Semporna: Bohey 3 Islands Hike, Snorkel/Dive Tour with Lunch

Bohey 3 Islands is interesting because you mix a real hike with sea time, all in Tun Sakaran Marine Park. One day, you are climbing volcanic trails for panoramic lookouts, and the next you are floating over coral and fish where most people only ever see from a boat.

I love the way the tour strings together big viewpoints with two different swim stops, including a quieter island option. I also like that the team guides you through the water with clear safety prep, and when you do the DSD scuba try-out, the instructor coaching is very hands-on, including help for first-timers.

One possible drawback: the hike is not guaranteed. It depends on weather, road access, and government rules, and if hiking gets canceled you may switch to snorkeling only or, if you chose no hike, you will wait at the jetty.

Key highlights worth centering in your plans

• 600m hike on Bohey Dulang when conditions allow, with top views over the lagoon and neighboring islands
• Tun Sakaran Marine Park volcanic scenery, formed from older volcanic remnants
• DSD scuba try-out option with included gear and an instructor-led safety briefing (no certificate needed)
• Mantabuan and Sibuan swim stops, with captain-chosen snorkeling spots based on tide and weather
• Lunch on the hidden island break, served as a boxed meal during a longer pause in the day
• Good value for a full day, since water, lunch, life jacket, and mask and snorkel are included

Why Bohey 3 Islands feels different from other Semporna days

Most Semporna island tours feel like simple island-to-island hopping, with a little time in the water. This one adds something you do not get on a typical snorkel-only cruise: a climb up to Bohey Dulang that takes you out of sea-level thinking and into full-on lookout mode.

I also like the mix of island types. Bohey Dulang gives you the view and the terrain, Mantabuan gives you the human history left behind by sea people, and Sibuan leans into the quiet “locals rarely see it” vibe with a secluded beach setup.

The day is paced for different comfort levels. If you hike, you earn the payoff with fewer “what am I supposed to do?” moments. If you skip hiking, you still get water time, but you accept that the schedule and permits can force you to wait at the jetty.

Getting there: Jeti Pelancong Semporna and the fast-boat start

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, and the crew brings you to the boat right after check-in. Before departure, you provide your full name and nationality for registration, so it is worth having your passport details ready.

Then you ride a speedboat for about 80 minutes to reach the Bohey Dulang area. You will feel the day start immediately, and seasickness is real for some people, so bring your motion sickness prevention if you are prone to it.

This early push also matters because the whole route is tide and condition sensitive. The captain can adjust the order of islands based on sea state and lunch timing, so you should go in expecting a bit of flexibility rather than a rigid schedule.

Bohey Dulang hike: the 600m trail and the payoff at the top

Bohey Dulang is in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, and the island formed from remnants of volcanic activity. That matters because the terrain is part of the experience, not just a backdrop.

When hiking is available and you choose it, you start on trails that total around 600 meters. It is not described as a technical climb, but you should treat it as a warm-weather hike where your legs will feel it. The guide also points out interesting sights along the way, so you are not just marching in silence.

The moment you reach the viewpoint is the reason you do the hike. You get panoramic scenes over the Celebes Sea and neighboring islands, with the lagoon below showing that mix of shallow turquoise water and deeper blue farther out. The view specifically includes a “young green peak” and a lagoon that looks almost too clean to be real.

If you do not hike, you do not get the same top view, and you also need to wait at the jetty while the hike group finishes. Because permits are issued based on the hiker name, last-minute changes are not possible, so plan your decision calmly before you board.

Mantabuan and Sibuan swim stops: snorkeling over history and blue-sand quiet

After Bohey Dulang, the day shifts back toward the water. You head to Mantabuan, where you get a photo stop and a shorter visit, plus your swim time if you are snorkeling or doing a scuba try-out.

Mantabuan is tied to a past sea-people community. A small population once lived their life on the sea with rare visits to land, and now you see the relics, including crumbled brick remains. It is quick, but it adds meaning beyond “cool reef, done.”

For the snorkeling and underwater options, there is a basic safety briefing first. Then you get the chance to jump into the blue and see coral and schools of tropical fish. The exact underwater look varies by day and conditions, but this is the tour’s main underwater payoff before the longer lunch break.

Then comes the second snorkeling stop at Sibuan Island, described as a spot even locals rarely see. The captain determines the best area based on weather conditions, so you are not stuck in a single “one-size-fits-all” snorkeling corner.

What makes Sibuan stand out in the description is the setting: a remote bay with a secluded blue sand beach, plus sights like a stone arch under the coastline. There may also be underwater formations where thousands of colorful fish show up, which is exactly the kind of place you notice because you feel like you are the only ones there.

DSD scuba try-out: gear included, coaching included, and a realistic expectation

If you choose scuba, this tour offers a DSD scuba try-out. The big practical win is that you do not need a scuba certificate. A safety briefing comes first, and an instructor is with you for the underwater portion.

Gear is included if you select scuba: fins, BCD, regulator, gauge, and an oxygen tank, plus a wetsuit. You also get a life jacket, which is important if you are new and want extra comfort while getting oriented.

Timing is another key point. The swims are described as generally 2 swim stops, each about 20 minutes for the DSD scuba experience, not counting the safety briefing and the full time spent at the stop. If you are an experienced snorkeler looking for long in-water sessions, you might feel that water time is not as long as you hoped, because the day has to fit everyone’s comfort level and schedules.

For first-timers, that structure can actually help. I found that short, instructor-led sessions are less intimidating, and they keep you from burning energy when you are still learning breathing control and buoyancy basics.

One name that came up in the experience details is Din, mentioned as a great instructor for people trying scuba for the first time. If you want to feel supported rather than thrown in, that kind of coaching style is exactly what you hope to get in a DSD format.

The hidden island break and lunch: how to handle the longer pause

Between the main swim moments, you get a longer hidden island break where lunch is served. This is where the tour slows down compared to the other segments, and it is a good time to reset, dry off, and deal with any “I need a moment” feelings.

Lunch is included as a lunch box, served in the shade of a canopy. Water is also included, including a 1.5 liter bottle, which is useful because the sun can be strong and the day involves both heat from the hike and time on the boat.

Do not assume lunch is a full sit-down feast. It is described as a boxed meal, and you should treat it like a practical fuel stop, not a food highlight. If you have any favorites or you know you snack constantly when you are active, consider bringing extra snacks so your energy stays steady during the longer break.

Also, plan your readiness for transitions. Some groups can take longer between stops because people are changing, getting equipped, and sorting personal items. That can make the middle portion feel more wait-heavy than the first half.

Price and value: what the $58 covers, plus the likely add-ons

At $58 per person, this tour can be good value because several hard costs and day-of essentials are included. You get swim stops, snorkel gear like mask and snorkel, life jacket, and multilingual instructions for snorkeling or scuba. If you do scuba, you also get the scuba gear and an instructor, which is a big chunk of the typical expense on other trips.

But you should budget for marine park and permit fees that are not included. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee is RM30 per person. If hiking is available and you hike, there is a Bohey permit and climbing fee RM50 per person. There may also be a Bohey insurance fee RM7 per person if hiking is done, and that depends on current park regulation.

Then there is the big one for scuba: the Tun Sakaran Marine Park scuba diving fee is RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for locals, and it is mandatory for scuba only. This is explicitly not for snorkeling, so if you snorkel rather than scuba, that specific fee should not be part of your day.

A smart way to decide: if you want the underwater coaching and you are okay with a shorter in-water session, adding the DSD scuba try-out can feel worth it because you get gear and instruction bundled in. If you only want reef time, snorkeling plus the hike still gives you the best “two worlds in one day” value without the scuba fee.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour suits you if you want more than a simple snorkel trip. You should like it if you enjoy hiking even moderately, want big views from higher ground, and still want reef time without doing the work of arranging everything separately.

It is also a solid pick for solo travelers because the tour structure includes clear guidance, gear support, and a day plan that does not rely on you finding your own spots. Families can consider it too, as the experience details include a family group with children and a positive outcome for the group.

You should be cautious if you have respiratory issues, since the activity is not suitable for people with respiratory problems. Also, if seasickness is a problem for you, bring prevention because the fast-boat segments are significant and the route depends on conditions.

Practical tips that make your day easier

The success of a day like this often comes down to small preparations. Bring hiking shoes if you plan to hike, plus change of clothes because you will get wet. A waterproof bag is worth it for keeping your phone and passport copy dry.

Bring cash, since extra fees like park charges and permits may be required. The tour also asks for passport details (a copy is accepted), so have your ID info ready.

If you are doing scuba, a wetsuit is part of the equipment list and you may still want to confirm how it is handled for comfort. You should also pack a motion sickness prevention method, especially if you have felt unwell on speedboats before.

Finally, go in ready to adapt. The itinerary can shift due to bad weather, government policy, and sea conditions, and even the order of islands may change based on tide and lunch time.

Should you book the Bohey 3 Islands hike and snorkel or scuba day?

Book it if you want a full-day mix of Bohey Dulang viewpoints, two meaningful swim stops, and the option of a guided DSD scuba try-out. At this price point, the included water, lunch box, and gear support make it a straightforward way to experience Tun Sakaran Marine Park without building your own plan from scratch.

Skip it or choose snorkeling only if you know you may not handle a hike on a warm day, or if you want long, uninterrupted time in the water. Remember, the hike depends on conditions and government rules, and if you opted out of hiking, you will wait at the jetty.

If your priority is the view plus reef time, this tour is one of the more balanced ways to spend a Semporna day. Just plan for conditions, bring the right gear, and you will be rewarded with both the trail payoff and the sea-world moments.

FAQ

How long is the Semporna Bohey 3 Islands hike and snorkel or scuba tour?

The tour lasts about 7 hours, or 450 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty. The crew will guide you to the boat after registration.

Is the 600m Bohey Dulang hike guaranteed?

No. The hike is dependent on weather, road conditions, and government policy. If hiking is canceled under the park rules, the tour can proceed with snorkeling or scuba only.

What extras might I need to pay beyond the $58 price?

You may need to pay Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee RM30 per person. If hiking is available, there may also be Bohey permit and climbing fee RM50 per person, plus Bohey insurance RM7 per person as required by park regulation. If you choose scuba, there is a scuba diving fee for Tun Sakaran Marine Park, RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for locals.

Do I need a scuba certificate for the scuba option?

No. The tour uses DSD scuba try-out, and no certificate is required.

What is included for snorkeling or scuba gear and safety?

Included items include mask and snorkel, life jacket, and multilingual instructions. If you choose scuba, included gear also includes fins, BCD regulator, gauge, and oxygen cylinder or tank, plus a wetsuit.

What should I bring with me?

Bring change of clothes, hiking shoes, cash, a passport (copy accepted), a waterproof bag, motion sickness prevention, and a wetsuit if you are doing scuba.

Is this tour refundable if my plans change?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.