Lying just 3 to 8 kilometers off the coast off Kota Kinabalu, The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers an area of 49 square kilometers comprises of 5 islands surrounded by coral reefs and sea. The islands are Pulau Gaya, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Sapi and Pulau Sulug.



Pulau Gaya / Gaya Island
Pulau Gaya is the largest island of the park, and occupies an area of 15 square. Its name is derived from the Bajau word "Gayo" which means big. Covered with dense virgin tropical forest, it several ridges, rising more than 600 feet (180 m) and peaking at 1,000 feet (300 m), form the backbone of Pulau Gaya.

Being the closest island to Kota Kinabalu, it has a Marine Ecology Research Centre, hiking trails and some resorts. However it also has a a very large (and growing) stilt village occupied by illegal immigrants from the Philippines and is considered a dangerous high crime and a "stay-away" area by the police and KK locals.

The major beach area in Gaya located at the Police Bay, a quarter mile of white sand gently slopes out to the sea makes Police Beach ideal for swimming in the crystal clear water. The coral reefs along the entire coast of island are in excellent condition. There is also a plank walk which has been laid across an inlet of mangrove trees to allow visitors a closer look at the botanical curiosities and their adaptations to a watery existence.
There is also another Pulau Gaya in Sabah and is known as the Gaya Island group and is located off the states Eastern coast


Pulau Sapi / Sapi Island
Located just off the south-western tip of Pulau Gaya, a sand-bar connects Sapi Island to the larger island and it is possible to walk across in shallow water at very low tides. The 25 acre (10 ha) island features one of the nicest beaches in the park and most popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are no overnight facilities available but It is developed with tourist facilities that includes a jetty, picnic shelters, barbecue pits, tables, changing rooms and toilets. The forest is inhabited by long tailed macaque monkeys
and wandering monitor lizards.


Pulau Manukan / Manukan Island
Manukan is the second largest island and the most popular. Out of 5 islands, Manukan features the most developed tourist facilities that includes 20 units of chalets, a clubhouse, and few restaurants and a dive centre. Recreation facilities include a swimming pool, football field, squash and tennis courts. It is covered in dense vegetation and has hiking trails and some good stretches of beaches on the southern coastline with the best being on the eastern tip of the island. Manukan also has coral reefs, which is ideal for snorkelling, diving and swimming. Snorkelling is the best at the eastern part the island.




Pulau Mamutik
The 15 acres island makes Mamutik the smallest island in the park. Despite being the smallest, the island offers some good beaches and coral reefs. It also has a jetty, a 3 bedroom resthouse for rent, with facilities that include changing rooms, toilets, picnic shelters, tables and barbecue pits. Fresh water and electricity are also available.



Pulau Sulug
Sulug is the farthest island of them all. Considered relatively untouched, remote and undeveloped, the 20-acre (16 ha) island is more popular with those who prefer a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. Good reef patches lie along the southern end of the island.

RELATED LINKS

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
An introduction the the park, with map, description and staying there.

TAR Marine Park ~ Diving
Info on Diving in TAR Marine Park, description of Dive sites and map