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Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (Coral Islands)

"Let's go to the opposite island this holiday" is the popular saying of the locals whenever there's a holiday or on a Sunday. "Opposite island"? Yep, the 5 islands that made up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park(gazetted as a Park in 1974) is just directly opposite Kota Kinabalu and it's a mere 15 minutes by boat ride! So...........near that lots of locals have not been there!Why? The norm is that the islands are always there and so what's the hurry? But, how to go there and what to expect?

First of all, a bit of info about the islands. The 5 islands are known as Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug. Gaya (derived from the word 'Goyoh' meaning 'Big' is the largest of the 5 islands. There's a Bajau settlement at the front facing Kota Kinabalu. There're also resorts on the islands. The more establised resort is the Gayana Eco Resort with only 44 rooms and the rooms are built above the sea using 'Belian' stilts. Very fantastic view and environment. You can go for nature trail walks here and can really experienced a forest setting and might get to see a wild boar, monitor lizard or others. For Snorkelling, there's the Hornbill beach or the police Bay, though both of these 2 beaches are not that popular.

Then, there's the favorite Sapi island. The small little island is actully sheltered from strong winds and current by Gaya Island, thus, a favorite spot for snorkelling and swimming. Keen snorkeller might be a bit disappointed though, cos, sometimes, there're lots of tourists here and throughout the years, many corals nearby were trampled upon and are dead now. So, you would really need to venture out further if one really wants to see corals. But, for fishes........well......beware, the fishes are in the hundreds and they are known to take a nibble at you, thinking it's food, as the tradition on these islands is to feed the fishes. Though, it is truly a sight of course, to see so many fishes and swim among them. You can see a few monitor lizards near the swampy area too. Ther's a canteen on Sapi serving different types of food, so, need not worry about being hungry after lots of swimming and exercising. Changing room, showers and toilets are available.

The other favorite island is Manukan, meaning 'Fish". This island has a long beach but quite diicult to stroll bare footed as there're lots of broken shells and corals at the shore. But, there's a good spot of very nice corals and of course, even right at the jetty, you behold again the hundreds of fishes. Ther's also a nice restaurant and a canteen too on this island as, accommodation at the little wooden chalets are available for rent. Theres' also a small Marine museum here.

Mamutik is the smallest island of all the five and it means ' place to collect sea shells', though, of course, you are not allowed to so now. This island has the most corals still alive and it is really a nice place to snorkel. Toilets, shower are also available.

Sulug island is named after one of the local ethnic groups. The island has no ideal shelter as the other islands, thus, attracts very few people there.

How to go the islands?
There're 3 possible ways:
1) Jesselton Point : It is the common jetty in the city centre. There're many boat ferries operator at the jetty. However, you would have to first pay a jetty fee of RM6 per person and the return boat trip might cost about RM20-25 per person.
2) Sutera Harbor : There're at least 3 boat operators from this jetty, but, you would need to pay a RM7 for use of the jetty too.
3) Marina Jetty (Shangri'la Tanjung Aru Resort) : No jetty fees but the boat ferry will cost slightly more.

Well, it does depends on where you stay for you to make a choice of where to take the ferry to the islands.

Do take note that you would also need to pay a entrance fee to the islands:
Malaysians :RM3
Non-Malaysians :RM10

Lastly, as this a Park "TAKE NOTHING AND LEAVE NOTHING"!

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