MY · Sabah · 6.20°N 115.60°E

mengalum island

An hour's speedboat past the KK islands to white sand, clearer water and reef snorkelling.

Best time
March to September usually brings the calmest seas. The crossing is in open water, so trips get called off on windy days in any month, most often from November to February.
How long
1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Kinabalu (about 2.5 hours). Day trips leave Sutera Harbour or Jesselton Point early in the morning, take about an hour or a little more by speedboat and are back in KK by mid-afternoon. There's no public boat, so book a tour.
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MY · Sabahmengalum island6.20°N 115.60°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,An hour's speedboat past the KK islands to white sand, clearer water and reef snorkelling.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMengalum IslandMY, Sabah
KLmengalum island
≈ 1,578 km from KL, as the crow flies

A small island well out in the South China Sea west of KK, far beyond the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands. The water is clearer and the beach quieter than closer in, and the day is simple: snorkelling, lunch on the sand and a last swim before the boat back.

Makan

  1. Island lunchLunch comes with the trip, usually rice with a few lauk on the beach.Map ↗
  2. Seafood back in KKPick your fish and prawns at the waterfront seafood restaurants for dinner.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. SnorkellingThe crew picks reef spots around the island for the current that day. Visibility is usually better than at the islands near KK.Map ↗
  2. The beachA long, quiet stretch of white sand, with shade under the trees when the sun gets strong.Map ↗
  3. DivingCertified divers can book a dive day here with KK dive operators for clearer water than in the marine park.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Take a motion-sickness pill before you board if you need one. The hour across open sea can be bumpy.
  • Bring a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen. There's little shade on the boat and not much to buy on the island.
  • Keep a spare day in KK in case the trip is called off for weather.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.