The name of “Kota Kinabalu” has an interesting origin. The city was previously known as “Jesselton'' during the British colonial period. However, after the formation of Malaysia, the name came into “Kota Kinabalu” derived from Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Kota is a Malay word meaning “city” or “fort”, and Kinabalu is believed to be a combination of Kadazan Dusun words: aki meaning “ancestor” and nabalu meaning “mountain”. Hence, “Kota Kinabalu” can be loosely translated as “The City of Mount Kinabalu” or “The City of Ancestor Mountain” referring to the majestic mountain as a prominent natural landmark in the region.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah, located on the island of Borneo. It is known for its natural beauty, diverse culture, and outdoor activities. Some key features and attractions, like Mount Kinabalu, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Atkinson Clock Tower, Jesselton Point, Kota Kinabalu Waterfront, Gaya Street Sunday Market, Poring Hot Springs, and island hopping are an excellent blend of cultural and natural charm the city offers to the visitors.

One of the popular activities due to the region's stunning tropical islands and crystal clear waters is island hopping. Some of the nearby islands you can explore include:

Mamutik Island is one of the five islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, which is located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 15 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu. Even though Mamutik is the smallest island compared to the other five islands, it is known for its white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reefs.

It also offers opportunities for snorkeling, diving, swimming, and other water activities. If you go through Traveloka Activities, the suggested activities are Mamutik Island tour, sea walking, or jetski ranging from RM 200-400.

If you want to stay near the island, so you can catch up on lots of activities and panorama, several hotels, like Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Shangri-La Rasa Ria, and Hilton Kota Kinabalu can meet your plan. Keep an eye on hotels for the customizable options.

Sapi Island is another beautiful island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. It is known for its colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life. Hence, visitors can engage in a variety of water activities, including snorkeling, swimming, and underwater exploration.

The suggested activities around this island on Traveloka are snorkeling and watersport starting from RM 200. You can also enjoy a thrilling ride on the bouncy banana boat included in this activity. Besides, Sapi Island Elf Day Tour is also offered for you starting from RM 260.

During your trip to Sapi Island, several nearby hotels, such as The Pacific Sutera Hotel and Sutera Harbour Resort can be places to stay. Go through Traveloka hotels for availability, price range, as well as check-in and check-out hours.

Another island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is Manukan Island. Situated about 15 minutes by boat from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, this island is known for its rich marine biodiversity, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving.

You can also discover colorful coral gardens along with diverse marine life. Suggested activities in Manukan Island based on Traveloka are island visit and boat snorkeling with Sea Gypsy Water Village and BBQ lunch, scuba diving, and any other water sports activities. Those activities rates are starting from RM 160-250. For any kinds of details and frequently asked questions you might need, check here.

For places to stay, keep an eye on nearby accommodations to study some hotels, resorts, homestays, or apartments around Manukan Island, such as Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, Tang Dynasty Hotel, Promenade Hotel, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Homesuite Home, and many more.

Gaya Island is the largest among the other five islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. It is situated about 10 to 20 minutes by boat from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. This island offers a range of outdoor and water activities, like hiking, trekking, snorkeling, and other water sports.

Hiking and trekking are activities worth doing in Gaya Island, since it is covered by lush rainforest, providing opportunities for nature walks and wildlife spotting. Nonetheless, water sports remain a major favorite of visitors to this island. One of the notable beaches on Gaya Island is Police Beach; its beautiful stretch of white sand enables visitors to relax, swim, and enjoy tropical surroundings.

Gaya Island has accommodations, including two luxury resorts: Gaya Island–even claimed as a small luxury hotel of the world–and Bunga Raya Island Resorts for visitors wishing to stay overnight. It offers a more immersive experience, allowing you to enjoy the island’s beauty for an extended period.

As a part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park that is lesser-known and less-developed, it still offers a tranquil and beautiful setting for visitors. Due to its pristine beach and clear waters, the visitors’ favorite activities are swimming, snorkeling, or picnicking. Compared to the other islands in the marine park, Sulug tends to be less crowded. This seclusion offers a more peaceful experience for those wishing to enjoy nature in a quieter setting. The island has a long sand-spit suitable for resting along the seashore. You can also find seashells alongside the beach. Sulug Island still provides an opportunity for snorkeling, although it is not as heavily developed as in the other islands. Keramat Reefs and The Tyres are the two best diving spots on the island.

Another underrated activity that can be performed during the trip on Sulug is dark tourism, where you can set up a camp, build tables and chairs out of driftwoods, and cook your own meals on this island. Recognized as Kota Kinabalu’s “darkest island”, dark tourism enables the participants to learn about the island’s history, act out the lives of the local people, while relying on their survival and negotiating skills. The goal of this activity is to uncover potential dark tourism sites and develop products appealing for both local and international visitors in the long terms.

Located 30-40 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu City, Dinawan can be said as the most beautiful island in Sabah surrounded by lots of big Ara trees as a symbol of a comforting home and shelter to hundreds of diverse birds and insects.

It is also known for its water activities, such as snorkeling; either by boat or shore, swimming, birdwatching, jungle trekking, paddleboarding, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, and indoor recreational activities. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset and bonfire available on the island while savoring many kinds of seafood served there with relatively affordable prices, so there is no worry of being hungry while playing in the blue waters the whole day.

Those are 6 islands in Kota Kinabalu, starting from the most well-known to the less-visited ones. Along with many different attractions they offer, each island proposes its own abundance you really do not want to miss. Several activities on the island are family-friendly, so you do not have to worry if you bring your kids during the trip, yet always keep in mind that the destinations’ status and popularity can change over time and new info may have emerged.

When planning an island-hopping trip from Kota Kinabalu, make sure you check out Traveloka, to help you organize the tours, starting from where to stay and transportation. The islands are easily accessible via Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, where a number of boat operators and dive centers can be found. Along with your ferry ticket, you can also arrange various water sports or scuba diving.

See more activities in Kota Kinabalu for further info regarding things to do in Kota Kinabalu, together with price range, availability, and activity details. Although this city is big, the activities and sights are relatively done in two full days, so three days and two nights are more than enough to go around the islands in Kota Kinabalu. Prepare budgets as well as the backup ones according to your travel plans. Enjoy your trip to Kota Kinabalu!