Mantanani Island
Mantanani Island
3.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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67 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
193 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
60
Average
36
Poor
18
Terrible
16
cristiano g
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Despite a very nice snorkel and beautiful landscape the island is disappointing for the plastic and rubbish along the shore. It's literally impossible to walk on the beach because the amount of garbage, mainly plastic bottles but not only, covering the sand. This is so sad! We booked for 3 nights at Little Dolphin (overpriced and very basic) and we decided to go back to KK after the first night as we felt uncomfortable for the dirt around us. I'd avoid to go there.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veracri
Milan, Italy25 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The island is sadly full of garbage everywhere. On the beach and in the sea. When entering into the sea you see plastic bottles, clothes. Horrible expierience. We left after 1 night. Moreover there are quite a lot of daytrippers. The resort where we were staying little dolphin resort is very basic with cockroaches and falling tiles in the bathroom. Only chinese tourists so everithing organized for them (dinner, breakfast….)
The only positive thing is one of the 2 snorkeling sites we visited (15 minutes by boat from the resort). Blue reef, never seen before with a lot of tropical fishes
The only positive thing is one of the 2 snorkeling sites we visited (15 minutes by boat from the resort). Blue reef, never seen before with a lot of tropical fishes
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dshores16
Boston4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We were nervous about our 4-day trip after reading reviews describing a filthy island and bad resorts, but we had a great time at Mantanani and would recommend it to anyone who values peace and quiet over the "perfect experience".
Yes, there are bottles littered outside of the many closed down resorts. Yes, it was hit hard by covid and there is little open in terms of amenities. BUT, it you find a good homestay or resort to stay at, and don't expect the beach to be lined with bars and warungs, then you will have an absolutely amazing time. We stayed on the west side of the island at Norsah Homestay, near Little Dolphin and Reluxe resorts, and found the beach and bay to be clean and beautiful. Our biggest advice is to bring your own sunscreen, toiletries, etc since there are only very very small kampong market shops. Also make sure all your food is sorted, either provided by homestay/resort or brought with you.
If you are looking to enjoy a beach away from crowds, this island is for you. Many mornings we would swim and literally be the only people swimming in the bay. We didn't see other tourists for two days straight, and the locals were very friendly and helpful. We did four scuba dives, and there is plenty of snorkel spots, including a small point we could reach swimming from shore.
In summary, this island is recovering and is not perfect, but with a little patience and preparation you can have a vacation so peaceful and relaxing that you can't really get anywhere else.
Yes, there are bottles littered outside of the many closed down resorts. Yes, it was hit hard by covid and there is little open in terms of amenities. BUT, it you find a good homestay or resort to stay at, and don't expect the beach to be lined with bars and warungs, then you will have an absolutely amazing time. We stayed on the west side of the island at Norsah Homestay, near Little Dolphin and Reluxe resorts, and found the beach and bay to be clean and beautiful. Our biggest advice is to bring your own sunscreen, toiletries, etc since there are only very very small kampong market shops. Also make sure all your food is sorted, either provided by homestay/resort or brought with you.
If you are looking to enjoy a beach away from crowds, this island is for you. Many mornings we would swim and literally be the only people swimming in the bay. We didn't see other tourists for two days straight, and the locals were very friendly and helpful. We did four scuba dives, and there is plenty of snorkel spots, including a small point we could reach swimming from shore.
In summary, this island is recovering and is not perfect, but with a little patience and preparation you can have a vacation so peaceful and relaxing that you can't really get anywhere else.
Written September 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Afiqah N
2 contributions
Aug 2022
My visit to this wonderful island will promise a memorable experience in your life. There are so many things to be discovered here. It is such a great destination for those who need to distress themselves from the chaos of the city. For sure, Redang totally offer the vast experience to the visitors. So,do visit island and experience it by yourself!
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe S
Palatine, IL254 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We booked this excursion through the consierge at the Marriott. First, we were surprised it was a 2 hr drive from the hotel to the dock. Then we waited at least 45 minutes for other parties to arrive and we're crammed into a very small boat for a 45 boat ride to the island. Thankfully we had a back row seat that opened to the outside but the poor people inside were very hot. We got to the island and changed to go snorkeling. 2 stops ,30 min each. We just traveled 3.5 hours for an hour of snorkeling. The snorkeling itself was only average. Some nice reefs, but not a lot of fish. The first site was better than the second. Afterwards, back to the island for lunch and some beach time. Our little patch of beach was mostly clean but just 50 m away was littered with piles of trash. We weren't sure if it had washed up or been left by other tours. Then, we turned around and headed back home 4 hrs due to rush hour traffic (no joke in KK). Some picturesque moments, but I'd skip this one.
Written June 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kelvin c
12 contributions
Mar 2023
Our tour guide with Amazing Borneo tours was really nice and helpful. He went out of his way to do what he could to make the tour special. The Island itself is really beautiful. I would have liked a bit more time to walk around the island. We did the snorkeling trip. We had about 30 minutes at 2 locations I think the time should be a bit longer like 1 hour at each spot. The boat ride there was fun and the wind blowing as the boat gained speed felt really nice. Super pretty clear water!!! Overall nice trip.
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YIJIE
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia20 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Super beautiful island! I posted my Mantanani island on my IG and get many good feedback. I really feel it is look like paradise when i at there. I like its green and clear water.
I saw many feedback of trash issue. I am that type of person very concern trash issue but I really cannot see trash on beach and sea, maybe only have some ( a little bit) plastic on beach only. Ermm maybe government Sabah do something to solve this problem.
For snookering, i feel like it is so so only. It don’t have much fish and beautiful carols. And then i feel like we spend two hours on road and one hour boat to this island but only snookering only 1 hours. I will feel like not very valuable.
Anyway, i will recommend my friend go there because Mantanani beach really amazing.
I saw many feedback of trash issue. I am that type of person very concern trash issue but I really cannot see trash on beach and sea, maybe only have some ( a little bit) plastic on beach only. Ermm maybe government Sabah do something to solve this problem.
For snookering, i feel like it is so so only. It don’t have much fish and beautiful carols. And then i feel like we spend two hours on road and one hour boat to this island but only snookering only 1 hours. I will feel like not very valuable.
Anyway, i will recommend my friend go there because Mantanani beach really amazing.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faith Fred
Donggongon, Malaysia26 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Nice place to relaxing and enjoying moments with love one.
We stayed at Sutera Mantanani Resort for 2 days 1 night with seaview chalet room.
Services was really good and all staff are really friendly.
We stayed at Sutera Mantanani Resort for 2 days 1 night with seaview chalet room.
Services was really good and all staff are really friendly.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IndySig
Indianapolis, IN4,119 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Stupidly we let our condo guy talk us into doing a trip to this island to snorkel. 1.5 hour drive and then a 1 hour boat ride to a non descript beach. Snorkeling was not good and the sea lice were vicious.
Go to the islands off KK. Don’t waste your time here and DONT go to Lovely Beach Club.
Go to the islands off KK. Don’t waste your time here and DONT go to Lovely Beach Club.
Written January 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nate4050
Vancouver, Canada3 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Although located in a beautiful spot, Mantanani Palm Beach resort has laughably poor service and virtually no amenities to speak of. Once you arrive on the island, you become a captive audience for the large and largely useless staff, who seem more concerned with having a good time than with doing any sort of useful work.
Despite the fact that guests were outnumbered by staff by at least 2 to 1, it was very difficult to find out what was going on in terms of activities, meal times, etc. Though friendly, the staff was completely unhelpful, and purchasing anything beyond bottles of water proved to be impossible. Although the resort is equipped with a bar, all the items were for display only, not unlike a North Korean department store. Buying beer or a Coke wasn't possible, as the management didn't bother to stock items at the bar, nor provide the staff to run it. It quickly became clear that no one seemed to be in charge and that the staff was allowed to do whatever they wanted, whenever they liked.
Most of the time the staff was found to be laying around, not doing much of anything, and when they were on their feet they were usually engaged in loud karaoke sessions, even at night, and were indifferent to the noise and annoyance they might be causing to the paying customers.
The food was monotonous and of poor quality, and was literally the same menu every day, and was sometimes the same food, reheated from the day before. The staff insisted on serving the buffet style food once everyone in the resort was present to eat, regardless of the fact that the food was often left sitting for more than an hour, while it got cold. It was unsurprising that three out of four people in our group got continuous bouts of sickness while on the island. Or perhaps the sickness was caused by the highly questionable water provided by the staff, which tasted of chlorine and plastic and came out of refilled water cooler jugs. But don't worry, the staff made sure to eat first, in front of the hungry customers, who were waiting for divers or snorkelers to return from their boat trips, so at least the staff was well taken care of.
The bottom line is that this resort should be avoided at all costs. It is grossly overpriced, and clearly the management has no clue as to what normal levels of customer service are in hotels. I've travelled extensively in Malaysia and South East Asia, so this is not just from the perspective of a spoiled Westerner, but someone who has come to understand what constitutes as 'normal' in Malaysia. This is easily the worst place I've stayed in Malaysia and I've spent at least 6 months in this country over the past 10 years.
I survived Mantanani Palm Beach resort so that hopefully you don't have to. Do your best to avoid it. Go anywhere else.
Despite the fact that guests were outnumbered by staff by at least 2 to 1, it was very difficult to find out what was going on in terms of activities, meal times, etc. Though friendly, the staff was completely unhelpful, and purchasing anything beyond bottles of water proved to be impossible. Although the resort is equipped with a bar, all the items were for display only, not unlike a North Korean department store. Buying beer or a Coke wasn't possible, as the management didn't bother to stock items at the bar, nor provide the staff to run it. It quickly became clear that no one seemed to be in charge and that the staff was allowed to do whatever they wanted, whenever they liked.
Most of the time the staff was found to be laying around, not doing much of anything, and when they were on their feet they were usually engaged in loud karaoke sessions, even at night, and were indifferent to the noise and annoyance they might be causing to the paying customers.
The food was monotonous and of poor quality, and was literally the same menu every day, and was sometimes the same food, reheated from the day before. The staff insisted on serving the buffet style food once everyone in the resort was present to eat, regardless of the fact that the food was often left sitting for more than an hour, while it got cold. It was unsurprising that three out of four people in our group got continuous bouts of sickness while on the island. Or perhaps the sickness was caused by the highly questionable water provided by the staff, which tasted of chlorine and plastic and came out of refilled water cooler jugs. But don't worry, the staff made sure to eat first, in front of the hungry customers, who were waiting for divers or snorkelers to return from their boat trips, so at least the staff was well taken care of.
The bottom line is that this resort should be avoided at all costs. It is grossly overpriced, and clearly the management has no clue as to what normal levels of customer service are in hotels. I've travelled extensively in Malaysia and South East Asia, so this is not just from the perspective of a spoiled Westerner, but someone who has come to understand what constitutes as 'normal' in Malaysia. This is easily the worst place I've stayed in Malaysia and I've spent at least 6 months in this country over the past 10 years.
I survived Mantanani Palm Beach resort so that hopefully you don't have to. Do your best to avoid it. Go anywhere else.
Written January 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Is there any jellyfish in the sea? I mean I heard there are a plenty of jellyfish in most of the islands in KK. My friend is scared of jellyfish. Do you think it’s safe to do snorkelling and swimming there?
Written March 21, 2020
Hi, yes there were some last time we went. But to be honest,the weather at that time wasn't so good and WE did not swim or do snorkelling much.
Written March 22, 2020
Hi, may I know is there any contact only provide boat transportation from jetty to the island?
I try browsing Web page, all also come with tland transportation (from KK city), boat, then water sport activities which cost around Rm300.
I just want to chill at the island.
Please advise, thanks in advance
Written June 12, 2019
Hi, you need to do the first part of the journey by road, around 80 km, I guess, and then take the boat. Why don’t you call a Grab and arrange with the driver to take care of everything? It worth the price and ask him to drive you and help you to get the boat tickets. It is the best option.
Written June 12, 2019
Emy Zaman
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
hi thanks! but i mean, lets say i want to book a place for 3 days 2 night without package. planning to have a peaceful staycation only. just wondering if there are any boat operating just to go there at the first day and return back at last day?
Written January 18, 2019
If you find a hotel/hostel on Mantani Island to book, I think that they will help you arrange transport there as I did a day tour and we had people on the boat in the morning who were only going there to stay. We then had people who got on the boat on the way back who were returning from the island. As such, I would check with whichever place you book. In terms of there just being boats operating from the jetty simply to go to Manatani island, I didn't see anything like that. It seems to be all privately run boats, but again you can check with the hotels on the island as they may have a separate schedule. Good choice to stay there though, it's beautiful and very peaceful/relaxing! Enjoy!
Written January 21, 2019
Emy Zaman
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
is there any way to go to the island without taking the tour package? i mean any boat operating at the jetty just to go there and return back?
Written January 18, 2019
Yes. There are day tours you can take. Just look up on the internet. There are several of them and restaurants and activity centers cater to day tour only that include diving and snorkeling
Written January 18, 2019
Grzegorz W
Szczecin, Poland
witam! czy mozecie nam zdradzic jak dotrzec do tej wyspu z kota kinabalu ? dziekujem z gory ! wybieramy sie tam w lutym :)
Written December 14, 2018
jedyna opcja to transfer z kk do kota belud a pozniej łódka. Niestety nie ma „rejsowych” łódek, wiec jak dotrze sie do Kota Belud to trzeba mieć albo wykupiona jednodniowa wycieczkę albo transport zaaranżowany przez kogoś z miejscowych (druga opcja wiąże sie z noclegiem na wyspie) My spalismy w greenlodge house na Mantanani. Odebrano nas z KK samochodem a łódka juz czekała, właściciele Fred i JP to niesamowicie uprzejmi i otwarci ludzie.
Written February 4, 2019
hi, is there any bus from kota kinabalu to kota belud early in the morning? and is there a way to get mantanani island except using hotel’s expensive suggestions?
Written August 23, 2018
Can you get to Mantanani without going through a tour? Is there a regular jetty from kota Belud?
Written August 16, 2018
Hi!
You wrote you have been in Malaysia for some quite long time.
Do you have an advice where to find a beautiful island in Malaysia perhaps with limestones and hills and crystal clear waters but with a more friendly locals attitude and some restaurants.
Written February 15, 2018
Hi! Malaysia is rich with beautiful beaches & islands...first and foremost, which state u wish to visit...Sabah, Perak & Terengganu is highly recommended...Sapi Island in Sabah, Pulau Redang in Terengganu meanwhile for Perak, Lumut district have a few beaches...
Written August 6, 2018
How often do the jettys run? We would be arriving in Kota belief around 8pm. Do they run this late at night?
Thanks
Written August 31, 2017
If you need assistance while you are there , send me ur contact number I can Gv ask the local island Incharge guy to contact u or usher you as they know better than me in case of any emergencies.Safe trip
Written October 17, 2017
Hi,
Just wondering how one can get to Mantani island without doing a tour?
I am keen to do the home stay and stay for a few days
Belinda
Written June 12, 2017
Hi Belinda,
Sorry for the late reply. The contact number for the Homestay I've been previously is +60105838940, Madam Mainah. Her house is facing the beach and a small jetty.
You can try the number and see if they could get someone who can understand English to communicate with you. The Homestay owners can also arrange for the boat ride.
In any case that you couldn't get the number, from Kota Kinabalu, you can arrange your own transfer to the nearest jetty in Kota Belut to go to the Island and walk in to any of the Homestays of your preference.
I hope the above info is helpful to you.
Take care,
Liz
Written June 16, 2017
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