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

Bohey Dulang is the star here, and the payoff comes after a steep 600-meter trail: a high view over a turquoise lagoon, green peaks, and the scattered islands of the Celebes Sea. I like that this trip pairs that short hike with real time in the water, rather than making you choose between a viewpoint and a reef day. The lunch stop on a quiet island is another welcome touch.

I especially like the helpful water crew, including Din, who has worked well with first-time scuba guests, and the support given to swimmers who are not fully confident in the sea. The main catch is that the schedule can feel tight for strong snorkelers, and you will need to pay extra park, permit, and possible scuba fees beyond the $58 tour price.

Key points at a glance

• The 600-meter Bohey Dulang trail leads to one of the finest viewpoints around Semporna, but it is tiring and only available when park rules and weather allow.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan provide two water stops, with snorkeling or two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions depending on your booking.
• The boat ride takes time, about 80 minutes out and one hour back, so motion sickness medicine and a waterproof bag are sensible.
• Lunch is served on a secluded island, with about 90 minutes for eating and free time, though bringing a snack is wise if you are fussy about packed meals.
• The crew is friendly and multilingual, with Chinese, English, and Malay support, but communication may be limited at times.
• Extra costs matter: the marine park fee is RM30, while the hike adds RM50 for the permit and climbing fee plus RM7 for park insurance.

Why Bohey Dulang is worth the early effort

The trip begins at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You complete registration at the boat, then settle in for a long speedboat ride toward Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The journey out takes about 80 minutes, which is a sizeable part of a seven-hour day, but it also gives you a sense of how spread out these islands are.

Bohey Dulang formed from old volcanic activity. That fact matters less once you are on the trail, but it helps explain the island’s rounded peaks and the lagoon tucked below the viewpoint. You will receive a safety briefing before walking, then follow a 600-meter route with scenic stops along the way.

The path is not a casual stroll to a beach. It climbs, and several people find the final ascent tiring. I would wear proper hiking shoes rather than flip-flops, even if you plan to spend most of the day barefoot or in swimwear. The payoff is the broad view from above: green land, pale sand, and clear blue water spread across the marine park.

The hike normally takes about 75 minutes including the visit, walking, safety instructions, and time for photos. You need to keep a sensible pace because this is a shared boat trip. The schedule is not built around lingering at the viewpoint for hours.

If the park authorities close the trail because of weather, road conditions, or government rules, the tour continues with the water activities. The operator cannot simply add the hike later, and no special treatment is given to one company. If you book the no-hike option, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group is away. That can be a dull stretch, so choose the hiking option if the viewpoint is important to you.

The boat ride from Semporna

The speedboat makes this a proper island outing, not a quick coastal excursion. You have around 80 minutes on the way out and about an hour on the return. Sea conditions affect both comfort and timing, and the captain may alter the order of the islands to suit tides and weather.

I would take motion sickness prevention seriously. Bring only what you need on the boat, and keep your phone, camera, passport copy, and dry clothes inside a waterproof bag. A 1.5-liter bottle of water is included, but extra snacks are sensible.

The long ride also means you should judge the $58 price by the full day, not just the time spent swimming. You are paying for boat transport between three islands, an instructor or water guide, equipment, lunch, dock taxes, and the chance to enter Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The value is good if you want a full island day without arranging each part yourself, but less impressive if you mainly want a long, relaxed snorkeling session.

Mantabuan: reefs, swimming, and a glimpse of island life

After Bohey Dulang, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. This stop lasts around 35 minutes and combines free time, swimming, reef viewing, and a short safety briefing.

Mantabuan once had a small community of sea gypsies who spent most of their lives on the water. The remains of crumbled brick structures offer a quiet reminder of that way of life. The stop is not presented as a long cultural visit, so you should think of it as a brief historical detail within a water stop, not a full village tour.

The sea is the main event. Put on the supplied mask and snorkel, listen to the instructions, and follow the crew’s guidance about where to enter. The coral and schools of tropical fish are the reason this part of the day earns so much attention. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask for a life jacket or use the safety ring. The crew has experience supporting people who need extra help in the water.

The snorkeling time is fairly short. Strong swimmers may wish for longer, especially if conditions are calm and the reef is good. The schedule has to serve people with different abilities, and the crew must also prepare those who select the introductory scuba option.

If you choose scuba, the package includes two sessions of 20 minutes each with an instructor. You do not need a scuba certificate because these are introductory sessions, but a safety briefing comes first. Equipment includes fins, a buoyancy vest, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and air cylinder. The marine park scuba charge is separate: RM150 for each foreign visitor or RM100 for each Malaysian visitor.

That extra fee changes the final cost considerably. Snorkeling is the better value if you simply want to see the reef and swim. Scuba makes more sense if you want a first underwater experience and are comfortable paying the park charge on top of the tour price.

A quiet island lunch and time to slow down

After the first water stop, the boat heads to a secluded island for a break of about 90 minutes. Lunch is served onboard in the shade of a canopy, followed by free time and a short walk.

This is a useful pause in a busy day. You can dry off, eat, and let your body recover before the second water stop. The setting is more appealing than eating quickly at a crowded pier, though the food is a lunch box or deli-style meal rather than a restaurant spread.

I would bring a snack if you have a narrow diet or are particular about packed lunches. One meal is included, but the food may not suit everyone. Cash is useful for other personal needs, and there is no reason to assume you will find a shop at every stop.

The crew may move the lunch stop or change the order of the islands according to tide and meal timing. That is practical rather than a flaw. A fixed route could place you at a poor swimming spot or force lunch at an awkward hour. The captain chooses the best available location on the day.

Sibuan and the final swim

The boat takes about 15 minutes from the lunch area to Sibuan Island. You get roughly 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and marine life viewing before the return trip.

Sibuan is presented as the more remote-feeling stop. Depending on weather and sea conditions, the captain may take you to a quiet bay with a blue-sand beach, a stone arch near the coast, or an underwater formation surrounded by fish. The exact point is not guaranteed, so keep expectations flexible. The important part is that the crew selects the safest and most appealing water area available that day.

This is another short session. I like the variety of having two separate water stops, but I would not book this trip if your only goal is hours of snorkeling. The whole day includes long boat rides, the Bohey Dulang climb, meals, transfers, and safety preparation. You get a taste of several places rather than an extended stay at one reef.

After Sibuan, the speedboat returns to Semporna in about an hour. Weather, tides, government restrictions, and sea conditions can shift the return time. Do not plan a tight connection immediately after the tour.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the base price is reasonable for a full day that includes boat transport, lunch, drinking water, life jackets, mask and snorkel, dock taxes, and crew support. The hike is included when selected and available, but several government charges are separate.

Budget for these possible additions:

• RM30 per person for the Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee
• RM50 per person for the Bohey permit and climbing fee when hiking is available
• RM7 per person for Bohey insurance under the updated park regulation
• RM150 for foreign visitors or RM100 for Malaysian visitors who take the scuba option

The hike-related charges do not apply if park rules cancel the climb. The scuba fee still applies if you take part in the scuba sessions, even when the hike cannot go ahead.

That pricing is not a reason to reject the trip, but you should calculate the real total before booking. For a hiker who chooses snorkeling, the extra cost is more manageable. For a foreign visitor who adds scuba, the final bill rises sharply.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a compact introduction to Semporna’s islands. It suits solo visitors, couples, families with older children, and first-time snorkelers who appreciate organized help in the water. A family with children aged 7, 10, and 12 has used the format successfully, though every child needs to be comfortable with a long boat ride and sea conditions.

It also works well for a mixed group. One person can hike while another chooses not to, and people can select snorkeling or introductory scuba. The drawback is the waiting. If you skip the hike, you wait at the jetty while others climb. If you are an experienced snorkeler, you may find the water sessions too brief.

Communication is usually available in Chinese, English, and Malay. The level of English can vary among crew members, so listen carefully to the safety instructions and confirm anything important before entering the water. Guides have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and calm with beginners. Din is specifically noted for helping first-time scuba participants.

The trip is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. You should also reconsider it if you dislike speedboats, are prone to motion sickness, or need a slow and private pace.

Practical preparation for Bohey Dulang

Wear hiking shoes for the climb and bring a full change of clothes for the boat ride home. A waterproof bag is one of the most useful things you can pack, especially for phones, wallets, and passports.

Bring cash for the additional government fees and personal needs. Take motion sickness prevention before departure if you know you need it. The operator asks for your full name and nationality for registration, and you should carry your passport or an accepted copy.

Pack a wetsuit if you prefer extra warmth or sun protection. A life jacket, mask, snorkel, and water are supplied, while scuba guests receive the listed equipment and instructor support. Do not assume that the included equipment replaces a careful check of fit before you enter the water.

The route and starting or ending time may change. Weather and sea conditions are part of the setting here, not minor details. Keep your evening free after the excursion and treat the order of the islands as flexible.

Should you book this Semporna island tour?

Book it if you want the full combination: Bohey Dulang’s viewpoint, two island water stops, and lunch at sea. The best parts are the spectacular climb, friendly help in the water, and the chance to see several very different island settings in one day.

Skip it if you want a dedicated reef session with long water time, or if you dislike extra fees that appear after the base price. For most first-time visitors to Semporna, I think the package offers a strong day of sightseeing and swimming, provided you budget for the park charges, prepare for the boat ride, and accept that weather may change the plan.

FAQ

How long does the Bohey 3 Islands tour last?

The advertised duration is seven hours, or 450 minutes. Actual start and finish times may change because of weather, tides, government rules, and sea conditions.

Where does the tour start?

You meet the crew at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. The crew takes you directly to the boat after registration.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, government policy, and official park restrictions. If it is canceled, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba activities.

How long is the Bohey Dulang hike?

The route is about 600 meters. The Bohey Dulang visit, including walking, safety instructions, sightseeing, and photo time, is scheduled for about 75 minutes.

Can I join without hiking?

Yes, but you must select the no-hike option when booking. You will wait at the jetty while the hiking group completes the trail, and a last-minute hike request is not possible because the permit must match the hiker’s name.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a mask and snorkel, fins, and a life jacket. A 1.5-liter bottle of water and a lunch box are also included.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No certificate is required for the introductory scuba sessions. An instructor provides guidance, and the package includes two 20-minute sessions if that option is selected.

What extra fees should I expect?

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. Hiking adds RM50 for the permit and climbing fee plus RM7 for insurance when applicable. Scuba participants also pay RM150 if foreign or RM100 if Malaysian.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, a passport or accepted copy, a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention, and a wetsuit if you prefer to use one.