Named after Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the five islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TAR) and their surrounding seas have long been a haven of peace and tranquility. The islands protect the natural vegetation, animals and the underwater gardens of the coral reefs that provide visitors with endless hours of enjoyment. TAR encompasses five islands: Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug.

The marine national park is only 20 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu, (refer to A2 on our KK city map), Sabah's Capital and Malaysia's youngest city. The TAR Park is a major landmark of the city of Kota Kinabalu and is famous for the its crystal clear waters and beautiful corals, just a stone throw away from our capital. The park is very popular for activities such as sun bathing, BBQ, diving, fishing, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing and recently parasailing which offers visitors a great bird's eye view of the city and the islands with Mt. Kinabalu as the back drop!   

History

The first historical reference to the islands comes from a native chief, Pengiran Diraup of Menkabong, when he issued rights to fell and collect timber on Gaya to a Mr. White and his colleagues, in 1879. It is not known how much of the island, if indeed any, was affected, as little trace of exploitation remains today. In 1881, the islands were acquired as part of the North Borneo Chartered Company, which in 1898 started a small settlement on the eastern tip of Gaya Island, outside the present Park boundary and where now there is a thriving fishing community. After only two turbulent years, and when the need for a deep water port came up, Gaya was abandoned and the Chartered Company established Jesselton, (now Kota Kinabalu).

The islands were left largely undisturbed, and in 1974 the government gazetted the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park as Sabah's second National Park.

Marine Life

Reefs fringe all the islands, especially on the sheltered eastern and southern sides where the sandy beaches slope gradually into the water to the reef drop-off.  In contrast, the western and northern beaches pounded by the swell from the open sea and the monsoon winds are more exposed, with rocky cliffs and banks of coral rubble.

The fish are almost as numerous and even more colourful than the corals, spotted, striped and patterned in a variety of rainbow colours.  Pink-and-green Parrot fish, the Turquoise Moon Wrasse and Butterfly fish in all combinations of colours are available. Clown fish, sea cucumbers and star fish are common. If you are very lucky you might a school of Trevally, and the ever friendly Whale Shark! TAR Park is a great place to begin your diving experience as a training ground to the ultimate diving place - Sipadan Island.

Plant Life

The plants of Pulau Gaya reflect the connection of the island to the mainland. In an undisturbed state the lowland forest that covers Gaya would have stretched along most of the west coast, and today remains one of the few areas of largely undisturbed coastal dipterocarp forests left in Sabah.

On the other islands, most of the vegetation is old secondary forest. On Gaya Island, a plank walk has been laid across an inlet of mangrove trees to allow visitors a closer look at the botanical curiosities and their adaptations to a watery existence.

Animal Life

The occasional Pangolin or Scaly anteater, monkey or wild boar may be seen along the trails and quiet picnickers may be visited by large monitor lizards in search of a few scraps, but there is no great variety in the animal life on the islands themselves. Bird life is similar to that of the mainland coast, though there some special species of note. 

	Destination:	Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
	Accommodation:	Yes
	Transport:	Fast Ferry
	Tour Operators:	Yes
	Guided Tour:	Not Necessary
	Best Time to Visit:	All year round
	Length of Visit:	day or overnight
	Clothing:	Swim Wear
	Tour Type:	Marine, BBQ  & Watersports
	Other Areas to Visit:	Kota Kinabalu City
	Photo Credits:	Albert Teo