Pulau Mantanani // Mantanani Island

I started off my 10 day break with a day trip to Mantanani.

I wanted to visit Mantanani for THE LONGEST TIME, but couldn’t get around doing so all these while, either I haven’t saved up enough or basically, just haven’t got the weekends to spare it with.  Some folks call it the mermaid island because of the dugong sightings underwater – which is seriously magical. Some folks even say you could catch a glimpse of dolphins. They’ve had photos with it, but I personally have never seen them before. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to share with you why this trip was important.

  

If you see the map above, I’ve yellow squared Mantanani Island in comparison to the journey from Kota Kinabalu. If you’re not a map kind of person, that is --- quite far. Not Sipadan (Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu kind of far) but far enough to be a put off to some locals at times. Previously, you’d have to drive up north for approximately 1.5 hours, or take a bus to Kota Belud, to reach a small jetty that will then lead you to Mantanani Island via speed boats. Now if you’ve got ample of time, and all the energy in the world to do a road trip – by all means. This saves you so much more too and highly recommended if you’re traveling on a shoestring. But if you don’t, and if you’ve got only little time to spare, this is your option;  a ferry ride to Mantanani Island directly from Kota Kinabalu itself!

There are a few things to bear in mind while considering this option.  It takes approximately up to 2 hours ferry ride from the famous Jesselton Port to Mantanani Island. If you’re not a fan of choppy rides especially choppy SEA RIDE, then …. you’re in for a treat or, or rather will barf your treats. I was heroic for the journey to the island, but wasn't when coming back. I wanted to barf everything out then and there *_*

 

I had no idea how Mantanani looked like because all I’ve ever known about Mantanani was hearsay.  No one had ever properly took good photos of it and make their post viral enough that it reached more people or even tell people what are the things that are or aren’t there. 

So when I reached Mantanani about hundreds of metres away from the island via speedboat (the ferry dropped us off nearer to the island because there are corals) I was stunned. 

It was SO BLUE.   

That blue reminded me of Boracay’s blue, but we all know how filled Boracay is. Tourists and people at every inch, you can even spot them from the ferry. But Mantanani was spotless (of people!). Mantanani is a white sands and blue waters kind of beach, few of its kind that are blessed in this world.

So after FINALLY landing on them white sand, I spotted all the activities and even checked with them what are the things that one can do in Mantanani ; volleyball, frisbee, kayak, discover diving, snorkeling and banana boats are generally the favourites. Or… a good ol’ rest. Most of us are connected to Mantanani via packages, so chances are your activities are already predetermined. But if by any chance you’re coming for a complete leisure trip of nothingness, then I’d recommend you to take your time. It’s pitch silent and peaceful there.

There are areas for lunch, most of which I think were for team building lunch packages unfortunately, there are no independent restaurants at the moment. They’re attached with the resorts, but can still be accessible by the publics. We had our lunch provided by the package, so this I must stress -- please bring your own munchies or your own food if you'd like to save some money. Some crackers would cost as much as RM 9.

If there is one thing that you must know about the island is that…. It’s actually also a local village! They’re water villages with residences surrounding the area and most of the staff there are from the village itself! The nearest land town to Mantanani is Kota Belud, which is about 45 minutes away via speedboat. I even saw these sea men transporting boats of logs – and all I had in my head was -- I wonder whether the boat ride was even choppier with the logs inside.

As for the costing, I've just got hold of the Jesselton Port's office and had a chat with some of my friends who knew how to get around, they told me at the moment, the ferries are only operating alongside with a complete day trip package which cost up to MYR 280/ pax inclusive of ferry & land return transfer, snorkeling, barbeque lunch, snorkeling set and entrance fee. Reason why this is the published rate at the moment which is also the agent's rate, is because getting into the islands an even using the boats as transportation are only available for those who have the license to do so.

So if you drive yourself to the Kuala Abai Jetty (of Kota Belud) as well, you have to go through an agent to transport you and your day trip for it as well. The latter might be of another choice if you're interested in exploring the Kota Belud town as well.

Hope this helps, AND please let me know if you have figured out other alternative ways to get into the island and if you're willing to share it with our other virtual friends here :) 


HAVE A BLAST!

Love,
Jacqueline Rowena @ Jacqkie.