Malaysia
In the Celebes Sea off the northeastern coast of Sabah, where the continental shelf drops away into abyssal depths that harbor some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet, Bohey Dulang rises from the waters of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park as the remnant of an ancient volcanic caldera. This small, uninhabited island—part of a cluster that includes the more famous Sipadan—is the second largest in a marine park established to protect one of the most biodiverse coral reef systems in the world. The Bajau Laut, or Sea Nomads, who have lived in these waters for centuries, building their entire civilization on boats and stilt houses above the reef, have long understood what marine scientists are only now documenting: that these waters contain concentrations of marine life found virtually nowhere else.
The defining experience of Bohey Dulang is the hike to its summit viewpoint, a moderately challenging climb of approximately 600 meters that rewards visitors with what many consider the most spectacular vista in all of Malaysian Borneo. From the peak, the volcanic caldera reveals itself as a lagoon of impossible turquoise, encircled by forested ridges and dotted with the stilt villages of the Bajau Laut. The surrounding Celebes Sea stretches to the horizon in gradients of blue, and on clear days the distant peaks of the Philippines are visible across the water. The descent through tropical forest is accompanied by birdsong and the occasional rustle of monitor lizards in the undergrowth.
The marine environment of Bohey Dulang and the surrounding Tun Sakaran Marine Park supports over 600 species of coral—more than the entire Caribbean Sea combined—and thousands of species of reef fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. Snorkeling directly from the beach reveals gardens of staghorn, table, and brain coral in water of crystal clarity, while deeper dives along the outer walls of the caldera encounter schools of barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, and reef sharks. Green and hawksbill turtles are commonly sighted, and the nutrient-rich upwellings from the deep Celebes basin attract whale sharks and manta rays during certain seasons.
The cultural dimension of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park adds depth to the natural spectacle. The Bajau Laut communities within the park represent one of the last maritime nomadic peoples on earth, their lives structured entirely around the sea. Their children learn to swim before they can walk, and the free-diving abilities of Bajau fishermen—who can descend to depths exceeding twenty meters on a single breath—have been shown to involve genuine physiological adaptations including enlarged spleens. Visiting the stilt villages, with their vibrantly painted houses and fleets of lepa-lepa boats, offers a window into a way of life that is rapidly changing under pressure from modernization and marine resource depletion.
Bohey Dulang is accessed by boat from Semporna on Sabah's eastern coast, a journey of approximately forty-five minutes. The marine park requires entry permits, which must be arranged through licensed tour operators in Semporna—daily visitor numbers are strictly limited to protect the fragile ecosystem. The driest months from March through October offer the best conditions for both hiking and diving, with April through June providing the calmest seas and best visibility. The island has no accommodation or facilities; all visits are day trips. Sturdy hiking shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, and snorkeling equipment are essential.