Dinawan Island
A private island resort offering pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling, and a tranquil escape from the crowds.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Enjoy water sports and beaches
Dinawan Island
Best Time
Enjoy water sports and beaches
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A private island resort offering pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling, and a tranquil escape from the crowds.
"The snorkeling exceeded our expectations with a massive, alive coral and colorful fish!"
✨ Book a Tour Package
Packages often include transport, meals, and activities like snorkeling & kayaking. :admission_tickets:
🤿 Snorkeling Exceeds Expectations
The coral reefs are stunning with abundant marine life. Don't miss this underwater spectacle! 🌊
Quick Facts
Rating
4.6 · 51 reviews
Type
Natural Feature
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Vibrant Coral Reefs
Snorkeling spots
Discover a stunning underwater world with alive coral, colorful fish, and sea urchins. A snorkeler's paradise!
Secluded Beaches
Island shores
Relax on beautiful, less-touristy beaches offering tranquility and stunning ocean views.
Sunset Views
Western coast
Witness breathtaking sunsets painting the sky with vibrant colors over the ocean.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Escape the Crowds: Your Dinawan Island Guide
Maximize Your Island Adventure
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
✨ Book a Tour Package
Packages often include transport, meals, and activities like snorkeling & kayaking. :admission_tickets:
🤿 Snorkeling Exceeds Expectations
The coral reefs are stunning with abundant marine life. Don't miss this underwater spectacle! 🌊
🛶 Kayaking & Paddleboarding Fun
Included in many packages, these are great ways to explore the island's waters. 🛶
🌅 Breathtaking Sunsets
If staying overnight, the sunset views are absolutely unforgettable. :sunriseovermountains:
Tips
from all over the internet
✨ Book a Tour Package
Packages often include transport, meals, and activities like snorkeling & kayaking. :admission_tickets:
🤿 Snorkeling Exceeds Expectations
The coral reefs are stunning with abundant marine life. Don't miss this underwater spectacle! 🌊
🛶 Kayaking & Paddleboarding Fun
Included in many packages, these are great ways to explore the island's waters. 🛶
🌅 Breathtaking Sunsets
If staying overnight, the sunset views are absolutely unforgettable. :sunriseovermountains:
🤫 Avoid the Crowds
Dinawan is much less crowded than other popular islands near KK. :shushing_face:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Dinawan Island is highly praised for its beautiful, less-crowded beaches and exceptional snorkeling with vibrant coral reefs. Visitors love the included water sports, delicious food, and the serene atmosphere, with many recommending overnight stays for the stunning sunsets and unique nighttime marine experiences. Some minor cloudiness didn't detract from the overall amazing day.
"We had an amazing day trip to Dinawan. The beach was beautiful, the food was delicious and the snorkeling exceeded our expectations. Use of kayaks and paddle boards is included. Highly recommended if you want to avoid the crowds."
Aaron “Far Away Now”
"Great island that’s much less crowded than the popular ones around KK. We had a tour package which included taxi from/to island, snorkelling, kayaking, peddle boating, lunch, and tea time. It’s not too crowded and there are only 2 boats (max 20 pax each) arriving to the island per day.
The snorkelling spot was stunning with a massive coral which you can explore. The coral is alive with some colourful fish, sea urchins, and various sea fauna and flora. It was one of the nicest corals I’ve ever seen.
Too bad it was a bit cloudy, but it still didn’t prevent us from having a ton of fun on the island. The tour guides were very friendly and helpful.
Definitely coming back on my next trip to KK."
Edgaras Katinas
"We were enjoys our amazing moments & stays here. It was such an amazing and great experience to be parts of outstanding island accomodations.
The sunset was breathtaking, staffs & boatman was so helpful,polite,gentleman & friendly. We feels like home. Food also great & "too much" for my little family ☺️. Beach was amazing. We enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, explore the night with flashing flies & glowing blue coral marines.
Thank you very much Marudu Dinawan Sabah . We will surely come again😍😍😍😍😍😍👍👍👍👍👍"
Xu Jmn
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Dinawan Island is typically accessed via boat transfer from the mainland, often arranged as part of a tour package. Many visitors opt for packages that include taxi transfers from Kota Kinabalu to the jetty, followed by a boat ride to the island. The journey offers scenic views of the Sabah coastline.
Direct boat services are usually part of organized tour packages. It's advisable to book in advance through a reputable tour operator to ensure smooth transportation and avoid any last-minute hassles.
The boat journey to Dinawan Island from the mainland jetty generally takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on sea conditions.
While possible, arranging independent transport can be more complex. Most visitors find it easier and more cost-effective to book a package that includes all transfers.
Yes, Dinawan Island is a popular destination for day trips from Kota Kinabalu, offering a refreshing escape with various activities.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entrance fees are typically included in tour packages. Day trip packages often range from RM 150-250 per person, covering boat transfers, lunch, and activities. Overnight stays will be more.
Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, to secure your spot and ensure availability for transport and activities.
Day trip packages usually include return boat transfers, lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Some may also include tea time.
Snorkeling and the use of kayaks and paddleboards are often included free of charge in tour packages.
As a resort island, Dinawan Island is accessible during daylight hours for day trips. Overnight guests can enjoy the island at their leisure.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can enjoy snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs, kayaking, paddleboarding, relaxing on the beach, and for overnight guests, witnessing stunning sunsets and exploring glowing marine life at night.
Absolutely! The snorkeling spots are stunning with massive, alive coral and a variety of colorful fish and sea fauna. It's considered one of the nicest coral experiences by many visitors.
The island features a resort with rooms typically accommodating two people. It's described as a great place for a private vacation with outstanding island accommodations.
Dinawan Island is known for being much less crowded than other popular islands around Kota Kinabalu, with a limited number of boats allowed per day.
The food is generally praised as delicious and plentiful, with packages often including lunch and tea time for day visitors, and full meals for overnight guests.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning shots of the pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs during snorkeling, and the breathtaking sunsets. The clear waters and lush island scenery offer endless photographic possibilities.
Yes, if you have an underwater camera or a waterproof phone case, you can capture the amazing marine life and colorful corals.
The beaches themselves offer fantastic vantage points. For sunsets, the western side of the island is ideal. The resort areas also provide picturesque settings.
Early morning and late afternoon offer beautiful soft light for beach and landscape photography. Midday is great for capturing the vibrant colors underwater. Sunset is, of course, a prime time.
While not explicitly mentioned, drone footage would likely capture the island's beauty from a unique perspective, showcasing its secluded nature and surrounding waters. Always check local regulations before flying.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit