Semporna Hike Bohey 3 Island Snorkel Dive Tour and Lunch

A long boat day in Semporna comes with a rare combo: a serious island hike plus snorkel time in clear sea. You’ll sail through Tun Sakaran Marine Park waters, then get to walk 600 meters to Bohey Dulang’s viewpoints over a turquoise lagoon.

Two things I especially like. First, the hike payoff is built in, volcanic scenery up close and a summit view you can actually remember. Second, the day is organized around real water time: swim stops and long snorkeling windows rather than quick dips.

One consideration: the hike can be canceled due to park rules, weather, road issues, or hazard risk, and if that happens there’s no refund or date change. You still go snorkeling or scuba, but you should book with that risk in mind.

Key things to know before you go

• Bohey Dulang hike is the headline, with a 600 meter route and a summit view over the lagoon and surrounding islands
• Two snorkeling opportunities are included, and the order can shift with tide conditions
• Mantabuan Island adds a cultural story plus reef viewing in clear water
• Scuba is an option, with equipment provided and a separate RM150 Tun Sakaran fee mentioned for scuba sessions
• Small group size (max 12) helps keep the day manageable while you hike and float around the islands
• Weather and government park decisions matter, especially for the hiking portion

Semporna departures: what the morning setup is really like

This is a day boat tour that starts at 8:20 am from Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty in Semporna. The trip runs about 8 hours and ends back at the same meeting point, so you can plan the rest of your day without guessing how long it will take to get back.

There’s no hotel pickup included. If you’re staying in Semporna, that usually means you either walk or take a short ride to the jetty. The good news is it’s close to public transportation, and you’ll have a mobile ticket, which saves paper hassle.

Group size is limited to up to 12 travelers. That matters on boat tours because smaller groups tend to move faster for gear checks, briefings, and getting you into the water efficiently.

Bohey Dulang hike: volcanic viewpoints and a 600 meter walk

The day’s main hike targets Bohey Dulang, inside Tun Sakaran Marine Park waters. The islands here are described as volcanic leftovers, and you’ll feel that in the scenery once you’re up the trail.

What you’re signing up for is a walk that covers about 600 meters to the top. It’s not just an easy stroll, because you’re going to a viewpoint where you can look out over:

• the youthful green mountain (the way the vegetation shows on the slopes)
• the turquoise-blue lagoon below
• adjacent islands and the wider Celebes Sea view

This is the kind of stop that changes how your whole day feels. Snorkeling is wonderful, but the hike gives you context, scale, and a different kind of satisfaction. It’s also why this tour appeals to people who want more than a beach-and-boat day.

A practical note: the hike is dependent on government park rules and conditions. If the park cancels the hike, you don’t get to swap it for another hike or get a refund, and you’ll simply continue with the snorkeling and/or scuba portion. If you’re hiking-focused, plan your expectations accordingly.

Mantabuan Island reef time: coral watching and a brick remnant

After the Bohey portion, the tour moves on to Mantabuan Island. This stop is described as a crumbling brick remnant that once held a tiny community of sea gipsies. That backstory adds texture, because you’re not only looking at water and reef, you’re also seeing a human-made footprint left behind in the middle of this island scene.

In the water, Mantabuan is set up for reef viewing. With snorkeling, you get masks and snorkels and spend the full stop duration in the sea. With the scuba option, you get a guided experience with equipment provided.

If you choose scuba, you’ll typically have two short training-style sessions listed as 2 DSD scuba sessions, with each one at about 20 minutes, and this is only offered if you select the scuba option. You’ll also use provided gear such as fins, BCD, regulator, gauge, and an oxygen tank or cylinder.

Either way, Mantabuan is the sort of stop where calm water and good visibility make a big difference. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll still want to be ready for boat movement between stops, but once you’re suited up, the attention is on the reef and fish life.

Lunch under shade, then Sibuan for a more secluded underwater view

Lunch is included as a lunch box, and it’s served under a canopy’s shade. In other words, it’s not just a snack you eat standing up while the boat idles. It’s also timed after your snorkeling or scuba time, so you’re not forced to eat before you’ve had your main water breaks.

Then comes the second snorkeling stop: Sibuan Island. This one is described as an island that local islanders seldom see, and the stop can be influenced by weather. That means you might feel like your itinerary has a little flexibility, depending on what the day gives the skipper.

What Sibuan offers, based on the description:

• a blue sand beach in an isolated bay
• an underwater formation where there are lots of fish
• and a view that includes a stone arch beneath the coastline

That variety is why Sibuan can feel different from the earlier water time. Instead of only focusing on coral patches or fish passing in the distance, you’re told to look for formation features and the way the sea floor shapes the view.

After Sibuan, you return back to the jetty, wrapping up the full day.

How tides, weather, and park decisions change your day

This tour runs in a place where the sea and the rules can shift. The itinerary notes that the order of islands can depend on sea tide. That’s common in Semporna area tours, and it’s also practical, because it can affect how comfortably the boat can reach certain islands and how safe the stops are.

The bigger variable is the hike. The itinerary explicitly states that the hike depends on weather, road conditions, and government policy tied to official park restrictions. If the park cancels the hike due to those rules, the tour still continues with snorkeling or scuba.

Here’s the key value for you to understand: this is not a tour where you can assume every part will happen exactly as advertised. The hike is treated as a conditional component. If having the Bohey Dulang climb is your top priority, keep backup plans flexible on the same travel day.

Price and value: what $113 buys, and the scuba add-on fee

The price is listed at $113 for this day tour. In value terms, you’re not just paying for boat transportation. The included items cover multiple expensive-to-organize parts:

• entrance fees for Tun Sakaran Marine Park per foreigner
• hiker and guide fees for Bohey National Park per foreigner
• snorkel gear and the guide instruction for snorkeling
• life jacket and safety support
• 1.5 liter bottled water
• lunch box
• dock taxes and other taxes

If you choose scuba, equipment is also included, and you get multilingual instruction. Still, the data calls out an additional fee: Tun Sakaran RM150 per person for DSD scuba sessions. Snorkeling is stated as not requiring that additional scuba fee.

So the true value equation depends on what you select:

• If you stick to snorkeling and the hike, you’re getting a lot for one set price because the park fees and equipment are already baked in.
• If you add scuba, the base price covers gear and the structure of the scuba sessions, but you should budget that extra RM150 per person.

Also keep in mind the hike can be canceled with no refund or date change. That doesn’t make the snorkeling any less real, but it does change what you get out of the overall package.

Guides and support: the detail work that makes the day easier

The tour includes multilingual instructors for snorkeling and scuba, plus an instructor on the boat and during the gear time. That matters because Semporna snorkeling is not always idiot-proof. Mask fit, buoy control, and reading the water movement make a difference between an ok swim and a great one.

One name stands out from the feedback you provided: Din, noted as a strong and attentive dive master for first-time scuba participants. Even if you’re not doing scuba, attentive instruction is still the difference between just wearing a mask and actually getting good reef viewing.

This tour also includes life jackets, and scuba equipment is listed in detail when the scuba option is selected. That suggests you won’t be hunting for your own gear locally, and it reduces the hassle factor on a packed day.

Who this tour fits best, and who should rethink it

This tour is a good match if you want a full day that mixes land and sea: hiking to viewpoints plus multiple snorkeling stops and the option of short guided scuba sessions.

It’s especially appealing for:

• people staying in Semporna who want a single organized day loop
• travelers who like structure, gear support, and safety briefings
• snorkelers who want longer stop durations, not just a quick look

It may be less ideal if:

• you’re booking primarily for the hike and you cannot tolerate the possibility it gets canceled by park rules
• you strongly need a predictable itinerary with no tide or weather adjustments
• you’re someone who prefers short tours over long boat-and-water days

Should you book this Bohey 3-island tour?

Book it if your ideal Semporna day includes a hike, real snorkeling time, and you’re okay with the sea setting the pace. The setup is built for value, with park fees, lunch, water, and snorkeling gear included, plus small group size to keep things smooth.

Skip or choose carefully if the Bohey Dulang hike is non-negotiable for you. The hike is explicitly conditional, and the policy says there’s no refund or date change if the park cancels it. In that case, you’d be happier with a tour that is snorkeling-only, or one where the main promise is not tied to park restrictions.

If you do book, go in with one mindset: your day is about the whole ecosystem, hike viewpoints, reef stops, and the second chance at snorkeling at Sibuan. When it works, it’s a full, memorable Semporna loop.

FAQ

Where does the tour start, and what time is departure?

It starts at JETI PELANCONG SEMPORNA JETTY on Jln Bangau Bangau, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Malaysia, with a start time of 8:20 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

What activities are included?

The tour includes a day boat tour, snorkeling stops during the time at the islands (if snorkeling is selected), and one hiking trip to Bohey Dulang if the government park allows it. Scuba is available if you select that option.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You get a lunch box, and bottled water is included (listed as 1.5 litre).

If I choose scuba, is there an extra fee?

Yes. The information states a Tun Sakaran RM150 per person fee for DSD scuba sessions. Snorkeling is stated as not requiring this fee.

What happens if the Bohey Dulang hike is canceled?

If the hike is canceled due to National park rules, the tour proceeds with the snorkeling and/or scuba excursion only. The information also states there is no refund or change tour date permitted in that case.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.