Semporna: Bohey 3 Islands Hike, Snorkel/Dive Tour with Lunch

Bohey Dulang is the star here: a steep 600-meter trail ends at a lookout over a turquoise lagoon and the scattered islands of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. I like that this is not just a boat trip. You get a proper hill walk, two water stops, and a full day on the sea for $58 per person.

I especially like the mix of activities and the helpful water crew. Guides support nervous swimmers with life jackets and safety rings, while experienced snorkelers can enjoy clear reef areas and schools of fish. The main catch is that extra government fees add to the advertised price, and the Bohey hike can be canceled by weather or park rules.

Quick reasons to consider this Semporna day trip

• 600-meter Bohey Dulang trail: Walk uphill to one of the finest viewpoints around Semporna, if weather and government approval allow.
• Three very different islands: Pair the lookout at Bohey Dulang with reef time at Mantabuan and Sibuan.
• Flexible water activities: Choose snorkeling or two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions with an instructor.
• Good support in the water: Life jackets, safety rings, multilingual instructions, and an instructor help less confident swimmers.
• Lunch on a quiet island: The midday stop gives you time to eat, change, and slow down under the shade.
• Early departure can help: The boat may leave promptly and reach the islands before the busiest period.

What the $58 price really covers

At first glance, $58 is a fair price for a seven-hour trip covering boat transport, three islands, lunch, water, and water equipment. You are not paying for a simple ride to one beach. The package combines a national marine park excursion, a hill walk, two snorkel stops, or two short introductory scuba sessions, and a crew to manage the day.

The included equipment is useful if you are packing light. Snorkelers receive a mask and snorkel, while the scuba option includes fins, a buoyancy control device, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and air cylinder. A life jacket and one 1.5-liter bottle of water are also included.

The price does not cover every required charge. You need to budget RM30 per person for the Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee. If you hike, add RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee, plus RM7 for Bohey insurance under the updated park rule supplied for June 20, 2025. The scuba option also carries a marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreign visitors or RM100 for Malaysian citizens.

That means the headline price is not your final cost. Still, the package can offer good value if you want both land and sea activities in one day. If you only want to snorkel, you avoid the Bohey hiking charges and scuba fee.

Leaving Semporna for Tun Sakaran Marine Park

The meeting point is Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You need to arrive there yourself, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Registration requires each person’s full name and nationality, so have those details ready before departure. Bring your passport, or an accepted copy, because registration and park access require identification.

The first boat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is a long stretch on the water, but it also gives you time to see the coast open up around you. Motion sickness prevention is worth considering, especially if you are not used to speedboats or if the sea is choppy.

Pack a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and dry clothing. You should also bring cash for the extra park charges, a change of clothes, hiking shoes, and sunscreen suitable for marine use. A wetsuit is listed among the suggested items, though the package includes one for the scuba option.

Weather, tides, sea conditions, and government decisions can change the order of the stops. The crew may visit a different island first to make the day run more smoothly. That flexibility is sensible, but you should not expect the exact same timing every day.

Bohey Dulang and the 600-meter climb

Bohey Dulang is the most memorable land stop. The island formed from volcanic activity, and its old crater now creates a lagoon surrounded by green slopes and blue water. The trail covers about 600 meters, but distance alone does not tell you how it feels. The route climbs, and the walk can be tiring, particularly in heat and humidity.

You receive a safety briefing before setting off. Wear proper hiking shoes rather than flip-flops. The trail is the one part of the day where footwear and balance matter most.

The reward comes at the viewpoint. You look across the young green peak, the lagoon below, nearby islands, and the broad Celebes Sea. This is the view that gives the trip its shape. The water stops are pleasant, but Bohey provides the place you will remember most clearly.

Allow roughly 75 minutes for the island visit, including the walk, guided sightseeing, safety instructions, and time for photos. That is enough for a focused hike, but it is not a leisurely mountain outing. You need to keep moving with the group.

You can book the tour without the hike, but this choice has an important consequence. Non-hikers must wait at the jetty while the walking group finishes. A last-minute decision to join the climb is not possible because the government requires a permit issued in the hiker’s name.

The hike is not guaranteed. Weather, road conditions, and park policy can stop access. If the national park cancels the climb, you do not pay the hiking permit, park entry, or insurance charges, and the day continues with the snorkeling or scuba plan. This is a practical safeguard, but it means you should book the tour for the whole combination of activities, not for the viewpoint alone.

Mantabuan, reefs, and a former sea community

After Bohey Dulang, the boat ride to Mantabuan takes about 15 minutes. This island once had a small population of sea gypsies, people whose lives were spent largely on the water. The remains of crumbled brick structures offer a brief reminder of that past, though this is not a long cultural visit.

The main reason to stop at Mantabuan is the water. After a safety briefing, you can swim and snorkel, or take part in an introductory scuba session. The reef has coral and tropical fish, and the water is suited to both people who want a gentle swim and those who want to look closely below the surface.

The scuba option includes two sessions of about 20 minutes each, with an instructor. Those times do not include the safety briefing or the wider stop, so the full visit lasts longer than the time spent underwater. You do not need a scuba certificate for these introductory sessions.

If you choose snorkeling, the crew provides a mask and snorkel and explains the basics in English, Malay, or Chinese. Life jackets and safety rings are available. This is useful for families and first-time snorkelers, but it also means the water time is organized around a mixed group.

Experienced snorkelers may want more time in the sea. The schedule has several stops to fit into one day, and the crew needs to accommodate people with different comfort levels. I would treat the trip as a sampler of several sites rather than a dedicated long snorkeling expedition.

Lunch in the shade and time to reset

The midday break lasts about 1.5 hours and includes lunch, free time, and a walk. The meal is served as a lunch box or deli-style meal on a secluded island, usually under shade. The exact island and timing can change with the tide and the day’s route.

Lunch is practical rather than a major food event. If you are selective about meals, pack extra snacks. One specific experience from the day described the lunch as acceptable but not especially memorable. That is fair advice for a boat excursion: the scenery and water are the main attractions, while lunch keeps you going.

The long break is valuable because you can dry off, change clothes, drink water, and take a pause from the boat. Bring your own small snacks if you need more food between breakfast and the included meal. You should also use this time to protect your phone and other valuables before returning to the water.

Sibuan and the final swim

A 15-minute speedboat ride brings you to Sibuan Island. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and free time.

Sibuan is used as a flexible final water stop. The captain chooses the best site based on weather and sea conditions. You might snorkel beside a blue-sand beach, see a stone arch below the coast, or look at an underwater formation surrounded by colorful fish.

That flexibility is a strength. The crew can respond to the day rather than forcing one fixed location in poor conditions. The tradeoff is that you cannot be certain which underwater feature you will see. The captain’s choice determines the final setting.

The final swim also works well for people who prefer not to walk. The Bohey hike is optional, and the other islands give you a way to enjoy the day from the water. If you skip the hike, however, remember that you must wait at the jetty during the group’s climb.

How the crew handles mixed ability levels

The crew’s support is one of the better reasons to choose this trip. The package includes safety instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay. An instructor handles the introductory scuba sessions, and guides can help people who are uneasy in the water.

You should still be comfortable following instructions and entering the sea. The activity is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. If you have concerns about swimming or breathing, ask before booking rather than assuming the life jacket solves every problem.

The tour can suit a solo visitor because the day has a clear route and organized activities. It also works for families, including children old enough to follow water instructions. One family group with children aged 7, 10, and 12 found the day manageable and enjoyable, but age alone does not determine suitability. Water confidence, weather, and the child’s ability to listen matter more.

Communication may vary from guide to guide. The listed working languages are Chinese, English, and Malay, but one day had limited English communication with some crew members. Basic instructions were still possible, though you may want to confirm safety details clearly before entering the water.

Timing, crowds, and comfort

The stated duration is seven hours, or 450 minutes. The schedule includes approximately 80 minutes to Bohey Dulang, 75 minutes on the island, 15 minutes to Mantabuan, 35 minutes there, 1.5 hours for lunch, 15 minutes to Sibuan, 40 minutes on Sibuan, and about an hour back to the jetty.

Those figures show why the day feels full. Boat rides take up a large part of the schedule, but they connect three separate settings. You get a mountain viewpoint, reef time, a shaded meal, and a final beach stop without needing to arrange separate transport.

Leaving promptly can improve the experience. One well-timed day reached all three islands ahead of heavier crowds, making the stops feel more open. That result depends on departure time, weather, and other boats, so it is not guaranteed.

The biggest comfort issue is waiting. The tour includes people hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and taking introductory scuba sessions. You may wait while others change clothes or prepare. Bring patience, water, and a dry layer for the boat ride home.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to Semporna’s marine park in one day. It suits you if you like a scenic uphill walk but also want time in the water. It is particularly useful for first-time snorkelers, solo visitors, families with older children, and people who want to try introductory scuba without holding a certificate.

I would look elsewhere if you want a full day dedicated to serious reef time. The boat rides are long, the water sessions are shared, and the schedule has to serve people with different abilities.

You should also think carefully about the hike. If the Bohey viewpoint is your main reason for booking, check the weather and park situation close to the date, but understand that approval can change. The operator cannot promise access when government rules close the trail.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some planning room, and reserve-now-pay-later booking keeps your money flexible. Even so, you should not treat those policies as protection against every weather change. The route and starting or ending time can shift because of sea and government conditions.

Should you book the Bohey 3 Islands tour?

Book it if you want variety and strong scenery in a single day. The best parts are the Bohey Dulang viewpoint, the coral and fish around Mantabuan, the flexible Sibuan stop, and the crew’s help with nervous swimmers. The value is good once you account for what is included, but remember to add the required park charges and, if applicable, the hiking and scuba fees.

Skip it if you dislike speedboat travel, need long uninterrupted snorkeling sessions, or would be disappointed by a canceled hike. For most active visitors based in Semporna, though, this is a well-rounded way to see the marine park, provided you arrive prepared for heat, waiting, changing conditions, and a full day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You need to make your own way to the jetty because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is seven hours, or 450 minutes. Sea conditions, weather, government rules, and changes to the island order can affect the exact starting and ending time.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and official park approval. If the park cancels it, the trip continues with the snorkeling or scuba activities, and hiking-related fees are not charged.

How long is the Bohey Dulang trail?

The trail covers about 600 meters. It is an uphill walk, and proper hiking shoes are recommended.

Can I join without hiking?

Yes, but you must book the no-hike option in advance. You will wait at the jetty while the hiking group completes the trail, and joining the hike at the last minute is not possible because permits are issued in the hiker’s name.

Is scuba certification required?

No. The included DSD option is for introductory scuba sessions with an instructor, and no scuba certificate is required.

How many scuba or snorkeling sessions are included?

The scuba option includes two sessions of about 20 minutes each, not counting safety briefings or the full stop. The snorkeling option includes two snorkeling trips. Swim stops are also part of the day.

What extra fees should I expect?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. Hiking adds RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee, plus RM7 for Bohey insurance when the hike is available. Scuba participants also pay a marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreign visitors or RM100 for Malaysian citizens.

What languages do the guides use?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication may vary among crew members, so confirm important safety instructions before entering the water.