The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (also short TAR Park, or TAR Marine Park) is off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian state Sabah. It comprises five islands that invite you to relax, swim, dive, snorkel or just explore. Some also offer accommodation. Pulau Gaya, the largest island is also "really inhabited", as you can see a settlement on the edge of the island from the land.
background
| Fares: | Adults | children |
|---|---|---|
| Manukan | RM 23 | RM 18 |
| Mamutics | RM 23 | RM 18 |
| Sapi | RM 23 | RM 18 |
| Sulug | RM 25 | RM 18 |
| 2 islands | RM 33 | RM 28 |
| 3 islands | RM 43 | RM 38 |
| 4 islands | RM 53 | RM 48 |
| Charter boat | RM 204 |
The 49 square kilometer area was proclaimed a national park in 1974. It consists of two thirds of the sea and one third of islands and coral reefs.
The offshore islands invite you to sunbathe, snorkel and relax. Some of these islands are gastronomically developed and guarantee an optimal supply of the guests with Malaysian food or a barbecue. There are also showers and toilets of good quality. These managed islands are visited by most holidaymakers, but they are not overcrowded. Those who prefer it lonely should choose one of the less cultivated islands, which guarantee peace and seclusion. However, the facilities there (e.g. showers and toilets) are a bit simpler. The quality of the water is very good, the temperature around 28 degrees and you have the opportunity to watch many different fish while snorkeling. Diving (classic or with small mini submarines) is also possible. Manukan and Gaya also invite you to take a little jungle hike. The islands are also popular with the locals as a family getaway destination.
getting there
The park is "open" daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The transfer from KK to the respective islands is carried out by small boats from Jesselton Point in the Jl. Pantai settled out. The journey time is approx. 15-20 minutes - depending on the destination and route. The boats usually go to the islands of Sapi, Manukan and Mamutik in one round. To do this, you have to go to the corresponding hall in the port (behind the entrance on the right) and buy a ticket. When purchasing, the desired pick-up time on the island must be specified (every full hour). In addition, there is a port fee (RM 7.20 per person) and the "entry" on the island (parking fee), plus - if desired - the rent for snorkeling equipment. Entry is valid for one day for all islands. Malaysians pay RM 3.00 (children under 18: RM 1.00), non-Malaysians RM 10.00 (children: RM 6.00)
accommodation
Some of the islands offer hotels and lodges. Camping is also possible. The camping fee is RM 5.00 per person. Tents are also available. They cost RM 30.00 (4-person tent) or RM 40.00 (6-person tent)
activities
Diving: The island world of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park offers some good diving opportunities. The islands of Mamutik and Sapi are quite popular for diving trips. A number of providers offer diving trips and training courses. Most of them can be found in Kota Kinabalu in Wisma Sabah and in KK Times Square. The islands of Mamutik and Gaya each also have a diving center. On the island of Manukan you can also explore the underwater world with small mini-submarines.
Parasailing: 10 minutes of parasiling in the TAR Park cost RM 100.00. Contact SeaQuest at 60-88-303353 for information.
Seawalking: Seawalking is an option for those who want to visit the underwater world without a diving license. With a pressurized helmet, you walk about half a meter below the surface of the water. A 30-minute underwater excursion costs RM 250.00. -
Gaya
With an area of 25 hectares and a coastline of 25 kilometers, Gaya Island is the largest of the islands in the park and the closest to the mainland. There are 2 local settlements on its southeastern edge. The island is home to three resorts. Forests with trees of the type Dipterocarpus (two-winged fruit trees) invite you to hike.
Hike: After arriving on Gaya Island, you go on a one and a half hour hike through the jungle and mangrove swamps. At the destination of the hike, the transfer takes place to one of the nearby islands of Sapi or Manukan. Here you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon. You can swim, snorkel or just relax on the fine white sand.
Diving:
- Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures, Block B, 3rd Floor, Lot 12, KK Times Square. Tel.: 60 (0)88-488997, (0)88-485366, Mobile: 60 (0)12-8661935, (0)12-8677375, Fax: 60 (0)88-485300, Email: [email protected]. PADI 5 Star Dive Center S-36441.
Accommodation:
- Gayana Eco Resort (Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya). Tel.: 60 (0)88-442233, Fax: 60 (0)88-475714, Email: [email protected]. Very nice complex with bungalow standing on stilts in the water. There is a ferry service to Jesselton Point in Kota Kinabalu.Price: $ 264-514.
- Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa (Polish Bay, Gaya Island). Tel.: 60 (0)88-271000, Fax: 60 (0)88-271100, Email: [email protected]. Great new resort in a secluded, secluded bay in the north of the island.Price: from approx. RM 1,200.00 per night.
Manukan
| Sports equipment: | Loan fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Mask, snorkel, fins | RM 15 | RM 50 |
| Mask, snorkel mask Fins | RM 10 | RM 40 |
| snorkel | RM 5 | RM 20 |
| Beach mat (single / double) | RM 4/5 | RM 5/10 |
| Life buoy | RM 5 | RM 10 |
| Swim ring (small / large) | RM 5/7 | RM 10 |
| Life jacket | RM 10 | RM 20 |
| Soccer / volleyball | RM 10 | RM 50 |
Manukan is one of the most popular islands. The boomerang-shaped island is 20.5 hectares and offers a beautiful beach on its south side, as well as snorkeling and diving opportunities. If you want to get close to many fish while snorkeling, you can lure them with food. Fish feed can be purchased on the island for RM 3.00. A restaurant and a cookshop are also available. It is certainly the most popular and therefore most visited island in the park. Whole local families turn up here with luggage and rice cookers for a family outing. Even so, one can certainly not speak of an overcrowded island.
Activities: Bathing and snorkeling are definitely on the program of every Manukan visitor. Next to the cookshop in the middle of the beach there is a shop that rents out equipment. A football and tennis court are also available in the center of the island. A corresponding device is also available for fans of the banana boat. A hiking trail branches off on the way to the upper bungalows. It leads 1.35 kilometers in the north around the island to the viewpoint in the northwest.
To eat and drink: There is a small food stall and a small shop right on the main path parallel to the beach. Diagonally opposite is a restaurant with a bar. If you just want to have a quick, informal beer, you can also go to the island shop in the entrance hall on the pier. There the can costs RM 10.00 compared to RM 15.00 in the restaurant.
Accommodation: The island offers camping facilities at the northern tip as well as a bungalow resort operated by the Sutera Lodges.
- Manukan Island Resort, Lot G15 Ground Floor Wisma Sabah (Pulau Manukan). Tel.: 60 (0)88-477802, Email: [email protected]. The lodge offers a total of 20 bungalows on the mountain and at the end of the beach with a view of the sea.Price: RM 1120.00 (in the high season RM 50.00).
Mamutics
The smaller sister of Manukan with an area of 6 hectares offers a beautiful beach and its own dive center. It is surrounded by beautiful corals. A rentable hut with a 3-bed room is also available. Sports activities such as jet skiing and banana boating are also offered during the day. The infrastructure offers changing rooms, toilets and picnic areas.
Diving:
- Borneo Divers, 9th Floor, Menara Jubili, 53, Jalan Gaya,. Tel.: 60 (0)88-222226, Fax: 60 (0)88-221550, Email: [email protected].
Sapi
The 10 hectare island of Sapi is located off the southwest coast of the largest island Gaya and offers one of the most beautiful beaches in the marine park. There is a jetty to the east as well as beaches with a view of the opposite island. The island is popular with diving enthusiasts. It is surrounded by some beautiful coral banks that are ideal for diving and snorkeling. There are changing rooms, toilets and picnic areas on the island. If you want, you can also explore the island on some hiking trails. At low tide you can walk over to the island of Gaya on a sandbank. For children in particular, it is the ideal "edutainment island" for playing and getting to know nature. Finally, the wildlife is also quite interesting. Especially on Sapi Island, a few monitor lizards join the visitors. The monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) but are not dangerous
Sulug
Sulug is the island furthest away from Kota Kinabalu, with a jetty on a wide beach on the eastern headland and otherwise largely rocky coastline. It's the least developed island and has a serene, pristine tropical beach atmosphere, including a number of cheeky long-tailed macaques. If you don't take care of your things here, you will quickly find them in the hands of one of the monkeys.
Excursion programs
Some travel agencies also offer full guided tours of the TAR Park. Many travel agencies have their offices in Wisma Sabah and in Jesselton Point in the ticket counter hall
Barbecue: There are also day trips to one of the islands including a barbecue picnic. The excursions cost RM 230 or 200 per person (BBQ on Manukan / BBQ on Sapi)
Web links
- An official website is not known. Please open Wikidata add.
- www.sabahtourism.com - The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on the Sabah state tourism website.
