If you’ve been scrolling through social media or diving into travel blogs about Sabah, you’ve probably noticed that this place is absolutely packed with gorgeous islands! And guess what? The best part is that the nearest islands to Kota Kinabalu are just a quick 15 to 20-minute boat ride away. Talk about a tropical paradise at your doorstep! Here’s a quick guide on what we did at Manukan and Mamutik island together with Borneo Beautiful.
1. Gather at Jesselton Point
At 7:30AM, we gathered at Jesselton Point and met our guide, Mr. Saffary of Borneo Beautiful, who warmly welcomed us and guided us to the waiting area. The earliest boat transfer departs to the islands at 8:00AM with the last one returning to the jetty at 4:00PM. Check out this site for more information on the latest boat schedules. You don’t have to prebook island trips in advance and can also do so at the Jesselton Point ferry terminal.
After strapping on our life jackets and boarding a speedboat, we headed towards our first destination: Manukan Island!
Within just 20 to 30 minutes, we arrive at Manukan Island. Do note that an entrance fee is required upon entry – this is not the same as the ticket you paid earlier for the boat ride. Click here to view the prices.
After passing through the entry counter, we kept our bags in a locker where you can rent for RM10 to store your belongings (if needed).
Stop by for seasport rentals, local souvenirs & tasty bites!
2. First Activity: Parasailing – A Bird’s Eye View of Sabah’s Islands
This is a must-do! A huge parachute with a harness to support two passengers per flight is safely attached to the back of the speed-boat, allowing you to soar in the air, and fully enjoy the view and soothing sea breeze.
When asked if we wanted our feet to touch the waves, my colleague and I immediately said, “YES!” We’re so glad to capture our priceless moments on the Insta 360 camera throughout the entire flight. Just look at the view!
We’re soaring, flying~
Fun fact: Our awesome guide, Mr. Saffary, is the first person in Malaysia to bring this super cool photo-taking service right here to Sabah! Now, photo lovers can level up their game and capture all the stunning views with the Insta 360 when they book a tour with Long Beach Watersports. Say cheese and get ready for a whole new adventure in photos!
3. Second activity: Sea Walking – Exploring Sabah’s Underwater Creatures
Our next adventure? Sea walking! And let me tell you, it’s quickly become one of my absolute favorites. If you’re anything like me—a non-swimmer and non-diver—you’ll love how sea walking lets you explore the stunning underwater world without needing to know how to swim or dive. It’s like stepping into another world!
As you arrive at the seawalking pontoon:
- You will be provided with underwater walking shoes to protect your soles.
- Learn the do’s and don’ts of being underwater, including sea walking techniques and simple hand signals for effective communication.
Moments before the plunge—brave faces on, hearts racing, as we waited our turn on the pontoon
Now it was time to go underwater. I could feel my heart pounding and legs jittering as they equipped us with the 30 kg bubble helmet, which I would soon discover felt weightless once submerged. As soon as I made it to the sea floor, I forgot all about my fears, thanks to the professional diving crew!
We did it! 🙂 Here, we had our photos and videos taken by the crew, all included in the package.
As it turns out, the distance between the pontoon and the seafloor was only 5 meters deep. A vibrant school of fish and beautiful corals came into view, including the Sergeant Major fish, clownfish, Marr’s fusilier, and green chromis.
This activity lasted approximately 15 minutes, and you don’t need to worry about your pictures and videos because LongBeach has it covered for you!
4. Third Activity: Banana Boat Adventures – A Race Against the Wind
Ready for an adventure that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear? Hop on a banana boat! It’s a high-speed, laughter-filled ride where you hold on tight as you’re bounced over the waves like a pro surfer. Picture yourself zooming across the water, the wind in your hair, and the sound of laughter filling the air as you cling to that slippery, bright yellow boat. It’s the perfect mix of excitement, fun, and just a little bit of chaos—guaranteed to make some unforgettable memories!
It was the perfect balance between chaos and tranquility, with the driver adjusting the speed to match everyone’s comfort level.
Riding the waves with Insta360, capturing every angle of the stunning scenery around us.
In the end, whether you were hanging on for dear life or flailing around like a human kite, it was all in good fun!
5. Fourth & Fifth activity: Transfer to Mamutik Island & Snorkeling
By 12:30 PM, it was time to say goodbye to Manukan Island and set off for our final stop of the day: Mamutik Island. As we reached Mamutik Island, we bid farewell to the friends we’d made along the way—some of them off to enjoy a high-speed jet-ski adventure, while we had a quieter, more serene experience ahead.
With our snorkeling gear on and a mixture of excitement and curiosity, we went straight into the shiny aquamarine waters. It didn’t take long before we were surrounded by some clownfish playing hide-and-seek in the anemones and lots of sergeant major (fish). Though we did see some sea urchins, a reminder that the beauty of the sea also comes with its risks.
Afterward, we relaxed on the island, making use of the simple but comfortable facilities—a hut for shade, restrooms for quick breaks, and a café with delicious food to fuel up after our underwater adventure. The perfect way to wrap up a day of thrills and natural beauty.
Packages Offered
Don’t just take our word for it, go and explore the beauty of Sabah’s islands and let Long Beach Watersports take care of everything. Here are two packages for you to choose from:
Elevate Your Moments with Insta 360, Your Must-Have Adventure Companion
Have you ever wished you could relive the thrill of soaring above the ocean during parasailing or the rush of speeding across the waves on a jet ski? With Insta360, now you can! And the best part? Sabah is home to the first-ever Insta360 watersports experience in Malaysia and the world—right here at Long Beach Watersports.
Why You’ll Love the Insta360
- See It All, Miss Nothing – Unlike traditional cameras, the Insta360 records everything around you at once. No need to worry about getting the right angle—it’s all there, ready to be reframed and edited however you like.
- Views Like You’ve Never Seen – Imagine floating above the ocean with an endless sky behind you. Now, imagine capturing that exact moment in cinematic quality. That’s what Insta360 does.
- Perfect for Social Media – Whether you want to flex on Instagram, share epic reels on TikTok, or keep memories for yourself, the Insta360 turns your adventure into a Hollywood-worthy experience.
- Seamless & Effortless – You don’t need to be a pro photographer. Just enjoy your ride, and the Insta360 will handle the rest.
- For just RM80 per flight, you can add the Insta360 experience to your parasailing adventure – it’s worth every second!
Borneo Beautiful x Insta 360
At some point while scrolling through pictures or videos of activities to do in Sabah, there’s a good chance you’ve come across @borneobeautiful. Behind the lens is Saffary, an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for adventure, action cameras, and showcasing the raw beauty of Borneo.
In an exciting new collaboration, Borneo Beautiful has partnered with Insta360 to introduce the first-ever Insta360 watersports experience in Malaysia! This partnership allows thrill-seekers and travel lovers to capture their adrenaline-pumping moments like never before—with immersive 360-degree perspectives that transport viewers right into the heart of the action.
For those who love the outdoors, capturing content, or simply want a next-level way to document their travels, this is your chance to be part of something truly special. Try the Insta360 watersports experience with Long Beach Watersports and see Borneo like never before.
Follow @borneobeautiful & @longbeach_watersports for more information!
