Top 20 fun things to enjoy in Kota Kinabalu! (No. 17 – Relax on a Pulau)
Top 20 fun things to enjoy in Kota Kinabalu! (No. 17 – Relax on a Pulau)
Pulau Sepanggar (Dreamer’s Island Resort)
PULAU: AN INTRODUCTION
Kota Kinabalu is fortunate enough to have a number of islands near to the mainland often referred to as pulau (Malay for island) and for nearly all visitors to Sabah, spending a day on one of these islands is quite rightly on the ‘must-do’ list.
All of the pulau are beautiful but some get very crowded so today our focus is on a visit to the relaxing and privately owned ‘Dreamer’s Island Resort’ on Pulau Sepanggar that caps visitors to a maximum number per day.
GETTING TO PULAU SEPANGGAR
Our journey starts at Jesselton Point, Kota Kinabalu’s ferry terminal that’s located at the northern end of Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront. It’s quaint, has a real holiday feel and is akin to pleasurably stepping back in time. The Departure Hall bustles early morning with boat operators, tour guides and their guests whilst outside there are many local food vendors keen to sell breakfast or some snacks and drinks (remember, this is Sabah…you won’t go hungry)!
We’re guided to our jetty and just after 9 a.m. I’m one of around 20 guests fitted with a lifejacket, ready to depart sat in the twin-engine speedboat that will whisk us north to Pulau Sepanngar. The 6km journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes and is lots of fun and as the boat is pretty much enclosed no-one arrives wet from sea-spray.
ARRIVAL AT PULAU SEPANGGAR
Sepanggar Island is around 7km north of Kota Kinabalu. The island is around 2.5km long by 1km wide and for any Brits reading, looks very similar in shape to the Isle of Man. The island is covered in forest and two small hills rise to around 160 metres above sea level. We arrive at the private jetty just before 9:30 a.m. and it’s time to explore! It’s around a 50 metre walk from the jetty to the white sand beach with waves lazily lapping the shoreline. On land behind the beach is a large semi-circular open wooden building which is used to serve lunch and a good base for those who prefer the shade. There’s also a small café, gift shop and excellent and very clean changing, shower and tandas (toilet) facilities. I’m also lucky to see behind the scenes where coral is being cultivated to be planted in the sea. Behind these buildings, hills covered in rainforest steeply rise to around 100 metres above sea level.
THINGS TO ENJOY ON PULAU SEPANGGAR
There’s so much to enjoy on Sepanggar Island! If you’re travelling with Blue Kinabalu snorkeling (and indeed lunch) is included in the package. There are also lots of great water-sports available at additional cost popular with kids and adults alike (take a look at our slide-show below!). Para-Sailing is incredibly popular but Jet-Skis, Banana Boat, Fly Fish & Kong Boat are also loads of fun. For those wanting to sample life under the waves, in addition to snorkeling there’s Sea-Walking and also a DSD (Discover Scuba Dive) Course available. Back on land there’s a ‘Flying Fox’ (zip-line) that begins in the hills and how about a ‘War Game’ to act as a bit of team building?!
After all that sea air and excitement, I expect you’ll be ready for lunch! Considering it’s served on an island, the Malay Buffet Lunch is considered good and not surprisingly includes seafood.
View from Sepanggar Island (Dreamer’s Island Resort) - note Mount Kinabalu in the background!
After lunch why not simply relax on the beach and chill…then enjoy another swim.
The beach at Pulau Sepanggar (Dreamer’s Island Resort)
Top Tip for Visitors:
Take the early 9am boat to maximise your time on the island.
You’re likely to get wet! (Bring a change of clothes and a towel).
Visit Sepanggar with Blue Kinabalu and your Tour Guide will provide a door-to-door service to Pulau Sepanggar from/to your hotel/Airbnb.
About Martin
Martin is a British expat living in Kota Kinabalu who arranges tailored tours within Sabah primarily for British and Western tourists on behalf of Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency. Please help spread the word about beautiful Sabah and share this post using the social share buttons below.