Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is an archipelago of reef sites, almost all reached by boat, with a character shaped by shallow coral gardens, pinnacles, and the occasional wall. The site mix skews strongly towards beginner-friendly depths, though a handful of intermediate sites such as Mikey's Ear and Hanging Gardens add more vertical terrain. Common Clownfish, Titan Triggerfish, Bluespotted Fantail Ray, and Giant Moray are among the most reliably sighted species across the reefs. Conditions are warmest from mid-year into the year's end.
Monthly water temperature across Tunku Abdul Rahman Park's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water stays warm throughout the year, peaking slightly in the second half. The strongest showing in diver recommendations falls around March through May and again in October, suggesting these are the clearest and calmest windows. Currents are generally mild across most sites, though drift conditions at North Point and stronger flow at intermediate sites like Hanging Gardens can add complexity.
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39 more sites to explore
Water temperature around Tunku Abdul Rahman Park ranges from about 27°C in February to 30°C in July, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 27–30°C, a rash guard or 3mm shorty works in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park year-round.
Fin maps 51 sites in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (49 scuba diving sites and 11 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across Tunku Abdul Rahman Park's dive sites, March, April, May and October are most often reported as the best months to visit.
The reefs are particularly rich in observed species. Titan Triggerfish and Zebra Lionfish are very common across the sites, alongside Bluespotted Fantail Ray, Giant Moray, Harlequin Sweetlips, and Reef Stonefish. Multiple clownfish species, including Common Clownfish and Maroon Clownfish, are recorded at virtually every site. Reef Stonefish sightings are a reminder to watch where you place your hands.
The majority of sites are rated beginner level, with shallow reef tops, mild currents, and straightforward boat entries. Sites such as The Rock, Sapi House Reef, and Turtle Patch are well suited to new divers and training. A smaller number of sites, including Mikey's Ear and Hanging Gardens, involve walls and greater depth and are better suited to intermediate divers.
All sites listed in the park are boat access only. A wide range of operators run trips from Kota Kinabalu, including Go Aquatic, Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures, Scuba Junkie KK, and several others. Day trips are the standard format, with operators able to combine dive and snorkel stops on the same outing.
The bulk of the sites are coral reefs, ranging from gently sloping gardens to steeper pinnacle structures. Magic Rock and Turtle Patch offer both reef and pinnacle diving in a single visit. Hanging Gardens and Mikey's Ear add wall sections for divers who want more vertical terrain. Mari Mari House Reef stands out by combining natural reef with artificial structures and a wreck.
