Kota Kinabalu: Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies

By Wadi Rum Fire Camp

Features

8h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Selective hotel pickup
Multiple languages

Overview

Embark on the Bongawan River Cruise for an unforgettable ecological adventure in Kota Kinabalu, observe wildlife intimately, admire stunning natural phenomena, and engage with local culture through shared, private tour, or just a simple entry tickets, tailored to your preferred language. Alternatively, choose to include a stop at a Filipino market in private tour, complete with dinner and refreshments at the conclusion of the experience.

The grand finale awaits as darkness falls: glide silently along the river and be mesmerised as fireflies illuminate the mangrove trees, transforming them into a dazzling, twinkling galaxy. This immersive experience combines incredible nature, photography, and a taste of local culture for a perfect day trip from Kota Kinabalu, includes local guide, ticket, entry fee, dinner, refreshment and optional transfer service, market visit or along the route.

Activity location

Kota Kinabalu
- Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Meeting/Redemption Point

RIVER PARADISE BONGAWAN
- 89700, Papar, Sabah, Malaysia

Check availability

Dates

Travellers

Shared Tour + Ticket

8h
English

Local guide: 4 stops
Duration: 4 hours: 2 boat cruise, buffet dinner, mirror sky beach without any vehicle pickup or transfer service (entry ticket only)
Buffet dinner: dinner, high tea, local delicacies with drinks inclusive
Shared tour
Boat: Boat on sharing only

Languages available

Starting time: 4:00 PM

Price details

AU$39.18 x 1 AdultAU$39.18

Total

Shared Tour + Pickup + Ticket

8h
English

Local guide: 6 stops
Duration: 8 hours: 2 boat cruise, buffet dinner, mirror sky beach, chocolate factory, floating mosque with pickup service return inclusive.
Buffet dinner: dinner, high tea, local delicacies with drinks inclusive.
Shared tour
Van & Boat: Van & Boat on sharing only
Pickup included

Languages available

Starting time: 1:00 PM

Price details

AU$68.56 x 1 AdultAU$68.56

Total

What's included, what's not

Hotel pickup and drop-off return (If selected)
2 boat cruise separated in two segments, wildlife and fireflies experience.
Life jacket
Filipino market & chocolate kingdom (for private pickup only)
English and Malay speaking instructor
Chocolate kingdom + floating mosque (for shared pickup only)
All necessary permits, fees and taxes
Hi-Tea refreshments upon arrival & Dinner
Sky mirror beach sunset viewpoint
Personal expense and itinerary

Know before you book

- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The itinerary may be modified due to bad weather, governments rules, and current road conditions.
- Just a friendly reminder that this is a wildlife area, so wildlife or fireflies sightings aren't guaranteed.
- Please be aware that weather, river, traffic, and local regulations may cause delays in the tour's start and end times.
- If you opt not to include transfer pick-up, please ensure arrive at the meeting on time.
- Pls be advised that if the group is too large, a larger cruise or boat might be used.
- A private tour can request quick stop along the way with experience to filipino market visit.
- A shared cruise with pickup run with potential extra stop such as chocolate factory and floating mosque (except Friday)
- For entry ticket without transfer, a valid ticket is required before arrival otherwise not possible on board tours.
- Sky mirrors depending on weather, it is same for all.
- This tour run in day and shine.

Activity itinerary

Kota Kinabalu

Your journey begins with a pickup from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu, or you may choose a more affordable entry ticket option that allows you to meet directly at the cruise site. Visitors selecting the private tour will be treated to a free visit to the Filipino market, either before or after the cruise experience, whether for a guided journey or tailored brief visits along the way. They will then proceed through areas where the urban urban landscape gently gives way to lush rice paddies and charming villages (not applicable for those opting out of transfer). In the meantime, for the shared tour with transfer, take the opportunity to make an additional stop at the iconic floating mosque and the exquisite chocolate factory at no extra charge.

River Cruise Jetty

2h
Admission ticket included

Upon arrival at the serene Bongawan jetty, guests are greeted with tea and light snacks before head towards the first river cruise navigates through lush mangrove forests when the animals are most active during the cooler parts of the day, sight potential long tail macaques and other wildlife. although wildlife sightings can be a bit unpredictable because of their natural behaviour, the guides' knowledge really boosts the likelihood of having some unforgettable moments.

Bongawan

Following the wildlife cruise, continue to explore the most photogenic moments, the Sky Mirror Beach experience earns its name from the remarkable phenomenon that occurs during low tide when the receding waters leave behind a vast, glassy surface that perfectly reflects the sky above. As the sun sets below the horizon, it paints the sky in beautiful shades of orange, pink, and purple, with these colours reflecting beneath your feet, creates a magical atmosphere that many visitors say is the highlight of their experience. Then return for a delicious Malay-style dinner served on board.

Bongawan Firefly Tour

40m
Admission ticket included

As the dinner end, the tour moves into its final chapter: a delightful firefly cruise that showcases one of nature's most captivating spectacles. The guides often share fascinating facts about these insects' life cycle and behaviour, while encouraging visitors to reduce artificial light and noise to truly enjoy the natural phenomenon. For many travellers, this experience is a unique chance to see a natural wonder that is becoming harder to find, highlighting the importance of preserving pristine environments like Bongawan.

Kota Kinabalu (Pass by)

At the end of this cruise, head back to your hotel with included transfers or at your own transport (those opt without transfer) with an unforgettable memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Location

Activity location

Kota Kinabalu
- Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Meeting/Redemption Point

RIVER PARADISE BONGAWAN
- 89700, Papar, Sabah, Malaysia

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