That 600m climb comes with blue-water rewards. This Bohey 3 Islands day trip from Semporna pairs a hike on Bohey Dulang with time on Tun Sakaran Marine Park reefs and island coves, where the sea color looks almost unreal. You’ll hop between islands by speedboat, then get guided help in the water, plus lunch served onboard during the day’s quieter moments.

What I like most is the payoff: the Bohey Dulang viewpoints are the kind you can only get by walking up there, not just by staying on the beach. The other big win is the marine time—reef viewing around Mantabuan and Sibuan can be excellent, and the crew runs the water stops in a way that works for both first-timers and more confident swimmers.

One consideration: the day is busy, so swim/snorkel time can feel shorter than you’d want if you’re chasing maximum minutes in the water. The schedule has to keep pace with tides, government rules, and getting everyone ready safely.

Key things to know before you go

• Bohey Dulang hike (600m): worth it for the panoramic views over the lagoon and surrounding islands
• SCUBA option is DSD-style: no SCUBA certificate required, with equipment and instructor support
• Two guided water stops + a third snorkeling-style cove: the captain picks the best spots depending on conditions
• Mantabuan includes a relic story: remnants tied to sea-gypsy life you can see from the shoreline
• Lunch is part of the flow: served onboard, and which island comes first can shift with tide and timing
• Extra fees may apply: marine park fees and Bohey permits depend on hiking and what you choose underwater

Bohey 3 Islands: the Semporna day trip with actual variety

Most Semporna island tours do one thing well: beaches, or snorkeling, or a quick photo stop. This one mixes three worlds into a single day: a real hike, multiple island coves, and guided time in the water. The result feels more like two experiences stitched together—an island viewpoint morning plus reef time after—so you don’t just repeat the same activity back-to-back.

What makes it extra interesting is where you’re going. Bohey Dulang and the surrounding area sit in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, with islands formed from older volcanic activity. You’re not only seeing shoreline; you’re seeing why the coastline and sea conditions look the way they do once you’re on the water.

The group vibe also tends to be “do-it-all” but not overly intense. You get help with masks/snorkels, life jackets, and instructions that are offered in Chinese, English, and Malay. I like that you can choose how you participate—hike or skip the hike—without losing the overall experience.

The start at Jetty Pelancong: what happens before the speedboat leaves

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty and you’ll want to arrive early. Registration is required before departure, and you’ll be asked for your full name and nationality for each person. If you’re traveling with a group, it’s smart to have those details ready so the paperwork doesn’t slow everyone down.

Then it’s straight into transit. You’ll spend about 80 minutes on the speedboat before reaching the first island area. Plan for sun and salt spray—this is not the kind of ride where you want to be adjusting your gear every five minutes.

Bring a waterproof bag, because you’ll be changing between boat, beach, and water time. Also bring cash, since you may need to cover park fees and climbing/insurance costs if you’re doing the hike and certain options are available.

Bohey Dulang hike: a 600m trail with lagoon views

If you pick the hike, the walking portion is up to around 600 meters (weather and conditions dependent). You’ll start climbing once the boat reaches Bohey Dulang, and along the way you’ll have stops for interesting sights and guidance from the crew.

Here’s what I think you’re really buying with the hike: access. The best views over the surrounding islands and the Celebes Sea don’t come from standing at sea level. They come from getting higher and letting your eyes connect the dots—young green peaks, turquoise water, and the lagoon below.

So even if the climb is tiring, it’s not effort-for-nothing. One thing to remember: if the hike is canceled due to weather, road conditions, or park/government restrictions, the operator proceeds with the snorkeling/SCUBA parts instead. If hiking is available, you may need to pay extra permit and insurance-related fees (details below).

If you booked without the hike, you don’t automatically get “released early.” You’ll need to wait at the jetty until the hikers complete the walk, and last-minute changes aren’t possible because permits have to match the hikers’ names.

Bring the right shoes

This is not a flip-flop moment. Wear hiking shoes so your feet can handle uneven ground on a tropical island. Also pack a change of clothes, because you’ll likely get damp from sweat and sea spray.

Mantabuan Island: snorkeling and a reef you can actually enjoy

After Bohey Dulang, you head to Mantabuan Island for a shorter stop. This is where the day starts shifting more toward the water. You’ll get photo time, visit time, and a chance to swim and snorkel (or do SCUBA in the DSD style, if you selected that option).

Mantabuan’s standout is the human history you can still spot. It used to be home to a small community of sea gypsies who lived mostly on the water and rarely went ashore. Today, you’ll see a relic of that era—crumbling brick remains. It’s a quiet stop, but it gives the day more meaning than just scenery.

What the water time looks like

You’ll get a safety briefing, plus basic guidance for snorkeling or underwater sessions. The water time is designed for mixed abilities. That’s great for beginners, and it also means experienced swimmers may wish for more time in the water than the scheduled slot allows.

If you choose the SCUBA option, it’s DSD style—intro scuba with an instructor, and you’ll use provided gear. The included underwater sessions are two sessions, around 20 minutes each (not counting safety briefing time).

In one recent experience, the SCUBA instructor Din was singled out for being especially good with first-timers. If you’re nervous about your first controlled underwater experience, that kind of instructor support is exactly what you want.

Lunch onboard: a simple meal that helps you keep going

Lunch is served as a box meal, typically under shade (often described as onboard canopy shade). It’s timed to keep the day moving between islands and water stops, so don’t expect a long sit-down lunch.

What I like about this setup is that it keeps you energized without losing the pacing of the day. What you might want is flexibility: which island comes first can shift depending on tide and lunch timing, so the order may not feel perfectly rigid.

If you have a sensitive stomach or you’re the kind of person who gets hungry fast, I’d plan snacks too. One review note mentioned that lunch was okay, and having extra snacks can save you if you don’t love the provided meal.

Sibuan Island: the quiet cove stop where the sea looks special

Later, you’ll head to Sibuan Island for another water-focused stop. This part is often described as something many people don’t see—because it’s remote and the captain decides where to go based on weather and sea conditions.

Sibuan is where the tour leans into “small cove” vibes:

• A secluded blue sand beach for snorkeling
• Coastal features like a stone arch you can see beneath the coastline
• Underwater areas that can hold large numbers of fish, depending on the day

Because the captain chooses the best spots for the conditions, you can get a different feel each trip. That variability is a plus if you’re the type who enjoys real-time decision-making rather than a cookie-cutter schedule.

SCUBA in this tour: DSD without a certificate (and with extra fees)

If you opt for SCUBA, this tour uses a DSD-style format—no SCUBA certificate is required. You’ll get scuba gear included when you select the diving option: fins, BCD, regulator, gauge, oxygen tank/cylinder, and a wetsuit, plus an instructor and life jacket.

Still, it’s not the same as free-swimming in a resort pool. You’ll do safety briefing first, and your underwater time is scheduled. Also, diving is described as mandatory to pay when you participate in the SCUBA option, even if hiking doesn’t end up happening.

Understand the fee structure

The base price is $58 per person, but underwater and park fees can add up depending on what you choose. The tour data lists:

• Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee: RM30 each
• Bohey permit + climbing fee: RM50 each (only if hiking is available)
• Bohey insurance: RM7 each (only if hiking, and as per government regulation)
• Tun Sakaran Marine Park diving fee (SCUBA only): RM150 per foreigner or RM100 per local

Important detail: the marine park diving fee is for SCUBA only, and it’s not for snorkeling.

Health note: respiratory issues

This tour is not suitable for people with respiratory issues. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, it’s worth checking with a medical professional before committing to an underwater option.

Timing and group pacing: why your water minutes may feel capped

This is a 7-hour day (about 450 minutes), and it packs a lot into the middle. You spend time traveling between islands (including another short speedboat leg between stops), then you rotate through:

• photo/visit time
• safety briefing
• swim or snorkeling
• the hike portion (if available/selected)
• lunch

That’s why water time can feel shorter than your ideal. If you’re a confident snorkeler who can easily spend an extra hour drifting reefs, you might wish you had more minutes. One review suggested that while the experience was great, they wanted more time in the water. It’s the tradeoff for squeezing in three islands and coordinating everyone’s readiness.

There’s also the “everyone needs to get ready” reality. One critical note pointed out delays while people changed and prepared. It’s not something you can control, but it’s another reason to keep your expectations flexible.

Value check: is $58 a good deal here?

At $58 per person, this tour can be good value because you’re getting:

• guided help for snorkeling and/or DSD SCUBA
• masks/snorkels (and scuba gear if you select SCUBA)
• life jacket and instructor support
• lunch included as a meal box
• access to islands that are harder to reach on your own in one day

But the real value depends on your choices and how the park rules land that day. If the hike runs, you may pay Bohey permit/climbing and potentially Bohey insurance. If you choose SCUBA, you’ll likely pay the SCUBA marine park diving fee (SCUBA only).

My take: the base price is reasonable, and the “surprise” costs are predictable if you plan for them. If you’re mainly after snorkeling, check whether hiking fees are relevant to you and how much of the day you’ll actually use. If you really want the hike + reef combo, then you’re using more of what you’re paying for, and the cost feels easier to justify.

What to bring so the day doesn’t get annoying

This tour is one of those days where the packing list directly affects your comfort.

Bring:

• Change of clothes
• Hiking shoes
• Waterproof bag
• Motion sickness prevention (speedboat ride + open water)
• Cash
• Passport (a copy is accepted)
• Wetsuit (recommended/provided depending on option; the data says to bring it)

Also, wear practical clothing for tropical heat. Reef and beach time can soak you, and you’ll want to be ready for the next leg without scrambling.

So, should you book the Bohey 3 Islands hike and snorkel/SCUBA tour?

Book it if you want a full day that doesn’t feel like one long waiting game. This is a solid choice for people who:

• like views as much as water time
• want guided snorkeling (and optional DSD SCUBA without a certificate)
• are comfortable with a schedule that moves between islands
• don’t mind that underwater/snorkel time is scheduled, not unlimited

You might skip it (or at least be extra cautious with expectations) if you:

• are sensitive to breathing issues
• are chasing maximum minutes underwater and hate short sessions
• need perfect English-only communication every moment (the tour offers multiple languages, but on-the-spot communication can vary)

If you do book, my best practical advice is simple: bring the right shoes, a waterproof bag, and snacks if you’re picky with lunch. Then go in excited about the hike payoff and treat the snorkeling/SCUBA as quality-guided reef time, not a full-day swim marathon.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Bohey 3 Islands hike and snorkel tour?

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty. Use Google Maps if you’re unsure, then the crew brings you directly to the boat.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 7 hours (about 450 minutes).

What underwater options are included?

The tour includes 2 DSD SCUBA sessions for about 20 minutes each with an instructor, and it can also include snorkeling sessions if you selected snorkeling. Snorkeling is listed as 2 snorkeling trips if selected.

Do I need a scuba certification for the SCUBA option?

No. The DSD SCUBA option does not require a SCUBA certificate.

What extra fees should I expect?

You may need to pay RM30 each for Tun Sakaran Marine Park, plus RM50 each for Bohey permit and climbing fee if hiking is available. Bohey insurance is listed as RM7 each if hiking is available under the stated regulations. If you do SCUBA, Tun Sakaran Marine Park diving fees are listed as RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for locals, and it is described as SCUBA only (not for snorkeling).

Is the hike guaranteed?

No. The hike is only included when conditions allow and if selected. It depends on weather, road conditions, and government/park restrictions.

If I choose not to hike, what happens?

If you booked a no-hike ticket, you must wait at the jetty until the hikers finish at their own time. The data notes last-minute requests aren’t possible because permits have to match the hiker name.

What should I bring with me?

Bring change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, a passport (a copy is accepted), a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention, and a wetsuit.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, based on the provided information.