Ferry Routes & Schedules in Sabah
Sabah doesn't have a ferry network like Peninsular Malaysia, but boats are essential for reaching islands and some coastal destinations. Here's every route you need to know.
The island terminal moved. Jesselton Point relocated to South Jetty, inside Kota Kinabalu Port on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, on 1 March 2026. It kept its name — same operator, new address. Do not go to the old waterfront site. The operator describes South Jetty as a temporary base while the original site is redeveloped, so check the address before you travel.
The direct KK–Labuan ferry is suspended. It stopped at the end of March 2026, effective 1 April 2026, and no resumption has been announced. To reach Labuan by sea, go by road to Menumbok and take the ferry from there.
TARP Islands (KK)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Departure | South Jetty, Kota Kinabalu Port (relocated 1 March 2026) |
| Islands served | Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, Gaya (Padang Point), plus Mengalum further out |
| Terminal hours | Daily 7.30am–5pm |
| Boats | First out 8am, last boat out 3pm, last return boat 4pm — no late service |
| Fare, 1 island | RM48 adult / RM43 child |
| Fare, 2 islands | RM58 adult / RM53 child |
| Fare, 3 islands | RM68 adult / RM63 child |
| Fare, 4 islands | RM78 adult / RM73 child |
| Conservation fee, Malaysian | RM8 adult, RM5 aged 13–17, free 12 and under |
| Conservation fee, international | RM25 adult, RM20 aged 17 and under |
| Booking | Walk up to the counter, or book online in advance |
The boat fare covers the return transfer, a life jacket and the safety briefing. Child fares are for ages 3–11; infants under 3 travel free. Multiple licensed operators sell from the same terminal, and combo tickets for 2–4 islands are available.
The conservation fee is separate and is paid at its own counter — bring your MyKad or passport. It is a Sabah Parks charge, levied per person per day, and it covers the whole marine park however many islands you visit. Malaysians aged 12 and under, seniors aged 60 and over and disabled visitors enter free.
The crossing takes about 30 minutes. Sulug is one of the park's five islands but is not on the scheduled counter service — reaching it means chartering. Dinawan is listed by the operator as coming soon, not yet running.
There is no parking at the terminal; the nearest is JQ Central levels 4 to 6, cashless. Sea conditions may affect schedules October–March (monsoon season).
KK to Labuan (suspended)
The Kota Kinabalu–Labuan passenger ferry stopped at the end of March 2026, effective 1 April 2026, and is described by the terminal operator as suspended until further notice. No resumption has been announced as at August 2026. The operator has cited fuel costs and terminal landing charges.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Status | Suspended, no resumption date announced |
| Suspended from | 1 April 2026 |
| Contact for updates | Double Power Sdn Bhd, via the terminal |
| Route that works today | Road to Menumbok, then ferry to Labuan |
| By air | Kota Kinabalu–Labuan flights still operate |
Labuan is a duty-free island — chocolates, alcohol and cigarettes are noticeably cheaper — and it remains a popular weekend trip from Kota Kinabalu. It is just no longer a direct one by sea. Check with the operator before planning around any change in status.
Menumbok to Labuan
This is the working sea route to Labuan. Menumbok is in Kuala Penyu district, roughly 145 km south-west of Kota Kinabalu. Estimates of the drive vary widely — from about 1.5 hours quoted by the terminal operator to around three hours on a scheduled coach — so allow more time than you expect, especially for a fixed sailing.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Route | Menumbok Ferry Terminal → Labuan International Ferry Terminal |
| Operators | Galaxy Ferry (Binabalu Sdn Bhd) and Labuan Ferry (Labuan Point Enterprise Sdn Bhd) |
| Crossing | Roughly 1–2 hours by car ferry — sources vary |
| Departures | Several a day in each direction, from early morning to early evening |
| Vehicle fare | Bicycle RM8 · motorcycle up to 250cc RM15 · larger motorcycle RM30 · car RM40 · MPV, SUV or pickup RM50 · 13-seat van RM60 |
| Speedboat | Also crosses in about 45 minutes; no published timetable |
Neither operator publishes passenger fares on its own booking site, and the sailing counts and crossing times quoted by third-party listings disagree with each other. Buy at the counter, and confirm times the day you travel rather than relying on a printed list.
Getting to Menumbok without a car: coaches run from City Park Terminal, in front of the High Court in Kota Kinabalu, and from KK Sentral — Menumbok Express, Sipitang Express and Borneo Express among them, at roughly RM18–20. None of them publish a timetable online, so check departure times at the terminal.
Labuan to Brunei
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Route | Labuan → Serasa Ferry Terminal, Muara (Brunei) |
| Duration | About 2 hours |
| Frequency | One or two sailings a day |
| Fare | Not published online — check at the terminal |
Passport required. This is an international border crossing — check Brunei visa requirements for your nationality before boarding.
Semporna Island Boats
| Route | Duration |
|---|---|
| Semporna → Kapalai | ~40 min |
| Semporna → Mabul | ~45 min |
| Semporna → Sipadan | ~60 min |
| Semporna → Bohey Dulang | ~45 min |
These are not public ferries — all arranged through dive operators, resorts, or tour packages. You cannot just show up at Semporna jetty and buy a ticket to Sipadan. Sipadan requires a permit (176 per day) booked months in advance.
Turtle Islands (Sandakan)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Departure | Sandakan, daily at 10am (join-in boat) |
| Duration | ~1 hour |
| Type | Overnight only (must stay on island) |
| Booking | Licensed tour operators, advance booking essential |
| Peak nesting | July–October |
Mantanani Island
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Departure | Kota Belud jetty (not Kudat town) |
| Duration | 1–1.5 hours speedboat |
| Booking | Through tour operators |
| Best season | March–September (calm seas) |
River Boats
| River / Route | Type | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kinabatangan River | Motorized longboats | Wildlife cruises — proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills |
| Klias Wetlands | Evening cruises | Firefly watching, ~2h from KK |
| Padas River | Rafting boats | White water rafting, Grade 3–4 rapids |
River boats are arranged through lodges and tour operators, not public services. Kinabatangan wildlife cruises are typically included in 2D1N or 3D2N lodge packages.
General Tips
- Book ahead: Peak season (June–August) boats sell out, especially Sipadan permits
- Seasickness: Carry medication — seas are rougher October–March
- Life jackets: Mandatory on all boats (should be provided)
- Cash: Bring cash for smaller operators — not all accept cards
- Weather cancellations: Common during monsoon. Keep your itinerary flexible
- No plastic bags: Banned across all Sabah Parks from January 1, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Q Is there still a ferry from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan?
Q Where do the island boats leave from now?
Q Can I book ferries online?
Q Do ferries run during monsoon season?
Q Can I take a ferry to Brunei from Sabah?
Q Is seasickness a problem on Sabah ferries?
Q What are luggage limits on ferries?
Q How far in advance should I book Sipadan?
Sources & References 5 sources
Last verified: 18 August 2026