Have you ever planned to go on a romantic beach getaway or a fun family vacation? There are many beach resorts in Malaysia, you can spend the night. If you’re not ready yet to fly across the international borders but want to take your beach vacays to the next level, how about staying and going to Pulau Mantanani, Sabah, which looks just similar to the Maldives?
Pulau Mantanani is a not-so-secret treasure of an island located off the west coast of Sabah that is well worth a visit. This island is well known, especially among locals, for having crystal clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and absolutely picturesque sceneries, making it the ultimate tropical island paradise.
90 minutes away by car from the capital of Kota Kinabalu, but it’s worth a trip
Although the island is located remote in Sabah, Pulau Mantanani is a relatively comfortable vacation spot to reach, being only 90 minutes away by car from the capital of Kota Kinabalu and a 45-minute speedboat ride from the Kuala Abai dock in Kota Belud, where the island is located. The travel will be worth it when you first see the place.
Colloquially, Pulau Mantanani refers to three islands: Mantanani Besar, Mantanani Kecil, and Lungisan. Most tourism activities are offered at Mantanani Besar.
Various accommodation options to choose from – depending on your budget
There are various accommodation options on the island, such as GreenHouse EcoLodge and Nido Mantanani Lodge, as well as village homestays. However, the most frequented is an all-inclusive resort called Sutera At Mantanani, and with good reason. Sutera At Mantanani is popular among tourists because they offer gorgeous air-conditioned beachside chalets with all meals and activities, even including boat transportation to and from the island only for a flat price. Aside from that, they also offer two-bedroom villas that are just as cosy if you are travelling with a group of friends.
You can see the majestic view of Gunung Kinabalu from the resort
Plus, the tropical hardwood chalets are just 10 steps away from the sea, and their wide floor-to-ceiling glass windows mean you also get to enjoy views from the inside. Meanwhile, the resort restaurant provides buffet meals for lunch, tea time, dinner, and breakfast. If there are clear skies, you may also be able to catch a sight of the majestic Gunung Kinabalu, which is visible across the sea from the restaurant.
There are many other activities to keep you occupied while living the island life besides relaxing on a hammock, such as snorkelling, kayaking, kite flying, playing frisbee, and ATV riding on the beach.
The resort offers a variety of activities, and all you have to do is head to their recreational centre to borrow the equipment, and then play around to your heart’s desire. Or else, you could walk around the island and take photos of the island’s stunning blue waters and white sand, which is a perfect option for those who like to relax and soak up some sun.
