
Best Cruise Destinations in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
1. Mantanani Islands
An idyllic island getaway with pristine beaches and rich marine life.
- Snorkeling & Diving: Offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Provides a serene and peaceful environment away from city crowds.
- Eco-Tourism: Preserves the natural habitat and promotes eco-tourism practices.
2. Sipadan Island
World-renowned diving destination with diverse marine life and underwater caves.
- Dive Sites: Boasts world-class dive sites such as Barracuda Point and Coral Garden.
- Marine Biodiversity: Home to over 3,000 fish species and 600 coral species.
- Limited Occupancy: Has strict visitor limits to protect its rich marine ecosystems.
3. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
A cluster of islands offering beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and diving.
- Beach Activities: Offers a variety of beach activities like swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking.
- Island Hopping: Allows for island hopping to explore different islands within the park.
- Coral Reefs: Features vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.
4. Gaya Island
A lush island with luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches, and excellent diving.
- Luxury Resorts: Home to high-end resorts providing an upscale experience.
- Dive Sites: Offers dive sites for both beginners and experienced divers.
- Rainforest Trails: Features rainforest trails for hiking and wildlife spotting.
5. Lankayan Island
A turtle sanctuary island with crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.
- Turtle Sanctuary: Serves as a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles.
- Snorkeling & Diving: Offers exceptional snorkeling and diving opportunities.
- Pristine Environment: Preserves a pristine environment to encourage sustainable tourism.
6. Selingan Turtle Island
A turtle sanctuary island where you can witness turtle nesting and hatching.
- Turtle Nesting: Offers opportunities to observe turtles laying eggs at night.
- Turtle Hatchery: Features a hatchery where you can see baby turtles being released.
- Marine Conservation: Involved in marine conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
7. Kapalaid Island
A secluded island with untouched beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
- Seclusion: Provides a remote and secluded experience away from crowds.
- Beach Relaxation: Offers tranquil, pristine beaches for relaxation.
- Marine Life: Features rich marine life ideal for snorkeling and diving.
8. Gum Gum Island
A peaceful island with crystal-clear waters and lush greenery.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Provides a serene and tranquil environment for relaxation.
- Snorkeling & Diving: Offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.
- Coral Reefs: Features vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.
9. Mabul Island
A scuba diving paradise with muck diving sites and macro photography opportunities.
- Dive Sites: Boasts unique muck dive sites teeming with small marine life.
- Macro Photography: Offers excellent opportunities for macro photography lovers.
- Sea Slug Diving: Features a wide variety of sea slugs, making it ideal for sea slug diving.
10. Bum Bum Island
A small island with stunning beaches and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
- Beautiful Beaches: Features beautiful, white-sand beaches for sunbathing and swimming.
- Snorkeling & Diving: Offers superb snorkeling and diving experiences.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Provides a peaceful, secluded environment away from city crowds.
11. Sabangan Island
A scenic island with crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.
- Marine Life: Features a rich variety of marine life for snorkeling and diving.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning scenic beauty with lush greenery and clear waters.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Provides a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere for relaxation.
12. Kama Laut Island
A private island resort offering luxury accommodation and excellent diving.
- Luxury Accommodation: Provides luxurious villas with breathtaking ocean views.
- Dive Sites: Offers world-class dive sites for both beginners and experienced divers.
- Private Beach: Features a private beach exclusive to resort guests.
13. Mataking Island
An island with beautiful beaches and diverse marine life, ideal for snorkeling and diving.
- Beautiful Beaches: Boasts stunning white-sand beaches for sunbathing and swimming.
- Marine Life: Features diverse marine life for snorkeling and diving.
- Dive Sites: Offers various dive sites, including the famous Sipadan Mabul Daresalam (SMD) House Reef.
14. Bangunan Island
A small island with clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling.
- Snorkeling: Offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling.
- Clear Waters: Features clear waters ideal for swimming and exploring the coral reefs.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Provides a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere away from city crowds.
15. Lankayan Watersports and Dive Centre (LWDC)
A dive center offering diving packages and marine conservation programs.
- Dive Packages: Offers a variety of dive packages for both beginners and experienced divers.
- Marine Conservation: Involved in marine conservation efforts, including turtle protection programs.
- PADI Certification: Provides PADI dive certification courses for those interested in diving.