Pulau Manukan, Marine island in Sabah, Malaysia
Pulau Manukan is an island off the coast of Sabah with a long stretch of white sand beach on its southern side, where the water is clear and coral reefs lie near the shore. The island is served by speedboats from Kota Kinabalu and draws visitors who enjoy snorkeling and swimming.
The island formed about one million years ago when rising sea levels separated it from the Crocker Range sandstone formation. It later became part of a protected marine area created to safeguard the coral reefs and wildlife.
The Marine Education Center displays regional sea life and teaches visitors about conservation efforts in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The exhibits show how important it is to protect these waters for the local environment.
Visitors can take regular speedboats from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu to the island, with the journey taking about 30 minutes. It is wise to arrive early and bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes for exploring, and a backpack with water.
The western side of the island has rare mangrove trees that create a different environment from the beaches. A path of about 1.5 kilometers leads through these mangrove areas to Sunset Point, where visitors can watch the sun sink over the sea.
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