MARINE LIFE:
Coral reefs fringe all the islands and are exposed during low tide.
The best reefs are around Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug islands. Excellent
reef patches are found between Pulau Sapi and Pulau Gaya. These
living organisms are carnivorous animals feeding on plankton floating
in the sea. The different species form coral of different shapes
and are named accordingly - stag horn, mushroom, cabbage, brain
and so on. They come in a variety of colours and shades - yellow,
green, blue and purple. Coral reefs are home to many kinds of fish,
molluscs, the giant clam, scorpion shell, sea cucumber, feather
starfish, cowry shell, black and brilliant blue sea-urchins. The
coral fish include the butterfly, parrot, clown, dragon, soldier
- in all their brilliant colours. Bigger fish, like the red carp,
grouper, baracudda and catfish, and occasionally shark, can also
be found in the deeper waters.
 
PULAU MANUKAN:
This 51-acres boomerang shaped island is the second largest
of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Manukan has good stretches of beaches
on the southern coastline. The best stretch is on the island. Ideal
for snorkeling, diving and swimming. 20 unit chalets, a clubhouse,
restaurant, souvenirs and diving centres and recreational facilities,
such as a swimming pool, football field, squash and tennis courts,
and infrastructure support water, electricity, desalination plant,
sewerage system, and even a solar powered public telephone are provided.
ACCOMMODATION:
Visitors who wish to stay overnight at the chalet can
make their bookings through local tour operators.
PULAU MAMUTIK:
Its 15-acres make it the smallest of the 5 islands of the Park.
Rich coral life surrounds the islands. It has a jetty, a 3 bedroom
resthouse for rent and staff quarters for Rangers stationed there.
Facilities include changing rooms, toilets, picnic shelters, tables
and barbecue pits. Fresh water and electricity are available.
ACCOMMODATION: Visitors staying at the resthouse must bring
their own food, as there are no canteen facilities on the island.
PULAU SULUG:
Farthest away and relatively undeveloped is the 20-acres Sulug Island.
The shoreline is mostly rocky. It is popular with foreign visitors
who prefer the quiet and abandoned atmosphere. Good reef patches
lie on the southern end. Changing rooms and toilets, picnic shelters
and tables are provided. Supply of fresh water is available.
PULAU GAYA: Gaya Island is the largest island of the Park.
It derived its name from the Bajau word "Gayo" which means big.
Several ridges, rising more than 600 feet and peaking at 1,000 feet,
from the backbone of the 3,665 acres Pulau Gaya. It has 16 miles
of shoreline with beaches ranging from fine white sandy to pebbly,
and mudflats, mangrove and sandstone cliffs. The major beach area
in Police Beach, a quarter mile of fine white sand sloping gently
into the bay making it ideal for swimming in usually crystal clear
water. The coral reefs along the entire coast of the island are
in excellent condition.
PULAU SAPI:
A small island of 25 acres, Sapi Island has one of the
nicest beaches in the Park - its clean white sand and crystal clear
water and coral reefs fringing the shoreline makes it ideal for
swimming, snorkeling and diving. Day use facilities include a jetty,
picnic shelters, barbecue pits, tables, changing rooms and toilets.
Camping is allowed, with the permission of the Park Warden.
  
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is
a State Park created to protect the natural environment, including
the coral reefs, marine life, the fauna and flora. Notice boards
are posted prominently on all the islands, and visitors are advised
to read these notices before proceeding with their individual pursuits.
When you are there, there are certain
rules and regulations that you need to follow. These are the DO
and DON'T.
Do's
1. Observe the rule and regulations of the Park.
2. Keep the place clean during your stay and when leaving the Park.
3. Contact Park Rangers on duty for assistance and information
4. Please bring along your towels and personal toiletries.
Don'ts:
It is forbidden to:
1. Hunt or carry firearms, poison, spearguns and dangerous weapons
within the park.
2. Harm or disturb any plants, animals or other living things
3. Pick, cut or collect plants, insects, corals, shells and any
other material dead or alive
4. Write names on rocks, trees or shelters
5. Bring pets into the Park.
GETTING THERE:
There are daily boat services to the islands from Kota Kinabalu
main center jetty.
Departures are at 9.00, 10.00, and 11.00 in the morning, and pick-ups
are in the afternoon at 1.30, 2.30, and 3.30.
During weekdays, boats must be chartered.
Most boats accommodate up to 12 passengers.
Courtesy of Sabah Tourism and Tourism
Malaysia.
 
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