Mantanani Island Diving

4.1 · 202 Reviews

Highlight

  • Top diving destination in Kota Kinabalu
  • Full diving equipment provided
  • Crystal-clear waters for an unforgettable dive

Included

Return Hotel transfer, diving equipments and briefing, dive master, buffet lunch.

Description

Dive into an Underwater Wonderland!

Nestled off the northwest coast of Kota Belud, an 2 - 2.5 hours drive from Sabah capital, Kota Kinabalu, the Mantanani Islands are a hidden paradise waiting to be explored. A scenic 45-minute speedboat ride from the mainland transports you to this secluded haven, where pristine white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms, and crystal-clear turquoise waters create a breathtaking tropical escape.

Discovery Scuba Dive (DSD)
Begin your diving journey with a beach dive lesson at the stunning Big Mantanani Island, where you’ll have the chance to get comfortable with the equipment in a calm, shallow setting. Once acclimated, take your adventure to the next level with an exhilarating second dive—a boat dive—immersing yourself in a mesmerizing underwater world teeming with vibrant marine life.

You'll be provided with one oxygen cylinder and all necessary diving gear, including weights, weight belts, BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, and scuba tanks.

Leisure Dive (LD)
For certified divers, set off on two incredible boat dives, each revealing breathtaking seascapes and an abundance of marine biodiversity. Swim alongside schools of tropical fish, encounter fascinating sea creatures, and explore the stunning coral gardens that make Mantanani a diver’s dream.

Two oxygen cylinder and all necessary diving gear, including weights, weight belts, BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, and scuba tanks.


Difference between Discover Scuba Dive and Leisure Dive:

  Discover Scuba Dive
(DSD)		 Leisure Dive
(LD)

Diving Lesson

Yes

No
Guided by Dive master Yes Yes

Total Oxygen Cylinder

1

2
Total Beach Dive 1 0

Total Boat Dive

1

2
1 Dive Master lead no. of divers (Subject to that day arrangements) 2 - 4 1 - 2
Estimate Depth of Dive  5 - 12 m 12 - 18 m
Diving License  No Diving licence is required


Tour Highlights:
✔️ 1x Shore & 1x Boat diving with Dive Master. (DSD)
✔️ 2x Boat Diving with Dive Master. (LD)
✔️ Unwind and relax at the pristine white sand beach.


Important Notes:
• Tours may be rescheduled or canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions.
• Guests booking the Meet at Kota Belud Jetty must arrange their own transport.
• Advance booking is required for meeting at jetty; walk-in bookings are not accepted.
• The jetty is located approximately 2-3 hours from Kota Kinabalu city. For guests meeting at the jetty with their own transport, self-driving is recommended, as ride-hailing services or taxis may be difficult to find in the area.
• All guest must have to sign and agree to the indemity form before proceeding with the tour. Guest that don't agree and not signed are not permitted to join the tour.
• Peak season surcharges apply during high-demand periods.
• For Leisure Dive (LD), please provide us with a copy of your Diver's License (front and back). Failure to provide the license will result in you being unable to participate in the activity.

Precautions:
• The road to Kota Belud Jetty from Kota Kinabalu is hilly and winding. Guests who are not accustomed to such terrain may experience dizziness. It is recommend to prepare own car sickness medication.
• Should the tour operates in weather after rain, the sea conditions may sometimes be rough and choppy, which could cause discomfort. If the weather does not improve, only ONE diving session will be conducted, and we may depart from the island earlier than scheduled for safety reasons.

Strictly no expecting mothers allowed for Mantanani trip and surface interval of 24 hours prior to flights after diving.


Combo Package:
Save more with our Diving + River Cruise (probosics monkey + fireflies) combo package!
Click to view → Mantanani Scuba Diving + Kawa Kawa River Cruise

Itinerary

* The itinerary is for reference only, it subjects to any necessary changes in accordance to local requirements.
  • 1

    Pick up from hotel and depart to jetty (estimate 2.5 hrs).

  • 2

    Arrive at the jetty, take a short rest before boarding the boat to Mantanani Island.

  • 3

    Arrive at Mantanani Island, attend a safety briefing and before the diving tour.

  • 4

    *Discover Scuba Dive – Begin beach dive with dive master (first dive).

  • 5

    *Leisure Dive – Begin boat dive with dive master (first dive).

  • 6

    Begin 2nd Dive.

  • 7

    Return to basecamp for a delicious buffet lunch.

  • 8

    Free and leisure time – relax on the beach, shore swimming.

  • 9

    Return to jetty. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu.

  • 10

    Estimate arrival in Kota Kinabalu and transfer back to your hotel.

N/A
Breakfast
Buffet Lunch
Lunch
N/A
Dinner

Warm Remind

  • Recommend to Bring: extra pocket money, insect repellent, sun-block lotion, change of clothes, towel, cap/hat, slipper, mini electric fan, raincoat (in case of rain) and sunglasses.
  • You might get WET during the boat journey, so please be sure to pack and stow your belongings properly during the journey. Dry bags or raincoat for waterproofing are recommended.
  • Changing rooms and shower facility is available in the island.
  • Liability Release Form MUST be signed and understood by the participant before the tour commences.
  • You should wait a minimum of 18 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly due to medical safety and surface interval reasons.

Pickup Time & Transport Fee

Pickup time below is for reference only, actual time will be sent to you upon booking is confirmed. Transport fee quoted is per person.

Zone Hotel Pickup Time Fee (EUR)
A Kota Kinabalu city North (Grandis, Hyatt, Gaya street area...) 7:30 am Free
B Kota Kinabalu city Center (Marriott, Marina Court, Horizon, ...) 7:15 am Free
C Kota Kinabalu city South (Sutera Harbour, KK Time Square, ...) 7:15 am Free
D Airport area (Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Aeropod, ...) 7 am Free
E 1Borneo area (Tune, Grand Borneo, ...) 8 am 4.25
F Outskirt area (Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Nexus Karambunai, ...) 8:30 am 6.37
Where is my hotel?

How to Pay

Pay on travelling day

No advance payment is required, simply pay cash in Ringgit-Malaysia to tour guide. However, you still need pay in full for any cancellation made 1 day prior to tour date.

Pay Online

Accep Visa and MasterCard credit card, Malaysian bank transfer, Paypal, FPX, Alipay. 2.3% surcharge apply. Please be noted that 2.3% processing fee is non-refundable in case there is cancellation 3 days after the payment made.

Bank Transfer

for Malaysians:
Online banking through your Malaysia Bank Account

for International guests:
Use WISE - a Fast & convenient global transfers service, better exchange rate than conventional bank Telegraphic Transfer; No 2.3% processing fee; Generally we would receive your payment in same day.

Good to know

Min. Participant(s):  1 Persons To Go (child does not counted)
Tour location / Depart from: Kota Kinabalu
Recommend to book:  1 month(s) in advance
To book at least:  2 day(s) in advance
Insurance: Tourist transportation insurance included. Please contact your insurance agency for personal travel insurance.
Pickup Service:  Pickup service will be provided from the hotel/hostel/lodge that you are staying. Please wait at lobby while the tour guide will find you when he/she arrive. Dropoff service will be provided after travelling, please notify us upon booking if your dropoff location is differ from pickup location.
Tour Type: Sit-In-Coach basis (SIC). This tour is not private tour, you will share the trip with other guests come from different countries. Please notify us upon booking if you are looking for private tour, surcharge might be applied. Specialities: You may decide the joining date, no compulsory tips (If you are happy and satisfied with the journey and the tour guide service, it's always a nice way to express your appreciation with tipping, OR words of thanks is good enough).
Cancellation & Refund Policy:  1. No refund for any cancellation made within 2 days from the tour date, 90% of full payment will be refunded if cancel 3 days and above. 2. In the event of NO SHOW , there will be no refund for guest. 3. If the tour is cancelled by operation team due to unforeseen circumstances before the tour proceeds , guest will be refunded the tour fee. 4. Tour fee will not be refunded once the tour is proceeding. 5. Operation team reserves the right to cancel or postpone the tours if weather conditions do not permit for the safety and comfort of the guest. 6. In an event of adverse weather, boatman has the right to cancel and return to Jetty for the safety of all passengers. No refund will be given on this.

Traveller Reviews

4.1
Based on 202 reviews
5
93
4
53
3
44
2
6
1
6
K** Verified Traveller 2026-04-06
H** Verified Traveller 2025-10-09
S** Verified Traveller 2025-06-28
T** Verified Traveller 2025-06-17
the suba diving is so disappointed. The couch just lead us to swim around. There is nothing worthy to see.
W** Verified Traveller 2024-12-30
The trip was great but slightly different from the itinerary, as we only spent time learning about the dive and having the second dive for 30mins without free time and snorkelling time, and the overall waiting time was pretty long. We got on the van a few mins earlier, and stopped at the store near the pier for almost 45 min. Then there was more waiting time when we were waiting for the boat ( At least 20-30mins). It was already 11:15 when we arrived Mantanani.

The diving session was amazing and the tour guides and instructors were helpful and friendly, but it’s ashame that we only got to stay in the island for less than 4 hours when our travelling time was almost 7 hours. Moreover
L** Verified Traveller 2023-09-20
Staffs are helpful & kindness, bus was too good to travel with

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