Kota Kinabalu Snorkeling: PADI Guide & Lunch Included

Deeper water, no life jacket, a guide who knows the reefs

Snorkel Sapi and Manukan Islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park from Kota Kinabalu with a PADI-certified guide, boat transfers, snorkeling gear and island buffet lunch. The guide handles queue-skipping and supervises deeper-water snorkeling without a mandatory life jacket, plus provides underwater photos. The trip runs about seven hours and works even on rainy days when conditions are safe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling and island exploration

• Boat ride from Kota Kinabalu to Sapi Island
• Snorkel among tropical fish at Sapi Island
• Relax on Sapi Island beach
• Enjoy island buffet lunch
• Travel to Manukan Island by boat
• Swim and sunbathe at Manukan Island
• Take a short jungle walk on Manukan Island
• Return by boat to Kota Kinabalu

The experience

Seven hours from Kota Kinabalu gets you to Sapi Island first, where you enter the water with your guide and move through the reef. A PADI-certified guide changes what you can do: you snorkel in deeper water without the life jacket that standard tours require, and the guide stays with you throughout. Boat transfers, snorkeling mask and all gear come with the booking. After the reef, you swim or rest on the beach before the island buffet lunch.

From Sapi you boat across to Manukan Island for a second stretch of snorkeling, swimming or sunbathing, with the option of a short jungle walk if you want to leave the water. The guide is there to help you spot fish and navigate the reefs safely. Underwater photos captured during the day are yours to keep: a detail most standard operators don't add. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kota Kinabalu are included, and the activity runs even on rainy days as long as sea conditions stay safe.

Small groups keep the experience personal, and the guide speaks English or Chinese. The buffet offers seafood, non-seafood and vegetarian options, so dietary needs are covered. Unlike operators who treat the day as a ferry between islands, this setup prioritizes what happens in the water and who's guiding you through it.

What’s included

• Boat transfers from Kota Kinabalu to both islands.
• snorkeling mask and gear.
• entrance fee to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
• island buffet lunch with seafood, non-seafood and vegetarian options.
• underwater photos captured by the guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by City MPV Travel & Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a PADI-certified guide who supervises deeper-water snorkeling without a life jacket and provides underwater photos: otherwise choose a standard tour.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Can I snorkel in deeper water without a life jacket?

Yes. The PADI-certified guide supervises deeper-water snorkeling without a mandatory life jacket, which standard tours require. You stay under the guide's watch throughout.

What's included in the snorkeling package?

Boat transfers from Kota Kinabalu, snorkeling mask and gear, entrance to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, island buffet lunch with seafood and vegetarian options, and underwater photos taken by the guide are all included.

Does the activity run if the weather is bad?

Snorkeling continues on rainy days as long as sea conditions remain safe and there's no lightning. The guide makes the call based on conditions on the day.

How does hotel pickup work?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kota Kinabalu are included. You're collected from your accommodation and returned there at the end of the day.

What can I do on Manukan Island besides snorkel?

You can swim, sunbathe or take a short jungle walk on Manukan. The guide is with you whether you're in the water or on the island.