MANTANANI ISLAND

Mantanani Islands, a small group of three isolated islands, is a very picturesque and serene destination. From island trekking and sunset cruise to fishing or exploring the beach, you can do a whole lot of activities at the Mantanani Islands.

Pristine blue waters and the stunning natural beauty makes this place a paradise for beach lovers. The island has the most diverse forms of marine life. Snorkelling and diving are the major water activities you can look forward to enjoying on this island.

Sitting in crystal-clear aquamarine waters, the three islands, Mantanani Besar, Mantanani Kecil and Lungisan have become very popular for muck diving due to the existence of sea-horses, imperial shrimps, blue-ringed octopus, pink-eyed gobbles and many more species of marine animals.

The island is located in the north-western part of the state capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu and one can take a 55 minute speed boat ride from the Kota Belud if the weather conditions permit. Mantanani Besar is the largest of the three islands.

This part has not been much commercialized due to its thin structure as it is shaped like a knife. It is an absolute heaven for divers as it allows up to 40 metres of visibility. Many exotic birds flock to the island making it a great place for bird watching.

Several species of pigeons, sunbirds and the Mantanani scops owls are some of the beautiful bird species you can expect to see at the island. For those who do not want to indulge in water sports, the island offers a hoard of activities for them as well.

You can laze around on a hammock, play a game of volleyball or visit the nearest village for fishing. There are quite a few resorts, homestays and other places to stay in and around the island.

Credits:- Photo by Kawshar Ahmed on Unsplash

Most tourists come to Mantanani Islands from Kota Kinabalu. The journey from Kota Kinabalu is a two hour drive through open countryside alongside Mount Kinabalu, the tallest peak in Malaysia. Ideally, you can rent a car from the airport that will take you to Kota Belud. From Kota Belud you can take the boat ride that will directly drop you at Mantanani Island.

Credits:- Photo by Amanda Phung on Unsplash

Mantanani Island is warm and humid throughout the year. The best time to visit would be from April to September as this time of the year is safest for water sports. The clear skies and tranquil blue waters will give you the best beach holiday in this season. The period from October to March can be slightly unpredictable at times.

The sea tends to get rough and to ensure the safety of all tourists, many activities are prohibited or can be cancelled any time. The island has some safe operation policies that will not permit you to take part in certain water sports and other activities so if you plan to go around this time, you must be prepared with a super flexible schedule.

Credits:- Photo by Mael BALLAND on Unsplash

Location:

Credits:- Photo by Saransh Sinha on Unsplash

1. Mari Mari Backpacker Lodge
The resort is well equipped with all the basic facilities for tourists. It has both private rooms and dormitory rooms. A lot of activities including scuba diving and snorkelling are arranged by the resort.

2. Sutera at Mantanani Island Resort & Spa
Located at the Sutera Harbour, the resort offers several Mantanani Island packages that tourists can avail. You can enjoy a comfortable stay at the resort and enjoy the spa facilities too.

3. GreenHouse Eco Lodge
This place provides eco-friendly accommodation and has a beautiful garden. Home cooked meals are provided on special request. A private beach area is available for guests to use for snorkelling and other activities.

4. Nido Mantanani Island Lodge
This property has well furnished rooms, free WiFi, a restaurant, bar, garden and a private beach area.

5. Mantanani Homestays
The homestays have a host which is usually from the local communities. Most of them have comfortable single, double and triple rooms. Some also have a restaurant and provide complimentary breakfast. This option is ideal for families.