Pulau Banggi Voyage Tips and guide

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The only way to reach Banggi without your own boat is via the ferry from Kudat town which arrives at Karakit.

The journey takes 90 minutes and costs around 41RM (April 2025) for a foreigner. Runs twice a day at 9am and 2pm from Kudat, and both 8am and 2pm from Karakit.

The ticket office in Kudat is at the port, on the right side of the building (the left side is the juice shop, the side with the toilets). In Karakit the ticket office is at the port, opposite the building with "Banggi Point" written on it. Bring your passport when buying the ticket.

Roads are terrible outside of Karakit, go slow if you have your own transport.

There seem to be some pickup trucks going around the island, which seems to be how locals get around.

• Climb Sibumbung Hill - The highest point on the island at 530 m (1,740 ft). Takes around 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours depending on your fitness. It is a fairly hard and steep 1.8 km hike. The start is a power substation, that you get to from the main road by following a very overgrown mud road. The end is the radio tower after the stool with coins on it, just after the ladder. Past the radio tower leads to a clear view over the island. The route is clear, follow the metal poles and the cables up. There are some fallen trees on the way, pretty steep at points. One section requires climbing a bit over rock. Do not attempt after rain, mud will make it dangerous to climb. The signs saying how far your are from the substation seem to be missing outside of the first two, and registering with a ranger didn't seem to be required.

• Snorkeling - While not possible at most beaches due to saltwater crocodiles, you can arrange a boat to take you to some nearby areas (500RM for the boat). Get taken to very shallow bits off the coast, with some coral (not in great health), but a lot of fish.

• It is possible to visit the caves on Balambagan Island. Was quoted around 1000RM for a boat (which approx 6 people can fit on).

Come with all the cash you need, no ATMs on island.

There are some stores around the island, seem to be closer to Karakit way. Didn't see one on the far side.

There are several small places to eat at the port in Karakit.

There are some homestays, a hotel in Karakit and Tammoyo Place. As this is an island, checkin / checkout times tend to align with the ferry schedule.

• Karakit Hotel - Directly at the port, right across the road from the ticket office. Entrance is to the left of the building as you leave the port.

• Tammoyo Place - Offers huts on the beach for around 75RM / night. Offers dinner and lunch (~35RM / meal), can cater to vegetarians. Can also arrange trips to snorkel, climb the hill and various other places. On the other side of island from the port, requires arranging transport with owner unless you have your own (30RM each way in april 2025), 60-90 minute journey from the port.

There is ok mobile network coverage on the island, though not everywhere has coverage. Maxis / Hotlink worked ok, and able to do video calls of variable quality depending on the location.

Connections can be intermittent, where locations that previously worked stop working, potentially power related.

You can't swim off most beaches due to the presence of saltwater crocodiles.

Your only option is to head back to Kudat.