7-Day Luxury Vacation in Sabah on Borneo

Embark on your luxury vessel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s capital and largest city as well as one of the country’s most important industrial and commercial centers. For guests wishing to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life during their luxury charter getaway, the yacht will sail straight away to the southwest to the island of Pulau Tiga.

The island is known for having set the stage for the original Survivor: Borneo where the first series of this popular reality show was filmed. Pulau Tiga is one of the small uninhabited islands in Kimanis Bay that were formed at the end of the 19th century following an earthquake that caused a volcanic eruption on Borneo. A couple of mud volcanoes tower the island while it is blessed with warm bubbling mud baths which are not only relaxing but also therapeutic. Go hiking on numerous nature trails through the jungle whose exotic fauna includes hornbill, wild boar, giant monitor lizards and macaques.

Anchor off Pulau Tiga for the night.

Start your day off with a refreshing swim in the warm waters of the Kimanis Bay and prepare for a short sail northward to Pulau Mengalum where you will have the chance to fish for tropical catches that the Chef will willingly prepare for lunch or dinner. These waters abound in dogtooth and yellow fin tuna, barracuda, mackerel, snapper or mahi-mahi. In part a government-protected bird sanctuary, Mengalum is a favorite among charter guests and locals alike who appreciate the island’s white powdery beaches, crystalline waters, a rich marine life and natural wonders galore.

The yacht anchors off Pulau Mengalum for the night.

With impeccable visibility, the passage up north to the three Mantanani islands reveals great views of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. The island sports fabulous diving conditions and each avid amateur will thrill at the thought of exploring the wreck of a Japanese vessel dating back to World War II. The main inhabitants of the surrounding waters are dugongs, also known as “sea cows”, while birdwatchers will have the unique opportunity of observing birds that usually nest on these islands, and that’s because of their immaculateness and lack of terrestrial predators.

Today you will explore the northern tip of Borneo with deserted beaches stretching over the horizon and a number of offshore islands to discover while beachcombing or venturing inland. This is one of the most pristine rural regions of Borneo, home to the Rungus longhouse in the town of Kudat which is the tribe’s traditional communal home. The Rungus people are an indigenous tribe inhabiting Borneo known for their weaving, beadwork and traditional music.

Past Borneo’s northernmost tip are three offshore islands, Banggi, Balambangan and Malawali, destined to become Malaysia’s newest and largest marine park. They are all populated with indigenous people who live in total isolation from the modern world and keep their ancestral traditions alive. This utopia is a genuine escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the natural beauty is present on every corner with secluded beaches, dense jungle, limestone bluffs, crystal waters, enchanting coves, vivid reefs and verdant mangroves.

The yacht anchors off the marine park for the night.

The time of this luxury charter retreat is slowly coming to an end and today you will sail back southwest to where the trip began in Kota Kinabalu. While onboard, enjoy fishing, reading, sunbathing on the flybridge, relaxing on the aft deck or lounging around in the main saloon. In the afternoon you will reach Ambong Bay, welcoming you with celestial beaches and clear waters. The yacht drops anchor here for the night so you can enjoy a sumptuous romantic dinner on the beach or onboard.

When the yacht reaches Kota Kinabalu, you will have enough time to explore the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and enjoy last-minute swimming or snorkeling. Guests wishing to disembark early can choose to spend their last day on Borneo playing golf, shopping for souvenirs, enjoying a sumptuous meal in one of the restaurants or even a night out downtown if the flight is scheduled for the next day.