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

Bohey Dulang is the star here: a 600-meter uphill trail leads to a broad view over a bright lagoon, green islands, and the Celebes Sea. Then the day shifts from forest and viewpoints to warm water, coral, and fish around Mantabuan and Sibuan.

I like the mix of active and easygoing time. You get a proper island walk, two water stops, lunch under shade, and a capable crew that can help nervous swimmers with life jackets and safety rings. The main catch is that park and diving fees cost extra, and the hike can be canceled by weather or government rules.

Key points to know

• Bohey Dulang’s summit is the main reward: The 600-meter trail ends with wide views of the lagoon and nearby islands.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan serve different purposes: Mantabuan is the main reef stop, while Sibuan offers a more secluded beach setting and another swim.
• First-time scuba is possible: Two 20-minute sessions with an instructor are available without a scuba certificate.
• The $58 price covers the basics: Boat transport, lunch, water, equipment, life jacket, and dock taxes are included, but park charges are not.
• The schedule depends on nature: Tide, weather, sea conditions, and park orders can change the order or cancel the hike.
• Bring a waterproof bag and cash: You will need dry storage for your phone and money for required extra fees.

Why this Semporna day trip works so well

This is a good choice if you want more than a standard beach outing. The day combines the best-known viewpoint around Tun Sakaran Marine Park with two stops for swimming, snorkeling, or supervised introductory scuba. That variety matters in Semporna, where a full day on the water can otherwise feel repetitive.

I especially like the balance between effort and reward. The Bohey Dulang trail is short by mountain standards, but it is still a real climb. Afterward, you can cool off in the sea instead of spending the whole day on a boat. Families with children have enjoyed the format, and solo visitors can join without needing to arrange a private group.

The tour has a rating of 4.3 from 50 bookings, with the strongest praise aimed at the scenery, friendly crew, organization, and reef stops. Communication is available in Chinese, English, and Malay, though English ability may vary among individual crew members. Din is named as a particularly helpful instructor for first-time scuba participants.

The drawback is control. You do not get to set the pace for every part of the day. The boat captain chooses the best water spots based on conditions, and stronger snorkelers may want more time in the sea than the schedule allows. The operator also needs to manage people changing clothes, preparing equipment, and waiting for the hike, which can eat into free time.

Leaving Semporna for Tun Sakaran Marine Park

You meet at Jetty Pelancong Semporna, where registration takes place before boarding. You must provide each person’s full name and nationality in advance for registration. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the jetty.

The first boat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is a substantial stretch on the water, but it also gives you time to watch Semporna fade behind you and see the islands draw closer. Bring motion sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness. A waterproof bag is useful from the moment you board, since spray and wet equipment become part of the day.

The listed duration is 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, though the advertised description calls it a seven-hour trip. Sea conditions, park rules, and the time needed to organize the group can affect the final return time. Do not schedule a tight connection afterward.

Tun Sakaran Marine Park charges an additional RM30 per person. This is separate from the tour price, so carry cash. The price is $58 per person, which is fair for a full boat day with lunch and equipment, but the extras push up the final cost.

Climbing Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail

Bohey Dulang is the most memorable stop for many people. The islands formed from old volcanic activity, and the hike gives you a view that you cannot get from the boat or beach. The trail covers about 600 meters, but distance alone does not tell the whole story. It is uphill, and the heat can make the climb tiring.

You should wear proper hiking shoes. Flip-flops are a poor choice for this part of the day, especially if the trail is damp or uneven. Carry water, although a 1.5-liter bottle is provided, and keep your pace steady. The goal is not to race to the top.

At the viewpoint, you look over young green slopes, the turquoise lagoon below, neighboring islands, and the open Celebes Sea. This is the point where the trip feels bigger than a simple snorkel outing. The view also explains why Bohey Dulang is worth the extra effort.

The hike normally takes about 75 minutes including the safety briefing, walking, sightseeing, and time for photographs. That gives you enough time to enjoy the top without turning the climb into an all-day trek. The route is not suitable for everyone, though. People with respiratory issues are advised not to join, and anyone who dislikes heat or uphill walking should choose the no-hike option.

If you book without the hike, you must wait at the jetty while the other participants climb. A last-minute decision to join is not possible because the park requires permits tied to the names of hikers. If officials close the trail, the operator continues with the water portion instead, and no hiking permit, park entry, or hiking insurance fee is required.

The hiking charges are separate when the trail is open: RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee, plus RM7 for Bohey insurance under the updated park regulation. These charges are easy to overlook when comparing prices, so include them in your budget.

Mantabuan: the first proper water stop

After Bohey Dulang, the speedboat takes about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. This island has a strong connection to sea-based communities, including a small population of sea gypsies who traditionally spent most of their lives on the water. The remains of crumbled brick structures are a reminder of that past.

The visit is brief, around 35 minutes, so think of Mantabuan as a focused water stop rather than a long beach visit. After a safety briefing, you can swim and snorkel, or take part in the first supervised underwater session if you select the scuba option.

The reef is the reason to pay attention here. Expect coral and schools of tropical fish, with the exact quality depending on visibility and conditions that day. The crew provides a mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, and other required equipment. Guides also offer instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay.

If you are not confident in the water, say so clearly before entering. The crew can support less comfortable swimmers with life jackets and safety rings. That makes the stop more approachable for families and beginners, though you should still be comfortable being in open sea conditions.

The scuba option is designed for beginners and does not require a certificate. You receive two sessions of about 20 minutes each with an instructor, not counting the safety briefing or preparation time. The equipment list includes a wetsuit, fins, BCD, regulator, gauge, and air cylinder.

There is an important extra charge for scuba. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM150 per foreign participant or RM100 per Malaysian participant. This fee applies to scuba only, not snorkeling, and it remains payable if you participate in the underwater sessions even when the Bohey Dulang hike is canceled.

Lunch in a secluded island setting

The schedule allows about 90 minutes for lunch, free time, and a walk at a more secluded island stop. The exact island and timing can change with the tide and the needs of the day. This flexibility is sensible because boats cannot follow a rigid plan when sea conditions shift.

Lunch is served in a box onboard or under the shade of a canopy, depending on the arrangement that day. The food is described as a local meal with deli-style elements. It is practical fuel after the hike and water activities, but I would bring snacks if you are particular about food or tend to get hungry after exercise.

This break is valuable because the first half of the day includes a long boat ride, an uphill walk, and time in the water. You get a chance to dry off, eat, and reset before the final island stop. Bring a change of clothes, especially if you dislike sitting in a wet swimsuit during the boat rides.

Sibuan and the final swim

A second 15-minute boat ride takes you toward Sibuan Island. The final island stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, and time for photographs. The captain chooses the exact site according to the weather and sea conditions.

Sibuan is presented as the more secluded part of the route. You might snorkel beside a blue-sand beach, look for a stone arch along the coast, or see an underwater formation surrounded by fish. The word might matters here. None of these sights is guaranteed on every departure, since the captain must put safety and conditions first.

The second water stop is short. Strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers may wish for more time, while beginners may find the length comfortable. The crew needs to allow for equipment changes and different ability levels, so this is not a private reef expedition with unlimited time in the water.

After Sibuan, the return boat ride takes about an hour. That makes the day feel full rather than rushed, but it also means you should be ready for a long ride back. Keep dry clothes and your water bottle accessible, not buried at the bottom of your bag.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, this trip offers solid value if you want all three islands and need equipment provided. The base price includes:

• Speedboat transport during the tour
• Lunch box
• One 1.5-liter bottle of water
• Mask and snorkel
• Life jacket
• Snorkeling stops
• Hiking when selected and permitted
• Scuba equipment and instructor when that option is selected
• Dock taxes
• Multilingual safety instructions

The price does not include hotel transport, the RM30 marine park fee, Bohey hiking charges, hiking insurance, or the separate scuba park fee. For a no-hike snorkeling booking, the extra cost is modest. For hiking plus scuba as a foreign visitor, the add-ons are much more significant.

I would compare the final price with other Semporna boat trips, not just the advertised base rate. Still, the combination of the famous Bohey viewpoint, two island water stops, lunch, and beginner equipment makes this a useful one-day introduction to the area.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this trip if you want variety and do not need a private schedule. It suits:

• First-time visitors to Semporna
• Solo visitors who want a ready-made day out
• Families with children who can manage the boat ride and hike
• Beginners interested in supervised scuba
• Snorkelers who want two different reef areas
• Active visitors who enjoy a short uphill walk

I would think twice if you need a quiet, slow day with long periods on one beach. The boat rides are long, the hiking schedule is fixed, and the water stops are limited. You should also reconsider if you have respiratory problems, dislike open-water conditions, or cannot tolerate motion on a speedboat.

The crew has received particular praise for helping nervous swimmers and first-time scuba participants. Still, you should tell the guides about your ability before entering the water. Life jackets and safety rings help, but they do not replace basic caution.

Practical advice before you go

Wear shoes that can handle the Bohey Dulang trail, and bring sandals or dry footwear for the islands. Pack a change of clothes, sunscreen, cash, a waterproof bag, and motion sickness prevention if needed.

You should bring your passport, though a copy is accepted. A wetsuit is listed among the recommended items, but scuba equipment is supplied for those who select that option. Keep your phone protected because you will be moving between boat, beach, and water throughout the day.

The trip can be canceled or changed because of bad weather, sea conditions, government restrictions, or park policy. The hiking decision is not controlled by the tour operator, and no company receives special treatment at Bohey Dulang. If officials close the trail, the day continues with snorkeling or scuba where conditions allow.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is offered. Check the starting time carefully and allow extra time to reach the jetty.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the classic Semporna combination: Bohey Dulang’s viewpoint, coral reefs, a local lunch, and several island stops in one day. The strongest reasons to choose it are the scenery from the 600-meter climb, the helpful water support, and the option to try scuba without a certificate.

Skip it if you want long, unstructured snorkeling sessions or a private boat. Also calculate the extra park and hiking charges before you commit. For most people who accept a busy schedule and changing conditions, this is a well-rounded way to see Tun Sakaran Marine Park without arranging every part yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the jetty yourself.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. Weather, tides, sea conditions, and government rules can affect the start and finish times.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, and government park approval. If it is canceled, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba where possible.

How long is the Bohey Dulang hike?

The trail covers about 600 meters. The Bohey Dulang portion, including the briefing, walk, sightseeing, and photographs, is scheduled for about 75 minutes.

Can I join without hiking?

Yes, you can book a no-hike option. You must wait at the jetty while the hiking group completes the trail, and you cannot request the hike at the last minute because permits are issued using the hiker’s name.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No certificate is required for the introductory scuba option. You receive two sessions of about 20 minutes each with an instructor, plus safety preparation.

What scuba fees are extra?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee is RM150 for each foreign participant or RM100 for each Malaysian participant. This charge applies only to scuba, not snorkeling.

What fees are required for the hike?

When hiking is available, the Bohey permit and climbing fee is RM50 per person. Bohey insurance is an additional RM7 per person under the stated park regulation. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park entry fee is RM30 per person.

What languages are available during the tour?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay. The level of English may vary among individual crew members, but safety guidance is provided for snorkeling and scuba activities.