Remote Sabah islands: Lankayan and Mantanani
You want a remote Sabah island and wonder how much effort the seclusion will cost you.
Remote Sabah islands trade access for seclusion: the further the island, the quieter it can feel, and the more journey you carry to reach it. Mantanani has two conflicting access routes in the sources we found, and Lankayan has no sourced access details. This page helps you price that effort before you choose.
For the island itself, see Pulau Mantanani. A quieter nearby comparison is in Mantanani vs Pulau Tiga for a quiet Sabah trip.
What does seclusion cost in effort?
Every remote island has the same four costs. Check each one before you fall for the photographs.
- Time: the road leg and the boat, door to door.
- Cut-offs: the last boat out, and what happens if you miss it.
- Help: where medical care is, and how long it takes to reach.
- Supplies: what you must bring, and what the resort provides.
A short list of questions turns these into facts. If a resort cannot answer them plainly, the quiet may not be worth the uncertainty.
What did research find on Mantanani?
Access sources conflict. One says about a 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Abai Jetty, then a speedboat of about an hour [1]. Another says about a 90-minute drive to Rampayan Jetty in Kota Belud, then a 30-minute boat to Mantanani Besar [1].
Both cannot be your booking, so ask the stay which jetty it uses. Sutera@Mantanani Island Resort and Spa is listed with Sabah Tourism, and its meal plan is unknown [3]. See Sutera at Mantanani for what we know.
What did research find on Lankayan?
Nothing on access, times or fees. We list Pulau Lankayan in our plan and the resort dossier exists, but research did not retrieve a source for how guests reach it.
That makes every access question open. Our dossier on Lankayan Island Dive Resort carries the checklist to use.
Who does each suit?
This table lines up the trade-off without claiming more than we know.
| Mantanani | Lankayan | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Two reported routes, each a drive then a boat [1] | Not researched |
| Entry for peninsular Malaysians | MyKad reported, stay capped at 90 days per a minister in 2022 [2] | Same Sabah rule applies, verify |
| Stays | One listed resort, meal plan unknown [3] | One dive resort dossier |
| Open questions | Which jetty, which boat, which season | Everything on access |
Mantanani may suit a quiet-seeker who accepts a road leg and a boat. Lankayan may suit a diver or a very patient planner. Both suit you less if you want an easy, fixed timetable.
A better fit if…
A remote island may be a better fit if:
- you value quiet over speed and can add a spare night.
- everyone in the group is comfortable on a small boat.
- you are happy to bring what you need and confirm the plan in writing.
A mainland-adjacent island may be a better fit if you travel with toddlers, older parents or someone who cannot swim. Read Sabah islands for non-swimmers and Sabah islands seasons and permits before you decide.
What should you ask before you book?
- Which jetty and which boat, and what time on my dates?
- What is the last boat out, and what happens if I miss it?
- Where is the nearest medical help, and how do you get a guest there?
- What should I bring, and what do you supply?
- What is the cancellation rule if the boat cannot sail?
Common questions
How do I reach Mantanani?
Sources conflict. One says about a 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Abai Jetty, then a speedboat of about an hour. Another says about a 90-minute drive to Rampayan Jetty in Kota Belud, then a 30-minute boat to Mantanani Besar. Ask your stay which jetty and which time your booking uses.
What do we know about getting to Lankayan?
Research found no access details, boat times or fees for Pulau Lankayan. Treat every detail as a question: the departure point, the transfer, the cut-off time, what is included and what happens if the boat cannot sail. Ask the resort in writing before you pay anything.
Do I need a passport to go to Sabah from the peninsula?
A report says Peninsular Malaysians enter Sabah with MyKad, with a stay capped at 90 days per a Sabah minister in 2022. Verify with Sabah immigration before you travel. A remote island trip adds more steps than a mainland one, so confirm documents with the resort too.
Is a remote island riskier than a popular one?
It is not riskier by default, but help is further away and a cancelled boat leaves fewer alternatives. Ask about medical help, communication, supplies and the plan for rough seas. Our guide on medical evacuation from small islands lists the questions.
Sources
- Amazing Borneo; Sabah Tourism (accessed 2026-10-16)
- The Vibes (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Sabah Tourism (accessed 2026-10-16)