The Best Borneo Tropical Island Vacation

Borneo may be an island on its own. But for typical tropical island vacation that provide you with some peace and tranquility, beautiful sandy beaches, sun-bathing and soft sea sports, Sabah can tempt you with a number of exotic offshore islands.

Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) Marine Park

One of the perfect tropical islands in the whole of Borneo for the sun and sea lovers are concentrated within the Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) Marine Park off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. Simply because they are all well sheltered from the rough waters of the South China Sea (unlike the islands off Kuching in Sarawak for example), and most islands are well developed in terms of tourist facilities to provide a memorable tropical island vacation of a lifetime.

TAR Marine Park covers an area of 4,929 hectares and boosts five excellent and idyllic tropical islands (or Pulau as they are often referred to in Malay). The TAR islands are easily accessible as they are close to Kota Kinabalu - about 15 to 20 minutes boat ride. You can choose to visit one or more of the islands in a day, or spend a night or two to enjoy the tropical moonlight and maybe, do some night fishing. Even during your boat trip to the Marine Park, you will immediately find yourself engulfed in the Marine Park's inner beauty and calmness.

The crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches make any of its following islands a perfect tropical island vacation getaway:

Pulau Gaya - The largest tropical island of the Park at 140 hectares with 25km of shoreline. It derived its name from the Bajau word "Gayo" which means big. The major beach area includes Bulijong Bay (Police Beach), which has a quarter mile of fine white sand sloping gently into the crystal clear bay making it ideal for swimming. The coral reefs along the entire coast of the island are in excellent condition. There is one tropical resort on this island called the Gayana Island EcoResort. The untouched coastal dipterocarp forest is ideal for trekking and studying unique species of plant and animal life.

Pulau Manukan - This 51 acres boomerang shaped tropical island is the second largest of the TAR Marine Park. Manukan has good stretches of beaches especially on the southern coastline. Ideal for snorkeling, diving and swimming. There are also accommodation available with excellent facilities (i.e., 20 unit chalets, a clubhouse, restaurant, souvenirs, diving centres and recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, football field, squash and tennis courts), and good infrastructure support (i.e., water, electricity, desalination plant, sewerage system, and even a solar powered public telephone).

Pulau Mamutik - Mamutik is the smallest of the five tropical islands of the Park covering some 15 acres. Rich coral life surrounds the islands. Rare marine life such as the rare white distichopora and reddendrophyllia can be found at the north-eastern tip. The island has a jetty, a 3-bedroom resthouse for rent and staff quarters for Rangers stationed there. If you are thinking of staying at the resthouse, you must remember to bring your own food as there are no canteen facilities on the island. Other facilities available include changing rooms, toilets, picnic shelters, tables and barbecue pits. There are also fresh water and electricity in the island.

Pulau Sapi - For a small tropical island of 25 acres, Sapi Island has one of the nicest beaches in the Marine Park. Its clean white sand, crystal clear water and teeming coral reefs fringing the shoreline makes it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Day use facilities are available at the island such as a jetty, picnic shelters, barbecue pits, tables, changing rooms and toilets. There are also hiking trails available through the interior which can provide an excellent opportunity for you to appreciate nature in its wild habitat. Camping is allowed but with the permission of the Marine Park Warden.

Pulau Sulug - Sulug island with an area size of 20 acres is the farthest away from Kota Kinabalu. The tropical island is also the least developed. The shoreline is mostly rocky with beautiful patches of coral at the southern end. The island is however, very popular for those island hoppers who prefer the tranquil and untouched tropical beach atmosphere. Changing rooms and toilets, picnic shelters and tables are provided. Supply of fresh water is available.

TAR Marine Park is the ultimate location for sea sports activities like diving, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing. If you want to capture the fabulous view of Mount Kinabalu and the surrounding islands, give parasailing a try at either Manukan or Gaya islands. It simply presents you with a breathtaking and unforgetable view! It is also a great tropical island vacation for a BBQ picnic while you laze around in the long hours of golden sunshine.

The Do's and Don'ts of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The following statement is courtesy of Sabah Tourism and Tourism Malaysia:

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a State Park created to protect the natural environment, including the coral reefs, marine life, the fauna and flora. Notice boards are posted prominently on all the islands, and visitors are advised to read these notices before proceeding with their individual pursuits.

When you are there, there are certain rules and regulations that you need to follow. These are the DO and DON'T.

Do's
1. Observe the rule and regulations of the Park.
2. Keep the place clean during your stay and when leaving the Park.
3. Contact Park Rangers on duty for assistance and information.
4. Please bring along your towels and personal toiletries.

Don'ts
It is forbidden to: 1. Hunt or carry firearms, poison, spearguns and dangerous weapons within the park.
2. Harm or disturb any plants, animals or other living things.
3. Pick, cut or collect plants, insects, corals, shells and any other material dead or alive.
4. Write names on rocks, trees or shelters.
5. Bring pets into the Park.

GETTING THERE

There are daily boat services to the islands from Kota Kinabalu main center jetty.

Departures are at 9.00, 10.00, and 11.00 in the morning, and pick-ups are in the afternoon at 1.30, 2.30, and 3.30.

During weekdays, boats must be chartered.

Most boats accommodate up to 12 passengers.

Other Tropical Island Vacation Destinations

Pulau Tiga Survivor Island
Pulau Tiga is an excellent spot for a one-of-its-kind tropical island vacation in Borneo. The island is nowadays more popularly known as Survivor Island after the CBS Reality Show "Survivor I" was conducted and filmed there in 2000. Pulau Tiga's endless stretch of white sandy beach offers a perfect island beaches and tropical retreat vacation. Since accommodations at the current time are still limited, you can be guaranteed of a relaxed and tranquil tropical island vacation.