National park · Malaysia
Tunku Abdul Rahman National ParkTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Visit the park for a day: take a speedboat from Jesselton Point to Manukan or Gaya (RM35 return) and hike the 1.5‑km jungle trail (≈1 h) before 2 PM; for a full island hop add RM45‑RM65 and stay overnight on Gaya (camp or resort).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
2004
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
- Sabah ↗Sabah runs its own immigration controls, separate from Peninsular Malaysia; requirements differ by nationality and route — check current rules before you fly.
- Sabah ↗Several governments have issued travel advisories covering parts of eastern Sabah and its outlying islands; check your own government's current advisory before booking.
At a glance
- Country
- Malaysia
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Approximate total land area of the five islands (check).
- Established
- 2004
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kota Kinabalu
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP) is a cluster of five islands — Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug — a 15‑minute speedboat ride from Kota Kinabalu. It is managed by Sabah Parks and offers short jungle trails, snorkelling on fringing reefs, and a zipline between Gaya and Sapi. The park is a day‑trip staple for KK visitors; overnight stays are limited to Gaya (camping or resort).
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by Sabah Parks Authority.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 2004
Approximate total land area of the five islands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kota Kinabalu.
Why go
- Snorkel or dive the coral reefs around Manukan and Sapi.
- Walk short jungle trails on Gaya, Manukan and Sapi (≈1‑2 km (1.2 mi)).Walk short jungle trails on Gaya, Manukan and Sapi (≈1‑1.2 mi (2 km)).
- Spot macaques, monitor lizards and hornbills on the forested islands.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear mornings.
- FebDry, warm.
- MarDry, sea calm.
- AprWarm, occasional showers.
- MayWarm, early monsoon.
- JunSouth‑west monsoon, rough seas.
- JulMonsoon peaks, boat delays.
- AugMonsoon, high rain.
- SepMonsoon tail, occasional calm.
- OctTransition, improving sea.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, cool evenings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long‑tailed macaquesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monitor lizardsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| HornbillsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Manukan Island | Main beach, snorkel hut, 1.5‑km jungle trail. | Open with boat ticket. |
| Gaya Island (HQ area) | Sabah Parks HQ, zipline launch, camping sites. | Open with ticket; camping needs reservation. |
| Sapi Island | Jungle trail, dive shop, zipline endpoint. | Open with ticket. |
| Mamutik Island | Small beach, basic toilets, dive spots. | Open with ticket. |
| Sulug Island | Undeveloped, no facilities, optional camping. | Open with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of each island.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat return (any island) | MYR 35 (≈ US$9) | person | Fixed price (2024). |
| Terminal fee | MYR 7 (≈ US$2) | person | — |
| Park admission (first island) | MYR 25 (≈ US$6) | person | Pay on arrival at first island. |
| Snorkel kit rental | MYR 10–11 (≈ US$3) | person | Includes life‑jacket deposit RM20. |
| Charter boat (up to 12) | MYR 300–350 (≈ US$75–85) | group | For unscheduled trips. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Overnight stay on Gaya permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- RM35≈ US$9
- RM7≈ US$2
- RM25≈ US$6
- RM10–11≈ US$3
- RM300–350≈ US$75–85
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Sabah Tourism – Tunku Abdul Rahman Park before you go.
Park rules
- Life jackets
- Mandatory while swimming; rental available at terminal.
- Guides
- Not required for day trips, but required for overnight camping permits.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated sites on Gaya; must reserve.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided grills where available.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach macaques or monitor lizards.
Where to stay
In the park
Gaya Island chalets
Simple rooms or camping sites managed by Sabah Parks.
Near the park
Kota Kinabalu
Hotels and hostels 15 min by boat.
Safety
Rough seas medium
Jellyfish low
Crime in eastern Gaya low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Manukan beach and trail are reachable by wheelchair‑friendly boardwalks (partial).
- Gaya zipline and remote campsites are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid touching corals.
- Choose operators that follow the permitted boat routes.
- Support local vendors on the islands rather than imported souvenirs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park?
Boat return tickets are RM35 per person; a terminal fee of RM7 and park admission of RM25 are added on arrival at the first island.
What are the best hikes in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park?
Manukan’s 1.5‑km jungle trail (≈1 h) and Gaya’s forest paths (up to 3 km) are the main walks; both are easy to moderate.
When is the best time to visit Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park?
The dry season (January–May and October–December) offers calm seas and clear water; avoid the July‑September monsoon.
Can I camp on the islands?
Camping is allowed only on Gaya Island in designated sites; you must reserve a permit through Sabah Parks.
Is a guide required for day trips?
No guide is needed for day visits, but a guide is required for overnight stays or organized treks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
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