Sepanggar island Kota Kinabalu Malaysian Borneo is only 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city center and it is truly a unique island - because this beautiful island located outside Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP) area and does not administered by Sabah Parks, which the local authority that manged all islands within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.



What things to do in Sepanggar island during your day trip here? This is our recommendation. Read the list:

  • taking photos for your Instagram.
  • swimming near the beach.
  • snorkeling.
  • scuba diving, includes night dive trip.
  • stand up paddling.
  • sea walking.
  • family camping.
  • team building.
  • lazying around the beach.
  • spending a night in Sepanggar island resort.
  • stargazing.
  • jungle trekking.
  • hiking to the top peak of Sepanggar island.
  • enjoying jet ski experience.
  • riding banana boat.
  • parasailing for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • doing nothing - just enjoying your 'me time' until sunset.


Sepanggar island Kota Kinabalu day trip is cheap in here, except if you want to go to other islands in Kota Kinabalu such as Gaya island (with some luxurious 5 Star world class resort), Sapi island, Manukan island, Mamutik island.



How about fishing? Since Sepanggar island area is outside Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park area, fishing activity is allowed around the island. There is a small village in Sepanggar island area - populated by local fishermen and their families.

Is Sepanggar island safe? Yes absolutely. Local marine police always patrolling around Sepanggar island especially during night. According to previous history, there is no kidnapping and no other crimes happened in previous years in this island, so it is 100% safe for visitors  at night.



Local marine police enforcement office is located in Jesselton Point pier, which is 15 minutes from Sepanggar island if using normal boat. Just in case there is something happened, they can be easily alterted. Using their speed boat, police team can reach Sepanggar island within 7-10 minutes ride since they are only 8km from Sepanggar island.



There is no competition among tour operator for Sepanggar island packages. The only company that do day trip package to Sepanggar island is Mari-Mari Sepanggar, which open up their day trip tour every day from 8:00 AM to evening time around 5:00 PM, even after sunset hours at 6:30 PM.


Sepanggar island day trip package price is 150 MYR per person for adult and 120 MYR per person for children. If you want to go here just for a day trip, price for the day trip package will be around RM35 to RM50 per person, depending how large your group is. Price is getting cheaper when you group is bigger, such as 9 person group.


Sepanggar island day trip package includes:
  • Return boat transfer
  • Jetty fee
  • Lunch in Sepanggar island.
  • Snorkeling mask (Optional: Fins rental RM5/pair)
  • Shower room
  • Changing Rooms Facility
  • Prayer room for local muslim visitors






















Sepanggar island is quite famous among South Korean tourists. During 2016 until February 2020 you can see many South Korean tourists coming to Sepanggar island for holiday with their family, with their friends and loved ones. Since Malaysia closed it's international border and no outside tourists allowed, Sepanggar island became empty.

This island used to cater large group of tourist. Dining hall and resort area has been empty for month since March 2020 until the time we wrote this posts on October 2020 (8 months already).


Sepanggar island has many beautiful selfie spots and beautiful sunset view near the beach. You cant see sunset view and the sun just like being in Tanjung Aru beach from Sepanggar island but, you can see Mount Kinabalu and Kota Kinabalu city building center from here during good weather.


Sepanggar island is a tropical island located in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. There is no snow, no winter and no auntumn here. Only summer all year long. Sepanggar island only accept rain and sunny days all year round.


Sepanggar island resort managed by Mari Mari Sepanggar which is a tourism company under Traverse Tours, the same parent company for Riverbug, Mari Mari Cultural Village and Mari Mari Mantanani. "Mari" word is a Malay word means 'come here' in English.

Sepanggar Island Resort Accommodation


You can book a room with Mari Mari Sepanggar Lodge Hotel if you want to spend a night in Sepanggar island. Sepanggar island resort has modern basic necessities (shower room, charging port and clean water) complete with dinner and breakfast package for visitors.

If you are looking for secluded island for your holiday (wirh not so many people around) you can choose to spend day trip holiday in Sepanggar island. The price for Sepanggar island resort is not so high compared to Manukan island resort or Gaya island resort.