Semporna Hike Bohey 3 Island Snorkel Dive Tour and Lunch

Bohey Dulang is the main prize here: a 600-meter uphill walk ending at a lookout over a green volcanic island, a turquoise lagoon, nearby islets, and the Celebes Sea. After that, the day shifts from forest and rock to clear water around Mantabuan and Sibuan.

I like two things right away. First, the tour combines three very different settings in one day, instead of giving you only a beach stop. Second, the small maximum of 12 people should make boat movement, equipment help, and swimming stops easier to manage. Din is specifically identified as a patient instructor for first-time scuba participants.

The catch is that Bohey Dulang hiking depends on park rules, weather, trail conditions, and sea conditions. If officials close the trail, the water activities continue, but no refund or date change is offered for the missed hike.

Key points before you book

• Bohey Dulang viewpoint: Walk about 600 meters uphill for views of a volcanic lagoon and the surrounding islands.
• Two water stops: Mantabuan and Sibuan offer swimming and snorkeling, with scuba available if selected.
• Small group size: The boat accepts a maximum of 12 people.
• Lunch on an island: A lunch box is served under canopy shade after a water stop.
• Weather controls the day: The order of the islands, the hiking access, and the final snorkeling location can change.
• Extra scuba charge: Scuba participants pay RM150 per person to Tun Sakaran Marine Park, while snorkeling does not require this fee.

The day begins at Semporna Jetty

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna on Jalan Bangau Bangau at 8:20 am. The tour ends back at the same jetty after roughly eight hours.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. The jetty is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Semporna and do not have a private car.

The boat ride takes you toward Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a group of islands formed from old volcanic material. This setting matters because the day is not just a string of generic beach stops. Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, and Sibuan each offer a different reason to leave the boat.

The skipper may change the order of the stops according to the tide. That is normal for a marine trip, but it means you should not expect the schedule to unfold in a fixed sequence. Weather and sea conditions can also change the route or the final snorkeling location.

Bohey Dulang gives the day its signature view

The hike on Bohey Dulang is short in distance, but the 600 meters are uphill and may feel demanding in heat or damp weather. You walk through natural scenery toward a summit viewpoint above the lagoon.

The reward is a broad view of a young green volcanic island, the turquoise water below, neighboring islands, and the Celebes Sea. This is the most memorable part of the trip for anyone who wants more than time in the water.

You receive a hiker and guide service for Bohey National Park, along with the relevant park entrance fee for foreign visitors. The guide matters here because the trail is an official park activity, not an informal walk off the boat.

You should treat the hike as conditional, not guaranteed. National park authorities can stop access because of weather, trail conditions, or other safety risks. The operator says that if the hike is canceled under park rules, the snorkeling or scuba portion continues, but you cannot claim a personal refund or move the booking to another date.

That policy may feel strict, especially if the hike is the main reason you chose this trip. Read it carefully before booking. If you would be disappointed by a water-only day, this is an important point.

Mantabuan pairs island history with clear water

Mantabuan is described as a crumbling brick remnant that once housed a small sea-nomad community. The remains give the stop a little more character than a simple sandbar. You can look at the island from the boat or shore, then spend time in the water.

The clear sea is the main attraction. You may see coral and tropical fish while snorkeling, and the tour also offers scuba equipment and instruction for those who select that option.

The included equipment covers a mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator, gauge, oxygen tank, and related scuba gear for the scuba choice. A life jacket is also supplied. Snorkeling participants get the mask and snorkel, and can use the water for the full stop.

Scuba participants should budget for the extra RM150 Tun Sakaran fee per person. That charge is separate from the listed tour price and does not apply to snorkeling. The scuba option includes two 20-minute sessions, while snorkeling is available for the entire stop.

For a first-time scuba participant, the instructor can make a large difference. Din is singled out as a helpful dive master who worked well with beginners. You should still follow the instructor’s directions closely, particularly when sea conditions change.

Lunch arrives under the canopy

After a water stop, you receive a lunch box and eat under canopy shade. This is a practical arrangement rather than a restaurant meal, so set your expectations accordingly.

The lunch breaks up the day at the right moment. Eight hours on a boat, in the sun, and in salt water can wear you down. A shaded stop and included food mean you do not need to arrange your own meal on an island.

One 1.5-liter bottle of water is included. I would still bring extra water if you drink often or find heat tiring, since the stated allowance is only one bottle per person. Personal expenses are not included.

The order of lunch and the islands may shift with tide and operating conditions. Keep your plans flexible and do not schedule a tight evening commitment immediately after the tour.

Sibuan offers beach time and fish-filled water

Sibuan is the second snorkeling stop, though the exact location can change with weather. The tour describes an isolated island bay with a blue-sand beach, clear water, and an underwater area filled with large numbers of tropical fish.

You can snorkel for the full stop or simply enjoy the beach and coastal view. A stone arch beneath the coastline is another possible sight, depending on the boat’s route and conditions.

This stop gives the day a useful balance. Bohey Dulang is about height and views. Mantabuan brings coral, fish, and the remains of a former community. Sibuan adds a quieter beach setting and another chance to see marine life.

Do not assume that every feature will be visited on every departure. The skipper decides the final location according to weather and sea conditions. That flexibility is sensible for safety, but it also means the advertised sequence is not fixed.

What the $113 price covers

At $113, the tour is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Semporna. Its value comes from packing several costs into one outing.

The price includes the day boat, dock taxes, general taxes, Tun Sakaran Marine Park entrance for foreign visitors, Bohey Dulang hiking fees for foreign visitors, an instructor, multilingual snorkeling or scuba guidance, safety equipment, one bottle of water, and lunch.

For snorkeling, the package is easier to assess. You receive two major snorkeling stops, a hike when the park permits it, food, gear, and transport by boat. If you tried to arrange each element separately, the convenience could make the price reasonable.

Scuba requires closer calculation. The tour includes two 20-minute sessions and the necessary equipment, but you must add RM150 per person for the marine park scuba fee. Ask for the current total before paying if scuba is your main goal.

The small group limit also helps the value. With no more than 12 participants, the guide can potentially give more direct help than a large boat operation. The actual feel of the day will still depend on the crew, boat layout, and how many people choose scuba.

What the crew and organization mean for you

The strongest positive details concern the crew. The captain and snorkeling instructors are described as professional and friendly, and the day is organized around clear stops, equipment, food, and transport.

That is particularly useful for people who are new to snorkeling or scuba. You are not expected to arrive with all your own gear, and multilingual instructors provide basic instruction. The presence of a named instructor, Din, is a useful sign for first-time scuba participants, though staff assignments can vary.

The feedback is not uniformly positive. One account describes poor customer service and recommends other island-hopping choices. The operator disputes that complaint and says the participant had no matching reservation, then explains that the guest wanted to return during bad weather even though the park had not canceled the trip.

The practical lesson is simple: clarify the weather policy before departure. If conditions make you uncomfortable, the boat may continue unless the local park or operator officially cancels. This is not a tour where you should assume that a personal decision to skip the hike or return early will produce a refund.

Who should book this Semporna day trip

I would choose this tour if you want a full island day with a strong viewpoint, two water stops, and lunch included. It suits people who like variety and do not want to spend eight hours doing only one activity.

It is also a good match for first-time snorkelers who want equipment and instruction supplied. Scuba participants may find the package useful, but they need to account for the separate RM150 park charge and the two 20-minute sessions.

The tour is less suitable if you need a guaranteed hiking itinerary. Bohey Dulang access can be canceled by official park rules, and there is no refund or date change for that missed portion.

You should also be comfortable with a shared boat, changing conditions, and a schedule that responds to tides. The maximum of 12 people is reassuring, but this remains a marine excursion rather than a private charter.

Bookings receive confirmation at the time of reservation. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:20 am start. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if Bohey Dulang, snorkeling, and a local island lunch all appeal to you. The combination is the real strength: a volcanic viewpoint in the morning, coral and fish at Mantabuan, another water stop at Sibuan, and a return to Semporna by late afternoon.

Before paying, make three checks. Confirm whether you want snorkeling or scuba, add the RM150 scuba park fee if needed, and accept that the hike may be canceled without a refund. If those conditions suit you, the $113 price offers a practical, well-packed day with a small group and plenty to see.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, Jalan Bangau Bangau, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Malaysia.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting time is 8:20 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the Semporna meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike depends on weather, trail conditions, government regulations, and official park restrictions.

What happens if the hike is canceled?

The snorkeling or scuba excursion continues, but no refund or alternative date is provided for the canceled hike.

How long is the Bohey Dulang hike?

The route is approximately 600 meters to the top.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What is included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling includes two snorkeling stops for the full stop duration, a mask, snorkel, life jacket, instruction, boat transport, lunch, water, taxes, and applicable park and dock fees.

Is scuba available?

Yes. The scuba option includes two 20-minute sessions, an instructor, scuba equipment, mask, and snorkel. Scuba participants must also pay the separate RM150 Tun Sakaran fee per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. One lunch box is included and is served under canopy shade.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.