Semporna Hike Bohey 3 Island Snorkel Dive Tour and Lunch

Start with a mountain above the sea. This Semporna day trip combines the 600-meter Bohey Dulang hike with swimming and snorkeling around Mantabuan and Sibuan islands, making it a useful choice if you want both land and water in one outing. I like the excellent mix of activities and the small maximum group of 12 people. I also like that lunch, park fees, masks, life jackets, and a large bottle of water are included. The main concern is that the hike depends on park rules and weather, and no refund is offered if officials cancel it.

The tour begins at 8:20 a.m. from Semporna Jetty and lasts about eight hours. I would choose it for the scenery and variety, but I would read the hiking conditions carefully before booking. If Bohey Dulang is closed, the day continues with snorkeling or scuba activities rather than a replacement hike.

Key points to know before booking

• Bohey Dulang’s 600-meter trail leads to a high view over a turquoise lagoon, nearby islands, and the Celebes Sea.
• Mantabuan and Sibuan offer different water stops, with reefs, tropical fish, beaches, and coastal rock formations.
• The route can change with tides and weather, so the order of the islands is not fixed.
• Scuba is an optional extra, with two 20-minute Discover Scuba sessions and a separate RM150 marine park fee per person.
• The maximum group size is 12, a useful limit for a boat day involving safety instruction and water activities.
• Lunch, park entrance, equipment, taxes, and dock charges are included, but hotel pickup is not.

A full day from Semporna Jetty

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna on Jalan Bangau Bangau at 8:20 a.m. The tour ends back at the same jetty, so you need to arrange your own way to and from the meeting point. The activity is near public transportation, but hotel collection and return are not part of the package.

The boat heads toward Tun Sakaran Marine Park, home to the Bohey Dulang islands. These islands formed from volcanic remains, which helps explain the steep island shapes and the broad views from above. The day is built around three island areas, but the exact order can change with the tide and the skipper’s decision on weather conditions.

That flexibility is practical rather than a flaw. Boat operators have to work with sea conditions, park rules, and safe landing points. Still, you should not book this trip expecting a rigid timetable or a guaranteed sequence of stops.

The maximum group is 12 people. That is small enough to make instructions easier to hear and gives the boat day a more personal feel than a large island-hopping crowd. The supplied equipment includes a mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, and, for the scuba option, a BCD, regulator, gauge, and oxygen tank or cylinder.

Bohey Dulang: the main reason to book

Bohey Dulang is the visual centerpiece. After reaching the island, you walk about 600 meters across forested scenery toward the summit. The distance is not enormous, but the route is still a proper uphill hike, and the surface can be affected by weather and trail conditions. You should wear shoes suitable for walking rather than treating this as a simple stroll from the boat to a viewpoint.

At the top, the reward is a wide view over a turquoise lagoon, adjacent islands, and the Celebes Sea. The green mountain rising beyond the water gives the scene its unusual shape, while the lagoon adds the bright color that makes this stop so memorable.

I like that the hike gives the day a change of pace. You are not spending all eight hours seated on a boat or floating in the water. The climb also gives you a better sense of the island’s volcanic form, something that is easy to miss when you only see beaches and reefs.

The important catch is control. The hike can be canceled by the national park because of bad weather, road conditions, hazards, or government restrictions. The operator states that these rules apply to all tour companies and that no special exception is made for this trip. If the park cancels the hike, the excursion continues with snorkeling or scuba activities, but you cannot request a personal refund because you were unable to hike.

That policy may feel strict, especially if hiking is your main reason for booking. I would treat Bohey Dulang as a strong possibility, not an absolute guarantee. Check the forecast, accept the park rules, and book only if the water activities still sound worthwhile on their own.

Mantabuan Island and its clear water

The next stop is Mantabuan Island, described as a crumbling brick remnant that once supported a small sea-nomad community. That detail gives the stop a little more character than a standard beach visit. You are not simply moving from one pretty shoreline to another. The island also hints at the changing life of small settlements in the region.

The water around Mantabuan is used for swimming, snorkeling, or the optional scuba program. The reef includes coral and tropical fish, and the clear water makes it a good place to spend the full stop in the sea rather than rushing through a short photo break.

For snorkelers, equipment and a life jacket are included. Multilingual instructors give guidance on how to snorkel or use the scuba equipment, which is especially helpful if you have limited experience. One especially positive detail from the feedback is the praise for Din, described as a friendly and attentive dive master who helped first-time scuba participants feel comfortable.

The scuba option is not simply a free add-on. It includes two Discover Scuba sessions of 20 minutes each, but you must also pay a RM150 per-person fee to Tun Sakaran Marine Park for scuba. Snorkeling does not require that separate fee. If you are choosing between the two, check the total cost before you commit.

The scuba equipment package includes fins, a BCD, regulator, gauge, and oxygen tank or cylinder. An instructor is also provided. The details suggest a beginner-friendly introduction rather than a full certification course. If you already have experience, you may prefer snorkeling for the freedom to stay in the water for the whole stop.

Lunch under the canopy

After the first water stop, you receive a local lunch box and can eat under the shade of a canopy. That simple arrangement suits the setting. You are spending the day on small islands, not at a restaurant with a long menu and air conditioning.

The tour includes one lunch box and one 1.5-liter bottle of water. I would still bring extra water if you normally drink a lot in the heat, since the included bottle is the stated allowance for the day. Personal expenses are not covered, so carry what you need for small purchases or unexpected costs.

The timing of lunch can depend on the island order. Because the route changes with tides, you may eat after Mantabuan or at another practical point in the day. That is worth knowing if you prefer fixed meal times.

Sibuan Island and the second reef stop

Sibuan is the second snorkeling location in the usual plan, although the skipper may choose another place if weather conditions require it. The island is described as a quieter stop with a blue-sand beach, a coastal stone arch, and an underwater formation filled with large numbers of colorful fish.

This stop gives you more choice. You can snorkel for the whole stop, swim, or stay on the beach and enjoy the view. If you have had enough time in the water by this point, the beach and stone arch make it possible to enjoy the island without forcing yourself back into the sea.

I like the contrast between Bohey Dulang and Sibuan. One is about height and the view from a trail. The other is about being close to the water and looking along the coastline. Mantabuan adds reef life and local context, so the three stops do not feel identical.

The weather clause matters here too. A beautiful island route is never fully guaranteed in a marine park. The skipper decides where the boat can safely go, and the schedule may be adjusted because of sea conditions or government instructions. Think of this as a day in a changing environment, not a theme park ride with every stop fixed.

What the $113 price really covers

At $113, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Semporna, but the package includes a substantial set of costs. You receive:

• The day boat trip
• Entrance to Tun Sakaran Marine Park for foreign visitors
• The Bohey Dulang hiking and guide fee for foreign visitors
• Two snorkeling stops if you select the snorkeling option
• Scuba equipment and two 20-minute sessions if you select scuba
• Instructor support and multilingual activity guidance
• Mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket
• Lunch box and 1.5-liter bottled water
• Dock taxes and other taxes

The value is strongest if you want a combined hike and water day. Paying separately for a boat, park entry, trail access, equipment rental, lunch, and instruction could become more expensive or harder to organize. The small group limit also adds value, since 12 people is more manageable than a packed boat.

The value is weaker if you only want a guaranteed Bohey Dulang hike. The park can close the trail, and the stated terms do not allow a refund or date change if that happens. It is also less attractive if you need hotel transportation, since you must reach the jetty independently.

For scuba participants, add the RM150 marine park scuba charge per person. The listed $113 price should not be treated as the complete scuba total until that extra fee is included in your calculation.

What the feedback tells you about the day

The strongest praise centers on organization, the boat, the instructors, and the scenery. One detailed account highlights attentive guides and specifically praises Din for helping a first-time scuba participant. Another describes the captain and snorkeling instructors as friendly and professional, with special appreciation for the islands, coral, and fish.

Those points matter because the quality of a marine day depends on more than scenery. Clear instructions, sensible boat handling, and patient help in the water can make a large difference when you are nervous or unfamiliar with the equipment.

There is also a serious negative account focused on customer service and a disagreement about bad weather and returning early. The response from the operator says the park had not canceled the tour and that the participant had accepted the hike and entry conditions. The conflicting accounts point to a practical lesson: ask about the weather policy and the hike cancellation terms before departure, not after a problem begins.

The mixed feedback means I would not book this tour blindly. The outing has good ingredients, but weather, park decisions, and communication can shape the result. Save the confirmation details, arrive on time, and make sure you understand that the hike may disappear from the schedule without a refund.

Who will enjoy this Semporna trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full day with several types of scenery. It suits people who like a moderate island hike, reef snorkeling, swimming, a simple local lunch, and a small-group boat setting.

It is also a sensible option for first-time scuba participants, provided you understand that the scuba sessions are short, 20 minutes each, and that the RM150 marine park charge is extra. Din’s praised support for beginners is encouraging, but you should still be comfortable following instructions and using standard scuba equipment.

This trip is less suitable if you need a guaranteed hiking itinerary, hotel pickup, or a fixed island sequence. It may also frustrate you if you dislike weather-related changes or want a long, dedicated scuba session rather than a mixed sightseeing day.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, sun protection, and any personal items you need for the full day. The tour supplies the main water equipment, but you remain responsible for your personal expenses and transport to the jetty.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, but no hotel pickup or drop-off is included.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 8:20 a.m. start time. Cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable, and changes inside that period are not accepted. These cutoffs use local time.

The tour ends at the Semporna meeting point. Its advertised duration is about eight hours, though weather, tide, government restrictions, and sea conditions can alter the schedule.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want one active day that combines Bohey Dulang’s viewpoint with two reef stops and you are comfortable with a flexible route. The included park fees, equipment, lunch, and small group make the $113 price reasonable for a mixed land-and-sea outing.

I would skip it if the hike is the only thing you care about, since park officials can cancel that part without a refund. For the best chance of enjoying the day, think of the hike as a major bonus and the snorkeling, swimming, island scenery, and lunch as the dependable core of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, Jalan Bangau Bangau, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Malaysia.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 8:20 a.m., and the activity lasts about eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the Semporna jetty.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, safety risks, and government park restrictions. If the national park cancels the hike, the tour continues with snorkeling or scuba activities, and no refund or date change is provided for the canceled hike.

What is included for snorkeling and scuba?

The snorkeling option includes two snorkeling stops for the full stop duration, plus a mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, instruction, and swim stops. The scuba option includes two 20-minute Discover Scuba sessions, equipment, an instructor, and snorkeling during the stops if selected. A separate RM150 marine park scuba fee applies per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.