[2024 Mantanani Islands Stay] Travel Guide for Sutera @ Mantanani Island Resort & Spa (Updated Sep)

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. 🌴

Relaxing at Sutera@Mantanani

Sutera@Mantanani is an oasis located on the idyllic island of Mantanani Besar; a hidden gem blessed with natural wonders and rich marine life. a lot activituea can do here such kayaking, beach volleyball, snorkeling, and etc. For non motor activities you can do for free.. Only one restaurant and one bar available. To getting here must take a boat ride from sutera mantanani jetty kota belud. From jetty to resort boat leave at 2.15pm, and from resort to jetty at 1.00pm. Recommended to stay here for 2-3 days.

Amazing experiance to relax n enjoy with friends

Mantanani Island the paradise

45 minutes by boat from the Kota Belud Rampayan Jetty and you'll be transported to this little slice of paradise! Been there at the end of February, 2021 right before MCO implemented, had so much fun with my family. Crystal blue sea, white sandy beach and even have buffalos passing by in the morning. We watch the spectacular evening sunset by joining the sunset cruise@RM15/pax which sails to Lungisan Island whilst capturing the breath-taking orange glow of the sunset from the Western tip of the island. After we had our dinner, we walked along the beach to see the blue tears. These blue tears are actually bright blue bioluminescent planktons which are washed up ashore. As this spectacular phenomena is seasonal, the best time to see it is between March to July, on a moonless night. Unfortunately we could only see a few blue tears that night probably it's not the season.