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Sulug Island is the one of the five
islands of the
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park was
established in 1974, just offshore Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, east Malaysia
on the island of Borneo. It comprises 49 square kilometers of which
two-thirds are sea, and the rest are coral reefs and five islands. It is
named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The
Park is administered by Sabah Parks. The islands can be accessed from Kota
Kinabalu by speedboat.
Pulau Gaya
Gaya derived its name from the Bajau word "Gayo" which means big, occupies
an area of 15 km² (3,700 acres) and an elevation of 300 metres. Several
ridges, rising more than 600 feet (180 m) and peaking at 1,000 feet (300
m), form the backbone of Pulau Gaya.
Gaya is the largest island of the park, closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu
(KK) and is covered with dense virgin tropical forest. It has been a
forest reserve since 1923. The island has hiking trails and one 5 star
resort called Gayana Eco Resort that is home to the Marine Ecology
Research Centre. However, it is also host to a very large (and growing)
stilt village located just opposite the KK waterfront. This village is
occupied by illegal immigrants from the Philippines and is considered a
dangerous high crime or "no-go" area by the police and KK locals.
Pulau Manukan
The second largest island in the park, Manukan is the most popular with
Kota Kinabalu residents. Manukan has some good stretches of beaches on the
southern coastline. The best beach is on the eastern tip of the island.
Offshore of Manukan are coral reefs, which is ideal for snorkeling, diving
and swimming.
Out of 5 islands, Manukan features the most developed tourist facilities
that includes 20 units of chalets, a clubhouse, and few restaurants and a
diving centre. Recreation facilities include a swimming pool, football
field, Volleyball and Sepak Takraw courts. Infrastructural facilities
include support-water, electricity, desalination plant, sewerage system,
and even a solar public telephone. It is covered in dense vegetation and
has hiking trails.
Pulau Sapi
Pulau Sapi, literally known as "Cow Island" in Malay is just off the
south-western tip of Pulau Gaya. The 25 acre (10 ha) island features one
of the nicest beaches in the park and most popular with tourists for
snorkeling and scuba diving. Between 10am and 4pm the island gets quite
busy with foreign tourists but after the last ferry leaves it becomes a
tranquil island with only those staying overnight.It is developed with
tourist facilities that includes a jetty, picnic shelters, barbecue pits,
tables, changing rooms and toilets. The forest is inhabited by macaques.
Camping and campfires are allowed with the permission from the Park
Warden.
Pulau Mamutik
Mamutik is the nearest
island to Kota Kinabalu and the smallest of the five islands of the
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Very popular because of its proximity, Pulau Mamutik is usually frequented
during weekends.. On week-days, the island is practically
deserted and visitors can enjoy the island’s beaches in privacy. Pulau
Mamutik has many shelters erected by the park authorities for visitors and
it has fresh water from a well.
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