Kota Kinabalu Nearby Island Travel Guide: Best Tours and Activities Explained
If you’re dreaming of crystal-clear seas and a wallet-friendly getaway🏖️, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, is an absolute must-visit! 🥺🥺🥺🥺
1️⃣ Major Transportation: I flew from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Kota Kinabalu, a journey that took approximately three and a half hours. The AirAsia check-in process at Baiyun Airport is quite relaxed; small backpacks don’t need to be weighed, and as long as your larger backpack stays under 7kg, you’ll breeze through without any hassle.
2️⃣ Advance Preparation: Make sure to complete the Malaysian e-arrival card within three days of your arrival. Essential items to pack include sunscreen and an umbrella☔️. Summer clothes are perfect, and if you’re concerned about the chill on AirAsia, a light jacket for the flight is a good idea. It’s not very convenient to exchange for Malaysian Ringgit in China, so if you have a Visa or Master Card, bring it along for easy transactions.
✈️ Airport Tips
Kota Kinabalu Airport is relatively small. After landing, follow the signs to customs and security. Be cautious with brand new items, as they might be seen as goods for sale and subject to extra tariffs🥺. Join the crowd to the arrival hall where you’ll find ATMs. The red machine on the first floor offers an exchange rate of around 1.
65. If you opt for an exchange shop, expect a rate closer to 1.9, which isn’t as cost-effective. For early morning arrivals, there’s a row of massage chairs opposite KFC on the first floor, and you can also charge your devices and take a brief rest.
🚗 Transportation
Before you go, download Grab. Paying with cash is generally safer than linking Alipay. The taxi fares are similar to those in China, but during peak times, they can be up to 1.5 times more expensive 😥.
🏨 Accommodation
Staying near JQ Port or Gaya Street is incredibly convenient.
JQ Tower offers many family suites. We stayed for two nights, four people, and it came to about 165 RMB per person. It’s just a 10-minute walk to the port.
Another great option is the Homy Seafront Hostel, recommended on XHS. It’s about two kilometers from the port and is ideal for backpackers and solo travelers.
🏝️ Island Tours
For nearby islands, you can book tours at the port on the same day. The last boat leaves at 12:00 pm, and the latest return time in the afternoon is 4:00 pm.
I booked a tour to Mamutik + Sapi Island for 45 horses, including parasailing + life jackets🦺, and managed to haggle it down to 100 horses in total.
If you don’t need a coach for snorkeling, no extra charges apply.
After booking, make sure to keep your receipt🧾! (It’s always checked.) Head to the port and find the contact person to get your life jacket🦺.
Mamutik is larger and sells coconuts (they look great but don’t taste as good), while Sapi is smaller but cleaner.
The island entry fee is 25 horses, and you only pay once, regardless of how many islands you visit.
Parasailing starts around 12:00 and ends around 1:00. If you’ve booked two islands, keep an eye out for the boat to the next island.
Return boats set sail on the hour, at 3:00 and 4:00, so it’s a good idea to arrive at the port about ten minutes early to ensure you don’t miss your departure.
