[2024 Kota Kinabalu Attraction] Travel Guide for Mengalum Island (Updated Nov)

Visa-Free 4-Day Trip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | Super Detailed PLOG

Is it too cold in winter in China☃ and rainy🌧️❓ Enjoy the endless tropical summer‼️ You can always trust the romance brought by the vast sea and nature of Southeast Asia🌠 Jelly sea, fireflies, sunset, 🩷pink mosque... 🏨Hotel 📍We booked the Hyatt on Gaya Street, which is within walking distance of the beach, pier, and night market. - Compare prices on multiple platforms and try to choose a refundable option. - If this is your first time, we recommend staying near Gaya Street, which is lively and convenient. A taxi from the airport costs about MYR 10. ✅Itinerary ▪️DAY 1: Island hopping｜Free and fun! 👉Recommended: Manukan Island + Mamutik Island 💰MYR 45, you can add other activities, remember to bargain! 😋Visit the Gaya Street Night Market in the evening, and sit on the ground with the locals to eat and have fun. ▪️DAY 2: Mantanani Island Day Tour｜So beautiful! 👉Book online in advance, depart at 7 am 💰¥400+, includes transfers, lunch, and 2 snorkeling sessions 😋Tanjung Aru Beach sunset + night market in the evening ▪️DAY 3: Mangrove Day Tour｜Worth it! 👉Book online in advance, depart at 1 pm 💰¥200+, includes transfers, afternoon tea, and dinner 😭Saw monitor lizards, proboscis monkeys, fireflies, and sunset at the Sky Mirror ▪️DAY 4: Half-Day City Tour｜Great for photos! 👉Book online in advance, or take a taxi 💰Charter a car for about ¥200, includes transfers, guide, and photos 🗺️Yayasan Sabah Tower - University of Malaysia Sabah - City Mosque 😋Return to Gaya Street for lunch, buy souvenirs, and head to the airport 🥘Food Guide ❶Gaya Street Night Market is my favorite, only open on weekend nights, highly recommend the avocado juice! ❷Filipino Night Market, Tanjung Aru Night Market, and Durian Street are also good. ❸We mostly ate on Gaya Street, the coconut pudding at Sin Kee is delicious, and the bak kut teh at Yu Kee is small and suitable for tourists to try. 🚗Transportation Guide ❶Download Grab in advance, you can pay with cash or the blue app. ❷Taxis are convenient in the city, and cost less than MYR 20. ❸Taxis are also quick at the airport at night, and you need to walk a bit further to get a taxi after watching the sunset at Tanjung Aru. 🚖Travel Tips: ✅Take China Southern Airlines from Guangzhou, Fly directly to Kota Kinabalu, flight time is about 3.5 hours, price is about ¥2,400💰 ✅Visa-free! You only need to fill out the MDAC entry card in advance! (Print it out) Bring your passport! Air ticket! Itinerary! ✅Be sure to protect yourself from the sun! Bring sunscreen! Umbrella! Sun protection clothing! ✅Bring a swimsuit, swim trunks, beach shoes, a change of clothes, disposable towels, and small bottles of shower gel and shampoo for island tours. ✅Although most places in Kota Kinabalu accept online payments, you need to pay cash on the islands. You can prepare a few hundred MYR, and exchange it at the airport.

After taking the advice to visit this place, I was truly, truly moved to tears

How to get to Huan Tan Island? ❶ Huan Tan Island can only be visited by joining a day tour, and it is recommended to book online in advance. We booked a package that includes transfers, lunch, and 2 snorkeling sessions, around ¥480 per person. ❸ We set off around 7:30 am, arrived at Magellan Pier, and returned around 2:30 pm, with the boat journey taking about an hour. About safety -Before getting into the water, I was actually quite nervous, as we didn't prepare any equipment and just wore ordinary swimsuits. -Liu doesn't know how to swim, and I can only swim in a pool. !But it turned out that snorkeling is so much fun! We both fell in love with snorkeling and are now preparing to get our own snorkeling gear! Diving masks, life jackets, and diving socks are provided, and it's essential to wear the life jacket throughout. If you can't swim, just hold onto the rope. Snorkeling experience -At the first snorkeling spot, we held onto the rope and had a shallow experience, saw some colorful fish and corals, it was okay, but not astonishing, just felt snorkeling was interesting. -The second snorkeling spot was amazing! The water was very shallow, so you can stand up, which makes it very safe! -There were super many clownfish and living corals! We really saw Nemo here! So many! The coral reefs were also very numerous and large! You must go into the sea to see! -We added an underwater GoPro photo shoot on the boat, and after bargaining, it was 50rm for two people, which was quite a good deal. Xiao Hei was very reliable, pulling us around one-on-one to find spots. In the end, we got 7 videos and 80 photos! Other tips After snorkeling, we returned to Huan Tan Island for lunch. The lunch and drinks were buffet-style, which was okay, don't have too high expectations. ❷ The afternoon is free time, you can take photos or rest on the island, the beaches and sea water of Huan Tan Island are really great! It's advisable to prepare seasickness medicine in advance, as it's quite easy to get seasick. Sun protection is really too important! Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential!

Touring Malaysia's Pulau Tiga, the jellyfish sea is full of fish

Only when I went to Pulau Tiga in Sabah did I realize, The blue sea is really not a legend💙. The journey is closer than Mermaid Island, and there are fewer people than island hopping, Our boat of 20 people almost chartered the island🏝. Snorkeling in the middle of the sea is completely different from the shore, The water is clear, and there are as many fish as Finding Nemo🐟, There are clownfish nemo and the same pink coral. I was also lucky to find a little turtle swimming🐢. There is a buffet lunch at noon, and drinks are free. It's not delicate but it tastes good🦀. Then go to the beach to step on the white sand and take pictures, Dancing under the bubble machine while listening to music, For a complete guide, see below😎 🗺Itinerary & Tips: 👉07:20 Pick up from the hotel to the pier. 👉09:30 Arrive on the island (1.5 hours by speedboat) Depart early, it is recommended not to arrange too full the day before or rest early. There is no bathroom on the boat, so go to the pier. I squinted on the boat and slept very sweetly in the sea breeze. 🐠🐠10:00 Change into a swimsuit and go out to sea for snorkeling🐠🐠 There are two snorkeling points in total, and places with many fish and corals will stay longer. Even if you can't swim, you can have a lot of fun. If you are really scared, you can get on the boat in advance. There will be precautions on the boat, and free activities after getting off the water. Everyone is in one area, and Xiao Hei is also around you. The life jacket has a large buoyancy and is generally safe. 📌Snorkeling Tips: ①Be sure to wear a jellyfish suit or sun protection suit, otherwise it is easy to get sunburned. Some fish bite people, the wound is not big and not painful but it will break. ②The rented face mirror is of good quality, not easy to enter the water, if you need glasses, you can tell the guide. There is no disposable mouthpiece, if you mind, you can bring your own. ③It is necessary to rent a pair of flippers, it is better to kick water when encountering waves and currents, especially for those who can't swim. ④Buy some bread in advance and stuff it in a plastic bottle. The effect of attracting fish is very good. It costs 5RM/bottle on the boat. ⑤Gopro follows the shooting according to the number of tourists, 50RM/person/snorkeling all the way. The shooting is really good, and it is more reassuring to have Xiao Hei staring at you. You can bargain to 30RM/person, and the guide will give it to you before leaving the island. 👉12:00-13:00 Beach buffet lunch, free activities. It is recommended not to change the swimsuit first, it will spray bubbles at 13:30. 👉14:30 Board the ship and return, 16:00 Arrive at the city pier. You can go to Tanjung Aru Beach to watch the sunset. 💡Reservation: There are 3 companies on the island, I chose "Love of Pulau Tiga". The service is very good, and one of the guides can speak Chinese. Xiao Hei is also very enthusiastic, helping to take pictures on the boat, and actively communicating with you in English. You can bargain if you book one day in advance at the pier, 260RM or 300RM can be booked. 🎒Suggested to bring: Sunscreen/mud, hat, sunglasses, mobile phone waterproof bag, swimsuit, slippers, towel, bread for feeding fish

Escape to Mengalum Island

Began from Jesselton Point Jetty and we boarded boat for about 1 hour ride to the island. Upon arrival, we couldnt help but snap countless photos of the place. The white sandy beach, ocean and sky were too stunning. After gearing up, we went for 2 diving spots. We swam alongside schools of fish, watched as graceful sea turtles glided by, spotted a playful octopus, etc. Back to the island, we had our sumptuous buffet lunch to fill our tummies. There are also free activities available such as snorkeling and kayaking. You may roam around the island on your own or you can also choose to ride their ATV (own expense). #trip #island #travel #diving

Mengalum Island - Malaysia

Mengalum island is located around 56 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu city. The trip to the island by speedboat will take one-and-a-half hours. Mengalum Island has very recently become popular among tourists because of its beautiful landscapes. Must-do activity on Mengalum Island is to take advantage of its warm and clear waters and go for a swim. The waters surrounding Mengalum Island is a snorkeling and scuba diving haven. There is a hotel on the island where visitors can stay overnights #bucketlistreboot #malaysia #beachlife #summervacation #Island #tripblazers #nationalpark #awesomepic

5D4N Free & Easy in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

My bestie’s husband took care of all the details for this trip. The four of us traveled together. 👍 Highly recommended: Pink University of Sabah, Floating Mosque, Mantanani Island. Entry preparation: Passport, ID card 👉 Print out your round-trip flight itinerary ✈️ and hotel booking confirmation 🏨 You can prepare some local currency 💰, but Alipay is accepted in many places. 🚗 Transportation: Grab is very convenient! 💖 Recommended attractions: You must go to the mangrove forest to see the fireflies. The fireflies there are as bright as stars, and you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. Top recommendation: Pink University of Sabah. It is very photogenic, and you can take great photos 📷. There is also an aquarium and a beach, which are worth visiting. But remember to take a taxi, as the University of Sabah is really big! The Floating Mosque is also very beautiful. Snorkeling on Mantanani Island and Mabul Island is amazing. The water is clear, and you can see many marine creatures. The only downside is that the boat ride takes 1–1.5 hours, so prepare some motion sickness medicine. It is really hot there. Travel tips: Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. The UV rays are very strong there. Comfortable clothes: Shorts, short sleeves, and light dresses. Bring a jacket, as the temperature difference between day and night is large. Snorkeling equipment: Mask, snorkel, etc. You can also rent them locally. I am nearsighted, so I bring a prescription mask. Photography equipment: Camera or phone Others: British plug adapter, mosquito repellent, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine. Bring them if you have them.

Island-hopping and water fun guide at Sapi Island near Kota Kinabalu

🌈 For a leisurely time on the beach and island, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia is a great place with various island-hopping options. Here's a one-day guide to island-hopping and playing in the water around Sapi Island. It is recommended to join a tour group, which can be booked online or through a hotel. The cost is about 400+ RMB, including hotel transfers and meals. ✅ Travel Tips 👉 Gather at the hotel at 8 am, take a shuttle to the pier, which takes about an hour, then wait at the pier for the boat to depart, which also takes more than an hour. After arriving, change clothes and get ready to go snorkeling. The water is clear and jelly-like, and you can see schools of fish. Underwater photography is provided for a fee, and Xiao Hei will help take pictures with an underwater camera. Snorkeling usually takes place 1-2 times, and you'll be taken to better areas to play, including feeding fish with bread, which is very effective. There's free time on the beach to wade and play in the waves, with trees, rest areas, and decorated swings for photo opportunities. Near the beach, you can also swim in the clear water with fine sand and enjoy the sunshine to the fullest. After snorkeling, it's usually time for lunch, with some shrimp, crab, chicken wings, and fried food provided. The trip generally ends in the afternoon, and you'll be taken back to the hotel. 📌 Precautions: UV rays are strong, so remember to use full-spectrum sunscreen, and be fully prepared with sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats. Also, prepare a set of replacement clothing. If the weather is bad, do not easily go to the island, as the boat ride can be very bumpy and long, causing seasickness and vomiting, which can be very uncomfortable and also unsafe. There is basically no signal on the island.

Kota Kinabalu Mermaid Island Travelogue~

🚫 Warning: Not for those who get seasick! 🌴 A dual experience of beauty and bumpiness, are you ready? 📝 Follow my writing and unveil the mystery of Mermaid Island in Kota Kinabalu. --- 🌊 During my 7-day adventure in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, I decided to challenge myself and stay at the Mermaid Island Resort for one night. This decision was not made on a whim but after careful consideration. After all, with children in tow, we wanted to find a place that was both family-friendly and offered the fun of island hopping. Although the nearby islands were very convenient for island hopping, taking just over ten minutes to reach, I longed for the distant crystal-clear seas. 🔍 Here is my detailed comparison of Sapi Island and Mermaid Island: - 🚤 Boat ride: 40 minutes to Mermaid Island, while Sapi Island takes 1 and a half hours (boat ride only, plus about 2 hours' drive to the pier). - 🌪 Boats: Due to the rough seas, choosing a regular pier and boat is crucial. On the day we left the island, we encountered a storm with strong winds and rain, making the boat ride terrifyingly bumpy, and the 40-minute journey became excruciating. (During the rainy season from December to March, the waves are even worse, and there may be cancellations of boat trips) - 🏨 Accommodation: Sapi Island is not yet fully developed, with no hotels or resorts, mainly offering day trips. 🏝 Mermaid Island, also known as Mantanani Island, consists of three small islands. Mantanani Besar is the largest island and the only inhabited area, with some parts developed. - 🏢 Island accommodation: Silk Mermaid Island Resort, the only hotel on the island. - 🌊 Sea and beach: Sapi Island, being further away, has better quality sea water and beaches, while Mermaid Island, despite its trailing sandy beaches, may have its experience affected by the presence of coral and shell fragments, although this does not affect taking beautiful photos. - 🎢 Entertainment and dining: Sapi Island has more activities, while Mermaid Island has its own restaurant and small pub (slightly pricey), with no nightlife, only the sound of the waves to listen to, enjoying a peaceful night. 📸 Despite the bumpiness, the beauty of Mermaid Island remains unforgettable. If you seek tranquility and beautiful scenery and are willing to endure some bumpiness, then this might be a good choice. But please remember, safety first, choosing the right boat and weather to travel is crucial. 👉 Before deciding, be sure to think thrice. I hope my guide can help your trip be both safe and full of surprises! 🌴 Kota Kinabalu Mermaid Island, a bumpy but unforgettable journey, awaits your exploration. 🌴

【Malaysia Parent-Child Tour Day 2】

📍Day 3 March 4th 【Round Island Day Trip 🏖️】 Itinerary Schedule⬇️ Morning 7:30 Hotel pick-up to the pier - 🚢 Board the ship and set off for Round Island Around 9:30 - 🏝️ Arrive at Round Island ♨️ Rest time 10:15 🤿 Depart for the first snorkeling spot 12:00 Start snorkeling at the second spot 13:00 🍱 Lunch, free time 14:30 Prepare to leave the island and return to the city pier Around 16:00 Arrive back at the hotel Dinner was at 【Da Ke Lai】 After dinner, went for a walk at 【Gaya Street】 -Had 【You Ji·Bak Kut Teh】 Saw the 【Durian Skybridge】 on the way back, and that durian is a must

Trip to Kota Kinabalu

🚗🚗🚗Travel Itinerary: Day1: Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu→Lok Kawi Wildlife Park→Gaya Street→Kawa Mangrove→Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu Day2: Mermaid Island Day3: Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu→Kinabalu National Park→Mount Kinabalu→Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu Day4: Sapi Island→Manukan Island Day5: Mantanani Island Day6: Gaya Street→Tanjung Aru Beach→Filipino Market

Pulau Tiga is quite far from the mainland, about 56 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu. It's a good choice for those who want to completely relax in a quiet environment. Because it's far from the mainland, the water is clearer and there are more coral colors. Snorkeling can see small fish and coral, and if you're lucky, you can see starfish. It's a truly beautiful place with few people. Many couples and newlyweds choose to vacation and honeymoon here. Huantan Island is a newly developed island in recent years. It used to be a private island, and the facilities on the island were built to a relatively high standard, making it the most high-end island in Kota Kinabalu. The reason why it is called Huantan Island is because from the satellite view, the whole island is roughly a irregular circle and the reason why there is a circle of beaches surrounding the island.

About the islands of Sabah, there are roughly these: Mermaid Island, Huandao Island, Diga Island, the city's outlying islands (mainly Shabi Island, Manukan Island, Mamudi Island, Gaya Island, Su Green Island) Wait, the city is close to the island, there are many people, and the water quality is not so good. The Mermaid Island can be said to be the landmark island of Sabah. It is famous for its large name and many tourists. It is far from the city and suitable for diving. The island is almost the same as the Mermaid Island, but the people in the island are less private and have better scenery than the Mermaid Island. Aerial photography of Huandao Island, you can see that the island is named because its shape resembles a ring. Because the shape of the ring is also a ring, many couples and newlyweds are willing to choose to go to the island for vacation and travel, meaning love perfect. Complete, long and long. The beaches of the beaches of Huandao are very beautiful. Every year, turtles lay their eggs in the past. Sometimes the wind and waves are too big, and the turtle eggs are washed back. The kind islanders and the people on the island resort will pick them up. Wait until you have raised it and put it back in the sea.

The speed limit of the Kota Kinabalu city terminal to the island of Boracay is more than an hour. Although it is far from the city, the environment is really good. Blue sea and blue sky, you can take a leisurely walk on the island, you can go snorkeling by boat, you can see the sea, it is so comfortable. New Year's Day, don't know where to play, come on holiday in Sabah.