National park in Malaysia
Photo: Mx. Granger, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP) is a park off the coast of the island of Borneo in Malaysia made up of five islands: Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik. The islands are popular destinations for snorkeling, diving, and spending time on the beach, and they also have resorts, jungle trails, and wildlife. They are very close to Kota Kinabalu, so they're easy to reach on a day trip or to spend a few nights.
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The least developed of the isles with no facilities whatsoever, visitors can opt to camp if they wish to stay overnight. The island is inhabited and dive operators have daily trips there for diving off the corals on the northern shore as it is one of the best site around in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Island is also rather underdeveloped but is still accessible by jetty. Basic amenities like public toilet and shower are available. Chalets can be arranged with Sabah Parks if you don't wish to camp. This little island of slightly bigger than a football field is very diver friendly as it's ideal for shore dives, but due to the influx of the tourist hordes to this island, the shallow coral areas have mostly been trampled. Nevertheless, open water dive courses are conducted here with visibility ranging from 4 - 10m. PADI Instructor Examinations are also conducted here. Lifeguards are on patrol during the day. Bring along insect repellent, sandflies are a nuisance!. Gear up and walk to the shore for a dive!
One of the most developed islands in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park due to its 1-km stretch of white sandy beach and pine-tree lined shores. Sutera Sanctuary Lodges have expensive beach and hill-side chalets here for rent, as well as a covered restaurant and a daily beach BBQ buffet spread. Other facilities include a snorkelling equipment rental hut, a small sundry shop, changing rooms. toilets and Scubadoo underwater scooters. Life guards are on duty on the main beach where there are also wooden tables and chairs for picnics. During the holiday season the island can get quite crowded, but makes for interesting people watching. Shallow water corals have all but been destroyed by stampeding holiday makers, but in deeper water and near the jetty area there are still vibrant fish life to be found. For those interested in hiking, there is a 1.5-km "jungle trek" paved walking path which starts from the base of the dock, and leads hikers through the forest to the opposite end of the island. From the end, you can either turn back or clamber down an unmarked path to the beach below. It is possible to walk along the south side of the island all the way back to the dock and the main beach if you don't mind climbing over a lot of rocks (accessibility may depend on the tides; use your best judgment).
It's like Manukan, but smaller and is the second most developed island in the park. It has basic restaurant facilities, toilets (filthy), and snorkelling equipment rental. The Shangri-La hotel resort have their own staff and private beach over on the right of the jetty. There's a jungle trail around the island, and shallow water snorkelling offers some excitement. Where there was coral it has been trampled and stolen by the hordes of Chinese visitors it is very crowded and not at all relaxing. There is a sand bank to the north of the island, which, at low tide, makes it possible to cross over to the south western tip of Gaya island. There is a safe swimming area that is marked by a floating rope buoy line, swim beyond this and you risk being hit by the many fast transfer boats travelling between the islands and K.K. Also has a zipline from Gaya.
The largest of the islands by far. Has undergone some development on its northern shores, and has 2 exclusive resorts. Sabah Parks headquarters are further to the south-western, unspoiled part of Gaya island. Sabah Parks HQ and Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures are set in a secluded bay with diving, snorkelling, jungle trekking, wildlife spotting and team building facilities. Gaya has a vibrant eco system both above and below the surface, lots of fauna and flora and beaches which boast no sand flies. Due to its seclusion the island is not overrun by tourists and thus has beautiful, unspoiled corals near the shore. As it is not such a major tourist destination Gaya is the most difficult island to reach. The Gayana Resort and the dive operator will arrange for their customers' transport. Gayana's scheduled boats are for customers only, but if you aren't staying the night, you can by a "day package" for RM60 (ask about it in the Gayana Resort office on the second floor of the ticketing hall at Jesselton Point). Otherwise, you may have to arrange your own boat. To avoid charter prices (RM200 and up), try arriving early in the morning or with a group. The island also has a zipline to Sapi.
The program focuses on Giant Clam propagation and coral restoration. The Marine Biologists at the center offers insights to visitors to help create awareness on the importance of taking care of the environment. It is open to the public for day trip visits.
A boat transfer service is available to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for snorkelling or diving trips. Over 20 sites for diving and protected areas for snorkelling. Suitable for day trips. Goes to four of the main wreck dive sites on a regular basis. PADI Dive Boat, 10mx4m catamaran and a 9mx3m RIB, SDI resort dive centre, BSAC diver training centre, TDI resort dive centre and IANTD facility. Also offer SCR courses and training certified via the PADI with both a semi closed rebreather diver speciality course and closed circuit rebreather (CCR) training courses.
DiveDownbelow
PADI 5 Star IDC Dive & Adventures Centre, PADI enriched air Nitrox diver courses. Offer structured and guided snorkelling, sea kayaking and trekking. Can accommodate very large groups for team building events and adventure training. Camping ground nearby with basic toilets and showers for guests. 3 dive boats, 37ft, 35ft & 32ft. Programs include a free pick up from Kota Kinabalu city hotels
Travel to the TAR Marine Park can be done by speedboats that can be caught at the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in the northern end of Kota Kinabalu, along Jalan Fuad Stephens.
Read in the guideIf you paid for it when you booked your tickets, boats can take you from island to island.
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