Manukan Island, Sabah Malaysia (Borneo)

Many of you may have heard of Borneo or Sipadan Island (the world famous or best diving spot). There are 2 states in Borneo belongs to Malaysia - Sabah & Sarawak. And below this 2 states is Kalimantan which is Indonesia.
Sabah is also known as the Land below the Wind. And the Capital city is Kota Kinabalu. I have made a trip there last year for 4 days/3 nights.It was a fruitful trip and very interesting indeed.

To get there, we took Air Asia http://www.airasia.com/ from Kuala Lumpur (thanks to Air Asia for making it affordable to travel nowadays to East Malaysia otherwise we have to fork out close to MYR1000 (USD350) to travel to Sabah with the other national airline those days)

When we arrived there we managed to cover the sea, hills & river adventure in 4 days.The moment we arrived we took a taxi to customs jetty and hop into a speed boat to Manukan Island. (one may have to wait cos the speed boat will wait for 7 - 10 passengers to fill up the boat) There's no specific time table. Do arrange for return transfer with a specific date given to the boatman.And we have also arranged for Island Hoping with the boatman . The Islands are Mamutik & Sapi.

We stay a night at the resort (in between 3 star to 4 star resort) called the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. There are several category i.e double storey beach Lodges, beach lodge (single storey), & Hill lodge. You got to make an early reservation and not walk in like city hotels. This is the one and only hotel available http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my/manukan.htmThe rooms are clean and well equiped. You can also tune into cable TV like HBO & Sports chanel.

If you followed the Amazing Race a few years ago, you may heard of this island as this is one of the venue that participants have their pit stop.

What we do over there. Well we spent a lazy time on the island, the water was crystal clear,you may swim & snorkel by the sea which is just a walk away from the room and you will be surrounded with fishes and tropical corals. Is amazing. Becareful if you are very hairy cos this fishes are like gangster like my friend said, it bites. Probably the fish thought it was their food

There are many fishes which you can find (catching the fish & taking the corals are strictly prohibited and is against the law. You will be fined & jailed). You can read about the fishes that you see at the jetty where they put a posters of various fish found around the island. You can even feed the fish at night.You are only allowed to swim within the confined area so that the life guard is able to see you. One of the star attractions and must see on Manukan Island is the fish feeding at the jetty where large school of fishes have made their home. You can even snorkel and dive amongst the fish here!

While we were there it was a fasting month for the muslim, therefore my muslim friend brought some fruits & drink during the island hoping to break fast. She actually dug up a hole on the beach and kept the food there and went for a swim, a smart monkey saw what she did, the monkey dug up the hole and ate all her food and drank up her packet drink...:-[ She was so upset & laughing at the incident at the same time.

There's only one restaurant on the island, therefore you probably have to dine in there. Or else bring your own instant food.

The next morning, we headed for a morning jungle walk. it was so breezy, the sun was shining thru the trees and sea. At 6am, you get sunlight here, it was indeed a beautiful scenery that will keep you snaping at every corner.

There are other area that one can explore but the crystal clear water is so captivating that I spent most of the time in the water & by the beach, just couldn't resist...Will keep you posted soon where I went after Manukan Island...