Manukan Island

Manukan Island/ Pulau Manukan

Upon arriving on Manukan, I can hear myself saying "wow, this is paradise!"

I knew this was going to be one good island experience just seeing the blue waters!

And the fishes in the sea - so, so clear! This really starts getting the tourists all excited (me included! haha).

It was such a wonderful welcome - of nature & blue skies!

Walking into the island, the first beautiful thing to greet us tourists - the beach with such a beautiful view.

I just couldn't help admiring the view... simply breathtaking!

Anyway, my task - to find a good spot to relax haha! At first I passed by this long stretch of beach.

Despite being so awed, I didn't rushed to the beach just yet. Instead, I walked further to the other part of the beach.

The view here is just as great too, but I wanted to explore more first.

I continued walking to the back of the island, which is rockier but have the view of Kota Kinabalu.

And then, I was back to near where I started - which is in this open air restaurant under the shady trees.

There were some tour groups enjoying the grilled bbq food! (to which I later found out is a package of RM100).

Well, I didn't came with that package, but I thought I'll also 'live the island life' - yes, one fresh coconut drink for the road!

Having the coconut drink with such a beautiful view... this is pure bliss!

Oh, and I had the traditional music being played at the background too... to add more to this beautiful island life!

Done with the drink, it was time to head to the beach to 'claim my spot'!

I decided to head to the other part of the beach, which was less crowded.

The beach was like 'nearly all mine', except for a few others (btw, they are most likely either the hotel guests or have paid RM50 for the beach chairs).

With the beach spot claimed, next, it was time to head into the sea and swim with the fishes (plus seeing the corals). Wow!

In between snorkeling, I took some breaks resting on the soft sands, under the big coconut trees. What more can I ask for.... ahhh :)

Before long, the sun started to set (time always seem short when one is having fun!).

And it was back to the jetty once again... which even seems to give such a wonderful goodbye (and the 'please come again'!)

As it was 5pm, a lot of tourists were waiting to go up to their respective boats (one is to go up the same boat he/she came from).

Some had to wait a while... However, I find the wait ok, as I got to see such a beautiful sunset.

One by one the boats came, and off we were leaving the beautiful Manukan Island and its memories. Manukan Island may not be the best island in Sabah for snorkeling or diving, but I think for it's near distance to Kota Kinabalu (KK), it's well worth it... a mini summer paradise!

Although there was a lil part saying that I'll miss the Manukan Island... however, there was an exciting feeling going back on the boat... with Kota Kinabalu in sight, I knew there were just more to experience back in Sabah!

And that's coming up next! :)

Related: Coming to Manukan Island from Jesselton Point.