Sapi Island, Marine park islet in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Sapi Island is a 25-acre islet within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park surrounded by white sand beaches and clear tropical waters. The island has different sections for swimming and snorkeling, with shallow reefs and marine habitats in the coastal areas.
The island became part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in 1974 as a protected marine area. This designation helped safeguard the surrounding coral reefs and ocean habitats from damage and overfishing.
The southern waters around the island show signs of traditional fishing practices that have shaped local life for generations. You can see fishing boats and equipment that reflect how communities here have always depended on the sea.
Visitors reach the island by regular boat service from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu, with the journey taking about 20 minutes. The water near the beach is shallow at first but gets deeper quickly, so swimmers should be cautious based on their abilities.
The southeastern section has a coral garden where stingrays, cuttlefish, and moray eels live among the branching corals and can be seen by snorkelers. This shallow area is one of the easiest places in the region to spot both corals and larger sea creatures.
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