5 Stunning Islands Of East Malaysia Not To Be Missed
East Malaysia is blessed with so many idyllic islands, but we consider Sabah’s 'Tun Sakaran Marine Park’ to be the epicentre of this regions beauty.
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Malaysia is blessed with some of the most idyllic and beautiful islands in the world, absolutely perfect for dreamy vacations. Sabah in particular, is the home to many of these picturesque islands. Popularly referred to as the ‘Maldives of Asia’, the Tun Sakaran Marine Park is every nature lover’s dream spot.
Located about 40 minutes flight from Semporna, Tawau, the diverse marine park offers a wide range of activities including diving, snorkelling, hiking, and bird watching. There are eight islands and two reefs in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, namely, Bohey Dulang, Bodgaya, Maiga, Mantabuan, Sibuan, Sebangkat, Selakan, Tetagan, the Kapikan Reef and the Church Reef.
The park is also home to the mysterious Bajau Laut people that live in lovely little stilt houses that sit above colourful coral reefs and turquoise blue waters. Whether it’s kicking back and relaxing to the sound of nature while enjoying spectacular views or exploring the exotic marine life, the islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park will cater to pretty much all your getaway cravings.
Here we’ve picked five islands in the park offering more than just water based activities, in order to truly immerse you in the uniqueness of this slice of heaven on earth:
Selakan Island
Selakan is most populated island of theTun Sakaran Marine Park and even houses a small local school. Lined with strips of sandy beaches and mangrove trees along the island’s northwest coast, Selakan has two jetties and would be considered the centre of part community life.
Visit the stilted villages of the Bajau Laut. For centuries, this ancient community of seafarers have lived on the sea.
Being completely immersed in the seafaring way of live, the Bajau Laut community have mastered the art of free diving, with some being able to dive for 30 meters deep while holding their breath for several minutes on end. Apart from fishing and diving, the Bajau Laut community are also amazing at building piled houses and wooden boats known locally as Lepa.
Spend a night or two with the friendly, unique Bajau Laut community to truly experience the unique way of life of this ancient seafaring community.
Bodgaya Island
Explore Bodgaya Island to see rich flora and fauna set amidst crystal clear, emerald-blue waters.
Bodgaya, along with Bohey Dulang and Tetagan islands comprise the semi-circular group of islands which form the rim of an extinct volcanic crater. The island is about 8km long and 1.5km wide, making it the largest island in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
If you’re a sucker for nature and water sports, then Bodgaya Island is your go-to place! With its pristine, greenish-blue waters and unique flora and fauna, the island serves as a perfect one-stop-centre to satisfy any nature junkie’s crave.
Bodgaya has three main peaks between 366 and 455 meters in height, peppered with trees and vegetation while the north end of the island has freshwater streams flowing along it.
What we also find really interesting is that the beaches on Bodgaya Island are formed from stone pebbles of volcanic rock believed to be almost 2.58 million years old!
Bohey Dulang Island
Hike to the peak of the Bohey Dulang island for one of the most staggeringly beautiful views.
Mountainous Bohey Dulang island is formed from the remnants of an ancient volcano. The beauty of the island is further enhanced thanks to the crater surrounding the island being long since flooded with seawater, thus creating a magnificent lagoon.
Bohey Dulang is home to the ‘Giant Clams and Marine Invertebrate History’, a collaboration between Malaysia’s Sabah Parks and the United Kingdom’s Marine Conservation Society. You will find it is located near Bohey Dulang’s jetty and houses laboratories, exhibition halls, brood-stock gardens and open sea cages. Expect to see display tanks with rare giant clamps species such as the T.Gigas and T.Derasa, abalones and even phytoplankton, which serves as the giant clams’ food.
These giant clams are known as the ‘kidneys of the ocean’ as they help to the preserve and filter the water by absorbing harmful organics that may harm marine life.
Bohey Dulang is popular for its stunning views from the peak of the island. You’ll need to hike a 600-meter nature trail, taking about 40 minutes to reach the top. Be prepared as the path can be a little rough, especially after heavy rains. Expect to see rare scrub vegetation with some species being totally unique to Bohey Dulang. Plants such as the palm-like Cycas rumphii, cactus-like succulent Euphorbia lacei and Trichoglottis geminata, a rare orchid which grows on volcanic rocks.
Dive Sibuan Island
Dive Sibuan Island; one of the best muck diving spots in Malaysia.
Sibuan Island is said to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park with sandy beaches and glorious coconut trees lining the sand cay.
Thanks to its eclectic marine life, Sibuan is one of the best muck-diving spots in Sabah. Expect to see the rare mandarin fish, pygmy seahorses, crocodile fish, lion fish, scorpion fish and the frog fish.
Despite the fact that it is the smallest island in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sibuan is popular with dive enthusiasts. This is thanks to the islands perfect combination of shallow underwater plateaus and steep coral encrusted slopes, rich in marine life.
Maiga Island
Enjoy a picture-perfect picnic while basking on the sun drenched beaches of the Maiga Island.
The island is recognised by the distinctive way in which coconut trees line its beaches, offering shelter from monsoon winds all year round. Also known as the ‘Maiga Islet’, this little spot of heaven is a popular picnic spot for visitors due to its picturesque setting.
Another perk of heading to Maiga lies in the fact that you can buy an abundance of purple seaweed from the Bajau Laut community (it’s a local delicacy, you have to believe us !!)
Guide Credit: Nandini Balakrishnan
Destinations: Asia, Borneo, Malaysia
Footnote:
Contact Seal Superyachts Borneo for detailed information about cruising around Borneo, superyacht charter regulations and about how we can support your visit.
Principle agent Shah Nazir is proud to have worked with many of the World’s largest Superyachts and has extensive knowledge of Borneo and the surrounding area.
Shah Nazir
Phone: +60 16 378 6313
Email: malaysia@seal-superyachts.com
Footnote:
Contact Seal Superyachts Malaysia for detailed information about cruising around Malaysia, superyacht charter regulations and about how we can support your visit.
Principle agent Shah Nazir is proud to have worked with many of the World’s largest Superyachts and has extensive knowledge of Malaysia and the surrounding area.
Shah Nazir
Phone: +60 16 378 6313
Email: malaysia@seal-superyachts.com