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Mantanani Island Overview
Mantanani Islands, a small group of three isolated islands, is a very picturesque and serene destination. From island trekking and sunset cruise to fishing or exploring the beach, you can do a whole lot of activities at the Mantanani Islands.

Pristine blue waters and the stunning natural beauty makes this place a paradise for beach lovers. The island has the most diverse forms of marine life. Snorkelling and diving are the major water activities you can look forward to enjoying on this island.

Sitting in crystal-clear aquamarine waters, the three islands, Mantanani Besar, Mantanani Kecil and Lungisan have become very popular for muck diving due to the existence of sea-horses, imperial shrimps, blue-ringed octopus, pink-eyed gobbles and many more species of marine animals.

The island is located in the north-western part of the state capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu and one can take a 55 minute speed boat ride from the Kota Belud if the weather conditions permit. Mantanani Besar is the largest of the three islands.

This part has not been much commercialized due to its thin structure as it is shaped like a knife. It is an absolute heaven for divers as it allows up to 40 metres of visibility. Many exotic birds flock to the island making it a great place for bird watching.

Several species of pigeons, sunbirds and the Mantanani scops owls are some of the beautiful bird species you can expect to see at the island. For those who do not want to indulge in water sports, the island offers a hoard of activities for them as well.

You can laze around on a hammock, play a game of volleyball or visit the nearest village for fishing. There are quite a few resorts, homestays and other places to stay in and around the island.

How To Reach


Credits:- Photo by Kawshar Ahmed on Unsplash

Most tourists come to Mantanani Islands from Kota Kinabalu. The journey from Kota Kinabalu is a two hour drive through open countryside alongside Mount Kinabalu, the tallest peak in Malaysia. Ideally, you can rent a car from the airport that will take you to Kota Belud. From Kota Belud you can take the boat ride that will directly drop you at Mantanani Island.

Best Time To Visit


Credits:- Photo by Amanda Phung on Unsplash

Mantanani Island is warm and humid throughout the year. The best time to visit would be from April to September as this time of the year is safest for water sports. The clear skies and tranquil blue waters will give you the best beach holiday in this season. The period from October to March can be slightly unpredictable at times.

The sea tends to get rough and to ensure the safety of all tourists, many activities are prohibited or can be cancelled any time. The island has some safe operation policies that will not permit you to take part in certain water sports and other activities so if you plan to go around this time, you must be prepared with a super flexible schedule.

Other Essential Information


Credits:- Photo by Mael BALLAND on Unsplash

Location:
From Kota Kinabalu you can drive to Kota Belud which is about 80 kilometres and would take around 90 minutes. At Kota Belud, you can take a boat ride to Mantanani Island which should take between 30-60 minutes.

Distance from the city centre:
Mantanani Islands is about 80 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.

Places to Stay in Mantanani Island


Credits:- Photo by Saransh Sinha on Unsplash

1. Mari Mari Backpacker Lodge
The resort is well equipped with all the basic facilities for tourists. It has both private rooms and dormitory rooms. A lot of activities including scuba diving and snorkelling are arranged by the resort.

2. Sutera at Mantanani Island Resort & Spa
Located at the Sutera Harbour, the resort offers several Mantanani Island packages that tourists can avail. You can enjoy a comfortable stay at the resort and enjoy the spa facilities too.

3. GreenHouse Eco Lodge
This place provides eco-friendly accommodation and has a beautiful garden. Home cooked meals are provided on special request. A private beach area is available for guests to use for snorkelling and other activities.

4. Nido Mantanani Island Lodge
This property has well furnished rooms, free WiFi, a restaurant, bar, garden and a private beach area.

5. Mantanani Homestays
The homestays have a host which is usually from the local communities. Most of them have comfortable single, double and triple rooms. Some also have a restaurant and provide complimentary breakfast. This option is ideal for families.
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Tourism Board Alliances

Mantanani Island FAQs

What is the traveling mode on the island?

Mantanani Island is majorly covered by walk or water transport. The nearest city is Kota Belud from where you have to take a boat ride to the island.

What is the condition of mobile connectivity?

Mobile phone connectivity is not easily available on the island. The hotels and resorts can help you connect to the outside world by telephone and internet through satellite link.

What are the places to eat near the Island?

The hotels, resorts and homestays at the island usually have a restaurant where you can eat like Sutera at Mantanani Island Resorts & Spas, Mari Mari backpackers Lodge and Kayu Manis Cafe.

What is the condition of medical facilities on the Island?

There is one clinic on the island that provides basic medical facilities.

How much time duration do I need to visit the whole of Mantanani Island?

For exploring the whole of Mantanani Island you will need around 2 days as Mantanani Islands are a small group of islands and provide you with many attractions and amazing watersports.

How far is Mantanani Island from Kota Kinabalu?

Mantanani Island is about 87 kilometres away from Kota Kinabalu.

Is there any emergency help service on the Island in case of any emergency?

The hotels at the Island can help you with basic emergency response like first-aid and fire fighting.

Any travel tip before visiting Mantanani Island?

Make sure you are travelling during the right time of the year in order to avoid any last minute cancellations. Carry your camera to click some amazing pictures of the picturesque location.

When is the best time to visit the islands?

The best time to visit the islands is from April to September as one can enjoy most of the activities at the island during this period.

What happens during poor sea conditions?

When the sea gets rough, any kind of water sports or activities can be risky and pose a threat to life. In order to prevent any accidents, the authorities may cancel your visit or activities at the island.

How many islands consist of Mantanani Islands?

Mantanani Besar, Mantanani Kecil and Lungisani are the three islands that make up Mantanani Islands.

Are there any accommodation facilities available on Mantanani Islands?

Yes, there are a couple of resorts with great accommodation facilities on the island. You can also opt for one of the homestays offered by the village locals. Some of them are Mari Mari Backpacker Lodge, Nido Mantanani Island Lodge, GreenHouse EcoLodge and Mantanani Homestays.

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