About the Island
Mantanani Islands 美人鱼岛 is a group of three isolated islands located northwest of Kota Belud, about an hour's drive from the state capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. These islands are approximately 60 minutes boat-ride by speedboat from the mainland (depends on sea condition). The islands boast of crystal clear blue waters filled with a myriad of marine life and white sandy beaches fringed by coconut palm trees making it an excellent destination for snorkeling, scuba diving or island hopping. One of the main reasons that Mantanani Islands is popular for local and tourists alike is because of its picturesque scenery, cool breezes and serene environment.
About the Resort
Bembaran Beach Resort (Dive Lodge) is located right on dugong beach. Dugong beach is one of Mantanani's most beautiful and private beaches. The beach offers a spectacular view of crystal clear emerald green waters filled with rich marine life and naturally architected with soft powder sand laced with coconut trees. Dugong beach is a secluded cove situated at the east section of Mantanani Island. The beach is facilitated with an eating area, barbeque equipments, canteen, beach chairs, hammocks, toilets and changing rooms. Extra activities such as volleyball, beach football and sea kayaking are available. The island was once known for the sightings of "dugongs" by the indigenous locals (Ubian). Lately, it has been reported of fewer sightings of the creature but the beautiful island promise a remarkable underwater journey. The sheltered bays around the island provide a suitable place for many underwater creatures.
How to Get Here
Located at northwest of Kota Belud and approximately 80 km from Kota Kinabalu, Mantanani Island is a truly one of its kind destination. To get to Mantanani, one would have to take a direct flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Kota Belud by road, which takes about 90 minutes. Your journey to the island starts from the river jetty at Rampayan Laut, Kota Belud. The journey takes about 45 - 60 minutes (depending on weather) by speedboat.
Bembaran Beach Resort is a gorgeous beach chalet accommodation meters away from the white sands of Mantanani Island. It is situated in the West Coast Division overlooking South China Sea with Mt. Kinabalu right behind. Set between the island and the sea, Bembaran Beach Resort offers guests the space to relax, and room to move. Enjoy the beach, landscape and tropical beauty which reflects Bembaran Beach Resort’s Borneo heritage.
There is no shopping facility on the island just yet, but you could still get somethings like snacks and beverages at the fishing village shop. Anything important and necessary is advisable to be brought by you from mainland.
Mobile phone reception has already been resolve where by March 2013, a “Maxis Telecommunication Tower” will be installed at the back of our resort; in which will provide good mobile reception/network to the island. The dive lodge is also a WiFi zone.
ACCOMMODATION
Bembaran Beach Resort/Dive Lodge offers guests with basic facilities. Every "Kampung" chalet is furnish with lighting, socket points, ceiling/wall fan, air-con & atttach bathroom. All bathrooms are not equipped with hot water. Every room is furnished with a dressing table and cupboard to put belongings. Currently, there are 2 Small Chalets which can accommodate 2 people per chalet and 9 Big Chalets which can accommodate 4 people per room. The total occupancy is a total of 40 people. Because the dive lodge is new, feedbacks and comments are most welcome for improvement. Guests are put up with beds, pillows, blankets, towels and basic toilet amenities. Guests are reminded to bring personal toiletries. Please bring along insect repellent for your personal comfort as every guest is in the natural environment of the island. Therefore, wet places especially bushy areas are where mosquitos are most active importantly in the evening. Please be caution. Mosquito Coil may be provided upon request.
Twin-Share Room:
Air-Conditioned Room with Fan and Bathroom
MEALS
Full board meals are provided at the lodge's Bembaran Cafe.
Breakfast (0700hrs - 0900hrs)
Lunch (1200hrs - 1400hrs)
Dinner (1800hrs - 2000hrs)
After Hours: We have ala cate menu that you could request from the bar shop and it is chargeable locally at the lodge.
It is advisable to bring along extra food like BBQ items (for supper), snacks and soft beverages in case their daily supply is not sufficient for guests. Hard beverages can be purchased with the island crew. Please notify the crew at the departure jetty for early preparation.
CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT
All reserve or confirm rooms will be ready for check-in 1400hrs on day of arrival.
Check out time is no later 1030hrs on the day of departure.
The boat leaves on time, please ensure all bills have been settled and rooms cleared by 1030hrs.
The boat will not wait for late check outs unless with prior arrangement and acceptance.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Bembaran's electricity supply is available from 1800hrs to 0600hrs daily. It is powered by our three(3) resort generators. The electricity supply voltage is 240v, 50-cycle system. A 3 square pin contact plug is needed.
Bembaran’s electricity supply is available from 1730hrs to 1900hrs daily. It is powered by our three (3) resort generators. Currently, the government’s electrical supply (island generators located at the main fishing village) is not able to support most of the resorts/lodges at Mantanani Island, as it is already powering the two (2) island fishing villages. They are undergoing upgrades in the near future. Hence, the limited supply of power at the moment.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL AT THE RESORT - CHARGES PER DAY
Snorkel Set A (Including Mask, Snorkel, Fins & Booties) - MYR 30/- Per Set
Snorkel Set B (Including Mask, Snorkel & Fins ONLY) - MYR 25/- Per Set
Diving Set (Including BCD, Regulator , Mask, Fins, Booties, Wetsuit) - MYR 85/-Per Set
Mask - MYR 10/- Per Set
Prescription Mask - MYR 30/- Per Set (MYR 200/- refundable cash deposit required)
Snorkel - MYR 8/- net Per Set
Fins - MYR 10/- Per Set
Booties - MYR 8/- Per Set
BCD - MYR 25/- Per Set
Regulator - MYR 25/- Per Set
Wetsuit - MYR 25/- Per Set
Torch - MYR 25/- Per Set
Additional Items
Non guest Renting Scuba Tank - MYR 20/- Per Tank
Refilling of own Scuba Tank - MYR 10/- Per Tank
Lost Weight - MYR 10/- Each
Lost Weight belt - MYR 30/- Each
Mouthpiece - MYR 30/- Each
Mask Strap - MYR 30/- Each
Fin Strap - MYR 40/- Each
Fin Clip - MYR 10/- Each
Snorkel Holder - MYR 10/- Each
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN THE RESORT
(Subject to sea & weather conditions)
MANTANANI ISLAND WATER SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Parasailing - min 2 person / per ride (15 mins) MYR 95/- per pax
Jet Ski - min 2 person / per ride (30 mins) MYR 170/- per pax
Banana Boat ride - min 3 person / per ride (15 mins) MYR 40/- per pax
Fly Fish ride - min 2 person / per ride (15 mins) MYR 70/- per pax
*Prices are subject to change
THINGS TO DO AT MANTANANI
Snorkeling - Take a sneak peak into another world. Yes, the marine world. One can snorkel along the beach or follow our boat trips to snorkeling sites.
Scuba Diving - Tons of diving sites to uncover. For serious dives, we have wreck sites as well.
Discover Scuba Diving - allows those interested in scuba diving to experience what it's like to dive by completing some basic training and completing one or more dives under the close, direct supervision of a professional.
Open Water to Advance Certification - Get certified with us and dive around the world.
Sea Kayaking - Explore the waters of the island by yourself our with a mate.
Bird Watching - The islands are important to pelagic species, wintering migrants and residents although the diversity is not great (28 species). Pelagic species such as the Frigatebirds (Christmas Island, Great and Lesser) have been recorded roosting in great numbers on Pulau Mantanani Kecil and Pulau Lungisan, one of the very few localities in Sabah where these migratory species can be found. These islands are estimated to hold 2,000-3,000 Frigatebirds Fregata spp. during peak season, with mostly juveniles and sub-adults (Møller, 2002).Other Near Threatened species that has been recorded are the endemic Mantanani Scops-owl Otus mantananensis, Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii, Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica and Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis (Boden Kloss, 1930; Møller, 2002; Sheldon, 1983; Smythies, 1981).
Island or Village Walkabout - Exploring the island a little more is an interesting experience. A stroll along the beach in either direction leads you to local villages. It would be best to dress casual and for females to cover up their upper body while walking in the village. The villages themselves are a collection of hand crafted homes made from whatever materials the locals can afford. The locals are all very friendly and just as curious of tourists as we are of them. The children are always the first to shout “hello!” and wave to you. Some even posing for photos and asking you your name. There’s also a small herd of cows on the island most of which spend their time on the beach near the village.
Sunset Cruise - Watch as night uncovers on the island. Enjoy the back drop of South China Sea while having your drinks onboard. @ MYR 60/- per person - Upon Special Request with a minimum group of 10.
Night Island Walkabout - Walk under the stars and moon.
Bon Fire “Sing Song” Gathering - Enjoy the night telling stories and singing songs around a bon fire. Please ask our island crew.
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