Is Tunku Abdul Rahman Park right for you?

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a marine park of five islands about 3 km off Kota Kinabalu, so a day on the water needs only a short boat ride ^[1]. It suits families, first-time visitors to Sabah and anyone with a spare day in the city. It suits you less if you want a remote stay with no other boats in sight.

Our guide to choosing a Malaysian island helps you compare it with others, and the cost calculator lets you test the sums.

Which of the five islands suits you?

Sabah Parks describes each island ^[1]:

• Gaya is the largest.
• Manukan is the most developed and has the Sabah Parks headquarters.
• Mamutik is the smallest and nearest to the mainland.
• Sapi is linked to Gaya by a sandbank that can be walked at low tide, with about 5 km of trails ^[1].
• Sulug is the most remote.

Choose Mamutik or Manukan for an easy day, Sapi for a short walk, and Sulug if you want the furthest island. Our guide on Kota Kinabalu to Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi explains the boats.

How do you get there?

Boats leave from Kota Kinabalu. Gaya Island Resort runs a speedboat from its Gaya Lounge at Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, with a Book Your Transfer option ^[3]. Jesselton Point is also the jetty our research names for the park, although the Sabah Parks page gives no jetty details.

Ask your operator which island, what landing time and when the last boat returns. Peninsular Malaysians enter Sabah with a MyKad, with a stay capped at 90 days, per a 2022 report ^[5]. Verify the rule before you fly.

What does the park fee cost?

Per person per day, Sabah Parks lists RM8 for a Malaysian adult and RM5 for a Malaysian aged 13 to 17 ^[2]. Those aged 12 and below, 60 and above, and disabled visitors are free ^[2]. International visitors pay RM25 for 18 and above, and RM20 for 17 and below or 60 and above ^[2].

The page also lists a scuba fee of RM200 for international and RM100 for Malaysian visitors, and asks you to confirm before use ^[2]. Ask whether your tour price includes the fee.

Can you stay in the park?

Gaya Island Resort at Malohom Bay is the stay we can confirm. Its villas are Bayu, Canopy and Kinabalu, with a Suria Suite, and its rates include breakfast, with an all-inclusive Residents package.

No kids club is described on its page ^[4]. See our page on Gaya Island Resort for the questions to ask.

If you are weighing it against a quiet Sabah island, read Pulau Tiga versus Tunku Abdul Rahman Park for a short break.

When is the season?

Research did not find season dates for the park. Sea conditions can stop boats on any day, and operators decide whether to sail. Ask what happens to your booking if the trip is cancelled.

What should you ask before you book?

• Which island, and what are the landing and return times?
• Is the park fee in the price, and for which age bands?
• Which meals, equipment and transfers are included?
• Is there a stay on the island, and who runs it?
• What is the weather cancellation rule?