Kuala Abai or Rampayan jetty for Mantanani
You have seen two jetty names for Mantanani and need to know which one you will use.
Two jetties in Kota Belud serve Mantanani: Kuala Abai and Rampayan, and the sources disagree on how long each route takes [1]. The quickest way to settle it is to ask your resort which jetty your booking uses. Sutera at Mantanani, for example, lists a boat from Rampayan [2].
For the island itself, see our Pulau Mantanani island guide. For the bigger decision of staying or visiting for a day, read Mantanani day trip versus overnight.
What do the two routes look like on paper?
| Kuala Abai | Rampayan | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive from Kota Kinabalu | About 2 hours [3] | About 90 minutes [3] |
| Boat | About 1 hour [1] | About 30 minutes to Mantanani Besar per one source; 45 to 60 minutes per a tourism listing [2] |
| Confidence | Low, sources conflict | Low to medium |
The figures come from different travel sources and an official tourism listing, so the table shows a range, not a promise.
What does that mean for the whole journey?
Add the drive and the boat for each version.
With Kuala Abai at about 2 hours plus about 1 hour, you have about 3 hours before you step onto the island. With Rampayan at about 90 minutes plus about 30 minutes, you have about 2 hours. With the tourism listing’s 45 to 60 minutes, the second route is 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
The gap is about 30 minutes to an hour. That may be the difference between a calm morning and a rushed one, but only your operator can say which sum applies to you.
How do you find out which jetty is yours?
Ask this exact question:
“Which jetty and pier does my booking depart from, at what time must we arrive, and who meets us?”
Then ask these follow-ups:
- Is transport from Kota Kinabalu included, or do we drive ourselves?
- Where do we park, and is there a fee?
- What time is the return boat, and does it wait for late arrivals?
- What happens if the sea is too rough?
Keep the replies. They save time on the day.
Should you stay the night before?
If you are travelling from far away, a night in Kota Kinabalu can protect your boat time. See overnight in Kota Kinabalu before Mantanani. Use the jetty connection planner to test your own timings.
A better fit if
Planning around Rampayan may be a better fit if your resort uses it and you want a shorter drive and boat on paper.
Planning around Kuala Abai may be a better fit if that is the jetty your operator names. Either way, the operator’s answer overrides ours. For who the island suits, read remote Sabah islands and who they suit.
Send us your plan and we will help you check it.
Common questions
Which jetty do I use for Mantanani?
It depends on your resort or boat operator. Two jetties in Kota Belud are named, Kuala Abai and Rampayan. Sutera at Mantanani lists Rampayan. Ask your booking contact which jetty, which pier and which time, in writing.
How long is the boat to Mantanani?
Sources conflict. One says about one hour from Kuala Abai, while another says about 30 minutes from Rampayan to Mantanani Besar. A tourism listing for Sutera says 45 to 60 minutes. Treat all of these as rough, and ask for the operator's time.
How far is the drive from Kota Kinabalu?
Reports range from about 90 minutes to Rampayan to about 2 hours to Kuala Abai. Traffic, roadworks and your start point change this. Add a margin before the boat and do not plan a tight arrival.
Can I choose the jetty myself?
Usually the operator decides, because the boat waits at one place. Ask whether a pickup from Kota Kinabalu is included. If it is not, ask where to park and whether a guard or an operator watches vehicles.
Sources
- Amazing Borneo; Sabah Tourism (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Sabah Tourism (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Amazing Borneo (low confidence) (accessed 2026-10-16)