Hotel & Tours Group

Barely 20 minutes via speedboat from Kota Kinabalu, this marine park consists of a cluster of five islands – Manukan, Gaya, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug – encircled by inviting clear shallow waters.

Here, the balmy tropical weather is sure to put visitors in the mood for a dip. The marine life is rich off all the islands, whose accessible private coves are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Thanks to its mild currents, the area is also a great training ground for novice divers who are building up for a trip to the ultimate diving destination in Sipadan Island, southeastern Sabah.

Each island is an ideal base for diving activities, but Manukan, the second largest after Gaya, is the most popular. This boomerang-shaped island is, after all, the most developed in the marine park, with facilities such as a dive centre, watersports equipment rental outlets, a restaurant and well-appointed chalets for overnight stays.

Manukan boasts a lovely stretch of beach on its southern edge and eastern tip. Besides striking coral beds, divers and snorkelers will come face-to-face with schools of clown fish alongside starfish, pipefish, blue spotted rays, cuttlefish and scorpion fish. You may even encounter the friendly whale shark, the world's largest living fish.

Aside from undersea exploring, visitors can also enjoy feeding fish off the jetty, or indulge in a languorous picnic or a nature walk along the forest and mangrove trails. On weekends, a hearty barbeque lunch is whipped up by a brigade of chefs from Sutera Sanctuary Lodges – so no one has to tour the island on an empty stomach.

Those seeking a bit of a getaway can island-hop to nearby Sapi. Though much smaller, it has one of the best beaches in the park, with powdery white sand and clear blue waters. The coral reefs skirting the shoreline also make it an arresting place to snorkel, seawalk and dive.

At low tide, a sand bar connects Sapi to Gaya, allowing for walks across to the other side. Gaya Island's long stretch of coastline boasts a diverse landscape, from sandy beaches to mangrove forests to sandstone cliffs.

Other activities offered in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park include kayaking, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. There are well-trained instructors on hand to assist the inexperienced. There's also parasailing, which offers participants a bird's-eye view of the lush islands and the chance to take to the skies against the backdrop of majestic Mt Kinabalu.

When it's time to dry off, boat tours are also available. For instance, you can take a 15-minute glass-bottom boat ride at Manukan Island to view the coral reefs. At night, consider taking a sunset cruise. Soak in the spectacular view when the sun slowly dips below the horizon, and enjoy free-flow beverages and snacks on board.

To get to the islands, arrange a trip by boat at Sea Quest's counter at Sutera Harbour Marina Jetty (tel: +60 (0)88 248 006/230 943, seaquesttours.net).

The shuttle ferry service is available from 8.30am to 3.30pm daily. The last boat from Manukan leaves at 5pm, but return-time reservations are required. Check for times at the Sea Quest Ferry Terminal about 15 minutes before departure. Contact Sea Quest if you are interested in island-hopping, diving, the island barbeque, glass-bottom boat tours or a sunset cruise.

For more enquiries on dive tours, contact Manukan Island Dive Centre or one of the dive centres in Kota Kinabalu – which offer diving courses to suit any ability level. At Manukan, you can rent masks, snorkels, life jackets, tube rings and body boards among other things.