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

Bohey Dulang rewards the climb. This seven-hour trip from Semporna combines a 600-meter island hike with swimming and reef stops around Mantabuan and Sibuan. I like the mix of mountain views and time in the sea, and I like that guides support nervous swimmers with life jackets and safety rings. The main catch is that park fees cost extra, and the hike may be canceled by weather or government rules.

You will spend much of the day on a speedboat, so the journey is part of the experience rather than dead time. The clearest advice is to bring a waterproof bag, cash, motion-sickness medicine, and snacks. Lunch is provided, but one meal was considered only average, and experienced snorkelers may want more time in the water.

The Bohey Dulang day at a glance

• A 600-meter climb earns the best view: The trail leads to a lookout over green peaks, the Celebes Sea, and Bohey Dulang’s turquoise lagoon.
• Three islands, three different moods: Bohey Dulang is for scenery, Mantabuan for reef time and history, and Sibuan for a quieter final swim.
• Two ways to enjoy the water: Choose two snorkeling sessions or two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions with an instructor.
• The boat ride takes time: Expect roughly 80 minutes out, about an hour back, and shorter crossings between the islands.
• Extra charges matter: The $58 price does not include the RM30 marine park fee, and hikers pay separate Bohey permit and insurance charges.
• The crew helps less confident swimmers: Life jackets, safety rings, and multilingual instructions make the water stops more approachable.

Leaving Semporna for the Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Your day starts at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty. You need to arrive there yourself, complete registration, and provide your full name and nationality for the permit process. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the jetty independently.

The first speedboat ride lasts about 80 minutes. That is a serious stretch of open-water travel, especially if the sea is choppy. I would take motion-sickness prevention before departure rather than waiting for trouble, and I would keep your phone, passport copy, and spare clothes in a waterproof bag.

The boat heads toward Tun Sakaran Marine Park, where the islands were formed from old volcanic activity. The crossing gives you wide sea views, but it also explains why this is a full-day outing despite the islands being compact. The overall program is listed as 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, though weather, tides, park rules, and waiting times can alter the schedule.

There is a safety briefing before the active parts of the day. Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay. English communication may be limited with some crew members, but the guides have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and helpful in the water. Din, one of the dive masters, received specific praise for calmly helping first-time participants.

Bohey Dulang: the climb that earns its view

Bohey Dulang is the main event for many people. The trail climbs 600 meters through the island to a high viewpoint. You should expect a real uphill walk, not a gentle stroll from the jetty. One visitor described the climb as tiring but fully worth it, which is the right way to set your expectations.

The payoff is a broad view across the neighboring islands and the Celebes Sea. From above, the green summit and the blue lagoon below create the picture most people associate with this trip. You also see parts of the marine park that cannot be appreciated from boat level.

The visit includes a guided walk, safety instructions, scenic stops, and time for photographs. The scheduled Bohey portion is about 75 minutes, so the pace may feel brisk if you want long photo breaks. Wear proper hiking shoes, not flip-flops. The trail can be affected by rain and official park restrictions, and the climb is offered only when conditions allow.

The hike is not guaranteed. Government park rules can close it for the day, with no special exceptions for one operator. If that happens, the group continues with the sea activities, but the hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance do not apply. If you book the no-hike option, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up. You cannot decide at the last minute to join, since permits are issued in the hiker’s name.

That rule is easy to overlook when booking. If the viewpoint is the reason you are coming, choose the hiking option from the start and accept that weather can still change the plan.

Mantabuan: reef time and a glimpse of sea life

After Bohey Dulang, the boat makes a short crossing of about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The scheduled stop lasts around 35 minutes and includes a safety briefing, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

Mantabuan also adds a human detail to the day. It was once associated with a small population of sea gypsies, people whose lives were spent largely on the water rather than on land. The remaining crumbled brick structures are a quiet reminder of that past. Do not expect a large museum or formal historical site. The interest is in seeing a trace of former life in an otherwise remote island setting.

The water stop is designed for different ability levels. You can swim or snorkel, while those who select the scuba option receive equipment and an instructor. The supplied gear includes fins, a buoyancy control device, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, oxygen tank, mask, and snorkel. No scuba certificate is required for the introductory sessions.

Two scuba sessions are offered, each lasting 20 minutes in the water. That does not include the safety briefing or the wider time spent at the stop. You will pay an additional Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee, RM150 for a foreign visitor or RM100 for a Malaysian citizen. This charge applies only to scuba, not snorkeling.

If you are a confident snorkeler, the time may feel short. One experienced swimmer wanted longer in-water sessions but understood that the schedule has to work for people with different abilities. For a first-time participant or a casual swimmer, the shorter format may feel more manageable.

Lunch on a secluded island

After the first sea stop, the boat heads to a quieter island area for a break of about 90 minutes. This is where lunch is served, usually in the shade of a canopy. The exact order of the stops can change according to the tide, weather, and meal timing, so do not treat the sequence as fixed.

The lunch is a packed local-style meal rather than a restaurant visit. It keeps the day moving and gives you a chance to dry off, walk a little, and rest out of the sun. One account found the meal merely okay, so I would carry snacks if you are particular about food or need extra energy after the hike and swimming.

The operator provides one lunch box and a 1.5-liter bottle of water. That is useful, but you should still bring extra cash and any food you know you will want. The supplied water is a good start for the day, not a reason to ignore hydration in the heat.

Sibuan: a quieter final water stop

The boat then takes about 15 minutes to Sibuan Island. The stop lasts around 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, safety instructions, and marine-life viewing.

Sibuan is presented as the less obvious final stop, with a secluded blue-sand beach and possible views of a stone arch beneath the coast. Conditions decide exactly where the boat stops, and the captain chooses the safest and most rewarding area on the day. You might see an underwater rock formation or schools of colorful fish, but marine conditions always determine how clear and active the water appears.

This final stop can feel like the reward after the hike and the first swim. It is also where timing matters most. If you want long, unhurried snorkeling sessions, a private charter or a dedicated reef trip may suit you better. This outing tries to give you scenery, a climb, two island stops, and lunch in one day, so each water session has a firm limit.

After Sibuan, the return boat ride takes about an hour. That final stretch can be tiring after a full day in the sun, but it is also a chance to sit back and watch the islands recede.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, this is a strong value if you want several experiences in one outing. The price includes boat transport during the tour, the hike when selected and allowed, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, multilingual instructions, an instructor for the introductory scuba option, lunch, drinking water, and dock taxes.

The price is less simple than it first appears. You should budget for:

• RM30 per person for Tun Sakaran Marine Park entry
• RM50 per person for the Bohey permit and climbing fee, if the hike operates
• RM7 per person for Bohey hiking insurance, under the updated park regulation
• RM150 for foreign visitors or RM100 for Malaysians who choose scuba

The Bohey insurance and climbing charges apply only when the hike is available and selected. The scuba marine park charge remains payable if you take part in the scuba sessions, even if the hike is canceled.

For a budget-conscious visitor, the snorkeling option gives the cleanest value. You get the viewpoint, two water stops, lunch, and the boat ride without the additional scuba fee. The scuba choice makes sense if you specifically want a first underwater experience and are comfortable paying the extra park charge.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this excursion if you want a packed day rather than a slow beach stay. It suits couples, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage a boat ride, heat, swimming, and a steep 600-meter trail. A family with children aged 7, 10, and 12 enjoyed the day, and the crew received praise for helping people in the water.

It is also a good choice for solo visitors. The shared boat and guided activities give you a simple way to see the islands without arranging several separate bookings. The group setting means you will not control every minute, but it removes much of the planning work.

You should think twice if you have respiratory problems, dislike speedboats, or want a relaxed day with long swims. The hike requires effort, the crossings can be long, and the schedule must accommodate people who are not confident in the water.

The trip works especially well for first-time snorkelers. Guides can help with life jackets and safety rings, and the instructions are given before each water session. Strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers may find the water time too limited.

Practical preparation for the islands

Wear hiking shoes for Bohey Dulang and bring a change of clothes. A waterproof bag protects your phone, wallet, passport copy, and dry clothing during the boat rides and water stops.

Bring cash for the park and hiking charges. Also pack motion-sickness medication, sun protection, and snacks. A wetsuit is listed among the recommended items, while snorkeling and scuba equipment are supplied according to your selected option.

Your passport or an accepted copy is needed for registration. Have your full name and nationality ready before arriving at the jetty. The meeting point is Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, not your hotel.

Keep your schedule flexible at both ends. Weather, sea conditions, government permission, tide, and park policy can change the departure or return time. The order of Mantabuan, the lunch stop, and Sibuan may also change.

Should you book the Bohey Dulang tour?

Book it if you want Semporna’s best combination of high views and clear-water stops in one day. The Bohey climb is the strongest reason to go, while Mantabuan and Sibuan add enough sea time to make the long boat rides worthwhile.

Choose snorkeling if you want the best overall value. Choose the introductory scuba option if trying scuba is central to your plans and you are ready for the extra marine park fee. Skip it if you need a slow pace, long reef sessions, or guaranteed access to the Bohey viewpoint.

The strongest parts are the mountain view, helpful water support, and range of activities. The compromises are short snorkeling periods, a basic lunch, extra fees, and a schedule controlled by nature and park authorities. For most active visitors staying in Semporna, those trade-offs are fair.

FAQ

How long does the Bohey Dulang tour last?

The experience is scheduled for 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. Weather, sea conditions, tide, government rules, and changes to the island order can affect the starting and ending time.

Where does the tour start?

You meet the crew at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, and official park approval. If authorities cancel it, the group continues with snorkeling or the selected scuba activities.

How long is the Bohey Dulang trail?

The hike covers about 600 meters and includes an uphill walk to a viewpoint. Hiking shoes are recommended.

Can I join the hike after booking the no-hike option?

No. Hiking permits must be issued under the hiker’s name before the tour. A person booked without hiking must wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up.

Is a scuba certificate required?

No. The activity uses introductory scuba sessions with an instructor, and no scuba certification is required.

What water activities are included?

You can select two snorkeling sessions or two introductory scuba sessions lasting 20 minutes each in the water. Swimming stops are also included.

Which fees are not included?

The RM30 Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is not included. Hikers may also pay RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee plus RM7 for hiking insurance. The marine park scuba fee is RM150 for foreign visitors or RM100 for Malaysian citizens.