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Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Sabah,
Malaysia
More
information and places of interest in Sabah
Gayana Island Eco Resort
Manukan Island
Lying off the coast of Kota Kinabalu,
the five islands of Pulau Gaya,
Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi and Sulug and
their surrounding coral reefs make
up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a
national marine reserve, aiming to
protect and regenerate the fragile
marine ecosystem surrounding the
state's capital. The crystal clear
waters and white sandy beaches make
this a perfect island getaway.
Shuttle service to the five islands
is readily available from the marina
and takes between 10 and 15 minutes.
Upon arrival, bask in the sun on the
clear, white sandy beaches, swim and
snorkel or explore the island jungle
trails. Easily accessible, these
islands are a terrific playground
for swimming, waterskiing,
parasailing, and picnicking.
Accommodation is also available on
three of the islands for those who
need a true island escape.
Snorkelling - Colourful beyond
imagination, the waters around these
islands promise snorkellers good
visibility at about 16 metres.
Magnificent coral reefs hugging the
shoreline afford views of pink and
green parrot fish and turquoise moon
wrasses, darting around brain coral,
staghorn coral, boulder coral,
feather stars and sea fans.
Scuba Diving - It is possible to
attain PADI certification over a
period of two to four days. Open
water, intermediate and advanced
instruction is available through
reputable instructors. Kota Kinabalu
offers excellent facilities and a
marvelous training ground to gain a
more intimate glimpse of the world
under the sea.
Pulau
Gaya's Bulijong Bay creates the
perfect atmosphere for swimming,
snorkeling, and picnicking. For
hiking and camping, twenty
kilometers of graded nature trails
weave throughout Gaya's forest, the
richest of the five islands in
wildlife. Long-tailed macaques, pied
hornbills, wild boar, and monitor
lizards can be sighted here. Pulau
Sapi is the most popular of the
islands--its facilities include a
large shelter and barbecue area,
along with picnic tables and public
toilets. A glass bottom boat service
is also available. The island of
Mamutik
provides a back to the basics
camping area ideal for those who
wish to sample the sensation of
being stranded on a tropical island.
A jetty and other beach facilities
are, however, available. Pulau
Manukan, a long island, is said to
look like a half-submerged whale
basking in the sun.
Pulau
Sulug is the furthest from the
mainland and one of the least
developed of all the five islands.
Sulug creates a magnificent and
abundant display of coral beds and
coral heads along its extensive reef
rim. Diving and snorkeling among
these islands is best off the
sheltered southern and eastern
shores.
The Park at a glance
Size: 4, 929 hectares
Flora Fauna: Shoreline
vegetation and dipterocarp forest.
Animal life includes bearded pigs,
scaly pangolins, rats, squirrels,
monkeys, various snakes, and monitor
lizards. It is also a good place to
see the white breasted sea-eagle,
pied hornbill, and the green heron.
Nearby coral reefs are ideal for
diving and snorkeling.
Activities: Trekking, swimming,
snorkeling, diving, bird watching,
tennis, squash.
Getting There
There
are daily boat services to the
islands from Kota Kinabalu main
center jetty. Departures are at
9.00, 10.00, and 11.00 in the
morning, and pick-ups are in the
afternoon at 1.30, 2.30, and 3.30.
During weekdays, boats must be
chartered. Most boats accommodate up
to 12 passengers.
Tunku
Abdul Rahman Park is a State Park
created to protect the natural
environment, including the coral
reefs, marine life, the fauna and
flora. Notice boards are posted
prominently on all the islands, and
visitors are advised to read these
notices before proceeding with their
individual pursuits.
Do's and Don'ts
DO's
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Observe the rules and regulations
of the Park
-
Keep
the place clean during your stay
and when leaving the Park
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Contact Park Rangers on duty for
assistance and information.
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Please
bring along your towels and
personal toiletries.
DON'T
IT IS
FORBIDDEN TO:
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Hunt
or carry firearms, poison,
spearguns, and dangerous weapons
within the Park.
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Harm
or disturb any plant, animal or
other living things.
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Pick,
cut or collect plants, insects,
corals, shells and any other
materials, dead or alive.
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Write
names on rocks, trees or shelters.
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Bring
pets into the Park.
Collecting of any plant, animal or
other living or non-living things is
strictly forbidden without prior
written permission from the
Director. Fishing, however, is
permitted with hook and line only
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