Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park(TAR)

Just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu 5 islands make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TAR Park). From large to small the islands are Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug.

Of the 5, Manukan, Sapi and Mamutik are the top 3 most popular amongst daily island hoppers because of the white sandy beaches, BBQ buffets and snorkeling on the shallow corals.

Sulug, the smallest island with no facilities at all, is relative quiet and not frequently visited by tourists in general. It is, however, a favourite spot for divers exploring the depths of North Reef.

The 5th island, pulau Gaya, is 1,465ha of mostly undeveloped tropical jungle terrain, although hot spots of development are dotted around the island near the beaches, including 2 resorts, Sabah Park’s head quarters and a dive station.


How to Get to the TAR Park Islands

The islands are always open, however, getting there relies on ferry transportation, which, for safety reasons, usually doesn’t operate in bad weather, stormy conditions or when the sea is excessively choppy.

Ferries are available from 2 locations.

Public Ferries at Jessleton Point
Return trip to 1 island: RM 35 per adult
Return trip to 1 island: RM 25 per child
Boats usually leave when they are full
Excludes the Sabah Parks fee payable at your first island per day.

Sutera Harbour Marina
Return trip to 1 island: RM 50 per adult
Return trip to 1 island: RM 35 per child
Boats leave every half hour from 08:30 – 15:30 and return from 10:00 – 17:00



Gaya Island

Sabah Park's main station on Gaya island, Tunku Abdul Rahman ParkPulau Gaya is the largest in the park, although the most populated area of the island, a large water village facing the city, technically falls outside the park limits.

The rest of Gaya is largely undeveloped and is mountainous terrain covered with dense tropical forest.

Surprising numbers of wildlife can be found on the island including various bird species, monkeys, wild boar, snakes and lizards. Interesting plant and insect species also abound.

There are 3 resorts on Gaya. The Gayana Eco Resort and Bunga Raya Resort are both hidden in coves facing away from the city, whilst the recently opened Gaya Island Resort is on what used to be Hornbill Bay not far from Gayana Eco Resort.

Along with the Sabah Parks head quarters in another cove along the island shore, lies the Downbelow dive station, launching point for great diving to be done around Gaya and in the rest of the park, as well as jungle trekking across the island.

Day Tripper Points of Interest
-Sabah Parks head quarters – starting point for Gaya island jungle trekking
-Snorkeling and diving excursions



Manukan Island

A sweeping beach at Manukan Island, Kota KinabaluOf all the islands in the park Manukan island is the most developed.

It has a resort, dive station, a few smaller shops, a restaurant and a regular beach BBQ.

It also has the nicest stretch of white sandy beach of all the islands, and relatively good coral coverage in slightly deeper waters where they are just beyond the trampling feet of marauding tourists.

There are regular ferries by several operators to and from the islands, making Manukan very accessible. It’s nearest to Sutera Harbour Resort, a 10 minute journey, but is further from Jessleton Point, which will take 15 – 20 minutes to reach.

Day Tripper Points of Interest
-Long stretch of white, sandy beach;
-Easy 3km return trip jungle trekking path to Look Out Point at the island’s southern tip;
-Dive station for underwater adventures;
-Water sports option including fly fish, banana boat, jet skis and para-sailing;
-Fully equipped restaurant with local and international food;
-Beach BBQ buffet;
-Sundry shops and snorkeling equipment rental;


Article by SabahBah

First Beach Tanjung Aru

First Beach Tanjung Aru
Jalan Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Sabah is blessed with many great beach locations, and although most of them are a little distance from town, one in particular is worth a visit.

First Beach in Tanjung Aru is not far from the airport and a short walk from Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and always has a buzz going thanks to a few eateries, 
a couple of bars and the very popular hawker food centre.

On a good day a stretch of clear, soft sandy beach will greet you, perfect for stretching out on and catching rays. 
Oddly enough you won’t often find tourists doing this though, as the beach can get incredibly hot during the day.

Sunset is a totally different bucket of sand though, as a cooling breeze appears, beach activities thrive, 
and people appear from where they hid from the day’s heat to enjoy the cooler air and the absolute magnificent sunsets.

On a bad day, well, trash wash up on the beach and the smell from nearby storm-water drains waft on the breeze, but bad days, luckily, are outweighed by the good.

First Beach Tanjung Aru is not just a beach, it has various restaurants and a few other facilities too.  Here’s what you can find:

First Beach Cafe & Bar offers alcoholic drinks and a full menu including pizza, other western dishes and local food – they also have WiFi Internet access;
First Beach Seafood Restaurant caters to groups and has cultural dance shows (at 26 May 2012 it’s under renovation);
Hawker Food Stalls offering chicken wings, local dishes and fresh fruit juices;
Sugarbun, a local fast-food restaurant;
Basic shower facilities are available on the Hawker Food Stall side;
Some of the activities you may spot on the beach include

Ultimate Frisbee (on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings);
Skim-boarding;
touch rugby;
football;
good old swimming in the warm, shallow ocean waters – wouldn’t swallow any of it though;


Article by SabahBah

Gaya Island Resort

Gaya Island Resort 

Gaya Island Resort is the 3rd resort to open on Gaya island, but the first resort to actually take the name of the island.

Gaya Island Resort shares the island and is not to be confused with Gayana Eco Resort (600m away, across the bay) and Bunga Raya Resort (5km away along the coastline of Gaya island).

The 1,465 hectare Gaya island lies mostly in the Tunku Adbul Rahman Park, although the the eastern edge closest to the city and home to a sprawling water village, is just 1.8 km from Kota Kinabalu and outside the park bounds.

The Gaya Island Resort, however, stakes its claim squarely in the marine park, 5.6 km by boat from the Jesselton Point public jetty.

The proposed interior of the Gaya Island Resort in Kota Kinabalu, SabahThe new YTL Luxury Resorts developed property boasts 120 villas and 2-bedroom suites, varying in size from the entry-level, 47m² Gaya Villa, to the high-end, 188m² Suria Suite.

The Gaya Island Resort, carved from the Gaya island hillsides, is surrounded by untouched, virgin rainforest, and built from natural materials to blend in with the environment.

The suites feature bathrooms with oversized bathtubs and outdoor verandahs, equipped with day-beds, to enable guests to enjoy its excellent views and pristine surroundings.

Gaya Island Resort Food & Beverage Outlets

There are 4 food and beverage offerings at the Gaya Island Resort.

Feast Village, located near the lap pool, offers all-day dining, serving food from the Asia-Pacific region. On a clear day views of Mount Kinabalu will provide the backdrop to meals.

Fisherman’s Cover is Gaya Island Resort’s fine dining outlet, which serves only seafood dishse in an upmarket ambience that has a dress code and an age restriction (only guests above 16 is allowed).

The Pool Bar & Lounge is next to the resort’s infinity pool. Although Gaya Island Resort faces east towards the city, and therefore does not have a view of Sabah’s spectacular sunsets, sundowners can nevertheless be enjoyed whilst viewing the last rays fading from the peaks of Mt. Kinabalu.

Tavajun Bay is a secluded beach, 5 minutes by boat from Gaya Island Resort, where guests can enjoy a seclude lunch or pre-ordered, specially prepared meal for a special occasion or just to relax.

Natural Attractions near Gaya Island Resort

Surrounding the resort are various natural attractions.  The coral reefs found near Gaya Island and elsewhere around the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, are quite spectacular considering how close to the city it is.

The jungles of Gaya island itself is pristine and home to a surprising variety of wildlife.

Proboscis and macaque monkeys, a plethora of documented Borneo birdlife, snakes and hornbills are all commonly heard and often spotted.  There are also wild boar on Gaya island, but less likely to be seen.

A short walk from Gaya Island Resort you will also find mangrove swamps, an ecologically important intertidal zone that is the nursery of the reefs, providing shelter and nutrition to the juveniles of many species of marine critters.

Gettings to Gaya Island Resort

A journey of about 20 minutes from the airport will bring you to the jetty, from where a transfer by boat to Gaya Island Resort will take between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the prevailing weather and sea conditions.

Guests are received and check-in at the harbour, and are immediately received and escorted to their villas upon arrival at the resort.

Article by SabahBah