 or +6 088 260506
Fax: +6 088 261505
Hotline: +6 019 840 0402
