Semporna: Bohey 3 Islands Hike, Snorkel/Dive Tour with Lunch

Bohey Dulang is the star here, and for good reason. A 600-meter uphill trail leads to a lookout over a turquoise lagoon, scattered islands, and the Celebes Sea. You earn the view with a short but tiring climb, then spend the rest of the day in the water around Mantabuan and Sibuan.

I like the mix of land and sea: you get a proper island walk, two snorkel stops, and time to swim rather than spending the whole day on a boat. I also like the practical safety support, including life jackets, flotation rings, multilingual instructions, and an instructor for the two 20-minute DSD sessions.

The main thing to weigh is the schedule. A seven-hour trip covers three islands, but each water stop is fairly short, and the hike can be canceled by weather or park rules. If you skip the hike, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up.

What makes this Semporna island trip worth considering

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail: A steady climb leads to one of the finest viewpoints in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
• Three very different island stops: Bohey Dulang is for views, Mantabuan for reef time and history, and Sibuan for a quieter final swim.
• Choice of snorkelling or DSD sessions: You can snorkel, or take two 20-minute instructor-led sessions without a scuba certificate.
• A useful option for nervous swimmers: Life jackets and safety rings are available, and guides help in the water.
• Lunch in a secluded setting: A lunch box is served during a long break beneath a canopy on one of the islands.
• Important extra fees: The RM30 marine park fee is separate, as are the RM50 Bohey permit and climbing fee, RM7 insurance, and the diving fee for foreign participants who choose DSD sessions.

Bohey Dulang, the reason to get up early

The tour begins at Jetty Pelancong Semporna, followed by roughly 80 minutes on a speedboat toward the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. That boat ride takes up a sizable part of the day, but it also gives you your first broad views of the island chain and open sea.

At Bohey Dulang, the group receives a safety briefing before walking up the trail. The route is about 600 meters, but distance alone does not tell the whole story. It is uphill, and the climb can feel demanding in humid weather. Bring proper hiking shoes, not casual sandals, and carry only what you need.

The payoff is the lookout. From above, you can see the young green peak, the lagoon below, nearby islands, and clear blue water stretching out toward the Celebes Sea. This is the most memorable part of the trip for many people, and it gives the day a welcome change of pace from boat seats and swim stops.

You should also know that the hike is not fully within the operator’s control. Weather, sea conditions, road conditions, and government park rules can close the trail. If officials cancel the climb, the trip continues with the snorkelling or underwater program, and the hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance do not apply.

If you book the no-hike option, you cannot simply change your mind at the jetty. The park requires permits in the hiker’s name, so you wait at the jetty while the hiking group completes the trail. Pick your option carefully at booking.

Mantabuan combines a short swim with island history

After Bohey Dulang, the boat takes about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. This stop usually includes a safety briefing, free time, swimming, and snorkelling or an instructor-led underwater session.

Mantabuan has more to offer than pretty water. It was once home to a small community of sea gypsies who spent most of their lives at sea. You can see remains of crumbled brick structures, a small reminder of the island’s former human story. The site is not presented as a long historical visit, but it adds meaning to what could otherwise be just another beach stop.

The water program is set up for different comfort levels. If you choose snorkelling, you receive a mask and snorkel, and the crew gives instructions in Chinese, English, or Malay. If you choose DSD sessions, you get scuba equipment, an instructor, a life jacket, and two 20-minute sessions during the day. No scuba certificate is required for this introductory format.

The available equipment includes fins, a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, oxygen tank or cylinder, mask, and snorkel. The supplied information does not promise a particular fish species or coral formation on every visit, since the captain chooses locations around weather and sea conditions. You can expect reef viewing and schools of tropical fish, but exact visibility and marine life will vary.

For a first-time participant, the support matters. Instructor Din is specifically praised for helping beginners, and the crew uses life jackets and safety rings for people who are less comfortable in the water. Strong snorkellers may find the time in the water limited, though. Two 20-minute underwater sessions are a good introduction, not a full day of exploration.

Lunch gives you a proper break from the boat

After the Mantabuan water stop, the group takes a longer break of about 1.5 hours at a secluded island location. Lunch is served in a box under a canopy, with time to eat, walk, and relax.

The order of the stops can change. The crew adjusts the plan around tides, weather, and lunch timing, so Mantabuan may not always come before the meal. This flexibility is sensible in an island setting, even if it means your schedule will not match the printed order exactly.

Lunch is practical rather than a major culinary event. One useful tip is to bring extra snacks in case the lunch box does not suit your taste. You receive a 1.5-liter bottle of water, but it is still smart to carry cash and your own small food supply, especially if you know you need frequent snacks after hiking or swimming.

The long break also helps keep the day from feeling like a race. You have time to change clothes, dry off, and sit in the shade. Bring a waterproof bag because clothing, phones, and documents are otherwise exposed to spray and wet gear.

Sibuan is the quieter final water stop

A further 15-minute speedboat ride brings you to Sibuan Island. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkelling, marine life viewing, and time to take in the shoreline.

The captain chooses the exact location based on conditions. Possible sights include a secluded blue-sand beach, a stone arch under the coast, and an underwater formation surrounded by fish. These features are not guaranteed on every departure, but they explain why the final stop can feel different from Mantabuan.

Sibuan is a good place to finish because you can choose your level of activity. You might spend the time swimming near the boat, snorkelling over reef, or simply taking photographs from shore. If you want a long, unhurried session in the water, the 40-minute stop may feel brief. The day has to allow time for the return trip and for all members of the group.

After Sibuan, the ride back to Semporna takes about one hour. Add the outbound journey, and you spend a meaningful part of the seven-hour tour in transit. That is normal for this island chain, but it is worth knowing if you prefer activities with little boat time.

Snorkelling or DSD sessions: choose based on your comfort

The tour works best when you decide in advance how you want to use the water stops. Snorkelling is the simpler choice and suits people who want to see reef and fish without a full equipment setup.

The DSD option gives you two 20-minute sessions with an instructor. A safety briefing comes first, and the 20 minutes do not include the briefing or the entire stop. The sessions are designed for people without a scuba certificate, so you do not need previous certification.

I would choose snorkelling if you are unsure about breathing underwater, if you want more freedom to float and look around, or if you are joining with children who prefer surface swimming. I would consider the DSD option if you want a first taste of scuba equipment and are comfortable following close instructions.

The extra diving fee is important. The basic tour price is listed at $58 per person, but the Tun Sakaran Marine Park diving fee is separate for anyone taking the scuba option. It is RM150 per foreign participant or RM100 per local participant. This fee does not apply to snorkelling.

The standard package includes life jackets, mask and snorkel, water, and dock taxes. It does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you must reach the Semporna tourist jetty yourself.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the trip offers good value if you want several activities in one day. The price includes boat transport between the three islands, lunch, water, snorkelling equipment, safety support, and the hike when selected and approved.

It is not an all-in price. Add the RM30 Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee for each person. If the Bohey hike operates, add the RM50 permit and climbing fee plus RM7 insurance. DSD participants also pay the separate diving fee. These extras can change the final cost enough to matter when comparing tours.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise book separate transport, a viewpoint visit, and a snorkelling trip. The trade-off is that the time at each island is controlled by the group schedule. You get variety, but not long independent time at any one site.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 50 reviews, with repeated praise for the views, friendly crew, good snorkelling locations, and help for first-time participants. The less positive details are useful too: communication can be limited with some crew members, lunch may not suit every taste, and experienced snorkellers may want more time in the water.

Timing, language, and practical preparation

The crew provides instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication is strongest when the guide leading your section speaks your language, but you should still pay close attention during water and hiking briefings.

The meeting point is Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You need to provide each participant’s full name and nationality for registration, and you should bring your passport or an accepted copy. Hotel transport is not included.

Pack these items:

• Hiking shoes
• A change of clothes
• Waterproof bag
• Cash for the separate fees
• Motion sickness prevention if boat rides bother you
• Wetsuit if you prefer to bring your own
• Passport or accepted copy

The hike and boat schedule can shift because of weather, tides, sea conditions, and government decisions. Starting and ending times may change too. If the park closes Bohey Dulang, you still receive the water portion, but you should not expect a partial refund for the missed climb because the hiking charges are simply not collected.

The activity is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. You should also be honest about your swimming comfort when choosing snorkelling or the DSD option.

Should you book this Bohey Dulang tour?

I would book this trip if you want the classic Semporna combination: one excellent viewpoint, several islands, reef time, lunch, and the convenience of a single organized day. It suits solo visitors, families with older children, first-time snorkellers, and people who want an introductory underwater session without a certificate.

I would hesitate if your priority is long, quiet snorkelling sessions, a gourmet lunch, or complete control over your schedule. Strong snorkellers may find the water time too short, and the extra park and diving fees mean the advertised price is not the final figure.

For the best chance of enjoying it, choose the hike if you can manage a 600-meter uphill walk, wear proper shoes, bring snacks and a waterproof bag, and expect the route to change with official conditions. The Bohey viewpoint is the main prize, while Mantabuan and Sibuan supply the water time that makes the long boat rides worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You must make your own way there because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, or 450 minutes. Boat time, the hike, island visits, lunch, and the return journey are included.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, sea conditions, and government park rules. If it is canceled, the snorkelling or scuba program continues.

How long is the Bohey Dulang trail?

The trail is about 600 meters. It is an uphill hike, so hiking shoes are recommended.

Can I join without hiking?

Yes, a no-hike option is available. You must wait at the jetty while the hiking group completes the trail, and last-minute changes to the hike option are not possible.

Do I need a scuba certificate for the underwater sessions?

No. The activity offers DSD sessions for participants without a scuba certificate. An instructor and safety briefing are provided.

How many snorkelling or underwater sessions are included?

The snorkelling option includes two snorkelling trips. The DSD option includes two instructor-led sessions of about 20 minutes each, not counting the safety briefing or the full length of each island stop.

What extra fees should I expect?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. If hiking is available, the Bohey permit and climbing fee is RM50 per person, plus RM7 insurance. The scuba option also requires a marine park diving fee of RM150 for each foreign participant or RM100 for each local participant.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.