Semporna Hike Bohey 3 Island Snorkel Dive Tour and Lunch

Bohey Dulang is the star here: a 600-meter forest hike ending at a high view over a turquoise lagoon, green volcanic hills, nearby islands, and the Celebes Sea. Afterward, you’ll spend time in clear water around Mantabuan and Sibuan, with lunch served under the shade.

I like the small group limit of 12 people, and I like that the price covers the boat, park fees, equipment, lunch, water, and instruction. The main catch is that the hiking portion depends on government park rules and weather, and there is no refund if officials close the trail.

Key points to know before booking

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter climb: The short distance still means a real uphill walk, but the summit view is the day’s main reward.
• Three very different islands: You get a scenic viewpoint at Bohey Dulang, reef time near Mantabuan, and a quieter beach setting at Sibuan.
• Small group of up to 12: This should make equipment fitting and water instruction more manageable than on a large boat.
• Snorkeling or beginner scuba: Snorkeling is included for the full stop, while the scuba option includes two 20-minute sessions and needs an extra RM150 park fee.
• Lunch and park charges included: The $113 price covers several costs that can otherwise add up on a marine park excursion.
• The route can change: Tides, weather, sea conditions, and official park decisions determine the order and sometimes remove the hike.

Bohey Dulang gives the day its purpose

The boat heads from Semporna toward Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a group of islands formed from volcanic remains. The first major stop is Bohey Dulang, where you walk roughly 600 meters uphill through natural scenery to reach the summit.

That distance may sound easy on paper. I would still treat it as a proper trail, not a flat stroll from the jetty. You need to be ready for uneven ground and an uphill effort, though the information provided does not give a precise grade, trail surface, or walking time.

At the top, the reward is a broad view of a young green mountain, the turquoise lagoon below, neighboring islands, and the Celebes Sea. This is the part that makes the trip more than a standard beach outing. You get a sense of how the islands fit together, rather than seeing only the strip of sand beside your boat.

The trail is subject to official park restrictions. The operator cannot guarantee the climb, and a government decision can cancel it because of rain, trail conditions, or another safety concern. If that happens, the boat continues with the snorkeling or scuba program, but the stated terms do not offer a refund or a free change of date.

That policy matters. If Bohey Dulang is the main reason you are booking, accept that the viewpoint is a possibility rather than a promise. I would check the weather forecast before reserving, while remembering that a clear forecast still cannot control a same-day park decision.

Mantabuan combines a small island story with reef time

The next stop is Mantabuan Island, described as a crumbling brick remnant that once housed a small sea-nomad community. It is not presented as a formal cultural visit, so you should not expect a guided history lesson or a long walk through a settlement. Its value is the setting and the water around it.

You can swim, snorkel, or choose the scuba option here. The clear sea offers coral and tropical fish, making this a good place to spend time looking below the surface rather than simply taking a quick swim.

For snorkeling, the stop lasts for the full available visit. The tour supplies a mask and snorkel, plus a life jacket, and a multilingual instructor explains how to use the equipment. One 1.5-liter bottle of water is included, but I would still bring extra water if you know you drink a lot in the heat.

The scuba package is more structured. It includes two sessions of 20 minutes each, along with a tank, regulator, buoyancy control device, gauge, fins, mask, and instructor. The published inclusions also refer to oxygen equipment. You must pay an extra RM150 to Tun Sakaran Marine Park for each person choosing the introductory scuba option.

The water sessions may appeal to first-time scuba guests. Din is specifically identified as a helpful dive master who works well with beginners. That does not replace checking the booking details and medical requirements for your own situation, but it does suggest that the instruction is not aimed only at experienced scuba users.

Sibuan offers a quieter final water stop

Sibuan Island is the other snorkeling stop, and the order of the islands may change with the tide. The supplied plan also says the skipper can choose a different location if weather conditions require it, so you should think of the three stops as the day’s intended framework rather than a fixed minute-by-minute schedule.

The island is described as a place that local islanders seldom see, with a beautiful blue-sand beach and an isolated bay. You can snorkel over an underwater formation with large numbers of fish, or stay onshore and enjoy the view. A stone arch beneath the coastline is another feature to look for if the route and conditions allow.

I like this contrast with Bohey Dulang. The morning viewpoint gives you height and distance, while Sibuan brings you close to the water and shoreline. If the sea is calm, this should be a pleasant place to slow down after the hike and earlier water stop.

Do not expect the skipper to promise every feature on every departure. Sea conditions can affect the route, and the wording allows changes for weather and government regulations. The flexibility is sensible for a marine trip, but it means you should book for the overall day rather than one exact beach or rock formation.

What the $113 price really covers

At $113, this is not simply a boat ride to three islands. The package includes the day boat, dock taxes, general taxes, entrance to Tun Sakaran Marine Park for a foreign visitor, the Bohey Dulang hiker and guide fee, lunch, a bottle of water, a life jacket, and snorkeling equipment.

The snorkeling version also includes two full stop snorkeling sessions with instruction. That makes the price easier to justify if you plan to use the water time fully. You are paying for a complete day in a protected island area, not just transport from Semporna.

The value is less certain if the hike is your only priority and it is canceled. The stated policy says the tour will continue with snorkeling or scuba activities, with no personal refund for someone who cannot hike. In that case, you would still receive a marine outing, but not the feature you may have cared about most.

The scuba option changes the calculation. Equipment and instruction are included, but the additional RM150 marine park fee applies to each person taking the two introductory sessions. Confirm the total cost before booking if you are comparing this with a snorkeling-only trip.

A direct reservation discount of 15 percent is also advertised. Since the supplied information does not explain the direct booking terms, check exactly how the discount applies and what cancellation protection you receive before paying outside your usual booking channel.

Lunch is simple, useful, and well timed

Lunch is provided in a box and eaten under canopy shade after a water session. That is a practical arrangement in a place where shade and a proper meal may not be available at every stop.

Do not book this expecting a restaurant meal or a menu built around personal preferences. The information only promises a local lunch box, so bring any snacks you need and mention dietary concerns before departure if that is important to you.

The meal also creates a natural pause. You can get out of wet clothes, settle your breathing after the hike and snorkeling, and refill before the next stop. With only one included bottle of water, your personal water needs deserve some planning.

The schedule starts early and ends where it began

The meeting point is Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty on Jalan Bangau Bangau in Pekan Semporna. The stated start time is 8:20 a.m., and the full outing lasts about eight hours, returning to the same jetty.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the jetty, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Allow enough time to find the correct departure area and arrive before the stated start.

There is no separate transfer between islands. The day is built around a boat, with the skipper adjusting the order based on tides and conditions. That helps the operator use the sea safely, but it also means the sequence may not match the order described in the plan.

The group limit is 12 people. That is a useful detail for a day that involves fitting masks, snorkels, life jackets, and possibly scuba equipment. A small group can also make it easier to hear instructions, though the actual boat layout and staffing are not specified.

What to pack for a better day

I would keep your packing list short and practical:

• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes
• Sun protection and a hat
• Water beyond the included 1.5-liter bottle
• A waterproof pouch for important items
• Comfortable footwear for the Bohey Dulang trail
• Snacks if you need more than the lunch box
• Any personal medication you may require

The tour supplies the main water equipment, including mask, snorkel, fins for scuba, a life jacket, and scuba gear for the optional sessions. You should not assume that personal items, towels, extra food, or hotel transfers are included.

The trail is the reason to avoid treating this as a pure beach day. Wear something suitable for walking, and do not bring more gear than you can manage on a boat and uphill path.

Weather and park rules matter more than the brochure plan

The operator makes clear that the route can change because of bad weather, sea conditions, road or trail conditions, and government regulation. The Bohey Dulang hike is especially controlled by National Park rules, which apply to every operator entering the area.

That is normal for a protected marine park, but the financial policy is strict. If officials cancel the hike, the snorkeling or scuba part continues, and the tour does not promise a refund or a different date. If you personally decide you cannot hike, you also should not expect money back.

This is the single biggest booking consideration. I would choose this day if I am happy with either a viewpoint and reef outing or a reef outing alone. I would not book it if the summit is the only acceptable result.

How the day is likely to feel

The experience has a clear rhythm: boat travel, an uphill walk, water time, lunch, another island stop, and a return to Semporna. It is active without requiring a full expedition, but the combination of heat, boat time, trail effort, and snorkeling can make the day tiring.

The strongest parts are the range of scenery and the chance to use the same outing for both land and sea. Bohey Dulang gives you the large view, Mantabuan gives you coral and fish, and Sibuan gives you a more secluded beach setting.

The weaker point is that the exact schedule remains fluid. You may not know which island comes first, and weather may remove or replace a planned stop. That is not a flaw in the sea itself, but it does make the tour less predictable than a land-based attraction.

The human side also appears mixed. Din is specifically praised for helping first-time scuba users, and the boat captain and snorkeling instructors are described as professional and friendly in one account. At the same time, one customer reported poor service and chose another company the next day. The operator disputed that account and said the person had no matching reservation and had wanted to return during bad weather.

I would take that conflicting service picture seriously without letting one dispute define the whole experience. Ask who will lead your departure, confirm the meeting instructions, and make sure you understand the no-refund rule before you go.

Who should book this Semporna island tour?

I think it suits you if you want one full day that combines a scenic climb, reef time, a local lunch, and boat travel between several islands. It is especially useful if you are staying in Semporna and want a small-group outing with equipment and park costs bundled together.

It also fits first-time scuba participants who want instruction and two short sessions rather than a full day devoted only to scuba. Din’s reported beginner support is a helpful detail, though you should still confirm that you meet all requirements before selecting that option.

It is less suitable if you dislike uncertain schedules, need hotel transfers, want a guaranteed summit hike, or prefer a large resort-style operation with fixed facilities. Snorkeling is the safer choice if you want the simplest package and do not need scuba equipment.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the mix of Bohey Dulang views, two reef stops, and a small group sounds better than spending the day at one island. At $113, the package offers solid value because it combines transport, marine park charges, lunch, equipment, instruction, and water activities.

Before paying, accept two conditions: the hike may be canceled by park officials without a refund, and the scuba option costs an additional RM150 per person for the park fee. If you can live with those limits, this is a well-rounded way to see the Semporna islands in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, Jalan Bangau Bangau, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Malaysia.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:20 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the Semporna jetty yourself.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes one local lunch box, served under canopy shade.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

The tour provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. Snorkeling instruction is also included.

Is scuba available?

Yes. The scuba option includes two 20-minute sessions, an instructor, tank, regulator, buoyancy control device, gauge, fins, mask, and related equipment. An extra RM150 marine park fee applies to each scuba participant.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, hazards, and government park approval. If it is canceled, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba, and the stated terms do not provide a refund or date change.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.