Many adults can be seen snorkelling at a small group of reefs further out. The corals are very interesting as many of them look like the human brain. Common tropical fish, like sergeant fish, butterflies fish, and including the much talk about crown fish can be found here.
This Sapi Island’s Beach is also very picturesque, with the huge green forest of Gaya Island on one side, and the distant buildings of Kota Kinabalu city as the back ground.
After passing through the park entrance, most visitors will head off to the short white sandy beach which stretches from the jetty to the western rocky cliff. Wooden tables and seats are provided put there are not many, some visitors might have to use floor mate to settle down their belongings.
For those who choose to settle down under the trees that are near to the forest, do keep an watchful eyes on the macaque monkeys which are known to prey on visitors’ belongings.
Forest trails with well maintain walk way that go around the island are a good way to learn more about the island nature habitats. During low tide the sea water decreases so low that it allow ones to walk around the island along the beaches, although some part is more challenging with rocky surfaces.
The strong aroma from the food preparation for the lunch time meal, never fail to bring out the island monitor lizards, which inhabit the near by forest. A group of 6 to 8 monitor lizards with size ranging from 3 to 5 feet can be seen forwarding to the BBQ stand. Clawing on all four limbs and with a thin long tongue, these big lizard like creatures also attract many on lookers.
Having lunch under the many different species of trees at Sapi Island is a wonderful experience. These big trees characterized with many branches and thick leaves provides cooling shade from the strong sun. Special lunch packages are served at the Sapi Island, but one must booked this through the tour agents.
Sapi Island together with Gaya Island, Mamutik Island, Manukan Island and Sulug Island made up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, which is located just off the shore of Kota Kinabalu City. With an area of 0.1 sq km, Sapi island is dwarfed in size compares with the near by Gaya Island, the largest of the five islands. Over the years a good rivalry has built up between Manukan Island and Sapi Island, where visitors have to choose between better facilities and bigger Manukan Island or the small but rich in nature beauty of Sapi Island.
