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

Three islands, one hard-earned summit view. This seven-hour trip from Semporna combines the 600-meter Bohey Dulang hike with swimming, snorkelling, optional introductory scuba sessions, and a local lunch served on an island. I especially like the way the day mixes land and sea, and I like that the crew supports nervous swimmers with life jackets and safety rings. The main catch is that the advertised $58 price does not include several park and climbing charges, and the schedule can shift with weather, tides, and government rules.

The trip is a good fit if you want more than a boat ride and a beach stop. Bohey Dulang supplies the big viewpoint, while Mantabuan and Sibuan provide the water time. You should also know that the hike is not guaranteed. If officials close the trail, you will continue with the marine portion, but anyone who booked the no-hike option must wait at the jetty while the hikers go up.

Key points at a glance

• Bohey Dulang viewpoint: Walk a 600-meter trail for wide views over the Celebes Sea and the turquoise lagoon below.
• Three-island route: Visit Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, and Sibuan, with boat rides between each stop.
• Two water sessions: Snorkellers receive two snorkelling stops, while the scuba option includes two 20-minute sessions with an instructor.
• Lunch on an island: Expect a boxed meal and free time in a shaded setting, not a restaurant-style lunch.
• Extra charges matter: Add RM30 for marine park entry, plus RM50 for the Bohey permit and climbing fee when the hike operates.
• Good crew support: The guides provide safety briefings in Chinese, English, and Malay, with flotation help for less confident swimmers.

Leaving Semporna for the marine park

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna, where the crew completes registration before taking you to the speedboat. Bring your passport, or an accepted copy, because the operator needs each person’s full name and nationality for registration.

The first boat ride takes about 80 minutes. That is a sizeable stretch on the water, so motion sickness tablets are worth considering if you are prone to queasiness. Bring a waterproof bag for phones and dry clothes, since the boat, spray, and repeated swims make staying dry a challenge.

The day lasts about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, though the exact start and finish can move. Sea conditions, tides, official park rules, and the order of stops all affect the timing. The boat captain chooses the best water locations on the day, so the route is planned with conditions in mind rather than set in stone.

The 600-meter climb on Bohey Dulang

Bohey Dulang is the day’s main prize on land. The island formed from remnants of volcanic activity, and the trail climbs through a green setting to a lookout above the lagoon. The walk is only 600 meters, but it is uphill and can feel tiring in heat and humidity.

You should wear proper hiking shoes, not flip-flops. The route includes a safety briefing, guided walking, and stops for views along the way. One clear advantage of joining with a guide is that you are not left to work out the park process or route on your own.

At the top, you look across the young green peak, nearby islands, and the clear blue-green water of the lagoon. This is the strongest photo stop of the day, but it is also the part that requires the most effort. People who described the outing as their best experience in Semporna often singled out this view, even while admitting the climb was tiring.

Allow time for the whole group. The schedule gives Bohey Dulang about 75 minutes, including the walk, sightseeing, and photos. That is enough for the climb and viewpoint, but not enough for a slow, private mountain visit. If you want to linger at every lookout, you may find the pace brisk.

The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and instructions from the park authorities. When officials close it, the operator does not simply make a last-minute exception. Hikers need permits issued in advance under the person’s name. If you book the no-hike choice, you wait at the jetty while the hiking group is away, and you cannot usually decide later that you want to join.

Mantabuan: coral, fish, and a short water stop

After Bohey Dulang, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. This island is linked with sea gypsies, people whose lives traditionally took place largely on the water rather than on land. The remains of crumbled brick offer a small reminder of that past, though the main reason to stop here is the sea.

The schedule allows about 35 minutes for swimming, snorkelling, marine life viewing, and the required safety briefing. That is not a long water session. Strong swimmers who want extended time with the coral may find it short, a point worth considering if water time is your top priority.

The guides make the stop more approachable for beginners. You receive instructions before entering the water, and flotation support is available for anyone who is not comfortable swimming. That matters in a boat-based outing, where the water entry can feel more daunting than a shallow beach.

For snorkellers, the equipment includes a mask and snorkel, plus a life jacket. You also receive a 1.5-liter bottle of water for the day. If you already own a well-fitting mask, bringing it can still be useful, but the supplied equipment covers the basics.

The water around Mantabuan is the sort of place where you look down and see coral and schools of tropical fish. The exact visibility depends on the sea conditions. The guides may also point out fish-feeding activity, which appeared to be one of the memorable parts of the water experience for some people.

Lunch on an island, with time to slow down

After the first water stop, the boat heads to a secluded island setting for lunch and a longer break. This portion lasts about 90 minutes, including the meal and free time. The exact island can change according to tide and the day’s schedule.

Lunch comes as a box rather than a plated meal. It is best to think of it as practical fuel between water sessions, not a culinary event. One useful tip is to pack snacks in case the food does not suit your taste or you need extra energy after the hike and swimming.

The shaded break is valuable because the rest of the day has a steady rhythm: boat, walk, water, boat, water, boat. Use this time to dry off, eat, change clothes, and protect your phone. If you bring only a swimsuit and no spare clothing, the ride home may feel longer than it needs to.

This is also one of the few chances to enjoy the islands without a tightly timed activity. You can walk, sit beneath the canopy, and take in the shoreline. The program does not promise a long beach stay, so make the most of this pause.

Sibuan and the final snorkelling session

A further 15-minute boat ride brings you to Sibuan Island. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkelling, marine life viewing, and another safety briefing.

The captain chooses the site based on the weather and sea conditions. You might snorkel beside a secluded blue-sand beach, see a stone arch below the coast, or explore an underwater formation surrounded by schools of fish. Those possibilities explain why the final stop can feel different from Mantabuan, even though both focus on the sea.

The water sessions are managed for the whole group, so you should not expect a private guide following you for the entire time. The crew’s strength is practical support: instructions, flotation gear, and help for first-time participants. One guide, Din, received specific praise for helping first-time scuba participants feel comfortable, so the scuba option can suit beginners who want an introduction without needing a certificate.

The scuba choice includes two 20-minute sessions with an instructor. Gear includes fins, a buoyancy control device, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and an oxygen tank or cylinder. No scuba certificate is required for these introductory sessions, but the marine park scuba charge still applies.

Foreign visitors pay RM150 for the marine park scuba fee, while local residents pay RM100. This charge applies to scuba only, not snorkelling. If you choose snorkelling, the marine park fee is RM30 per person, and the separate Bohey charges apply only when the hike operates.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the trip offers a useful amount of activity for the money. You receive boat transport between three islands, lunch, water, equipment, instruction, life jackets, and either two snorkelling stops or two short introductory scuba sessions. The Bohey Dulang viewpoint adds something many ordinary island-hopping trips do not.

Still, the headline price is not the full cost. Plan for these extra fees:

• RM30 per person for Tun Sakaran Marine Park entry
• RM50 per person for the Bohey permit and climbing fee when hiking is available
• RM7 per person for Bohey insurance when the hike operates
• RM150 for foreign visitors who take the scuba option, or RM100 for local residents

Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included. You need to reach the Semporna tourist jetty yourself. That is manageable if you are staying in town, but you should allow enough time to find the correct meeting point and complete registration.

The value is strongest for someone who wants one active day with several elements. If you only want long snorkelling sessions, a dedicated snorkelling trip may suit you better. If you want a viewpoint, island history, swimming, and a sample scuba experience in one outing, the added charges are easier to justify.

Language, safety, and comfort

Instructions are offered in Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication appears strongest when the crew gives standard safety instructions, though individual language ability can vary. One person found that English conversation with some crew members was limited, so do not expect every guide to provide long explanations in fluent English.

The safety process is straightforward. You receive briefings before water activities, and life jackets are provided. The crew can assist people who are uneasy in the sea with flotation rings and direct support.

The trip is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. You should also consider your fitness before choosing the hike. The trail is short in distance, but the uphill section, tropical heat, and wet conditions make it more demanding than the number 600 meters suggests.

Pack:

• Hiking shoes
• Change of clothes
• Waterproof bag
• Cash for fees
• Passport or accepted copy
• Motion sickness prevention if needed
• A wetsuit if you prefer your own
• Snacks if you are particular about lunch

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this for active first-time visitors to Semporna who want a broad introduction to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Families can manage it, and one family with children aged 7, 10, and 12 found the day enjoyable, but parents should be ready for boat time, heat, water activity, and the uphill walk.

Solo visitors also fit in well because the boat and guided stops provide a ready-made group. The trip works for mixed ability levels too. Strong snorkellers may wish for more time in the water, while nervous swimmers can use flotation equipment and crew support.

You should think twice if you dislike changing plans. Officials may close Bohey Dulang, the order of islands can shift, and the starting or ending time may change with the sea. That flexibility is normal for a marine park excursion, but it is important to accept it before paying.

Should you book the Bohey 3 Islands tour?

Book it if you want the best mix of Semporna’s island scenery and sea activities in one day. The Bohey Dulang viewpoint is the main reason to go, while Mantabuan and Sibuan make the cost more worthwhile by adding coral, fish, swimming, and two water sessions.

Choose the snorkelling option if you want simple equipment and fewer added charges. Choose the introductory scuba option if you want to try scuba with an instructor and understand that the marine park fee is extra.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed hiking, long uninterrupted snorkelling, or a polished restaurant lunch. For everyone else, especially families, solo visitors, and first-time island hoppers, this is a well-rounded Semporna day. Just bring cash, shoes with grip, dry clothes, and realistic expectations about weather and group timing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Jeti Pelancong Semporna. You should follow the map to the jetty and arrive before the tour starts.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. Weather, sea conditions, park rules, and the starting schedule can affect the actual timing.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Semporna tourist jetty yourself.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and government park approval. If officials close the trail, the trip continues with snorkelling or scuba activities.

How long is the Bohey Dulang trail?

The trail is 600 meters. It is uphill, so hiking shoes are recommended.

Can I join the hike without a scuba certificate?

The hike does not require a scuba certificate. For the introductory scuba sessions, no scuba certificate is required either.

How many snorkelling sessions are included?

The snorkelling option includes two snorkelling trips, along with swimming stops during the day.

How long are the introductory scuba sessions?

The scuba option includes two sessions of 20 minutes each with an instructor. Safety briefings and the full stop duration are not included in those 20-minute periods.

What extra fees should I expect?

The marine park fee is RM30 per person. When the hike operates, the Bohey permit and climbing fee is RM50, and Bohey insurance is RM7. Scuba participants also pay a marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreign visitors or RM100 for local residents.

What languages are used for instructions?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay.