Top Experiences and Travel Essentials in Kota Kinabalu
Discover 63 Water activities in Kota Kinabalu on Trip.com, updated 20 July 2026, with experiences lasting from 1 to 9 hours. Find the perfect adventure for your day!
From S$ 26.50 per person, with an average total of S$ 85.68. Choose the option that suits your plan.
With 896 verified reviews, Water activities Kota Kinabalu boast an average rating of 4.7.
This week's most popular Water activities: "[Summer Mega Sale] Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - Mangrove Forest Tour - Scuba Diving Optional", with 276 reviews and a 4.5 rating.
Now on Trip.com: "1-Day Tour to Sapi Island Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia + Manukan Island [Snorkeling/Water Tours + Seafood BBQ Lunch]", a 5-hour adventure in Kota Kinabalu!
The next available day tour departs on 21 July 2026. Book now to secure your spot!
Kota Kinabalu Water activities usually take about 5 hours — perfect for a relaxed, immersive experience!
85% of Kota Kinabalu Water activities now offer English-speaking guides
July is perfect for visiting Kota Kinabalu! Choose from 63 available day tours, including seasonal hits like [Summer Mega Sale] Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - Mangrove Forest Tour - Scuba Diving Optional.
Your trip, worry-free! All day tours are run by licensed suppliers with verified reviews, and many include free cancellation before departure.
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63 results for Kota Kinabalu Water activities
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Recommended
Duration: 5.4 hrsEnglish4.4/5Very good· 75 reviews· 1.5k bookedFromS$ 56.23
Trip.Select
Duration: 9.3 hrsEnglish4.7/5Outstanding· 27 reviews· 970 bookedFromS$ 63.28
Duration: 6.5 hrsEnglish4.5/5Excellent· 200 reviews· 4k booked5% offLimited-time saleFromS$ 54.87S$ 57.76
Duration: 2.5 hrs4.8/5Outstanding· 8 reviews· 213 bookedFromS$ 26.50
Trip.SelectDuration: 6.4 hrsEnglish4.7/5Outstanding· 188 reviews· 2.5k bookedFromS$ 72.24
Trip.SelectDuration: 8 hrsEnglish5.0/5Perfect· 28 reviews· 202 bookedFromS$ 60.42
Duration: 7.9 hrsEnglish4.5/5Excellent· 276 reviews· 3.7k bookedFromS$ 69.95
Trip.SelectDuration: 2.5 hrsEnglish5.0/5Perfect· 13 reviews· 154 bookedFromS$ 28.38
English4.6/5Excellent· 9 reviews· 356 bookedFromS$ 30.12
Duration: 9.5 hrsEnglish5.0/5Perfect· 8 reviews· 126 bookedFromS$ 80.44
Duration: 5.5 hrsEnglish3.8/5· 9 reviews· 287 bookedFromS$ 58.33
FromS$ 473.45
Duration: 4.6 hrsEnglishFromS$ 77.98
Duration: 3 hrsMandarin4.4/5Very good· 44 reviews· 1.4k bookedFromS$ 30.12
Duration: 6.4 hrsEnglish5.0/5Perfect· 3 reviews· 139 bookedFromS$ 56.19
Duration: 6.6 hrsEnglish5.0/5Perfect· 1 review· 168 bookedFromS$ 80.88
Duration: 6.6 hrsEnglishFromS$ 93.58
Duration: 2.9 hrsEnglishFromS$ 177.13
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Reviews/Trip Moments
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Reviews: 1-Day Tour to Sapi Island Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia + Manukan Island [Snorkeling/Water Tours + Seafood BBQ Lunch]
Guest User2026-03-25
Punctual pick-up and drop-off, small tour group, easy-to-manage guide. Sapi Island has clear water, white sand, and plenty of fish, a great place for snorkeling. Manukan Island also has clear water, but not many fish. Guide Zhihong is good. Worth the trip.★
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Reviews: 1-day tour to Sapi Island Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia and Manukan Island with snorkeling, parasailing and water sports - Kota Kinabalu island hopping
Guest User2026-05-08
This five-day, four-night adventure in Kota Kinabalu combined the romance of the sea with the thrill of the mountains, every moment filled with surprises. This perfect experience was all thanks to the meticulous planning of our butler, Fatty Star. Arriving in Kota Kinabalu from Shanghai at dawn, the driver was already waiting at the airport exit, smoothly taking me to the hotel so I could catch up on sleep and recharge without having to drag my luggage.
The sunset paddleboarding on the second day was incredibly romantic. Lying on the board, gently swaying with the waves, watching the orange-red sunset paint the sea into a shimmering gold, the sea breeze carrying the scent of coconut all melted away the fatigue of the journey. The trip to Mantanani Island combined with the Kawa Mangrove Forest was full of surprises. I upgraded to an introductory scuba diving experience in advance, and Fatty Star thoughtfully prepared detailed preparations and safety instructions. The dive guide was professional and patient, leading me to explore the colorful underwater world. After nightfall, the fireflies dancing in the sky were like stars falling into the forest, a breathtakingly magical sight.
The last-minute addition of the Mount Kinabalu paragliding activity was quickly arranged by him, with thoughtful reminders about attire and precautions. The feeling of soaring freely over the majestic Mount Kinabalu and the winding coastline from the air was unforgettable. The three segments of the return trip were seamlessly connected, with helpful itinerary reminders throughout. Any needs were handled properly, and even highly-rated local seafood restaurants were accurately recommended. This trip was completely stress-free, enjoyable, and unforgettable. I sincerely recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu.★
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Reviews: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - Mantanani Island Day Trip [Summer Special! Includes scuba diving/Multiple diving bases to choose from]
Guest User2026-01-31
The boat trip takes about an hour and a half each way. Those sitting in the front are more prone to seasickness and vomiting, while those in the back avoid this problem, although the very last row is more likely to get wet. Aside from the long journey, the seawater on the island is incredibly clear. Even non-swimmers can gradually learn the ropes with the instructor's help. The product descriptions and actual products match. For those who don't want to pay extra, you can prepare your own supplies beforehand to avoid additional charges. The staff are very friendly, and the food is quite delicious. Overall, it was a good trip.★
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Reviews: Kota Kinabalu sunset paddleboard, Tanjung Aru sunset paddleboard SUP, professional coach, stand-up paddleboard, Sabah city half-day tour
Guest User2026-05-18
A perfect experience! Not only did we get to paddleboard in the rain, but we also saw a beautiful sunset. Lulu and another lovely instructor were both wonderful; they took amazing photos and provided perfect emotional support. Even after we left, the beautiful instructor noticed some photos hadn't been transferred and chased after us to send them. They offer service in both Chinese and English. Lulu is an excellent photographer—highly recommended!!!★
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Reviews: Sabah Mantanani Island Day Trip [Limited-Time Special Offer | New Resort | Optional Diving/Mangrove Retreat]
Guest User2026-04-08
The customer service was excellent, the itinerary was well-planned, and they provided pick-up and drop-off service with timely reminders. The scenery on Mermaid Island is unbeatable, swimming in the Jellyfish Bay is fantastic, the tour guide was very responsible, and the boat and car drivers were excellent – their skills were superb! The lunch on the island was also delicious; I ate two pieces of the fried fish!★
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Reviews: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - Mantanani Island Snorkeling Day Trip: Mantanani Island Romance RIA - Sky Mirror Mangrove Firefly Tour
Guest User2026-04-04
Mantanani Island is absolutely gorgeous! I was lucky enough to be assigned to boat number 5, and the atmosphere on the boat was fantastic!! The "jelly-like" sea at Mantanani Island truly lives up to its name; the water is crystal clear, the sand is white and fine, and we saw so many corals and small fish while snorkeling – it was a truly therapeutic day! I must give a shout-out to the young man who accompanied us; he started performing as soon as we boarded, was incredibly enthusiastic, and amazing at creating a lively atmosphere. His service was attentive and thoughtful throughout, patiently guiding us and ensuring everyone's safety while snorkeling. The biggest surprise was the afternoon dance on the beach – his dance moves were amazing, full of energy, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a climax. Everyone joined in the fun, making our otherwise relaxing island trip incredibly joyful and unforgettable!
The itinerary was well-planned, and the lunch was great with fish, shrimp, and crab! The boat trip was comfortable, and the overall experience was perfect. I highly recommend Mantanani Island! And a huge shout-out to the young man on boat number 5! Excellent service, energetic, and having him with us made the trip so much fun – I'll definitely recommend it to my friends! A word of warning to everyone: I went to RIA the first day and thought it was great, so I planned to try it the next day! Oh my god, it was a world of difference! RIA was terrible! They had nothing! Even the food was rubbish! It was hot and dirty, and a bottle of Coke cost 15 dollars, while at RIA it was only 5 dollars and water was unlimited! The Wi-Fi at RIA was free! At RIA, you had to buy a Coke to connect! Everyone, definitely go to RIA, don't go to RIA!
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