Blue Tears Spotted in Nido Mantanani

Mantanani Island again, for the second time in a month! 

As for this round, we booked and stayed for another 2 days and 1 night weekend getaway with Nido Mantanani, another operator on the paradise island. They are running and open for booking on weekend only, which are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and we're lucky to get the earlier slot cause it's almost full house until September. 

Since Mantanani Island takes nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu and the boat departs at 9.30am from Rampayan Jetty, we left the house earlier - as early as 6am. We even stopby at the local favourite restaurant, Kantin Bakut for their signature dish, tom yam seafood and also fried tom yam Tuaran Mee. 

#1: Only 1 boat transfer per day which is at 9.30am, therefore don't be late and make sure to arrive earlier at Rampayan Jetty. 

#2: Though it's my second time to Mantanani Island, I still amazed with its turquoise water.

Before we're allowed to check-in into our accommodation, we kicked off our day by going for snorkelling first. The snorkelling point they brought us to was much more better as I spotted slightly more colourful fishes and corals. After snorkelling for almost 40 minutes, we headed back to the island and it's lunch time. All their lunch meals provided by Nido Mantanani are pre-packed.   

#3: The seaview chalets

Almost reaching to 1.30pm, the check-in process began and we can't wait to view our room. There are 3 types of accommodations here in Nido Mantanani; Seaview Chalet attached with bathroom, Seaview Chalet without bathroom and family room without bathroom. And of course for us, we picked the first one - Seaview Chalet attached with bathroom. 

#4: And we got the first row which directly facing the sea

#5: The room is pretty simple with queen sized bed, air-conditioning, mirror. There is no TV within the room but who need that where you get to best view out from the window? 

#6: Our amazing and spectacular view straight out from the balcony


#7: One for the Gram - it's a must for keepsake


#8: The restaurant - you can order snack, finger food and drinks here. Pretty affordable I can say


#9: Pre-packed lunch, nasi goreng with satay for dinner and American breafkast

Initially there was a guided walking village tour along with sunset viewing organised by them but due to adverse weather, it had been cancelled. Went to Mantanani Island twice but still, I can't witness the perfect golden sunset from this island. Really not my luck for the sunset but then, what I didn't expect is that finally I got to witness the blue tears. Frankly speaking, I didn't place higher expectation to see this at first place not until, the host suggested us to stop eating our dinner and followed him to see the blue tears. Blue tears don't occur regularly and it's hard to sight it, unless you are pretty lucky. My husband and I failed to spot this on our first trip to Mantanani Island but I guess second time is the charm. 

#10: Hundreds, or maybe thousand of these blue tears appeared right in front of Nido Mantanani.


#11: Here is a video of the blue tears we sighted

#12: On the next morning, we woke up to this view - the majestic and pride of Sabah, the Mount Kinabalu

#13: The view that we will never get tired with

Because we will only be back to Rampayan Jetty at 2pm, the host suggested additional activity for us with extra charge of RM49 per pax. Oh well, it's not compulsory for all the guests and if you are not interested, you can still stay around at the island doing other activities like kayaking, swimming and even taking hundred of photos. 

For your information, Mantanani Island form a small group of three islands; Mantanani Besar (where all the resorts built here), Mantanani Kecil and Lungisan Island. So we took this opportunity to sign up for the RM49 short tour to visit and see the rest of other two islands of Mantanani. We even got to visit the Dead Coral Island, long tailed beach and snorkelling at Rocky Bay. I personally think it's really worth and you should sign up for this optional tour if you are staying with Nido Mantanani.

#14: Optional activity with additional charge of RM49 per pax


#15: Dead corals island, Lungisan Island and snorkelling at Rocky Bay


#16: They called this Lungisan Island as "Broccoli Island". Does it looks like broccoli?


#17: The postcard view

One of the unforgettable moments is that finally I got to tick off one of the wishlists where I got to see the blue tears with my naked eyes instead of browsing through the net. I even got the chance to touch and feel them with my bare hands. A night to remember in Nido Mantanani.

Interested with Nido Mantanani 2 days 1 night getaway? Info as below: