Photo taken by quangas, courtesy of Flickr.com
While there are many things that you can see and do on Sabah’s mainland, some of its best attractions lie with the several islands that surround it.
One of which is Manukan Island.
Manukan Island or Pulau Manukan, is one of the five islands which form part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, one of Sabah’s largest marine parks, known for its rich diversity of marine life and stunning underwater landscapes.
Paradise for divers
Indeed, the waters around Manukan Island are a paradise for divers, decked with coral gardens and filled with schools of tropical fishes, as well as occasional scorpion fish, blue-spotted rays, mandarin fish, cuttlefish and green sea turtles. The beautiful and rare harlequin ghost pipefish has been known to be spotted in the area, too.
Some of the coral gardens can be found just a short distance from the shore so those who don’t really want to go diving can try snorkelling, instead, and still enjoy a memorable treat.
Swimming is also an option, of course, especially since the turquoise waters are very calm most of the year.
Photo taken by Kevin Voon, courtesy of Flickr.com
Water sports for all ages
Banana boats and sea kayaks are also available for rent on the island, and parasailing is something you can try, as well, if you’re looking for a thrill. Glass-bottomed boat cruises can also be arranged for those who want to see the amazing underwater wildlife around the island but don’t want to go in for a splash.
Relax on the beach
For those who would rather stay on land, consider lounging on the beach, which is covered in soft, white sand. While the beach on Manukan Island may not be as idyllic as the beach on nearby Pulau Sapi, which can be easily reached by boat, it is still very scenic and like other island beaches, is quite secluded, providing you with all the relaxing atmosphere you need to get away from your troubles.
The beach on the eastern tip of the island, in particular, is deemed to be the best.
You can also spend some time exploring the rest of the island, which has designated hiking trails. Make sure you bring your camera to take shots of this tropical paradise. You might also encounter some rare plants and birds along the way.
The facilities on Manukan Island
Indeed, there are many things to do on Manukan Island, and one of its best points is that it offers great facilities, too.
The island has its very own resort, Manukan Island Resort, which offers a choice of comfortable to luxurious accommodations, all of which offer stunning ocean views and air conditioning while having private bathrooms and television sets. The most expensive units even have their own private lounge and dining area.
Prahu Restaurant
The resort also has an excellent restaurant called Prahu Restaurant, which is, in fact, the only dining establishment on the island. It serves excellent seafood and meat dishes, both local specialties and international fare, at reasonable prices.
Photo taken by Kevin Voon, courtesy of Flickr.com
How To Get To Manukan Island
To get to Manukan Island, you can take a jetty from the Jesselton Point at the harbour of Kota Kinabalu.
The jetty departs several times a day. If you have booked a room at the Manukan Island resortin advance, though, you should have your own private jetty waiting for you, which is included in your vacation package.
The boat ride takes approximately twenty minutes and along the way, you can stop to feed the fish.
For information on staying on the resort, contact:
Sutera Sanctuary Lodges
1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard
Kota Kinabalu
88100 Sabah, Malaysia
Tel : (60 88) 318 888
Fax : (60 88) 317 777
Email : [email protected]
