Mamutik Island Kota Kinabalu or Pulau Mamutik Sabah is the smallest islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, which consists of Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug & Mamutik Island. Being the nearest island to Kota Kinabalu, Mamutik Island gives a perfect view of the city besides offering a great snorkeling & scuba diving experience.
Anyone can visit Mamutik Island, but visiting as a guest of the resort is a different, more intimate experience. But if visiting Kota Kinabalu with kids, snorkeling here with them is easy due to calm and shallow water. And, you just might see clownfish, blacktip reef sharks, eels and so much more.
At only 15 acres, Mamutik Island (or Pulau Mamutik) is the smallest of the five islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. It’s a lovely place to spend a beach day and you can take a boat easily from Kota Kinabalu.
Staff will help determine fit and give you a handy bag to carry everything in. Directly outside, we boarded our boat from the resort’s private jetty and set off on the quick trip to Mamutik Island.
Snorkeling On Mamutik Island
Things to do on Mamutik Island
Some of the best activities you can enjoy as a tourist on Mamutik Island Kota Kinabalu Sabah includes:
Snorkeling – The snorkeling experience in Pulau Mamutik is not as good as Sapi Island & Manukan Island but you can still enjoy a great deal of snorkeling and see purple color coral, Nemo, Damsel fish, Parrot Fish, Baracuda & other species. There is a great visibility up to 5 meters near the beach to experience marine life.
The best spots for snorkeling are known to be near the rocky beach (west side of the island) or in the front side of the coral beach. The north east side of the island has the best coral and also known as coral beach. The snorkeling equipment such as mask, fin & life jacket is available on rent at the shop on the island.
Scuba Diving – Mamutik Island is also one of the good spots for scuba diving in Kota Kinabalu. The island is also a training site for Borneo Divers, a Padi certificate dive center. They provide scuba diving certification, training & coaching as well.
Beach with Privacy – You can enjoy a great deal of privacy on Mamutik Island beaches as it is not a preferred stop for tourists. You can walk on the 200 meter stretch of white sandy beaches. There is plenty of coral at some area near the beach. You can also enjoy a great view of Kota Kinabalu city by sitting on the Island, so many people will be just lying down on the beach to enjoy the great view.
Camping on Mamutik Island – There are no hotels, resorts or chalets on the island so the only way to spend a night on the island is to make use of camping. You just need permission from the reception upon entering the island and you’re all set. You can also rent a tent for camping by paying RM 40. The tent comes with the blanket. All you need to do is to find a perfect spot and buy some insect repellent and mosquito coils.
Jungle Trekking – If you want to stretch your muscles, then you can go for jungle trekking on Pulau Mamutik. There is a 385 meter long trail which can be completed in less than half an hour. You may spot red chicken face bird called Philippines Megapod on the way as well.
How To Get To Mamutik Island
Like the other islands, you can get to Mamutik Island by boarding a speed boat from the famous Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. The return ticket cost to Mamutik Island is RM 23 (US $6) per adult & RM 18 (US $5) for children. If you’re planning to visit two or three islands in a day, then you can also opt for island hopping activity. For detailed information, please read Kota Kinabalu Island Hopping.
The speedboat generally departs at 8am in the morning from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal and the last speedboat departs around 4:15am from Mamutik Island. You can always check the last departure time from the boat crew.
For tourists, there is a minimal entry fee to the island. For every adult, you need to pay RM 10 and for every child (below 18 years), you need to pay RM 6 per person.
Facilities on Mamutik Island
There are quite a number of facilities available at Mamutik Island Kota Kinabalu for tourists. Some of the facilities include picnic tables, barbecue pits, picnic shelters, changing rooms & toilets. You can also play football & volleyball on the Mamutik Island.
Clownfish feed on blue anemones which is why they can be reliably found in this spot. Now, we understand why the resort’s mascot is a clownfish named Jaga.
Tips For Your Visit
We were told that it’s best to arrive early when the water is the most clear. However, I would say it was clear on both days we visited up until our afternoon departure and possibly beyond.
The sand at the water’s edge is filled with small bits of coral, shells and some rock. We didn’t have problems in bare feet but water shoes might be helpful. Plan to spend time exploring for sea shells.
Make sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray… it’s Malaysia, after all!
Borneo Tropical _ The Everywhereist 