Mantanani Island Snorkeling or Diving Optional Mangrove River Cruise

Five-star experience! Five-star trip! A perfect journey! Our tour guide, Sue, contacted us via WhatsApp the night before and was incredibly patient in answering all our questions. She also helped us take photos throughout the trip without any hesitation. Some of our group members had very high expectations for photography, and Sue was surprisingly patient in helping them get their shots. It's worth noting that our group was a combination of several smaller groups, but all the guides knew each other, so they were great at creating a lively atmosphere. One guide constantly played music through a loudspeaker, which really boosted the mood, and they even matched the theme – for example, playing Jay Chou's "Rice Field" when we were watching fireflies! Truly professional! Be aware that the local mosquitoes are very aggressive and aren't deterred by mosquito repellent, so that's something to keep in mind. The sunset there is stunning! We had plenty of time for free activities and taking photos. My first snorkeling experience was also amazing. The only downside was that some people in our group might have been afraid of water, so we had to accommodate them and couldn't visit more spots. We ended up staying at one spot for about an hour. You can rent a locker on the island for HKD $60, but you honestly don't need to; no one is going to steal your belongings on a deserted island... Watching the fireflies is an absolutely unforgettable experience! Photos can't capture the awe-inspiring sight; you'll understand once you go! P.S. The meeting time that day was 7 AM! So it was a very early start, but totally worth it.

It's a place with beautiful scenery, but the journey is long. The beaches of Mantanani Island are truly stunning. I got to see fireflies and proboscis monkeys, so it was definitely worth the trip!

Baoqing was truly our guide of the day. Although I’m a local and have joined multiple tour agencies to Mantanani Island and the Kawa-Kawa River, Baoqing stood out as an exceptional tour guide who showed me how much difference a good guide can make to a trip. He provided clear and detailed information from the beginning until the end, including estimated travel times to each destination, which is especially important for foreign tourists. What impressed me most was his attentiveness during the snorkelling session, where he took the initiative to ask who could and could not swim—something none of the other tour agencies I’ve experienced ever considered. The tour assistants were friendly, patient, and very considerate despite doing this work repeatedly, and their professionalism truly enhanced the overall experience. For firefly-watching tours, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help upgrade and enhance the tourist experience, as I studied firefly tourism during my master’s degree.

This is a great experience and itinerary. The time felt like it flew by. The tour leader and service staff were also very enthusiastic. The snorkeling experience allows you to enjoy a different marine landscape and also get some exercise. The afternoon proboscis monkey and firefly activities were even more interesting. It was truly an unforgettable journey.

You should join this diving tour, if you hesitate to decide diving or scuba. Ms. Sue Yee guided us perfectly and we had a lot of unforgettable memories in Kota Kinabalu, especially Mantanani Islands. The shape of Mantanani island is the sleeping Mermaid. That was literally very beatiful and we were so impressed by the sunset. I appreciated to Ms. Sue and accompanied family from Korean for spending wonderful time with us.

We went to Sapi Island, and the next day we visited Mantanani Island. Mantanani was much more secluded than Sapi, the water was clearer, and snorkeling in the middle of the ocean was amazing! Our guides, Sue Yee and BaoQing, were incredibly kind and helpful! We were the only Koreans among the Chinese tourists on the tour, and Sue was especially kind, explaining things to us separately in English and taking great photos. We were very satisfied.

Our guide, Addison, was very kind. I was the only Korean in the group, which included a Japanese family and some Chinese people. The guide thoughtfully provided separate Korean guidance via WhatsApp, which helped me a lot during the tour. He also proactively took photos for me and even played Korean pop songs, which made me feel very included and not left out despite being the only Korean. The boat staff were also fluent in English. They joked around with me and proactively asked if I needed anything, making the whole experience very enjoyable! I asked if the guide and staff also did other tours, but unfortunately, they only do the Mantanani Island tour. I would love to come back again. Safety: Life jackets and equipment are provided, and staff are always present during activities and snorkeling. Experience: They take great photos (some are paid) and offer various marine sports. Location: A bit far from downtown Kota Kinabalu.

Mermaid Island is quite far, and the commute time probably took up half the day.🫣 The snorkeling experience was great; the water was very clear, and if you stayed still, fish would swim right up to you. 🥰 You can try kayaking, transparent boats, and even a yellow rubber duck bubble machine to create a romantic atmosphere 🤣. We had enough time on the island, and there was even time to wash up.

Our scuba diving was an amazing and surreal experience.. the place was no man’s land and the water was pristine

The tour is just as listed in the itinerary. But it's mostly catered for Mandarin-speaking, English is there too but more context in Mandarin. Adison was a great tour guide and accommodated our English preference 😅 don't forget to bring a fan as it can be quite hot in the boat while waiting for others to board. buffet food was good (chicken and seafood, no beef and pork)