it's private island, this is my first time been there, i was from nearest village..i didnt go by this travel agent but it's a great place for vacation , relax and snorkeling..the coral so beautiful, worth to go.. i've been to krabi..this island better than krabi..if u go sabah better visit this island..😍
This resort is now operating as Dinawan Island Resort. You need to contact Marudu Express Travel in Kota Kinabalu to book.
Dinawan is a gorgeous, tiny island just off the coast of KK (about 40 mins road plus 10 mins speedboat transfer from the city centre). Little Dinawan is connected by a sand spit and shallow lagoon to another slightly bigger island. Both islands are forested can be explored by foot. One side is rocky, the other is sandy beach. Lots of marine/coastal critters and bird life. The resort is on the tiny island. Rustic wooden chalets are dotted right around the island. The ones nearest the restaurant face the lagoon, then it's a steep climb to a series of cliff-top ones with direct views out to sea, then down again to a set of sea-side ones. They are basic but comfortable, with good-sized balconies with views, large beds and desks. Some have A/C, but with the sea breeze you don't really need it. Power is generally only available at night. Showers are cold-water only. Cleanliness was only average.
Snorkelling trips (beach and boat) are organised twice a day or you can go out on our own at any time. We found the beach snorkelling very murky (early February). Kayaks are available for free use. Resort staff clean the beach nearest the restaurant each day, but elsewhere there is quite a bit of plastic rubbish, seaweed and coral debris on the beach - don't expect long stretches of clean, white sand. The water off the beaches is mostly shallow and warm. Beautiful views of sunset over the lagoon and ocean and sunrise over Mt Kinabalu.
Ample food is available four times a day, though the menu gets monotonous over the course of a few days. The food style is mostly Chinese-Malay. Tea and coffee are available all day. Staff were very friendly and eager to please.
There seems to be a lot of unrealised potential at this place. It could be a brilliant low-key resort, but it seems that the cabins have a very low occupancy rate and several buildings have fallen out of use. There's an unfinished appearance to much of the resort, and we had trouble finding information about the place on the web. Large groups of Chinese tourists came in for day trips every afternoon (we were there during the Chinese New Year holidays, probably at other times of year this wouldn't be such a regular occurrence), but after they'd left it was very quiet. We were the only westerners there and received royalty treatment, which we were a bit puzzled by! I'd be interested to return in a few years to see what happens to this place.
Spent the day here.....managed by sunborneo tours.....very pro outfit....highly recommended day trip if you are in kotakinabulu. ....we did lunch... dinner ....punctuated with snorkeling trips out to the various coral reefs....seafood bbq feast for dinner...soent time lying on beach...boys went kayaking. ...much better than many of the other islands close to Kinabalu. ...do it
It was a wonderful holiday experience for my family of 7, oldest being my mom at 90 yrs and youngest, my nephew of 17 yrs old. The island is idyllic and tranquil with a quiet yet most enchanting beauty, always full of delightful surprises from nature. The boat ride from the river jetty to the island was most scenic. On arrival we were welcomed not only by the friendly resort staff but two really friendly dogs who kept us safe throughout our stay as our watch guards! There was a beautiful hornbill that flew by on the trees on arrival, seemingly welcoming us too. The food was authentically local. We canoed and walked around the island. I went snorkeling for hours as there was so much to explore especially at dusk, all the critters started to be really active. The juvenile leather jackets and school of little banded catfish were my most delightful sightings. The millions of small fish at the jetty was quite a sight from above the water and even more amazing while snorkeling. Had two dives there and it was most exciting as the dive sites are pristine and never been explored before. Corals and vegetation are healthy and I sighted a few exotic nudibranhs. The whole family went for a fun boat fishing trip one afternoon, catching many fish within a short time. The sunrise and sunsets in this island were most awesome! I can't help but constantly sing joyful praises to my creator.
Thank you RimaVilnius for inclusive review!
Dinawan must be one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited and I have traveled quite a bit. The laguun, beaches and waves pouring in are like a paradise dream. Unfortunately they have still some work to do with trash on beaches, but it wasn't bad though. We visited Dinawan in July and were the only customers.
Room was clean and spacious. I liked the feeling, it's kinda cozy with a rough edge. You won't need a marble ball to tell that floor is not level though ;) No aircon, but it didn't bother. Bed was comfortable and wide. Blankets could be better, but it didn't bother that much. Toilet was western type and clean. There was no hot water, but it didn't bother us either. As RimaVilnius said, view from lagoon chalet is just amazing.
Food was quite basic, but good. They made so many kinds that there's something for everyone. And the amount of food was ridiculous! We couldn't even eat one thirds of what they made for us.
Service was polite, and they offered us everything we asked for. Unfortunately they speak very poor English so you cannot have conversations with them.
Snorkeling was really good too…snorkeling and relaxing were the reasons we came for. We saw wide variety of colorful coral and it was healthy and growing. Actually it was hard to see much dead coral. We saw many nemos and really big ones too, but unfortunately we didn't see as much other fishes as we hoped. I have been snorkeling in Sangalaki, Tioman and many places in Thailand and they have been better places to spot fishes, but on Dinawan the coral was really good. We visited Dinawan during southwest monsoon so the water was not crystal clear, but ok for snorkeling though. The best places are not near the beach, but they take you few hundred meters away from the beach with boat and wait until you have seen each coral in the sea…and it's all free!
The island is close to KK, but still it is very quiet and feels really remote. From KK downtown it takes about 25 minutes to reach Kinarut where the boat leaves. Boat ride takes about 15 minutes. And there it lies…the perfect getaway destination for those who are not looking for luxury resort, but rather natural peace.
Despite a few very small downsides this place is just wonderful. As a whole our two night trip to Dinawan was unforgettable and just what we were looking for…relaxation and beauty above and under water.
