[2025 Mantanani Islands Hotels] Travel Guide for Sutera @ Mantanani Island Resort & Spa (Updated Jul)

#kotakinabalutrip Staying at Sutera Harbour Mantanani Resort in Kota Belud was an unforgettable island getaway—pure peace surrounded by turquoise waters, soft white sands, and palm-fringed serenity. From the moment I arrived by boat, I felt like I had stepped into a hidden paradise. The island itself is remote yet beautifully preserved, and the resort blends right into the natural landscape. My chalet was rustic-chic with all the essential comforts—clean, airy, and just a short stroll from the beach. Falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking up to a sea breeze was simply magical. The staff were friendly and always eager to help, making the whole stay feel personal and relaxed. Meals were simple but tasty, mostly local-style dishes with fresh seafood—great after a day of island adventures. Activities were a major highlight: • Snorkeling right off the beach revealed vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish. • Kayaking during sunset was peaceful and surreal. • And for those who just want to unwind, there are hammocks and quiet corners everywhere to enjoy the view. What I loved most was the secluded atmosphere—no crowds, no noise, just you and nature. It felt like a true escape from the modern world. Whether you’re a couple looking for romance, a solo traveler chasing solitude, or a family seeking nature and simplicity, Sutera Mantanani delivers a raw, unfiltered island experience with just the right amount of comfort. I left feeling recharged, relaxed, and already planning my return.

I arranged a relaxing stay at Sutera Resort at the end of my trip to Malaysia. Before checking in, I needed to email the hotel to book a shuttle bus from Magellan Sutera Resort to the pier. On the day of check-in, I arrived at the Magellan entrance at 11:15 am to register and pay the bus fare (82 MYR/person). The bus departed at 11:30 am. There were only four people on our bus. Because it happened to be Hari Raya Aidilfitri, it took two and a half hours to arrive. Then we took a boat to Mantanani Island. It started raining before the boat departed, but it didn't affect us much. We arrived in about 40 minutes. I stayed in the Chalet Sea View King room type this time. The room was large, but there were no slippers provided, and no laundry service. I had read online reviews and was worried about not having hot water, but there was. After resting for a while, I went to the restaurant to eat. The food was quite good. When I returned to the room, I found a sliced cake prepared for us—so sweet! 😻 I went out to watch the sunset at 6 pm. It was truly beautiful. It got dark on the way back to the hotel, and there were many stars. There's a bonfire every night at 8 pm. Sitting on the lounge chair next to it, listening to the sound of the waves, and having a cocktail was incredibly healing. ❤️‍🩹 We stayed for two nights this time. The hotel arranged a free snorkeling trip at 9 am the next day. The snorkeling spot was about a ten-minute boat ride away. There weren't many fish, but there were a lot of corals. We returned to the hotel around 10:30 am to wash up, eat, and rest. In the afternoon, we rented kayaks for free and played for a while. There's a sunset cruise at 5:30 pm, but I found it very comfortable to stroll along the beach and watch the sunset. 🫶🏻 By the way, there's a RIA base next to the hotel! I was super surprised when I found it! The Sky Mirror is also on the side where you watch the sunset. Many kittens and cows stroll along the shore, and there are also many indigenous people because there's a small village next door. All in all, this vacation was quite good, but the breakfast and activities were a bit monotonous. It's suitable for relaxing.

Just had a holiday If you want a convenient and beautiful island, Sabah is the right choice Tanjong Yalu world-class sunset, the sunset scenery is really amazing Avoid peak hours when calling a taxi, otherwise it will be difficult to get one. And the driver cannot wait for you at the pick-up and drop-off location You must arrive at the designated time before calling a taxi and waiting for the driver. Mermaid Island hopping is definitely a must-stay, a day trip is not enough Two days and one night is just right The hotel will help arrange the activities. The water on the island is crystal clear. Every detail is not sloppy One thing to note is that you need to bring your own water on the island. And the food is really ordinary. We all prepared to heat the hot pot and water💦 Average per capita consumption on the island: less than NT$1,000 🏖️Environment/Facilities: Snorkeling/ATV/Free canoeing/Sunset cruise/Beach volleyball/Deep diving

Beautiful island, clear water and the wave is not so strong which makes us feel calm

This is the place to have a relaxing beach getaway. Tucked away and far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life - here you can relax and enjoy the gorgeous views of crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sands and brilliantly-coloured fish. We even saw a turtle swimming nearby. Charming villas are equipped with modern amenities and the people are very friendly and welcoming. Definitely a place that I will come back to visit again!

There are actually two hotels on Mermaid Island that allow visitors to enjoy a small island vacation, looking at this unpolluted sea, indeed refreshing I chose Sutera@Mantanani, their rooms are designed in small cabins, Full of island residents traditional housing features, very large space 😍 morning Together you can stroll the beach to watch the sunrise, both casual and romantic ✨ Room price includes free snorkeling activities and other water activities, we booked a transparent boat in advance, rowing to the jelly sea center, aerial photography is simply life Photo 🥹 But because it is located on a small island, the water still has a smell, I hope the hotel pays more attention. #globaltravel #sabah #malaysia

#closetonature #100waysoftravel Still by far my favourite island in Sabah - Mantanani Island. While the journey to get there was a bit bumpy—45 minutes in a speedboat that was quite jumpy—the view upon reaching the island was absolutely worth it. The room featured charming wooden vibes that perfectly complemented the tropical setting (though unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of it - only a video which I’m unable to post here apparently). The beauty of the island truly captivated me, especially the corals surrounding it. We had the chance to swim and snorkel around the island. My gosh, the corals.. they were magnificent! So colorful and vibrant, I was in awe of their beauty. That morning, I woke up to the sight of the ocean—the bluest ocean I have ever seen. It felt like I was staring at a painting; the view was just breathtaking and left me speechless. I found myself simply sitting by the sand, soaking in the beauty of my surroundings, and appreciating the tranquility of the island. The resort itself was stunning, with well-maintained grounds that made you feel at one with nature. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring my stay was relaxing. Although the boat ride was a challenge, it only made the reward of being on such a beautiful island even sweeter. I will definitely come back, maybe for a longer stay next time—perhaps even for my honeymoon! This island truly deserves more time to explore and enjoy. If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, Sutera Mantanani is a place I highly recommend. Ps: It’s also worth mentioning that Mantanani Island has other accommodations operating there, so you have options to choose from depending on your preferences.

Mermaid Island is known as a tourist attraction. The crystal-clear water allows you to see the marine life roaming underwater. It's a place you won't regret visiting! All rooms offer sea views. Open the door to see the endless sea, as if you were in the Maldives! ✅Environment The scenery is beautiful, with a large beach. All you can see is the green sea and white beach. At night, you can see the stars and the Milky Way in the night sky. There is no light pollution, which is very surprising and shocking. ✅Rooms The rooms include deluxe rooms, superior cabins, panoramic cabins, and superior villas. All are spacious. The bay window design allows you to enjoy the beach view at any time. Surrounded by fine white sand and swaying coconut trees, the private balcony is unobstructed, allowing you to enjoy the invincible sea view in all directions. This is the best choice for sea viewing! ✅Dining Because there is only one restaurant on the island, everyone eats here. The food is very delicious and there are quite a lot of dishes to choose from, and the portions are large. ✅Leisure There are many water activities, such as parasailing, jet skiing, ATV off-road vehicles, beach volleyball, fishing, paddling, kites, chess, mahjong, and Othello. Rent a drone and wait for the sunset on the beach, and freeze the beautiful moments in the photos. 🏨Silk Mermaid Island Resort 📍Mermaid Island, Kampong Mantanan, Malaysia

🚫 Warning: Not for those who get seasick! 🌴 A dual experience of beauty and bumpiness, are you ready? 📝 Follow my writing and unveil the mystery of Mermaid Island in Kota Kinabalu. --- 🌊 During my 7-day adventure in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, I decided to challenge myself and stay at the Mermaid Island Resort for one night. This decision was not made on a whim but after careful consideration. After all, with children in tow, we wanted to find a place that was both family-friendly and offered the fun of island hopping. Although the nearby islands were very convenient for island hopping, taking just over ten minutes to reach, I longed for the distant crystal-clear seas. 🔍 Here is my detailed comparison of Sapi Island and Mermaid Island: - 🚤 Boat ride: 40 minutes to Mermaid Island, while Sapi Island takes 1 and a half hours (boat ride only, plus about 2 hours' drive to the pier). - 🌪 Boats: Due to the rough seas, choosing a regular pier and boat is crucial. On the day we left the island, we encountered a storm with strong winds and rain, making the boat ride terrifyingly bumpy, and the 40-minute journey became excruciating. (During the rainy season from December to March, the waves are even worse, and there may be cancellations of boat trips) - 🏨 Accommodation: Sapi Island is not yet fully developed, with no hotels or resorts, mainly offering day trips. 🏝 Mermaid Island, also known as Mantanani Island, consists of three small islands. Mantanani Besar is the largest island and the only inhabited area, with some parts developed. - 🏢 Island accommodation: Silk Mermaid Island Resort, the only hotel on the island. - 🌊 Sea and beach: Sapi Island, being further away, has better quality sea water and beaches, while Mermaid Island, despite its trailing sandy beaches, may have its experience affected by the presence of coral and shell fragments, although this does not affect taking beautiful photos. - 🎢 Entertainment and dining: Sapi Island has more activities, while Mermaid Island has its own restaurant and small pub (slightly pricey), with no nightlife, only the sound of the waves to listen to, enjoying a peaceful night. 📸 Despite the bumpiness, the beauty of Mermaid Island remains unforgettable. If you seek tranquility and beautiful scenery and are willing to endure some bumpiness, then this might be a good choice. But please remember, safety first, choosing the right boat and weather to travel is crucial. 👉 Before deciding, be sure to think thrice. I hope my guide can help your trip be both safe and full of surprises! 🌴 Kota Kinabalu Mermaid Island, a bumpy but unforgettable journey, awaits your exploration. 🌴

Sutera@Mantanani is an oasis located on the idyllic island of Mantanani Besar; a hidden gem blessed with natural wonders and rich marine life. a lot activituea can do here such kayaking, beach volleyball, snorkeling, and etc. For non motor activities you can do for free.. Only one restaurant and one bar available. To getting here must take a boat ride from sutera mantanani jetty kota belud. From jetty to resort boat leave at 2.15pm, and from resort to jetty at 1.00pm. Recommended to stay here for 2-3 days.

Amazing experiance to relax n enjoy with friends

45 minutes by boat from the Kota Belud Rampayan Jetty and you'll be transported to this little slice of paradise! Been there at the end of February, 2021 right before MCO implemented, had so much fun with my family. Crystal blue sea, white sandy beach and even have buffalos passing by in the morning. We watch the spectacular evening sunset by joining the sunset cruise@RM15/pax which sails to Lungisan Island whilst capturing the breath-taking orange glow of the sunset from the Western tip of the island. After we had our dinner, we walked along the beach to see the blue tears. These blue tears are actually bright blue bioluminescent planktons which are washed up ashore. As this spectacular phenomena is seasonal, the best time to see it is between March to July, on a moonless night. Unfortunately we could only see a few blue tears that night probably it's not the season.