TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN NATIONAL PARK

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is a beautiful collection of five Malaysian islands that are situated off the Borneo coast around six kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. It is a wonderful place for people who look forward to indulge in underwater activities or relax on the white sandy beaches. The fundamental attraction of this national park is the vast variety of aquatic life found in the surrounding waters of the park. 

A cluster of five islands, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is located at a distance of six kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. It expands on an area of 4929 hectares which has two-third of its portion included that of the sea. The five islands that form this park are Manukan, Sulug, Sapi, Gaya and Mamutik. All these islands are just a few minutes ride away from Kota Kinabalu. 

Various adventure sports activities are also offered at the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. One can also take the training of underwater sports like diving and snorkeling from the professionals here. Witness the gorgeous underwater marine life and coral biodiversity for an exceptional experience on your trip. Be it beginners or any other level of skilled person, everyone is welcome to experience this thrilling activity along with a certification.

With high humidity in the year, this place experiences temperatures ranging between 23.8–29.4 degrees Celsius all year round. An estimated number of 300,000 tourists visit this national park every year.

One can buy the tickets for the island tours on the spot from the ticket counters at the Jesselton Ferry Terminal. The national park is open for its visitors from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. These islands are a major attraction among the tourists to get a true insight into the flora and fauna of this place.

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Highlights

• Catch a glimpse of the diverse marine life while snorkeling in the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
• Pay a visit to the beautiful sites in the park, including Pulau Sapi, Pulau Mamutik, and Pulau Gaya.
• Traverse through the underwater world in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park under the guidance of the PADI certified guide.
• Relish a delicious meal while gazing at the glistening seascapes bordering the area.
• Adore the natural beauty of the five islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
• Trek along with your friends to Gaya Island or pay a visit to the popular Sapi Island.
• Make a collection of a vast variety of seashells found on the beaches of Mamutik Island.
• Visit the isolated beach at Sulung Island and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
• Gaze at the marine life prevailing in the surrounding waters of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
• Set up your tents on the island for camping activities and spend the entire night under the stars.

How To Reach

Ferry services are the only way to reach the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park in Malaysia. The boat services operate from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal every hour in Kota Kinabalu, which will take you to your ideal destination. It will take you around 15 to 20 minutes to reach Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. The first ferry usually departs at 7.30 am, while the last one departs at 4.30 pm. Moreover, it is advisable to leave early to avoid crowds waiting for the last departure.

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Best Time To Visit

Although Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is an all-year-round destination, it is advisable to visit the park between the months of March and September. During this time, the weather remains dry, and the sea waters also remain favorable to enjoy the adventurous activities. You can also take part in the snorkeling activities as the underwater visibility is good due to little to no rainfall.

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Other Essential Information

Places to Eat near Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

1. Nando’s: Located just a stone throw away distance from Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, this famed restaurant offers the best chicken and other mouth-watering dishes like garlic pita, salted caramel cheesecake, and others. The ambiance and food presentation is an enhancement to the experience at this place.

2. Capital Cafe: This place offers luscious dishes of Asian and Malaysian cuisine. It attracts a lot of crowds because of its decent prices and diverse menu.

3. RSMY: Feast on the lip-smacking dishes of Asian, Indian and Malaysian cuisine, the most recommended one by all its visitors is its cheese Naan. You can try any dish and won’t regret ordering the same. That’s the taste offered here.

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Places to Stay near Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

For accommodations in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, there are three luxurious resorts in total.

1. Manukan Island Resorts: This extravagant resort brags about its own private beach that overlooks the south china sea. It also arranges outdoor activities like snorkelling and diving for its guests.

2. Gaya Island Resort: This extravagant hotel is committed to ecological sustained practices. A minimal number of motor vehicles can be seen here. It is more of a walking resort.

3. Gayana Marine Resort: This resort strikes a perfect balance between comfort and nature. It is one of its kinds of resort with an on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre.

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Tips to Visit Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

- Avoid visiting the park during bad weather mainly between November and February as the sea can be quite rough. 

- Remember to carry your drinking water and light snacks while visiting the more secluded islands. 

- There are no facilities like restaurants, cafe’s, stationery shops for any essential supply one can need at this park. 

- Do not feed any fish with any food as it ruins their eating habits and the corals there.

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