27.09.2014 – After exploring Tagal Tinopikon, Upside Down House of Borneo & Chanteek Borneo Gallery the previous days, I get myself suited for an island excursion to Mantanani Island. Mask and snorkel, sunscreen, straw hat, swimwear packed, I played my “beach playlist” on Ipod. I was craving for the sun and water since my last trip to Koh Li Pe, Thailand which was not so long ago. I am growing a chronic addiction to beach despite of my inability to swim. That aside, we rode the bus for 1 hour to reach Kuala Abai Jetty in Kota Belud.
Mantanani Island
Mantanani Island is a group of three isolated islands north-west coast of Sabah – Mantanani Besar, Mantanani Kecil and Lingisan. With lesser development, the Mantanani Island is a haven for water activities and bird watching.
A Dugong Wonderland
Mantanani Island used to be dugong wonderland, but the number of dugong has decreased rapidly by years. Dugong is the only strictly herbivorous mammal and one of the four living species of the order Sirenia ( fully aquatic, herbivorous mammal that inhabit swamps, rivers, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal marine waters). The dugong is heavily dependent on a type of seagrasses for subsistence, of which Mantanani Island is rich of. Dugong is said to be interrelated to the mermaid as the word dugong is believed to have been originated from the Malay word of Duyung.
However, the numbers of dugong have dwindled to a number of between 12 to 15 that roam the area of Mantanani Island. The excessive use of gillnets, coastal development and dynamite bombing to catch fish are among the factors that cut down the number of dugong at Mantanani Island.
How to Get to Mantanani Island from Kota Kinabalu
One has two options that are (1) boat ride from Jesselton Point which takes up 2 hours on arduous journey in the rough sea or (2) Bus ride to Kota Belud which is 1 hour away from Kota Kinabalu, then continue with 45 minutes boat ride to Mantanani . Those who have tendency to have seasickness, I would recommend route 2. Taking seasickness pill along during the journey is a wise option. A cheapskate like me who heeded to Sabahan local’s advice chose to slip open a plaster and paste it on my navel throughout the journey. By coincidence, it worked for me but I had survived rougher sea. Tell me if it’s work for you too if you want to try the plaster thingy.
Kuala Abai Jetty
Our arrival at Kuala Abai Jetty was welcomed by officers of Touch Borneo Resorts and Tours who handled our day trip island excursion to Mantanani Island. After signing the “exemption of liability” form, we continued our journey with the 45-60mins boat ride to Mantanani Island. There are a few of operators operating tour at Mantanani Island as resort operator or day trip operator. Touch Borneo does not have a resort but I was informed that Touch Borneo is building a four star resort at Mantanani Besar Island which is under construction.
The boat ride completed without any significance drama except that it rained half the journey. It is worthy to mention the same boat ride to Mantanani four days prior to our day trip was luckier as a school of dolphins tailed the boat. So, if you get lucky, you might get to see dolphins. The view from the journey.
Arrival at Mantanani Island & First Snorkelling
We arrived at Palm Beach to prepare ourselves for our first snorkelling of the day.
Then, we came back to the Palm Beach for lunch. While waiting for the next snorkelling trip at 2pm, we walked around the Mantanani Besar Island. Some of the photos from Palm Beach :-
Second Snorkelling
Costs : PRICE: Tour+Snorkeling (Adult) RM280, (Child 4-11) RM224. Tour+Diving (A) RM450
Contact : Touch Borneo Tours & Travel G28, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, Jalan Tun RazakKota Kinabalu
Sabah
88000
Malaysia
info@touchborneoresort.com+6 088 252 565+6 088 252 561+6 088 252 567