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

Bohey Dulang is the star of this Semporna day trip. A 600-meter trail leads to a lookout over a green volcanic peak, a turquoise lagoon, and the scattered islands of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. It is a short hike, but it is steep enough to make the view feel earned.

I like the way this trip combines three different island experiences: a hilltop panorama, reef time at Mantabuan, and a quieter beach stop at Sibuan. I also like the support in the water, especially if you are new to snorkelling or choosing the introductory scuba option. The main consideration is that the day includes long boat rides, extra park charges, and a hike that can be canceled by weather or government rules.

Key points to know before booking

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter climb is the day’s main prize: The summit offers wide views of the lagoon and nearby islands.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan provide two different water stops: Expect swimming, snorkelling, marine life viewing, and possible stone formations near the coast.
• The boat ride takes time: Travel from Semporna is about 80 minutes outbound and about an hour on the return.
• Introductory scuba sessions are available: You get two 20-minute sessions with an instructor, and no scuba certificate is required.
• Several fees are paid separately: Budget for the RM30 marine park fee, plus hiking permit, insurance, and climbing fees if the hike goes ahead.
• The itinerary can change: Tides, sea conditions, weather, and park regulations decide the order and sometimes the hiking portion.

Why Bohey Dulang is worth the early effort

The trip begins at Jetty Pelancong Semporna, where you register before boarding the speedboat. From there, the boat heads toward Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a group of islands formed from old volcanic activity.

The 80-minute ride is not a quick transfer. It is a sizeable part of your day, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it and keep your waterproof bag close. The payoff is arrival at Bohey Dulang, where the sea, islands, and green summit come together in one of Sabah’s most memorable views.

The climb covers about 600 meters. That distance sounds modest, but the trail can feel demanding in heat and humidity. Wear proper hiking shoes, carry water, and expect to pause along the way. The route includes scenic points and a guide, although the lookout is the clear highlight.

From the top, you can see the lagoon below and the Celebes Sea beyond it. The contrast between thick green vegetation and bright blue water makes this more than a routine island photo stop. If you enjoy taking pictures, this is the point where you will want your camera ready, but give yourself time to simply look.

The hike depends on official park permission and conditions. It may be canceled because of weather, the trail, sea conditions, or government policy. This is not something the operator can override. If the climb is canceled, the day continues with the swimming and snorkelling program, but no hiking permit, park entry, or hiking insurance fee should be charged for that canceled portion.

If you choose the no-hike option, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group is on the trail. A last-minute decision to climb is not possible because permits must be issued in the names of the hikers. That makes the choice important at booking time.

Mantabuan brings the first proper water stop

After Bohey Dulang, the boat takes about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. This island once had a small sea gypsy population whose homes and daily lives were based on the water. The remains of crumbled brick are a quiet reminder of that past, though the main reason to stop here is the reef.

Before entering the water, the crew gives a safety briefing. You can choose swimming, snorkelling, or the introductory scuba program. For the latter, the experience includes an instructor, tank, regulator, buoyancy equipment, fins, wetsuit, gauge, and related gear. No scuba certificate is required for the DSD option.

The two introductory scuba sessions last 20 minutes each. That time does not include the briefing or the full duration of the stop. If you are an experienced snorkeller, you may wish the water portion lasted longer. The schedule has to accommodate people with different abilities, first-time participants, and those who need extra help.

The support in the water is one of the practical strengths of this trip. Life jackets and safety rings are available, and the guides assist people who are not confident swimmers. Instructions are offered in Chinese, English, and Malay, although the amount of English spoken by individual crew members can vary.

Expect coral, schools of tropical fish, and clear water when conditions are good. The exact spot depends on the sea and weather. This is not a private reef excursion with unlimited time, but it gives you a useful sample of the marine park without requiring a full certification course.

Lunch on a quiet island keeps the day relaxed

After the first water stop, the boat heads to a secluded island for about an hour and a half. This is the longest break in the schedule and includes lunch, free time, and a chance to walk around.

The meal is provided as a lunch box. It is described as a local meal served under a canopy, but it is sensible to bring extra snacks if you are particular about food or need more than a standard packed lunch. One past participant found the lunch only average, so I would not book this excursion for the food alone.

The lunch stop matters because the rest of the day is active. You have already spent time on the boat, climbed Bohey Dulang, and entered the water. A shaded break gives you time to change clothes, dry off, and reset before the second snorkelling stop.

The order can change according to tide and lunch timing. The crew may visit a different island first to keep the day workable and pleasant. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not expect the exact order shown in the schedule.

Sibuan offers a quieter final stop

After lunch, the boat travels about 15 minutes to Sibuan Island. This is the final island visit, with roughly 40 minutes for swimming, snorkelling, and viewing marine life.

The captain chooses the best area on the day. You might snorkel beside a secluded blue-sand beach, see a stone arch along the coast, or look down on an underwater formation surrounded by fish. The appeal is the range of possible scenery rather than one guaranteed landmark.

Sibuan is also a good place to slow down. After the summit and the first reef stop, you can use this final visit for a swim, more snorkelling, or simple time by the beach. The water activity is still limited by the schedule, so strong swimmers and experienced snorkellers may want more time.

Once the stop ends, the return ride to Semporna takes about an hour. The full outing lasts around seven and a half hours, or 450 minutes, though the exact start and finish can shift with the sea, weather, and park decisions. Plan the rest of your day with some flexibility.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, this is a fairly broad package for a full day from Semporna. It includes the boat, life jacket, mask and snorkel, 1.5 liters of water, lunch, dock taxes, the hike when selected and available, and either two snorkelling sessions or two introductory scuba sessions, depending on your booking.

For a first-time scuba participant, the equipment and instructor add useful value. You do not need to arrange a separate certification course, and the crew provides the main gear. The water time is short, however, so certified scuba users looking for a serious underwater outing may find the program too limited.

The extra charges require attention. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. If the hike goes ahead, add the Bohey permit and climbing fee of RM50, plus RM7 for Bohey insurance under the updated park regulation dated June 20, 2025.

Scuba participants also pay a separate Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee: RM150 for each foreign participant or RM100 for each Malaysian participant. This fee applies to scuba only, not snorkelling. Add these costs before comparing the trip with other Semporna island tours.

The booking terms are flexible: cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those details are useful if your route through Sabah depends on weather or changing transport plans.

Boat time, comfort, and practical preparation

The speedboat is the link between all three islands, but the travel time is significant. You spend about 80 minutes going out, 15 minutes between Bohey Dulang and Mantabuan, another 15 minutes before Sibuan, and about an hour returning to Semporna.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone, passport, cash, and dry clothing. A passport or accepted copy is needed for registration, and the crew asks for each participant’s full name and nationality before the tour.

Wear hiking shoes for Bohey Dulang and bring a change of clothes for the water stops. A wetsuit is also listed among the suggested items. Motion-sickness prevention is worth considering, particularly if you are sensitive to small boats or rougher sea conditions.

The tour is a good match for solo visitors because the schedule provides a ready-made group and the crew handles the main logistics. It also works for families. One family with children aged 7, 10, and 12 found the day manageable and enjoyable, though every child should be comfortable with a long boat ride, heat, water activity, and the climb if selected.

People with respiratory issues should not join. If you are unsure about the physical demands, the no-hike option removes the climb but still leaves you with the boat rides and water activities.

Guides, communication, and safety in the water

The available languages are Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication is generally practical, with safety instructions and basic guidance before water activities. Individual crew members may speak only a few words of English, so do not expect a long natural-history talk at every stop.

The crew’s strongest role is helping people take part safely. Guides can assist with life jackets and safety rings, and first-time scuba participants receive an instructor. Din is specifically noted as an effective instructor for beginners, which is useful if you are considering the underwater option but feel nervous.

The scuba sessions are introductory, not a full course. You receive a safety briefing and supervised time underwater, but the schedule is built around a mixed group. If you want long bottom time or several reef sites, choose a dedicated scuba trip instead.

Conditions govern the experience more than any promise on the page. The captain selects snorkelling areas based on weather and sea conditions, and park officials can restrict access to Bohey Dulang. A flexible attitude will make this outing much easier to enjoy.

Who should book this Semporna island tour

I would choose this tour if you want a single day that combines a scenic climb and marine activities. It gives you the best-known visual experience, Bohey Dulang’s summit, along with two separate island stops for swimming and snorkelling.

It is especially suitable for first-time visitors to Semporna, solo visitors, families with older children, and people who want a supervised introduction to scuba. The crew’s assistance makes the water portion less intimidating for people who are not strong swimmers.

I would think twice if your priority is long snorkelling time, a quiet private boat, or a full scuba schedule. The itinerary moves a group through several stops, and more experienced snorkellers may find the water sessions brief.

Also consider your tolerance for uncertainty. The island order, timing, and Bohey hike depend on conditions. You may get the planned summit, or you may spend the day with extra time in the water instead.

Should you book it?

Book this Semporna tour if the idea of one active, varied day appeals to you. The Bohey Dulang viewpoint is the main reason to go, while Mantabuan and Sibuan add enough water time to make the long boat rides worthwhile.

Before paying, check the final cost with park, hiking, insurance, and scuba charges included. Choose the hike at booking, bring proper shoes and a waterproof bag, and allow extra time around the scheduled seven hours.

For the price, this is a strong choice for a first taste of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. It is not the best fit for someone seeking a slow, private, or specialist scuba outing, but it delivers a lot in one day: a memorable summit, two reef stops, lunch, and a crew prepared to help beginners.

FAQ

How long is the Bohey 3 Islands tour?

The experience lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes, or 450 minutes. Weather, sea conditions, government rules, and changes in the island order can affect the actual start and end time.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. The crew asks for each participant’s full name and nationality to complete registration before taking you to the boat.

Is hiking Bohey Dulang included?

A hiking trip is included when selected and when conditions allow. The trail is about 600 meters, and access depends on weather, road conditions, and official park restrictions.

What happens if the Bohey Dulang hike is canceled?

The tour continues with the swimming and snorkelling or scuba portions. If the hike is canceled under park rules, the hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance fees do not need to be paid.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No certificate is required for the introductory DSD scuba option. The program includes two 20-minute sessions with an instructor and the required scuba equipment.

What extra fees should I budget for?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. Hiking adds a RM50 Bohey permit and climbing fee plus RM7 insurance when the hike is available. Scuba participants pay an additional marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for Malaysians.

What languages are available?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay. The level of spoken English can vary between crew members.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, a passport or accepted copy, a waterproof bag, motion-sickness prevention if needed, and a wetsuit. A 1.5-liter bottle of water is provided.