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

Bohey Dulang earns its views. This Semporna day trip combines a 600-meter island hike with clear-water snorkeling, optional introductory scuba sessions, and two more islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. I especially like the dramatic view from Bohey Dulang and the friendly water support, including life jackets and safety rings for less confident swimmers. The main catch is that several extra park and hiking fees apply, and the schedule can change with weather, tides, or government rules.

I also like the variety: you are not stuck on a beach all day, and the boat rides connect three very different stops. The day suits solo visitors, families, first-time scuba participants, and keen snorkelers, though experienced swimmers may want more time in the water. Communication is generally good in English, Chinese, and Malay, but it may be limited with some crew members.

Key points to know before booking

• The Bohey Dulang hike covers about 600 meters, with a tiring climb rewarded by wide views over the lagoon and Celebes Sea.
• Two water stops are included, with snorkeling or two 20-minute introductory scuba sessions depending on your booking.
• The boat ride takes time, including about 80 minutes to reach the marine park and one hour to return to Semporna.
• Extra fees are important, including RM30 for marine park entry and RM50 for the Bohey permit and climb when hiking operates.
• Sibuan offers a quieter final stop, with a blue sand beach, coastal rock formations, and good conditions for fish viewing.
• The day is weather-dependent, and Bohey Dulang access can be stopped by park authorities without notice.

Why Bohey Dulang is the star of the day

Bohey Dulang is the reason most people choose this outing. The island formed from old volcanic activity, and its raised interior gives you a fine view of the surrounding islands and turquoise lagoon. From the top, the sea spreads out in layers of blue, with green hills and small islands beyond.

The walk is only about 600 meters, but do not mistake that distance for an easy stroll. It is an uphill trail, and the climb can feel hot and tiring. You will want proper hiking shoes rather than flip-flops, especially if the path is wet or uneven.

The reward is worth the effort for many people. One visitor described the view as breathtaking and the climb as tiring but worthwhile. That is a fair description. The summit is not about a long trek through wilderness. It is about a short, demanding ascent that delivers one excellent panorama.

Your time on Bohey Dulang is planned at about 75 minutes, including the safety briefing, walk, sightseeing, and photographs. That gives you enough time to climb, enjoy the viewpoint, and return, but it is not a leisurely half-day walk. Keep your pace steady and do not spend all your time taking photographs at the first attractive viewpoint.

If you choose a no-hike ticket, you must wait at the jetty while the hiking group goes up. This is worth taking seriously. A last-minute decision to climb is not possible because the permit must be issued in the hiker’s name. If the park cancels the hike, the outing continues with the water activities instead.

The boat journey from Semporna

The meeting point is Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You need to arrive there before departure, complete registration, and provide your full name and nationality for the tour records. Hotel pickup and return are not included, so plan your route to and from the jetty yourself.

The first speedboat ride takes about 80 minutes. The return trip takes roughly one hour, with shorter boat rides between the islands. That means a useful portion of your day is spent on the water. I consider this part of the experience rather than wasted time, since you get open views of the coast and islands, but anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully.

Bring motion sickness medicine if you normally need it. A waterproof bag is also smart. You will be carrying wet clothes, a phone, cash, and possibly a passport copy, and a boat is not the place to discover that your daypack is not water-resistant.

The crew provides one 1.5-liter bottle of water, a life jacket, mask, snorkel, and the required scuba equipment if you select the scuba option. Pack a change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, and a waterproof bag. The supplied advice also lists a wetsuit, which is worth considering if you get cold in the water.

Mantabuan combines sea history and reef time

After Bohey Dulang, the boat continues for about 15 minutes to Mantabuan. The planned stop lasts around 35 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and a safety briefing.

Mantabuan has an unusual human story. It was once home to a small community of sea gypsies who spent most of their lives on the water and rarely went ashore. Today, crumbled brick remains mark that earlier settlement. It is a modest site, not a large museum or preserved village, but it adds a human layer to what could otherwise be a simple beach stop.

The water activity is basic and organized for a mixed group. You receive instructions before entering the water, and guides can help people who are not confident swimmers. Life jackets and safety rings are available, which matters because this is not just a sightseeing cruise. You are expected to get into the sea for a swim or snorkel unless your booking and conditions say otherwise.

The coral and fish are the main attraction. Several people have described the marine life as excellent, with colorful fish and good coral. First-time scuba participants can take two supervised 20-minute sessions with an instructor, while snorkelers get two snorkeling stops. The 20-minute figure applies to each introductory scuba session, not the entire stop, since safety instructions and getting ready take additional time.

If you are an experienced snorkeler, manage your expectations. The schedule has to serve beginners, scuba participants, and people who need help in the water. One strong swimmer felt the water time was shorter than ideal, although the overall organization was still praised. You may see a lot, but this is not a private reef expedition where you set the pace.

Lunch on a quiet island

After the first water stop, the boat heads to a quieter island area for lunch and free time. This break is planned at about 90 minutes, making it the longest stop of the day.

Lunch is served in a box or deli-style format under shade. It is practical rather than a restaurant meal, and one person advised bringing snacks in case the food is not to your taste. That is sensible advice, especially if you have dietary restrictions or a large appetite after the hike and swimming.

The order of the islands and lunch can change. Tides, weather, sea conditions, and the best available water may decide which stop comes first. This flexibility is useful because the crew can adjust the day to conditions, but it means you should not expect the exact sequence to remain fixed.

Use the lunch break to dry off, eat, walk, and recover from the climb. You may also have time to enjoy the beach without rushing straight into another activity. Since the whole day includes long boat rides and several active stops, this pause helps keep the outing manageable.

Sibuan offers the final swim

The last island stop is Sibuan, reached after another boat ride of about 15 minutes. The planned visit lasts roughly 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and photographs.

Sibuan is presented as a quieter place, with a secluded blue sand beach and coastal rock formations. Depending on the sea and the captain’s decision, you might see a stone arch beneath the coast or an underwater formation surrounded by fish. The exact point is not fixed, which is a useful feature rather than a flaw. Local conditions decide where the water is safest and clearest that day.

This final stop may be the most relaxed part of the outing. By then, you have completed the hike and first water session, so the short swim gives you one more chance to enjoy the sea without needing to fit in a major land activity.

Do not expect unlimited time here. Forty minutes passes quickly once you include instructions, entering the water, and getting everyone back on the boat. If your main goal is snorkeling, focus on the water rather than spending the whole stop on beach photographs.

Snorkeling, scuba, and safety support

You can choose snorkeling or two introductory scuba sessions. No scuba certificate is required for the DSD option, and an instructor accompanies the activity. Equipment includes fins, a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and oxygen tank or cylinder.

The phrase introductory scuba matters. This is not a certified session for independent underwater exploration. You follow the instructor’s directions and the planned 20-minute session length. The tour is a useful way to try scuba in a guided setting, especially if you are new to it, but certified participants should not book it expecting a full recreational scuba day.

The crew’s support is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Guides have helped first-time participants step by step, and people who are uneasy in the water can use a life jacket or safety ring. Din, named as a particularly good dive master, was praised for helping first-time participants feel comfortable.

Respiratory problems are listed as a reason not to take this activity. If you have a medical condition that could affect swimming or scuba participation, take that restriction seriously and ask before booking. You should also tell the crew about your experience level and any concerns during the safety briefing.

Instructions are offered in English, Chinese, and Malay. Communication can be less consistent with individual crew members, but the main activity instructions are intended to be multilingual. Even so, pay close attention before entering the water. Clear hand signals and simple confirmation can prevent confusion.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the base price is reasonable for a full day that combines transport between three islands, a hike, lunch, snorkeling or supervised scuba, equipment, an instructor, water, and dock taxes.

The extra charges make the final cost higher. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. If the hike operates, Bohey’s permit and climbing fee is RM50 per person, plus RM7 for Bohey insurance under the updated park regulation dated June 20, 2025.

Scuba participants also pay a marine park scuba fee of RM150 for foreign nationals or RM100 for Malaysian nationals. This charge applies to scuba only, not snorkeling. The fee remains payable if you participate in scuba, even if the Bohey hike is canceled.

That pricing structure is not as simple as the headline amount, so calculate the total before booking. For a visitor who wants hiking, reef time, boat transport, and lunch in one day, the value is still good. For someone interested only in snorkeling, a cheaper short boat trip might be enough, although it would not include the Bohey viewpoint.

Timing, crowds, and the effort involved

The day is advertised at about seven hours, with the detailed schedule totaling around 450 minutes. Delays are possible because weather, tides, sea conditions, government rules, and park access can affect both the starting and ending times.

Leaving promptly can improve the day. One well-organized outing reached the islands ahead of larger crowds, making the stops feel quieter. That will not happen every time, but an early, efficient departure gives you a better chance of enjoying the islands before they fill with boats.

The tour is active but not extreme. The Bohey climb is the hardest physical part, while the rest involves boat transfers, swimming, snorkeling, and walking on beaches. Families with children have enjoyed the format, including children aged seven, ten, and twelve, but every child should be comfortable with boat travel and water activities.

Solo visitors also fit in well because the group structure gives you a ready-made day without needing to arrange separate transport or find a boat partner. The main limitation is that you have less control over how long you stay at each reef and beach.

Who should book this Semporna day trip?

I would choose this outing if you want the best mix of land and sea around Semporna. The Bohey Dulang viewpoint gives the day a clear centerpiece, while Mantabuan and Sibuan add beaches, coral, fish, and short swims.

It is especially suitable for:

• First-time visitors who want several major island stops in one day
• Solo visitors who prefer an organized group outing
• Families with children who can manage the hike and water activities
• New scuba participants who want an instructor-led introduction
• Snorkelers who value reef time but also want a memorable viewpoint

I would think twice if you dislike long speedboat journeys, get badly seasick, need a slow hiking pace, or want hours of uninterrupted snorkeling. I would also avoid booking the no-hike option unless you are genuinely happy to wait at the jetty while the hiking group is away.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, varied day and can accept a flexible schedule. The Bohey Dulang view is the strongest reason to go, and the combination of two water stops, lunch, and island scenery gives the $58 base price solid value.

Before paying, budget for the separate marine park and hiking charges, bring motion sickness protection, and pack snacks in case the lunch does not suit you. Choose snorkeling if you want a simpler day, or the supervised scuba option if you want to try underwater activity without a certificate.

I would not book it for a quiet beach day or a specialist reef session. I would book it for a first taste of Semporna’s islands, especially when you want one outing that covers scenery, swimming, marine life, and a worthwhile climb.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Jetty Pelancong Semporna. You need to make your own way to the jetty because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour take?

The experience lasts about seven hours, with the detailed timing listed as 450 minutes. Weather, sea conditions, park rules, and government decisions can affect the start and finish times.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike always available?

No. The hike depends on weather, road conditions, and government or national park approval. If access is canceled, the outing continues with snorkeling or scuba activities.

How long is the Bohey Dulang hike?

The trail covers about 600 meters. It is an uphill walk, so hiking shoes are recommended.

Can I join without hiking?

Yes, a no-hike option is available. You must wait at the jetty while the hiking group finishes, and you cannot decide to hike at the last minute because permits are issued in the hiker’s name.

Is scuba certification required?

No. The introductory DSD scuba option does not require a scuba certificate. An instructor provides the activity and safety guidance.

What extra fees should I expect?

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 when the hike operates. Scuba participants pay RM150 if foreign or RM100 if Malaysian for the marine park scuba fee.

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. The tour supplies a 1.5-liter bottle of water, lunch, mask, snorkel, life jacket, and scuba equipment when that option is selected.