Bohey Dulang mixes hiking and underwater time in one day. I especially like the Bohey Dulang summit views and the practical, hands-on snorkeling instruction from the crew (including Din, mentioned as a standout dive master when you choose scuba). One thing to watch: the hike can be limited or canceled by park rules or conditions, and then you’ll do snorkeling stops instead with no refund or date change.

This is an 8-hour Semporna boat day built for variety: swim breaks, two marine stops focused on reef and fish watching, a local lunch box, and a hike that’s short enough to be doable but steep enough to earn the view. The island order can change with sea tide, and the second snorkeling location depends on weather and the skipper’s call.

Key highlights at a glance

• Bohey Dulang hike to the top with big payoff views over the lagoon and surrounding islands
• Tun Sakaran Marine Park fees for foreigners included (plus the Bohey national park hiker/guide fee)
• Mantabuan Island reef stop at a crumbling brick remnant, with clear-water snorkeling or scuba option
• Sibuan Island timing and location shift based on weather, with snorkel choices at an isolated bay
• Small group size (max 12) helps with gear setup and getting attention in the water
• Lunch box + 1.5L bottled water to keep you steady through the long day on the water

Semporna to Tun Sakaran: what the day’s flow is really like

You start from JETI PELANCONG SEMPORNA JETTY at 8:20am, and you finish back at the same place. It’s a mobile-ticket day (so you don’t need printed paperwork), and the group max of 12 is a real advantage when you’re getting kitted up for water time.

The boat day is organized around three main experiences: the Bohey Dulang hike, then two island stops designed for swimming and snorkeling (or snorkeling plus optional scuba training). You’ll also get multiple swim breaks along the way, which is a relief because this is an all-day program and the water is the main point of the day.

Timing can shift. The order of islands depends on sea tide, and the skipper chooses where to take you for the second snorkeling portion based on weather. That flexibility matters in Semporna, where sea conditions can change fast.

Bohey Dulang hike: 600 meters with summit views as the goal

The hike is the headline for many people, and for good reason. You’ll trek about 600 meters across the island to reach the top, moving through scenery that’s the bridge between “on land” and “ready for the lagoon view.”

At the summit, you’re looking out over a youthful green mountain and a turquoise-blue lagoon below. On a clear day, you also get the adjacent islands and open Celebes Sea views in the same sweep. That combination—forest-toned hillside plus bright water—helps explain why Bohey Dulang is treated like the tour’s main event.

Here’s the practical catch: the hike is dependent on weather, road conditions, and government park rules. If the park cancels or restricts hiking, you won’t be left stranded—you’ll continue with snorkeling/diving activities instead. But the terms are strict: there’s no refund or change of tour date tied to a canceled hike under park rules, and you’ll proceed with snorkeling only.

So if you’re booking specifically for the hike, plan your day around the reality that nature sets the schedule here.

Mantabuan Island: the crumbling brick remnant and reef time

After the Bohey portion, you’ll visit Mantabuan Island, described as a crumbling brick remnant that once supported a small community of sea people. That human detail changes the mood of the stop: you’re not just seeing coral and fish, you’re also getting a sense of how people used to live with the sea.

In the water, the focus is clarity and reef life. You can snorkel or choose the scuba option (if you selected it), and the point is to see coral and tropical fish in the calm water conditions of the stop. Since the water is clear enough for reef viewing, you’ll likely spend most of this portion doing short, repeated checks—look, float, adjust your position, and then move slowly along the reef line.

One advantage of this kind of stop is that you don’t need to be an expert swimmer. You do need basic comfort in the water, but the tour includes life jackets, mask and snorkel, and multilingual instructors who guide you on how to use the gear and move safely.

If you want maximum “watching time,” Mantabuan is a good choice because it’s built around a proper marine-time stop rather than a quick photo sprint.

Sibuan Island snorkel: weather decides what you see

The second snorkeling portion centers on Sibuan Island, which is described as an islanders seldom see. The key detail is that the location and exact snorkeling spot can vary because weather determines where the skipper takes you that day.

You’ll get options tied to what the conditions allow:

• Snorkeling at a blue sand beach in an isolated bay
• Or snorkeling and looking at a stunning underwater formation that’s home to millions of colorful fish
• If the conditions favor it, you can also admire a stone arch beneath the coastline

This is one of those stops where flexibility is a feature, not a flaw. You’re not just buying a fixed viewpoint; you’re going where the sea will let you see the best underwater features that day.

Also, because this is still an all-day boat schedule, expect that your second snorkeling time may feel different from the first. If you’re a careful planner, bring your gear mindset: rinse off between stops when you can, keep your mask clean, and don’t rush the water section just to get to lunch.

Scuba option (DSD) vs snorkeling-only: what the difference means in practice

This tour offers a choice:

• A scuba option that includes 2 DSD scuba sessions of about 20 minutes each, plus snorkeling for the full duration of the snorkeling stops
• Or snorkeling-only, with 2 snorkeling trips for the whole stop duration

If you choose scuba, you’re not just put in the water and told to figure it out. The included gear list is detailed: fins, BCD, regulator, gauge, and an oxygen cylinder, plus an instructor and scuba-ready support. That equipment list matters because it signals you’re being fitted for a real session, not just doing a casual float.

Din gets specifically mentioned as a helpful dive master for first-timers, which tells you the training component is handled with care. If you’re nervous about being underwater, that’s the point: someone guides you step by step and keeps the session focused.

If you choose snorkeling-only, the tour still supplies mask and snorkel and includes instruction on snorkeling technique. So you’re not stuck with borrowed gear and guesswork.

Either way, you’ll want to be honest about your comfort level. If you’re only okay with surface swimming, snorkeling-only is the simpler path. If you want to add scuba to your Semporna day, pick the scuba option and focus on the short, structured sessions.

Lunch, timing, and what to bring for an 8-hour boat day

You get a local lunch box and 1.5L bottled water. It’s served after diving/scuba or snorkeling, and it’s described as being taken under canopy shade. That small detail matters: after hours under the sun and saltwater air, shade feels like part of the program.

A typical day like this can mean you’re on the boat more than you’d expect, even with water time. So pack like you’re going to be out all day:

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• A hat or cap
• A rash guard if you burn easily
• Quick-dry clothes for after the water stops
• A dry bag for your phone and anything you don’t want to become a saltwater science experiment

Also, remember that the hike component is weather-dependent. Even if the hike goes ahead, you may have wet or humid conditions, and your legs will feel it once you start going uphill.

For best comfort, wear shoes or sandals that you can handle on a short hike and on a boat deck. The tour includes life jackets, but you still want stable footing.

Price and value: what $113 covers (and what can cost extra)

At $113 for about 8 hours, the value comes from the mix. You’re paying for more than one thing: the boat day, park entrance fees, guided hike fees when the trek is allowed, snorkeling gear, and instruction.

Included costs tied to the marine areas are important:

• Entrance fee to Tun Sakaran Marine Park per foreigner
• Hiker and guide fee for Bohey national park as per Sabah park rules per foreigner
• Dock taxes and other taxes

That’s part of why the price doesn’t feel like a basic cut-and-paste boat tour. You’re also getting a structured program with multilangual instruction and enough time at each stop to enjoy the water.

Potential extra cost: if you choose the scuba (DSD) option, there’s an additional Tun Sakaran RM150 scuba fee per person. The data specifically notes this extra scuba fee applies for DSD scuba, and it’s not required for snorkeling-only.

So when you estimate your total spend, price it as two layers:

1) The tour price

2) The possible RM150 extra if you select scuba

If you’re snorkeling-only, your cost should stay closer to the listed amount.

Risk, cancellations, and the one decision you should make up front

This tour is built around nature. That means rules and weather can affect what happens, especially the Bohey Dulang hike. If hiking is canceled due to national park rules, the tour goes forward with snorkeling/diving excursion only, and the terms state no refund or date change is permitted in that scenario.

There’s also a similar no-refund stance if you’re unable to hike for personal reasons. That’s not the kind of thing you want to learn at the dock after you’ve already committed to the hike segment.

So my advice is simple: before you book, decide which experience you want most.

• If the summit hike is non-negotiable for you, keep expectations flexible because park policy controls access.
• If you’d still be happy with snorkeling and reef time, the hike cancel risk matters less.

One more practical point: the island order can shift with sea tide, and the second snorkeling spot is tied to weather. You’re signing up for a day that adapts. If you hate that sort of flexibility, you might feel irritated when plans change.

If you’re okay with that tradeoff, you’ll likely enjoy the day more.

Who should book this tour (and who should consider other options)

This works well for:

• People who want one day combining hiking plus marine time
• Snorkelers who want guided instruction and provided gear
• First-time scuba hopefuls choosing the DSD sessions, especially if you want an instructor-led approach
• Anyone who prefers a small group and a structured schedule with a lunch break

It might not fit as well if:

• You’re planning a tight schedule and hate uncertainty about whether the hike happens
• You’re looking for only one kind of experience (for example, just snorkeling with zero land time)
• You’re uncomfortable with long boat hours and water-to-boat transitions

If your ideal Semporna day is pure beach lounging, you’d probably be happier with a simpler snorkeling trip and skip the hike risk. But if you want variety and don’t mind the sea calling the shots, this is a solid match.

Should you book the Semporna Bohey 3 Island snorkel and scuba day?

I’d book it if you want a day that mixes views from the top of Bohey Dulang with reef viewing at Mantabuan and a second snorkeling stop at Sibuan. The value looks strongest when you care about multiple stops, appreciate provided equipment and instruction, and you’re comfortable with the idea that weather and park rules can change the plan.

I’d think twice if hiking is your single must-do. Even though you’ll still get snorkeling time if hiking is restricted, the terms don’t offer refund or date swaps in that situation. For peace of mind, treat the hike as the bonus—and the marine stops as the main promise.

If you’re the type who can adjust and go with the sea, this is the kind of Semporna day that makes sense.