Bohey Dulang is a hike with real payoff. One day in Semporna and you’re dealing with 600m trails, turquoise water, and reef time. The route also threads in spots most people never see from shore.

What I like most is how the day mixes effort with payoff. You get a climb that’s tiring in a good way, then you earn the view over the Celebes Sea. I also love the variety: snorkel or DSD diving plus multiple swim stops, with lunch served onboard while you’re still surrounded by islands.

One thing to keep in mind: the hike depends on weather and government rules. If conditions don’t allow it, you may lose the trek and switch to snorkel/diving only, and extra permit fees may or may not apply based on the hiking outcome.

Key things to know before you go

• Bohey Dulang hike is conditional: you’ll hike only when conditions and park rules allow it
• Multiple swim stops: you’ll usually get around 2 swim windows of about 20 minutes each (plus snorkel time if selected)
• Sibuan Island snorkel: a remote-feeling bay with blue-sand and underwater features like a stone arch
• DSD diving is beginner-friendly: no certificate is required, with instructor guidance and full gear included
• Your captain chooses the best order: tides and weather can shift which island comes first

How the Semporna boat day really runs

This is a classic Semporna speedboat day: meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, register with your full name and nationality, then you’re off. The ride to the islands takes about 80 minutes, so plan to get seasick-proof early if you’re prone to motion sickness. Bring a waterproof bag because you’ll be changing and moving around a lot.

Once you’re on the islands, the timing is controlled by two forces: the park schedule and sea conditions. Your day still feels efficient, with a mix of guided time and free time, but you should treat it as a shared-group adventure, not a private charter. That matters most if you’re an advanced snorkeler who wants long stretches in the water—one reviewer specifically wished for more time in the sea.

Also, expect some waiting between activities. Changing, briefings, and setup take time, and the schedule has to cover everyone in the group. It’s not chaos, just the reality of a tour that’s built around permits and water safety.

Bohey Dulang: the 600m hike and the view over the Celebes Sea

The main reason people sign up is the trek on Bohey Dulang. You’ll hike along trails of around 600 meters, with viewpoints along the way. The island sits in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, and it’s formed from remnants of volcanic activity, which gives the whole place a rugged, dramatic feel.

When you reach the top, it’s all about the panorama: nearby islands and the Celebes Sea’s clear water below. From here, the colors look almost unfair—turquoise lagoon water, plus the contrast of that “green peak” shape the guides point out. This is the kind of view you can’t fake with a beach chair.

Good to know: if you didn’t book the hike, you’ll likely need to wait back at the jetty for the hiker portion to finish. Requests at the last minute won’t work because the authorities require the permit to match the listed hiker names. So if you have any hesitation about the trek, I’d rather you decide before you arrive, not mid-day.

Practical tip: wear hiking shoes. Even if the trail isn’t described as technical, you want grip for a warm, island day.

Mantabuan Island: sea gypsy relics and a reef-facing swim

Next comes Mantabuan, and it’s not just another beach stop. The island was once home to a small community of sea gypsies who lived their lives on the water and rarely went onto land. Today, what’s left is a relic—crumbling brick remains—which gives the stop a quiet, historical texture.

This is also where water time starts to matter. After a safety briefing and basic snorkelling or a guided diving session (depending on what you selected), you’ll plunge into the water to find coral and schools of tropical fish. The reef here is the main event, and the guides are there to help you make sense of what you’re seeing—especially if you’re new to snorkel gear or unsure where to float.

The pace is short by design. Your swim window is about 20 minutes for DSD diving sessions with an instructor (not counting the safety briefing). That can feel “fast” if you’re hoping for a long drift. Still, the upside is that you’re getting more total islands and more chances to see different underwater spots.

Lunch at the islands: where the timing gets flexible

After Mantabuan, you get a break that includes lunch plus time to stretch your legs. The schedule calls this a longer break—about 1.5 hours—so it’s not a drive-by meal. Lunch is served as a lunch box onboard, and it’s typically in the shade of the canopy once you’re at the stop.

Here’s the part that surprises people: the order can change. Tides and lunch timing can shift which island happens first. Your captain tries to make the day pleasant, so don’t be alarmed if your mental “first island, then second” plan gets rearranged after you arrive.

A practical note: bring snacks if you’re picky or you get hungry fast. One review mentioned lunch was okay but not mind-blowing, and that’s the only real “food disappointment” theme I saw. On a tour this active, extra small snacks can be a simple comfort upgrade.

Also, use the lunch break to reset for the last snorkel stop. Rinse gear if you can, dry what you can, and change out of wet clothing when the opportunity happens. You’ll feel better for Sibuan.

Sibuan Island: blue sand, stone arches, and color-filled fish

The final swim stop is where the day starts to feel like you’re getting let in on a secret. You’ll head to Sibuan Island, described as a remote island bay where even locals rarely see it. Out of all the stops, this one is framed as the most “out there.”

What you might experience here is unusual for a normal beach snorkel. The bay includes a blue sand beach, plus underwater-looking scenery such as a stone arch beneath the coastline. Depending on the day’s conditions, you may also find underwater formations that draw in thousands of colorful fish.

Your captain determines the best spots based on weather and sea conditions. So your experience might be slightly different from day to day, but the theme stays consistent: clarity, shallow snorkel zones, and life you can actually watch instead of just guessing at.

Just don’t expect unlimited time. Like the rest of the day, the tour balances swim windows across multiple islands. Still, this stop is the one I’d plan around if you’re deciding whether to choose snorkel over hike or vice versa. It feels like the payoff for staying in the water.

Snorkelling vs DSD diving: what you’re actually signing up for

This tour works in two “modes,” and it’s worth choosing honestly.

If you pick snorkelling, you’ll do snorkel sessions with guidance and safety help, and you’ll still get mask-and-snorkel included. If you pick DSD diving, you’re getting beginner scuba exposure with an instructor. The included DSD sessions are two dive trips, around 20 minutes each, and the gear is provided: fins, BCD regulator, wetsuit, gauge, and oxygen tank/cylinder, plus instructor and life jacket.

The big benefit: no scuba certificate is required for DSD. That’s huge if you’ve always wanted to try diving but never had the training. One review specifically mentioned a dive master named Din being great with first-time divers, which matches the general purpose of DSD.

The caution: DSD diving is still organized around short windows and safety briefings. If you’re hoping to spend ages exploring, you may feel time is limited. For many people, though, that structure helps—you get the essentials without getting overwhelmed.

Also note: diving park fees are separate. The Tun Sakaran Marine Park diving fee is mandatory for scuba diving—listed as RM150 for foreigners or RM100 for locals—and it’s for SCUBA only, not snorkeling. So your final cost depends heavily on whether you’re diving.

What the price covers, and what you should budget for

The advertised price is $58 per person for the day. That’s a fair number only if you remember what’s inside and what’s outside.

Included highlights:

• lunch box and 1.5L bottle of water
• mask and snorkel
• safety equipment like life jackets
• instructor support (Chinese/English/Malay)
• 2 DSD dives with gear if you choose the diving option
• optional hiking when conditions allow

Not included add-ons you may need:

• Tun Sakaran Marine Park fee RM30 each
• Bohey permit and climbing fee RM50 each if hiking is available
• Bohey insurance RM7 each if hiking is available, tied to updated park regulation (effective rules are mentioned with a June 2025 update)
• Tun Sakaran Marine Park diving fee RM150 foreigner / RM100 local for SCUBA diving only

So the value story is:

• If you snorkel and hike, you’ll likely pay some park and permit fees, but you avoid the larger SCUBA diving fee.
• If you do DSD diving, expect the extra park diving fee even if the hike is canceled. The policy says diving fee is mandatory if you participate in diving regardless of hiking conditions.

Bottom line: this is good value if your priority is coral-and-fish time plus a real view from the top. It’s less good value if you mainly wanted a relaxed beach day with no extra fees.

Weather, tides, and the one day you can’t control

You’re booking an outdoor day in the Philippines-style sea belt of Sabah. That means the itinerary can shift due to bad weather, sea conditions, and government policy. The tour also says there’s no preferential treatment for any operator, which is what you want to hear when permits decide whether something happens.

Here’s how to plan around that:

• If the hike is canceled due to park rules, you won’t pay hike-related fees (the info says no hiking permit fee, park entry, or insurance need to be paid if hiking is canceled by those rules), and you’ll proceed with snorkel/diving only.
• If you booked a no-hike ticket, you’ll be stuck waiting at the jetty. Since the permit depends on the listed hiker name, late changes aren’t possible.

The useful mindset: treat the hike like a bonus when conditions are good. If you’re physically capable, great—try for the summit. If not, you can still have a strong water-focused day.

What to bring for a smoother, less-annoying day

Pack for heat, saltwater, and movement. From the provided guidance, here’s the short list that actually helps:

• Change of clothes
• Hiking shoes (for the 600m trail)
• Cash (for fees)
• Passport or a copy accepted
• Waterproof bag
• Motion sickness prevention if you’re prone
• Wetsuit (though diving gear is included; a wetsuit suggestion still shows up as important for comfort)

If you forget one thing, make it waterproof storage. Trying to keep a phone dry on a speedboat day is a losing game without a proper bag. Also, think about what you’ll wear after snorkeling. Your day ends with the return ride, so dry clothes matter.

And if you have respiratory issues, this is flagged as not suitable. Water activities plus humidity and exertion can be risky.

Who should book this tour in Semporna

This is a strong choice if you want an active day that still feels like an “island adventure,” not a bus tour with a snack stop.

Best fit:

• You want one big viewpoint moment (Bohey Dulang) plus reef time
• You’re comfortable with short swim windows and group pacing
• You’d like instructor help in the water, whether snorkelling or DSD diving

It also works for solo travelers. One review called it good for solo, and the structure supports it: you’re guided, not left to figure things out alone.

For experienced snorkelers, it can still be a win—just be aware of time limits. If you’re the type who wants to hover at one spot for an hour, you may wish for more water time.

Should you book this Bohey 3 Islands hike and snorkel/diving tour?

Yes, if your travel style likes a full day with a real climb and multiple water moments. The tour’s strongest selling points are the Bohey Dulang hike with panoramic views, the coral-and-fish snorkelling/diving, and the generally positive feedback about friendly, attentive guides. One dive pro named Din is specifically highlighted as excellent for first timers, which tells you the DSD side has real people behind it, not just gear and a clipboard.

Hold off or rethink if you’re mainly chasing a slow beach day, or if you’re sensitive to motion or breathing issues. Also, check your budget carefully if you plan to dive, because the park diving fee is separate and the final cost can jump.

If you’re physically able and you’re okay with a guided, schedule-based day, this is one of the better ways to see what Semporna’s marine park world looks like in a single outing.

You Might Also Enjoy

Catch the Sun, Skip the Crowds: 5Terre w Aperitivo&SnorkelSnorkeling with turtle and statue in GilisKey West: Reef Snorkeling with Drinks and Sunset OptionFrom Naha: Snorkeling Tour to Kerama by Ferry