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

Bohey Dulang earns its view. This seven-hour island trip combines a 600-meter hill walk with clear-water swimming and reef time around three islands near Semporna. I especially like the broad view from Bohey Dulang and the careful support in the water, including life jackets and safety rings for less confident swimmers. The main catch is extra park and climbing fees, plus the hike can be canceled when weather or government rules say no.

You get a good mix for $58: boat travel, lunch, snorkeling equipment, a 1.5-liter water bottle, and either two snorkeling stops or two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions with an instructor. I also like that the crew speaks Chinese, English, and Malay. Plan for a fairly long speedboat ride, some waiting around, and lunch that may feel basic rather than gourmet.

The five things worth knowing first

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to wide views over the green peak, turquoise lagoon, neighboring islands, and the Celebes Sea.
• Two water stops give you time to swim, snorkel, or take introductory scuba sessions, depending on the option you book.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan offer different moods: one has coral, fish, and traces of former sea-based settlement; the other has a quiet beach and unusual coastal rock formations.
• The $58 price is only part of the cost, since the RM30 marine park fee and, for hikers, RM50 climbing and permit charges are separate.
• The schedule can change because of tides, weather, sea conditions, and national park decisions. The boat captain chooses the safest available water spots.
• A waterproof bag matters. You will move between boat, jetty, beach, and trail, often with wet gear and changing clothes.

Leaving Semporna for Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna, where the crew registers each person by full name and nationality before taking you to the boat. You should arrive ready to go, not expecting a hotel pickup. The tour does not include transport to or from your hotel, so allow extra time to reach the jetty.

The first speedboat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is a sizeable part of the day, but it gives you an early look at the scattered islands around Semporna. Bring motion sickness medicine if boat rides trouble you. The instructions specifically recommend it, and this is not a short harbor cruise.

The boat is also your base between stops. Keep your passport or an accepted copy available, carry cash for fees, and use a waterproof bag for phones, cameras, and dry clothing. You receive one 1.5-liter bottle of water, but extra snacks are sensible, especially if lunch options are not to your taste.

The route and order are not fixed in stone. Tide times, lunch timing, weather, and conditions at sea can change the sequence. That flexibility is useful because it lets the crew choose workable water conditions, but it means you should not treat the listed times as an exact promise.

Bohey Dulang: a short trail with a big payoff

Bohey Dulang is the visual high point of the day. The island formed from old volcanic activity, and the climb follows a 600-meter trail through the green interior. You receive a safety briefing and guide support before setting off.

The walk is short by distance, but it is still a real uphill effort. One part of the value is that the reward arrives quickly: from the top, you look over neighboring islands, the blue-green sea, and the lagoon below. The view gives you a sense of the park that you simply cannot get from a boat.

Wear proper hiking shoes rather than flip-flops. The tour information specifically recommends them, and wet footwear from the boat is not a good match for an uphill trail. You also need water, sun protection, and enough time to move at the group’s pace. The hiking portion is scheduled for about 75 minutes, including the walk, views, photographs, and guidance.

If you choose the no-hike option, you wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up. This is important. You cannot decide at the last minute to join the climb because the government requires permits in the names of hikers. For a non-hiker, this waiting period may feel long, so book the no-hike option only if you are comfortable giving up the island viewpoint.

The climb is also conditional. Park authorities can close or restrict the trail because of weather, road conditions, or official policy. If that happens, the trip continues with the water activities, but you do not pay the hiking permit, park entry, or hiking insurance fees. The attraction is excellent, but it is not guaranteed.

Mantabuan: reef time and traces of sea life

After Bohey Dulang, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. This stop lasts around 35 minutes and usually centers on swimming, snorkeling, or an introductory scuba session after a safety briefing.

The water activities are organized for mixed abilities. If you select snorkeling, the package includes a mask and snorkel, multilingual instructions, and a life jacket. If you choose the scuba option, the package includes two 20-minute sessions with an instructor, along with fins, a buoyancy vest, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and tank. No scuba certificate is required because these are introductory sessions.

The crew’s support is one of the strongest parts of the trip. If you are not comfortable in the water, guides can assist with life jackets and safety rings. That makes the stop more approachable for families and first-time participants, though you should still be comfortable entering the sea and follow the safety briefing closely.

Mantabuan also adds a human story to the day. It was once associated with a small community of sea gypsies, people who spent most of their lives on the water and rarely went ashore. The remains of crumbled brick are a quiet reminder of that past. Do not expect a large museum or a formal historical visit. The interest is in seeing a small physical trace while enjoying the coast.

The schedule allows limited time in the water. Experienced snorkelers may wish for longer sessions, but the group must accommodate people using life jackets, taking instructions, changing equipment, or joining the scuba activity. I would treat this stop as a well-managed sample rather than a full afternoon of reef exploration.

Lunch in the shade and a slower island pause

The lunch break lasts about 1.5 hours and may take place on a secluded island or another suitable location chosen by the crew. You receive a lunch box, described as a local meal, and have time to eat, walk, swim, and change clothes.

This is a useful pause after the trail and water activities. The shade matters, since the boat rides and open beaches give you plenty of sun exposure. Take the opportunity to dry off, drink water, and organize your bag before the final stop.

Lunch is practical rather than a reason to book the trip by itself. If you are selective about food, bring snacks. One person found the meal only average, so a small backup is sensible. The exact island may change, and the lunch location depends on tides and the day’s timing.

The long break can also create waiting. People may be changing, applying sunscreen, or preparing equipment. If you want constant activity from start to finish, the pace may feel uneven. If you prefer a chance to rest between the hill and the final water stop, the pause works well.

Sibuan: a quieter final water stop

The boat takes about 15 minutes from lunch to Sibuan Island, where you have roughly 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The captain chooses the exact site according to weather and sea conditions.

Sibuan is presented as a quieter place, with a secluded blue-sand beach, a stone arch beneath the coast, and possible underwater formations surrounded by fish. The exact sights are not guaranteed, but the appeal is clear: this stop gives you a less developed setting after the more structured Bohey Dulang climb.

You should pay attention to the sea conditions rather than fixating on one promised feature. The captain may select the safest or clearest area on the day. That flexibility is a good safety measure, even if it means your boat does not stop at every possible point.

Snorkelers receive the same basic equipment and instruction, while scuba participants use their instructor and supplied gear. The tour describes two water stops of about 20 minutes each for the introductory scuba option, not counting safety briefings or the full stop duration. If you are an experienced snorkeler, you may find the active water time shorter than hoped. If you are new to snorkeling, the length is easier to manage.

The long ride back to Semporna

The return speedboat ride takes about an hour. By then, you will likely be wet, tired, and pleased to have a dry change of clothes. Keep something warm or dry within reach, since an open boat ride after swimming can feel cooler than expected.

The full outing is listed as 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, although it is commonly described as a seven-hour experience. The difference is not meaningful in practice. Sea conditions, loading time, official checks, and changing between activities can affect the finish time, so avoid booking a tight connection afterward.

The day is active but not extreme. The hike is short, and the water sessions are guided. Still, the tour is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, and you should be honest about your swimming ability and any health concerns before booking.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, this is a strong package if you want three islands, a hill walk, boat transport between stops, lunch, gear, and staff support in one day. The included equipment is particularly useful for first-time snorkelers and introductory scuba participants, since you do not need to arrange fins, a mask, a wetsuit, or a tank separately.

The price does not cover every required charge:

• Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee: RM30 per person
• Bohey permit and climbing fee: RM50 per person when hiking is available
• Bohey hiking insurance: RM7 per person when required
• Marine park scuba fee: RM150 for each foreign participant or RM100 for each Malaysian participant

The last charge applies only to scuba, not snorkeling. Scuba participants pay it even if the Bohey hike is canceled. These add-ons can change the value calculation, especially for international visitors choosing the scuba option. Ask for the current total before you commit, since the hiking insurance rule was updated on June 20, 2025.

The tour includes multilingual instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication may still be limited at times, particularly if a crew member speaks only a few English words. The practical safety steps are clear, but do not expect a detailed naturalist talk in English throughout the day.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a compact introduction to Semporna’s islands and do not want to plan separate transport, equipment rental, lunch, and guides. It works especially well for solo visitors, families with children old enough for a boat and hill walk, and first-time snorkelers who value reassurance in the water.

It also suits active people who want variety. You get a viewpoint, boat travel, two water areas, a beach pause, and a local meal rather than spending the entire day on one beach. The crew has also handled groups with children aged 7, 10, and 12, according to the available tour information, though each family must judge its own comfort with the sea, sun, and trail.

I would think twice if you want long, uninterrupted snorkeling sessions, a quiet private boat, or a polished restaurant lunch. The group schedule controls the pace, and the water time must serve both confident swimmers and beginners. You may also be disappointed if the hike is the main reason you came and official rules close Bohey Dulang.

Book the snorkeling option if you mainly want accessible reef time and a lower total cost. Choose the scuba option only if you accept the additional marine park charge and want two short introductory sessions with an instructor. For the hike, select it from the start and bring the right shoes, since last-minute changes are not allowed.

Should you book the Bohey Dulang island tour?

Yes, if you want the best all-round value from one day near Semporna. The Bohey Dulang viewpoint is the main prize, while Mantabuan and Sibuan add water time, beaches, fish, and a sense of the wider marine park. The crew’s hands-on help is a real advantage for nervous swimmers.

Book with realistic expectations. The hill may close, the order may change, lunch is simple, and experienced snorkelers may want more time in the water. But for $58 before required fees, this gives you a well-filled day with a memorable viewpoint and several ways to enjoy the sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Jeti Pelancong Semporna. You must make your own way to the jetty because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience take?

The experience lasts about seven hours, listed as 450 minutes. Boat travel, weather, sea conditions, official checks, and activity changes can affect the exact start and finish time.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, government policy, and official park restrictions. If it is canceled, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba activities, and hiking-related charges are not required.

Can I join the hike after booking the no-hike option?

No. Hiking permits must be issued in the hiker’s name, so last-minute changes are not possible. A person who books without the hike must wait at the jetty while the hiking group is away.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No. The scuba option consists of introductory sessions with an instructor, and no scuba certificate is required. The marine park scuba fee is still mandatory for anyone taking part in scuba, even if the hike does not operate.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, your passport or an accepted copy, a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention if needed, and a wetsuit. The tour supplies a life jacket, mask, snorkel, water, lunch, and scuba equipment when that option is selected.