Shall we escape to the islands of KK?
Kota Kinabalu is one of our favourite cities to travel to in Malaysia. Home to cheap seafood, beautiful sunsets, lush rainforests, sandy beaches, charming cafes, and friendly people - it's easy to tweak your KK itinerary to fit the kind of trip you're looking for, because there's a bit of everything packed into one destination.
Island hopping is a popular activity in KK thanks to its close proximity to a handful of lovely islands, most located just a 20-minute boat ride away. We've compiled 8 of our favourite islands off the coast of KK to add to your trip itinerary - all of them are easily accessible and perfect for an island hopping day trip, and some have hotels on it for an overnight stay if you'd like to spend more time in paradise.
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8 Best Islands Off The Coast Of Kota Kinabalu
1. Mantanani Island
Photo Credit: @jccliew
Photo Credit: @kingston_chan
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 1-hour drive + 55-minute boat ride
- 💡 Book your day trip on Klook so you don't have to worry about how to get here!
Mantanani Island may not be the easiest island to get to, but many who've been here swear that the journey is worth it. Mantanani consists of a cluster of three isolated islands and is heaven-on-earth for ocean lovers, more so if you have a diving license. The waters here are home to diverse marine life, age-old shipwrecks, endangered avian creatures, and even a precious resident dugong affectionately named Nicky! There are a handful of resorts on the islands so you can spend a night or two here instead of rushing back to KK.
2. Dinawan Island
Photo Credit: @eileennicolee
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 20-minute boat ride
- 💡 Book your day trip on Klook so you don't have to worry about how to get here!
It's hard to imagine that a gem like this is located just 20 minutes away from the city. Known as the 'sea-horse shaped island' with cream-coloured sand, turquoise waters, and lush rainforest, Dinawan Island is a somewhat hidden gem of Sabah. Book an all-inclusive, hassle-free day trip here on Klook that comes inclusive of complimentary boat transfers, a seafood buffet lunch, as well as activities like kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and snorkelling!
Want to spend more time on paradise? Book a Klook-exclusive 2D1N Dinawan Island glamping stay on Klook from RM265 per pax! Package comes inclusive of breakfast and access to all activities on the island. ✨
3. Gaya Island
Photo Credit: @gayaislandresort
Photo Credit: @anaiispo
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 20-minute boat ride from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal
- 💡 Book your day trip on Klook so you don't have to worry about how to get here!
Gaya Island is the largest of the five islands under the wings of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. From secluded bays to sandy beaches and hiking trails, there's much to see and do on Pulau Gaya - you can head over for a day trip or spend a night at one of the luxury resorts on the island, with dreamy villas perched on hills and chalets built on stilts above the playful waves.
4. Sapi Island
Photo Credit: @wg.kaori
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 20-minute boat ride from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal
- 💡 Book your day trip on Klook so you don't have to worry about how to get here!
Also part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and arguably the most popular pulau, Sapi Island is linked to Gaya Island by a sandbar - in fact, you can wade between the two islands when the tides are low.
While it's definitely much smaller in size (measuring only 200 metres wide and half a kilometre long), Sapi Island is popular due to its adrenaline-inducing activities including an iconic zipline (also known as flying fox) that stretches between the two islands! Known as the Coral Flyer, it's the longest zipline in Borneo and definitely a must-try when you're there.
5. Mamutik & Manukan Islands
Photo Credit: @dji_malaysia_official
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 15-minute boat ride from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal
- 💡 Book your day trip on Klook so you don't have to worry about how to get here!
Crowned the twin jewels of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Pulau Mamutik and Manukan are often visited together on island hopping day trips as they're located close to each other. The waters here are crystal clear and thrive with brilliantly coloured fish, and you can easily spend a few hours trying out activities such as sea walking, snorkelling, and parasailing on the islands.
Of the two, Manukan Island is bigger and has more facilities (including restaurants, accommodation, and locker facilities) while Mamutik is smaller and less equipped - though we saw more fishes and corals here compared to at Manukan!
6. Sepanggar Island
Photo Credit: @theglowingedge
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 15-minute boat ride from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal
Sepanggar Island is a true hidden gem of KK that remains largely under the radar of tourists despite being located just 15 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu. If you prefer smaller crowds and more privacy, forget the other islands on this list and add Sepanggar Island to your itinerary instead. Things to do here include scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, and jungle trekking.
7. Mengalum Island
Photo Credit: @cathychuanggg
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 1-hour boat ride from Sutera Harbour Jetty
Located approximately 60km Northwest of Kota Kinabalu, Mengalum Island is a beach paradise that's far-flung from other islands. Sunbathe on powder-white sand and flex your fins in crystal clear water - we heard that visibility is great on this island and the waters are abundant with groupers, snappers, butterfly fishes, and flourishing corals!
8. Pulau Tiga
Photo Credit: @yunn.tang
- Distance from Kota Kinabalu: 2-hour drive to Kuala Penyu & 40-minute boat ride
- 🚗 Road trip essential: Rent a car on Klook from RM123 per day!
Dubbed the 'Survivor Island' after being featured in the popular reality TV series 'Survivor', Pulau Tiga is the perfect island for a taste of adventure. Formed after a volcanic eruption in the 1980s, the island is known for its therapeutic natural volcanic mud, a geology feature that sets it apart from other islands in Sabah! A trip here is incomplete without getting a volcanic mud bath - it's not just a fun experience but is apparently good for your skin 😉
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