PULAUMY

Guide No. 19 · Getting there

Route · Pulau Tiga

How to get to Pulau Tiga

Fly to Kota Kinabalu, drive about 2 hours to Kuala Penyu jetty, then cross by speedboat in 20 to 40 minutes. There is no public boat: you go with your resort, a package or a charter.

I

The journey

  1. Kuala LumpurFly to Kota Kinabalu (BKI).
  2. Kota Kinabalu airportRoad about 100 km to Kuala Penyu, about 2 h. Resort pickup on request, or your package's transfer.
  3. Kuala Penyu jettySpeedboat 20–40 min: Borneo Eagle's boat at 10:30 or 15:00, a package boat or a charter.
  4. Pulau TigaThe park jetty, or Borneo Eagle Resort's own pier on the south-east tip.

From Kota Kinabalu, allow about 2.5 hours to the island, more when the sea is rough. Facts checked 9 November 2026 against operators.

II

Ways across

FromModeTimeFare
Kuala Penyu jettyBorneo Eagle guests, resort boatSpeedboat20–40 min–
Kuala Penyu jettyDay trips and packages from Kota KinabaluSpeedboat20–40 min–

There is no public boat and no published per-seat fare, so the table shows a dash. Borneo Eagle's scheduled boat is included in its room rate; at other times the resort charters a boat at RM510 one way or RM1,020 return, per boat (RM710 or RM1,420 between 19:00 and 07:00). Sabah Parks gives the crossing as about 20 minutes; other sources say 30 to 40.

III

Public boats

Borneo Eagle Resort boat, guests only, included in the room rate
Kuala Penyu to Borneo Eagle
  • 10:30
  • 15:00
Borneo Eagle to Kuala Penyu
  • 11:15
  • 16:00

Borneo Eagle guests take the morning or afternoon boat out on their check-in day and back on their check-out day. Rain and rough seas often delay boats, so do not book a flight home for the same afternoon.

IV

Step by step

  1. Book a stay or a package

    There is no public boat, so arrange the crossing before you go. Borneo Eagle Resort's boat comes with the room. Kota Kinabalu agents sell day trips and overnight packages with the road transfer and boat; one agent's package includes the park and jetty fees.

    No public boat

  2. Fly to Kota Kinabalu

    Kota Kinabalu (BKI) is the airport for Pulau Tiga. Sandakan and Tawau are on the wrong side of Sabah.

    Airport BKI

  3. Drive to Kuala Penyu

    The jetty is beside the Pulau Tiga Park office in Kuala Penyu, about 100 km and 2 hours by road from Kota Kinabalu airport. Borneo Eagle arranges an airport pickup on request; packages include the transfer.

    About 100 km · about 2 h

  4. Cross and pay the park fee

    The speedboat takes 20 to 40 minutes. Borneo Eagle's boat leaves Kuala Penyu at 10.30 am and 3 pm and returns from the resort at 11.15 am and 4 pm. Sabah Parks charges RM20 a day for non-Malaysian adults and RM6 for Malaysian adults, unless your package includes it.

    20–40 min · RM20 / RM6 a day

V

Questions

How long is the boat from Kuala Penyu to Pulau Tiga?

20 to 40 minutes by speedboat. Sabah Parks says about 20 minutes; most other sources say about 30. It takes longer in rough seas.

Is there a public ferry to Pulau Tiga?

No. You cross with Borneo Eagle Resort's boat, with a day trip or package from Kota Kinabalu, or on a chartered boat.

How much is the Pulau Tiga park fee?

Sabah Parks charges per person per day: RM20 for non-Malaysians aged 18 and over, RM12 for those 17 and under, RM6 for Malaysian adults and RM2 for Malaysians aged 13 to 17. Malaysians aged 12 and under or 60 and over go free. The mud bath is extra.

Is Pulau Tiga open all year?

Yes. No source reports a seasonal closure. From October to January, boats are more often delayed or cancelled by rain and rough seas.

NextWhere to stay on Pulau Tiga