Pulau Mantanani Destination Guide

Overview
Mantanani Island is a group of three isolated islands northwest of Kota Belud, a one-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. Until recently, the islands were only known to a few locals. The largest island houses the only dive resort, Mantanani Resort which is situated at the western end on the edge of a white sandy bay.

Nestled amongst the tall coconut palms are beach cabins scattered around the main plantation styled house. Three wrecks have been discovered which still hold plenty of secrets and are now home to a menagerie of marine creatures such as Lionfish, Scorpionfish, octopus, glassfish and the coral reefs surrounding the islands have plenty to offer, for both novice and experienced diver.

Many species of rays can be found, Marbled stingray, Blue spotted ray and large schools of eagle rays. For macro photographers the “muck diving” is amazing, seahorses, imperial shrimps, pink-eye gobies, jawfish, blue-ringed octopus, ribbon eels and many nudibranch you want to be able to find in books! There are now 16 dive sites identified by Mantanani Resort with many more still to be explored.

Map

View Mantanani Island, Sabah in a larger map

How to Get There
Located at northwest of Kota Belud and approximately 80 km from Kota Kinabalu, Mantanani Island is a truly one of its kind destination. It was so isolated that not until recently, only a few locals knew the existence of the island. To get to Mantanani, one would have to take a direct flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. From Kota Kinabalu, make your way to Kota Belud by road, which takes about 45 minutes. Your journey to the island starts from our river jetty at Rampayan Laut, Kota Belud. The journey takes about 30 minutes by speedboat.

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