One day, three different ways to see Sabah’s sea. This Semporna tour pairs a Bohey Dulang hike with big island views and multiple chances to swim, snorkel, or do DSD scuba, plus lunch on a secluded stop.

Two things I really like: the trek climbs to a viewpoint you reach by foot, not by boat, and the day is built around repeated reef time so you can choose snorkel or scuba based on your comfort. The other plus is the way the team supports water time with safety gear and instructions.

One consideration before you book: the time in the water is intentionally split into short segments, so if you are an advanced snorkeler who wants one long reef session, you may feel it is not enough.

Quick takeaways before you go

• Bohey Dulang viewpoint hike: a 600m trail climb to panoramic sea views
• Two scheduled water moments: about 20 minutes per DSD scuba session with an instructor
• Captain-led reef choices: your snorkel spots can shift with weather and sea conditions
• Remote island feel: Sibuan includes blue sand and a stone arch you would not reach any other way
• Lunch included on the day: a lunch box served during the long break

Semporna jetty start, speedboat pace, and what a long day feels like

The day starts at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, and there is no hotel pickup, so plan to get there on time and ready. Before boarding, the crew does a quick registration process and asks for each person’s full name and nationality. If you are prone to motion sickness, take prevention ahead of the speedboat ride because the sea time is long enough to feel it.

You then head out by speedboat for about 80 minutes before reaching Bohey Dulang. That first stretch sets the tone for the whole tour: this is an active day, not a slow cruise. I like that the operator gives you structure, including life jackets, multilingual guidance for water activities, and a bottle of water (1.5 liters) for the day.

Also note the schedule can shift. The hike and water stops depend on weather, road conditions, and government policy. That does not mean the day falls apart, but it does mean you should go in with a flexible mindset and expect the captain to adjust the order for the best experience.

Bohey Dulang hike: the 600m trail and those “only here” views

Bohey Dulang is the main event because it is the only part of the day you reach by walking. Once you arrive, there is a guided segment that includes sightseeing stops and safety briefing, then you either hike or you wait at the jetty if you booked no-hike.

The route is described as a trek on trails up to around 600 meters, and you will have a moment to take photos on the way. The payoff is the top view: you look out over neighboring islands and the Celebes Sea’s clear water, with a dramatic mix of turquoise-blue sea and a lagoon view that looks very different from typical beach hopping.

The practical side: the climb is tiring but worth it, especially if you enjoy physical travel where the reward is the view you earn by feet. If conditions are not right, the hike can be canceled due to national park rules. If that happens under government restrictions, you proceed with the snorkel or scuba options instead, without paying hiking permit fees, park entry, or insurance that would only apply to the hike.

One more important detail: if you purchased a no-hike option, you need to wait at the jetty for the hike group, and last-minute changes are not possible because the government requires the hiker name for permits.

Mantabuan island: sea-gypsy remnants and guided reef time

After Bohey Dulang, the tour moves to Mantabuan, a shorter stop designed for a photo moment, some swimming, and either snorkeling or scuba depending on what you selected. The history here is part of the pull: Mantabuan was once home to a small population of sea gypsies who lived their lives on the sea and rarely went to land. Today you see a relic of that past, with crumbled brick remains as evidence of the former settlement.

In the water, you get a basic snorkeling experience or a guided scuba session with a safety briefing. The goal is simple and realistic: help you get comfortable and then enjoy the reef without turning the day into a training course. Expect coral and schools of tropical fish, the kind of underwater “wow” that hits quickly once you get your buoyancy and breathing under control.

Time is limited here, and that is by design. The tour’s structure keeps the whole day moving, with swim stops along the way. For scuba, the included plan is two DSD sessions of about 20 minutes each with an instructor. You are not going to spend hours underwater, but for most first-time scuba visitors, that shorter format is the exact point.

The lunch break on a remote island, and why the order may change

Between the main island stops, you get a longer break, about 1.5 hours, on what is described as a hidden gem. This is where lunch happens. You receive a lunch box and some free time, with a chance to walk around.

I like having this longer pause because it gives your body time to recover. After a hike and multiple water segments, you will be happy for a shaded break and something solid to eat.

One thing to keep in mind: the exact order of islands can change depending on sea tide and lunch time. The idea is not to follow a rigid checklist, but to do things in the order that keeps the experience pleasant. In other words, the captain and crew are trying to pick the best moment for each stop based on what the sea is doing that day.

Lunch is included, but one practical tip from real-world experience is that it can be worth bringing along extra snacks if you have preferences. You have a full day ahead, and appetite can get intense once you start moving and swimming.

Sibuan Island: blue sand, a stone arch, and reef surprises

Sibuan is the “you rarely see this” stop. After the next speedboat segment, you spend about 40 minutes at Sibuan Island with the option to swim and snorkel. The captain chooses the best spots based on weather conditions, which is useful because visibility and calm water can vary day to day.

This is where the snorkeling gets more specific. The description includes a secluded bay and a blue sand beach. There is also mention of a stone arch beneath the coastline, plus underwater formations that can host thousands of colorful fish. That combination is exactly why Sibuan works as a late-day stop: by then you already know you like the water, and the scenery under the surface can still deliver a fresh moment.

The crew builds in the usual safety briefing and guidance, and you still get that tour-style structure where you do not have to plan anything beyond showing up. If you are nervous in open water, the life jacket support and instructions make it easier to relax and focus on what is in front of you.

Scuba option with DSD: what you get, who it fits, and what fees matter

If you choose scuba, this tour uses a DSD format. That means no scuba certificate is required, and you do the scuba experience with an instructor who handles the safety briefing and on-the-spot guidance. For many people, that is the simplest way to try scuba while still getting real training cues.

What is included for scuba gear (when you select it):

• fins
• BCD regulator
• gauge and oxygen tank or cylinder
• wetsuit (as provided)
• mask and snorkel are included as part of the activity set

The plan includes two DSD scuba sessions, each about 20 minutes, and each comes with an instructor.

Now the money reality. The tour price is stated at $58 per person, but several important park and access fees are not included. If you hike, there can be Bohey permit and climbing fees (RM50 each), plus Bohey insurance (RM7 each) under current government park regulation. There is also a Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee of RM30 per person, which is listed as not included.

If you participate in scuba, there is an additional Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee: RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for locals. The important distinction is that this scuba fee is for scuba only and is not the same as what applies to snorkeling.

So here is the value question I’d ask you:

• If you want mostly snorkeling, your $58 price plus the listed park fee(s) is a straightforward day of sea time.
• If you want scuba too, you should budget for the added mandatory scuba fee on top of the tour price.

For $58, the tour feels like good value when you want multiple stops, gear included, and an instructor-led introduction. You are paying for transportation, time on the water, guidance, and lunch, not just for one reef visit.

What to bring and how to avoid the usual “water day” problems

The crew provides essential safety items and water gear, but you still need to manage comfort. Bring:

• a change of clothes
• hiking shoes (for the trek if hiking is available and you choose it)
• cash
• passport (a copy is accepted)
• a waterproof bag
• motion sickness prevention
• a wetsuit

That list matters because the day mixes land and sea. Wet gear and saltwater are unavoidable, so having dry clothes ready at the end makes the ride back much more pleasant.

Also, keep an eye on timing. The experience runs about 7 hours total (450 minutes). You will be eating lunch on the schedule and swimming in set windows. If you want the day to feel easy, show up ready instead of trying to make yourself presentable at the last second, because the schedule has limited slack.

Communication is generally supported with multilingual instructions (Chinese, English, Malay), and the instructor support is part of why beginners feel comfortable in the water. Still, real-world experiences can vary by guide presence, and if English clarity is a big requirement for you, choose the option that best matches your comfort level and ask questions early.

Who should book, and who should skip this kind of day

This tour fits best if you like variety in one day. I think it is especially good for:

• snorkelers who want more than one swim stop
• people who want a walk to a viewpoint, not just a boat photo stop
• first-time scuba participants who want guided DSD structure
• solo travelers, since it is organized and crew-guided
• families, including kids around school age, because the day is paced into manageable stops

On the flip side, it is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. If that applies to you, you should choose a different kind of sea day.

If you are an experienced snorkeler who wants long, uninterrupted time on the reef, consider that you might want more minutes in the water. The schedule spreads the day across hike, lunch, and two reef-focused swim segments, so your time underwater will be shared.

Final call: should you book the Bohey 3 Islands day trip?

I would book this if you want a single-day mix of land views and sea snorkeling, and you like the idea of optional scuba with an instructor and included gear. The Bohey Dulang hike is the kind of effort that pays off with real perspective, and Sibuan adds a different type of underwater scene and beach setting.

I would hesitate if you are chasing one thing only, like a long snorkeling session, because the tour is built around multiple stops and set time windows. Also budget for the extra park and scuba-related fees, especially if you plan to do scuba.

If you are flexible about the exact order of islands and you show up with the right shoes and waterproof setup, this is a strong value day out of Semporna with a lot of “how did we get here” energy.

FAQ

How long is the Bohey 3 Islands hike and snorkel or scuba tour?

The duration is listed as 7 hours, or 450 minutes.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The tour meets at JETI PELANCONG SEMPORNA JETTY.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike included automatically?

The hiking trip is included only when conditions allow and only if you selected the hiking option.

What swimming and snorkeling options are included?

The tour includes swim stops along the day. It can include 2 snorkeling trips if selected, and it also includes snorkeling as part of the DSD scuba option.

Do I need a scuba certificate for this experience?

No. The DSD scuba sessions do not require a scuba certificate.

What extra fees should I expect beyond the tour price?

Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee RM30 each is not included. If hiking is available, Bohey permit and climbing fee is RM50 each. Bohey insurance may apply as RM7 each under government park rules. If you do scuba, Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba fee is RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for locals, and it is for scuba only.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.