Mamutik Island Guide: Boats, Fees & Day Trip Tips

Featured image: Pangalau, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Mamutik Island at a glance

Mamutik covers about 15 acres, and the shoreline walk takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. It sits inside Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, which lies in Gaya Bay, 3 kilometers offshore from Kota Kinabalu. Boats from the mainland jetty take about 15 to 20 minutes, according to operators' crossing times. Park hours run 8:00am to 5:00pm daily, per Sabah Parks. Prices and hours below were checked November 2026.

• Best for: a first island trip, beginner snorkelers, and travelers with half a day.
• Skip if: you want resort luxury, jungle trekking or the widest choice of water sports.
• Watch out for: the last boat back, which sources place between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Is Mamutik the right TARP island?

Mamutik suits you if you want a small, low-key beach with a reef right off the sand. Pick a different island if you want long trails or a big beach. The table sets the five park islands side by side. For the busier beach, read our Manukan Island guide. For reef and fish, see Sapi Island (Pulau Sapi) Guide: Getting There, Costs & Tips. For forest walks and resort stays, see Gaya Island Guide: How to Visit From Kota Kinabalu.

How to get to Mamutik Island from Kota Kinabalu

Boats leave from Jesselton Point, and the terminal currently operates from a temporary South Jetty at KK Port on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. Ferry services continue while the original terminal is redeveloped. The terminal is open 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily. From Gaya Street and central hotels it is a 15 to 20 minute walk. A taxi or Grab from Kota Kinabalu airport takes about 15 minutes. There is no on-site parking, but JQ Central offers parking on levels 4, 5 and 6 with cashless payment, and the South Jetty sits closer to it. Walk-ins are welcome. You can also buy tickets ahead through Easybook to skip the queue. Some island-hopping listings also mention Sutera Harbour and Tanjung Aru marina jetties. If you stay at Sutera Harbour, ask your operator which jetty serves Mamutik. If a boat is cancelled for unsafe weather, Jesselton Point refunds or reschedules the ticket at no extra cost.

What a day on Mamutik Island costs

Park admission is charged per person per day. Malaysian adults pay RM 8, and Malaysians aged 13 to 17 pay RM 5. International adults pay RM 25, and international visitors aged 17 and under or 60 and over pay RM 20. Malaysian children aged 12 and under, and Malaysians aged 60 and up, enter free. A return boat ticket costs about RM 30 per person. Bring ringgit in cash, because park fees and island kiosks are usually cash-only. Snorkel gear and lunch are included only in some tour packages, so read what your ticket covers.

Best things to do on Mamutik Island

Snorkelling comes first. The house reef lies just off the main beach, and the water is shallow enough for beginners. Reef patches near shore include broken coral, so water shoes help. Reef-safe sunscreen protects the coral inside the marine park. Borneo Divers runs training here, which makes Mamutik a calm place for a first scuba session. A short forest trail loops through part of the interior, and you may spot the red-faced Philippine megapode. From the beach you also get a clear view of the Kota Kinabalu skyline. Optional water sports such as banana boats are offered on some packages.

How to plan your day

Take an early boat so you arrive around 8:30 AM. Spend the morning on the reef, walk the trail around midday and eat lunch on the beach. Leave time to be at the jetty well before the last boat. Sources differ on that boat, from about 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Ask for the exact time when you buy your ticket. If you miss it, you will need a private transfer or an overnight stay. For a second island, add a stop at Sapi or Manukan. A bundled hopping tour is simpler. An independent boat ticket gives you more control over your time. Our island hopping planner compares both options.

Where to stay and eat

Mamutik Island Lodge, formerly Mamutik Island Resort, is the only place to sleep on the island. Rooms are simple, and the lodge has a restaurant. Guests pay roughly RM 400 to RM 650 a night, and they get the beach once day boats leave. Dining is limited. Small kiosks sell snacks, noodles and cold drinks. Many tour packages include a BBQ lunch. If you prefer more choice, stay in the city and make the trip by day. Gaya Street is within walking distance of the jetty, and Suria Sabah mall, open 10AM to 10PM daily, is a short stop for supplies.

Best time to visit

March to September is the dry season, with calmer seas and clearer water. November to January is monsoon season, when boat rides get choppier and visibility drops. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends and public holidays. Afternoons also thin out once day groups leave, but the last boat limits that option. If you want real quiet, stay overnight.

Mistakes to avoid on Mamutik Island

A few simple errors cause most of the trouble on this trip.

• Going to the old Jesselton Point terminal instead of the temporary South Jetty.
• Missing the last boat because you did not ask for its time at the counter.
• Arriving without cash for park fees and kiosks.
• Assuming snorkel gear and lunch come with your ticket.
• Choosing Mamutik for trekking. Gaya is the better island for that.
• Planning a trip in monsoon months and expecting clear water.

A more remote alternative

If Mamutik feels too close to the city, consider Mantanani Island Guide: Getting There, Day Trip vs Overnight. It is outside the park and needs a longer transfer, so it works better as its own trip.