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

Bohey Dulang is the star of this Semporna day trip: a short but sweaty climb leads to one of Sabah’s finest island views, with a turquoise lagoon below and small green islands stretching across the Celebes Sea. I like that the day adds two proper water stops, not just a quick photo stop, and that first-time scuba participants can join without a certificate. The main catch is that the price is not the final price if you hike or use scuba.

I especially like the mix of 600 meters of walking and reef time, which gives you both a land view and a close look at marine life. The crew also takes safety seriously, helping less confident swimmers with life jackets and safety rings. Communication can be limited at times, so travelers who need detailed English explanations should ask questions early.

Key points to know before booking

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to a memorable viewpoint over the lagoon and nearby islands.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan provide two separate opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.
• Two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions are available with an instructor, even without a scuba certificate.
• Lunch is served under cover, usually during a longer island stop of about 90 minutes.
• The route can change with tides, weather, sea conditions, and park rules.
• Extra fees matter: marine park entry, the Bohey permit and insurance, and the scuba fee are separate.

Why Bohey Dulang makes this seven-hour trip worthwhile

Semporna is best understood from the water. The town is the practical jumping-off point for Tun Sakaran Marine Park, where volcanic islands rise from clear sea and shallow reef areas glow in changing shades of blue. This trip gives you a useful sample of that setting without requiring several separate bookings.

The biggest attraction is Bohey Dulang. The trail is about 600 meters, but do not mistake that distance for an easy stroll. It climbs through the island’s green interior, and the final viewpoint makes the effort worthwhile. From above, you can see the broad lagoon, neighboring islands, and open Celebes Sea.

I like this part because it gives the day a sense of place. You are not only moving from beach to beach. You are seeing how the islands fit together, and the view is something you cannot get from the boat.

The hike is allowed only when conditions and government park rules permit it. If officials close the trail, the operator proceeds with the water activities, and the hiking-related fees should not apply. If you book the no-hike option, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up. A last-minute switch is not available because hiking permits are issued using the names of approved hikers.

The speedboat ride from Semporna

Meet at Jetty Pelancong Semporna, where the crew registers each person using a full name and nationality. You should arrive ready to board rather than expecting hotel pickup, because transport to the jetty is not included.

The first boat ride is listed at about 80 minutes. That is a substantial amount of time on the water, and sea conditions can affect how comfortable it feels. Bring motion sickness prevention if you need it, keep your waterproof bag close, and protect a change of clothes from spray.

The trip is conducted in Chinese, English, and Malay. The crew has been described as friendly and helpful, including when supporting children and people who are not confident in the water. Din is specifically noted as an attentive instructor for first-time scuba participants.

The group aims to leave promptly and may try to reach the islands before the busiest period. Exact timing is not guaranteed, though. Tides, weather, government instructions, and sea conditions can change both the order of stops and the return time.

Bohey Dulang: a short climb with a big payoff

The Bohey Dulang stop lasts about 75 minutes, including the safety briefing, guided walk, photos, and time at the viewpoint. That is enough for the trail and views, but not enough for a slow nature walk with lots of lingering.

Wear proper hiking shoes. The surface can be demanding, and flip-flops are a poor choice for a climb. Bring water, although one 1.5-liter bottle is included, and keep your camera protected from humidity and rain.

The top view is the reason to choose the hiking option. You see the young green peak, the lagoon below, and the scattered islands beyond. The water is the visual centerpiece, but the greater value is the change in perspective. After a long boat ride, a climb lets you understand the shape of the marine park rather than only seeing isolated shorelines.

This is the most physically demanding part of the day, though the distance itself is modest. I would consider it manageable for anyone comfortable with a short uphill trail, but the heat and humidity can make it feel harder. The hike is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, and official park restrictions always take priority.

Mantabuan: reef time and a glimpse of island life

After Bohey Dulang, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The stop lasts around 35 minutes and includes a safety briefing, swimming, snorkeling, and marine life viewing.

Mantabuan has another layer of interest beyond the water. It was once associated with a small sea-based community whose members spent most of their lives on the sea. Remains of crumbled brick are still visible, offering a brief reminder of how people once lived around these islands.

The water activity is basic but well suited to a mixed group. You can swim or snorkel, while participants who select introductory scuba receive equipment and an instructor. The included equipment covers fins, a buoyancy vest, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, tank, mask, and snorkel, depending on your chosen option.

The first-time scuba format is useful if you want to try it without holding a certificate. You receive a safety briefing and two sessions of about 20 minutes each during the day. The stated time refers to the underwater session, not the full stop, so expect equipment preparation and instructions to take additional time.

More experienced snorkelers should set expectations carefully. The schedule has to accommodate people learning basic skills, families, swimmers using flotation aids, and scuba participants. You may not get as much uninterrupted water time as you would on a specialist reef charter.

Lunch on a secluded island

After the first water stop, the boat heads to a quieter island area for lunch and a longer break. This section lasts about 90 minutes and includes time to eat, walk, swim, and relax under cover.

The meal is a local lunch box or deli-style meal served onboard or in the shade of a canopy. It is practical rather than a restaurant meal. I would bring a few snacks if you are selective about food, since the lunch may not suit every appetite.

The longer break is useful because the day has an early start feel, a boat ride, a climb, and water activities packed into a limited schedule. You have a chance to dry off, change clothes, and rest before the final island stop. A waterproof bag and a spare outfit are especially helpful here.

The exact island used for lunch can change. The crew may adjust the order to match tide conditions and the best available timing. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not treat the listed sequence as fixed.

Sibuan: the last swim in a remote bay

The boat takes about 15 minutes from the lunch area to Sibuan. The stop lasts around 40 minutes and focuses on swimming, snorkeling, and marine life.

Sibuan is presented as the more secluded final stop, with a blue-sand beach and a quiet bay. Depending on the conditions and the captain’s decision, you might see a stone arch along the coast or underwater formations where schools of colorful fish gather.

This is a good final water stop because you already know how the equipment works and have had time to settle into the sea conditions. You can use the time for a last snorkel, a swim, or a walk along the shore. The captain chooses the precise spot based on weather and sea conditions, so the experience can vary from one departure to another.

The 40-minute allocation is pleasant but not generous. If your main goal is long reef sessions, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better. If you want variety, the short Sibuan visit rounds out the day nicely.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the tour offers a lot for a full day: boat transport between three islands, a guided Bohey Dulang hike when permitted, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, safety equipment, an instructor for the scuba option, life jackets, one 1.5-liter bottle of water, and dock taxes.

The value is strongest if you want an all-round introduction to Semporna’s island area. Booking separate boat transport, park access, equipment, and instruction could be more complicated, and this package keeps the day together.

Still, calculate the extras before booking. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. Hiking adds a Bohey permit and climbing fee of RM50, plus RM7 for hiking insurance under the updated park regulation described for June 20, 2025. Scuba participants also pay a Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee of RM150 per foreign participant or RM100 per local participant. That fee applies to scuba only, not snorkeling.

The published price therefore works best as a base price, not an all-inclusive total. Ask for the current fees when booking, particularly if your departure date is after a rule change.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want one efficient day covering scenery, a short hike, and water activities. It suits solo participants, couples, families with older children, and first-time scuba participants who want instruction in a guided setting.

The trip can work well for families. The reported age range includes children of 7, 10, and 12, with the whole family taking part. Children still need to be comfortable with a long boat ride, heat, basic water safety, and the island trail.

It is also a good choice if you are not confident in the water. Life jackets and safety rings are available, and the crew can support you during the water stops. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to join the snorkeling portion, but you should follow the crew’s instructions closely.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a quiet private charter, long uninterrupted reef time, or a carefully controlled schedule. It is a shared excursion with several activities and a mixed range of abilities. The crew has to keep the whole group moving.

Practical preparation for the day

Pack light, but pack smart. You should bring:

• Hiking shoes
• A change of clothes
• A waterproof bag
• Cash for fees and personal needs
• Your passport, or an accepted copy
• Motion sickness medication if needed
• A wetsuit if you prefer your own

A life jacket, mask, snorkel, water, lunch, and selected scuba equipment are supplied. The information also recommends bringing a wetsuit, so do not assume the provided suit will meet your personal preference or fit.

Keep your passport details ready before arrival. The crew needs each person’s full name and nationality for registration. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way to Jetty Pelancong Semporna.

The cancellation terms are traveler-friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Starting times depend on availability, and the full duration is about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, although the advertised duration is also described as seven hours. Plan your day with some flexibility because sea conditions can affect the schedule.

How the experience balances scenery and water time

The strongest feature is variety. Bohey Dulang gives you a high viewpoint, Mantabuan adds a reef stop and a little local context, and Sibuan provides a quieter bay for the final swim. Lunch breaks up the activity without turning the day into a long beach stay.

The tradeoff is that no single part lasts very long. The hike stop is about 75 minutes, Mantabuan about 35 minutes, lunch about 90 minutes, and Sibuan about 40 minutes. Add the boat rides and the day moves quickly.

I like that arrangement for a first visit because you get a broad taste of the area. I would choose a longer specialist trip if your top priority is snorkeling or scuba technique. I would choose this one if you want memorable views, a few water sessions, and the convenience of a single organized day.

Should you book the Bohey 3 Islands tour?

Book it if Bohey Dulang’s viewpoint appeals to you and you want more than a simple boat ride. The combination of the climb, turquoise lagoon views, two reef areas, lunch, and guided water activities makes the $58 base price reasonable, provided you budget for the extra park and activity fees.

Choose the hiking option only if you are prepared for a short uphill trail and accept that weather or park rules can cancel it. Choose snorkeling if you want a simpler, lower-cost day. Pick the introductory scuba option if you want a first underwater experience with an instructor and understand that the marine park scuba charge is separate.

For most people visiting Semporna for the first time, this is a strong introduction to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Just arrive at the jetty prepared for a long boat day, bring a waterproof bag, and keep your schedule open to changes.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is about seven hours, or 450 minutes. Weather, tides, sea conditions, and government instructions can affect the starting and ending times.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

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.

Can I join the scuba activity without a certificate?

Yes. No scuba certificate is required because the activity is an introductory session with an instructor. Two sessions of about 20 minutes each are included when the scuba option is selected.

What extra fees should I expect?

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

What languages are used during the tour?

Instructions are provided in Chinese, English, and Malay.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, a change of clothes, cash, a passport or accepted copy, a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention if needed, and a wetsuit if preferred.