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

Bohey Dulang is the star here. After a 600-meter uphill hike, you reach a high viewpoint over green islands, a bright lagoon, and the Celebes Sea. Then the day shifts from boots to fins, with swimming and snorkeling around Mantabuan and Sibuan.

I like the mix of land and sea, especially the chance to see Bohey Dulang from above and coral and fish below. I also like the care in the water: instructors use life jackets and safety rings, and Din has been especially helpful with first-time scuba guests.

The main catch is cost. The $58 price does not include the RM30 marine park fee, the RM50 Bohey permit and climbing fee, or scuba charges. If the hike is canceled by park officials or weather, you must be happy with a sea-only day.

Key points to know

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to the day’s best view, but it is uphill and requires proper shoes.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan provide two separate chances to swim, snorkel, or take part in supervised introductory scuba.
• About 170 minutes are spent on speedboats, so motion sickness tablets and a waterproof bag are sensible.
• Lunch is served on or near a secluded island, but bringing extra snacks is wise if you are selective about food.
• The hike depends on park approval and weather, with no last-minute switch from a no-hike ticket.
• The trip suits mixed groups, including families and nervous swimmers, but strong snorkelers may want more time in the water.

Why Bohey Dulang makes this day different

Many Semporna boat trips focus entirely on coral reefs. This one gives you a proper island viewpoint before the sea activities begin. Bohey Dulang was formed from volcanic remnants, and its high point looks across the green summit, the lagoon below, nearby islands, and the clear Celebes Sea.

That change of pace matters. You are not simply moving from one beach to another. First, you work for a view on foot. Later, you cool off in the water and look at coral and schools of tropical fish. I find that combination more satisfying than a full day spent sitting on a boat.

The hike covers about 600 meters, but distance alone does not tell the story. It is an uphill route, and the trail can be tiring, particularly in heat or after a rough boat ride. Wear hiking shoes rather than flip-flops, carry water, and expect to wait at the jetty if you choose a ticket without the hike.

Leaving Semporna by speedboat

You meet the crew at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. Registration requires each person’s full name and nationality, so have those details ready. A passport or copy may be requested, and cash is useful for the fees not included in the booking price.

The first speedboat run takes about 80 minutes. Across the whole day, boat travel adds up to roughly 170 minutes, including the shorter rides between islands and the hour-long return to Semporna. That is a significant part of a seven-hour day, but it is also what brings you to the more remote islands around the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

The ride can be bumpy. I would take motion sickness prevention if you are prone to it, and I would pack electronics in a waterproof bag. Bring a change of clothes too. You receive one 1.5-liter bottle of water, but that may not be enough for a hot day involving a hike and several water stops.

The uphill reward at Bohey Dulang

The boat first reaches Bohey Dulang, where the crew gives a safety briefing before the hike. The trail leads upward through the island to a viewpoint with wide views over the neighboring islands and the lagoon.

This is the part to protect in your energy budget. The climb is not a casual walk along the shore. Reviews describe the top as breathtaking and the effort as worthwhile, but they also make clear that the climb can be tiring. Good footwear is not a minor suggestion here.

At the summit, you get the most memorable photo opportunity of the day. The lagoon’s turquoise water sits below the young green peak, with the sea and scattered islands beyond it. If you only want beaches and easy swimming, this climb may feel like work. If you want a sense of place, it is the reason to choose this particular outing.

Park rules can change the plan. Weather, sea conditions, road conditions, and government restrictions can cancel the hike. If that happens, the operator proceeds with the snorkeling or scuba portion, and the Bohey hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance are not charged. A no-hike booking is different: you wait at the jetty while the hiking group finishes, and a last-minute request to join the climb is not possible because permits are issued in advance under each hiker’s name.

Mantabuan, coral, and the first water stop

After Bohey Dulang, the speedboat takes about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The island is linked with a small sea-based community that historically spent most of its life on the water. The remains of crumbled brick are a quiet reminder of that past, though this stop is mainly about the sea.

Before entering the water, you receive a basic safety briefing. Snorkelers get mask, snorkel, and life jacket equipment. The crew also provides multilingual instructions in Chinese, English, and Malay.

This is a useful setup for mixed groups. You do not need to be a confident swimmer to join the water activities, and the crew can assist with life jackets and safety rings. That said, the trip is not a private lesson. The group has to move together, so confident snorkelers may wish for more time in the water.

The water stop is scheduled for about 35 minutes, though the exact order and timing can change with tides, weather, and lunch arrangements. You may see coral and schools of tropical fish, and the crew may stop at a place suited to both snorkeling and supervised introductory scuba.

For scuba, you do not need a certificate. The package includes equipment such as fins, a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and cylinder, along with an instructor. Two introductory scuba sessions are listed at 20 minutes each, not counting the safety briefing or the full stop. A separate Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba charge applies: RM150 for each foreigner or RM100 for each Malaysian participant.

The wording around the scuba fee matters. It applies even if the Bohey hike is canceled, as long as you take part in scuba. It does not apply to snorkeling.

Lunch on a secluded island

Lunch follows the first water activity, although the operator may reverse the island order to suit the tide and the day’s conditions. The break lasts about 1.5 hours and includes time to eat, walk, and relax under cover.

The meal is supplied as a lunch box, described as a local meal or deli-style lunch. It is a practical island lunch rather than a reason to book the trip by itself. One person specifically found it only okay and suggested carrying snacks, a sensible idea if you have a narrow diet or simply eat more after swimming.

This long break is also valuable if you are with children or people who do not want nonstop activity. You can change clothes, dry off, and take a breath before the last stop. Pack food only if you know you will need more than the provided lunch, and keep it in a waterproof bag.

Sibuan and the last swim

A short speedboat ride, usually about 15 minutes, brings you to Sibuan Island. This is the final major stop, with about 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

The captain chooses the exact site on the day. Conditions can determine which bay is safe and interesting, so the planned spot is not fixed. Possible sights include a secluded blue-sand beach, a stone arch beneath the coast, and underwater formations surrounded by colorful fish.

That flexibility is sensible in a marine park. You may not see every feature listed for the island, but the crew can choose a better place for the sea state. Bring an open mind and do not treat the description as a guaranteed checklist.

After Sibuan, the boat takes about an hour to return to Semporna. You will likely be wet, tired, and glad to have dry clothes. The schedule can shift because of weather, tides, park rules, and sea conditions, so do not book a tight onward connection immediately afterward.

How good is the $58 value?

At $58 per person, the base price is attractive for a full day combining a boat trip, three islands, a hike, lunch, equipment, instruction, and marine activities. The value is strongest if you plan to use both sides of the experience: hike Bohey Dulang and take part in snorkeling or introductory scuba.

The real price is higher once required extras are added. 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 under the updated park regulation effective June 20, 2025. These hiking charges apply only when the hike is available.

Scuba costs more again, with the separate marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for Malaysians. The package includes equipment and an instructor, so compare the total carefully with a dedicated scuba trip before booking.

For a snorkeler who wants a viewpoint, the price is fair if the hike runs. For a scuba participant, it is a more expensive day than the headline figure suggests, but the equipment and two supervised sessions add real value for someone who does not hold a certificate.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for someone who wants a broad taste of Semporna rather than one narrowly focused activity. It works particularly well for:

• First-time visitors who want islands, a viewpoint, and marine life in one day
• Solo participants, since the schedule and shared boat make it easy to join a group
• Families with older children who can handle a boat ride and uphill walk
• Nervous swimmers who want flotation support and crew supervision
• Beginner scuba participants who do not have a certificate
• Active people who prefer a hike before relaxing in the water

It is less suitable if you want a quiet private trip, long uninterrupted snorkeling sessions, or a gentle walk. Experienced snorkelers may find the water time short because the group must accommodate beginners, swimmers, and scuba participants.

People with respiratory issues should not take this tour. Anyone with serious motion sickness concerns should prepare before the first boat ride.

Practical packing advice

Bring hiking shoes, a swimsuit, a change of clothes, cash, a passport or accepted copy, and a waterproof bag. The operator also lists a wetsuit, though scuba equipment is supplied when that option is selected.

I would add a towel, sun protection, and snacks, though those items are not specifically listed as inclusions. Most important, do not leave valuables loose on the boat or at the jetty. Your phone will be useful for the Bohey Dulang viewpoint, but only if you can keep it dry.

The crew speaks Chinese, English, and Malay. Communication may be limited at times, particularly with some crew members, so listen closely during the safety briefing and ask questions before entering the water. The strong point is practical help: Din, the dive master, is specifically noted for working well with first-time scuba participants.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the day’s schedule before arranging transport to the jetty.

Should you book the Bohey Dulang three-island tour?

Book it if you want one active, varied day from Semporna and can accept a shared schedule. The viewpoint at Bohey Dulang is the strongest reason to go, while Mantabuan and Sibuan supply the sea time, fish, coral, and beaches that make the day feel complete.

Before paying, decide which version suits you. Choose hiking only if you are ready for an uphill 600-meter trail and extra park charges. Choose snorkeling if you want the simplest water option. Choose introductory scuba if you want two short supervised sessions and understand that the marine park scuba fee is separate.

Skip it if your priority is a private boat, extensive time underwater, or a slow beach day. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to see the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, with enough support for beginners and enough scenery to reward active visitors.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is 7 hours, or 450 minutes. Weather, tides, sea conditions, and government rules can affect the starting and ending time.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Does the tour include the Bohey Dulang hike?

The hike is included only when you select the hiking option and conditions allow it. The 600-meter hike also depends on weather and park approval.

What happens if the hike is canceled?

The tour continues with the snorkeling or scuba activities. The hiking permit, park entry, and hiking insurance do not need to be paid when the hike is canceled under park rules.

Can I join the hike after booking a no-hike ticket?

No. A last-minute change is not possible because the government requires permits to be issued under the hiker’s name. You must wait at the jetty while the hiking group finishes.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No certificate is required for the introductory scuba option. An instructor provides guidance and the listed scuba equipment.

How many snorkeling or scuba stops are included?

The snorkeling option includes two snorkeling trips. The scuba option includes two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions with an instructor, along with snorkeling as specified for the selected package.

What fees are not included?

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

What languages are spoken by the instructor or crew?

Instructions are available in Chinese, English, and Malay.