Located less than an hour from Kota Kinabalu, the eco-friendly Ara Dinawan Island Retreat is a great option for travellers seeking a tropical island adventure or overnight glamping experience.
The Island Retreat features 14 glamping tents, a portmanteau of ‘glamour’ and ‘camping’. The tents and all of the retreat’s common facilities were built nearly exclusively from locally sourced and upcycled materials.
This eco-ethic runs strong throughout the property and all of its activities, ensuring the island remains unspoiled and beautiful for years to come.
The island is also private, meaning only guests from the Retreat are allowed to visit. As a result, the idyllic island remains quiet and peaceful, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings without crowds.
Members of the EXO Malaysia team recently returned from an inspection to Ara Dinawan and were impressed by the island’s remote, serene vibe despite it’s proximity to Kota Kinabalu. Alvin, from the Product team, remarked, ‘Since it is a private island, it is more attractive for those who want to enjoy some peace and relaxation on an island away from the crowds. Plus, there are options for sport and activities.’
‘Not only can guests enjoy the beach and sun but also explore the nearby forest‘
Activities
The island is a natural playground thanks to its dense forest interior and spectacular marine surroundings.
The resort offers snorkelling equipment, stand-up paddle boards and clear-bottomed kayaks for guests to enjoy the beautiful sites above and below the water. SCUBA diving can also be arranged on request.
Our team enjoyed trying the different activities. Rosa, from EXO’s Inbound team, commented, ‘The snorkelling point was amazing’! Denis, EXO’s Senior Operations team member, adds ‘Not only can guests enjoy the beach and sun but also explore the nearby forest.’
There is a hiking trail through the centre of the island, presenting the opportunity to enjoy the diverse flora and fauna found there. Also on land, guests are invited to learn more about the resort’s conservation efforts such as the turtle hatchery and coral restoration project.
‘Ara Dinawa offers a comfortable glamping by the beach concept to relax and unwind‘
Glamping
An overnight stay at Ara Dinawan Island Retreat is a memorable opportunity to sleep on a private island, surrounded by the sites and sounds of nature.
Guests can enjoy sunset walks on the beach, dinner under the stars and early morning swims all just a few steps away from their comfortable rooms.
The island has fourteen comfortable rooms, designed as tents on elevated platforms with spacious decks. The rooms are equipped with a normal bed, basic furniture and feature an ensuite toilet and shower. As with the rest of the resort, the electricity in the room is solar-powered.
Denissia, from EXO’s Inbound Sales team, says this is what makes it unique, ‘Ara Dinawa offers a comfortable glamping by the beach concept to relax and unwind’.
‘Two to three nights is perfect for mixing relaxing and snorkelling or stay three to four nights if you want to SCUBA dive’
Planning a visit:
A day trip to Ara Dinawan is a great option for guests who are short on time as they can enjoy the beautiful beach and snorkelling in the clear waters.
However, EXO recommends staying longer as explained by Melinda from our inbound sales team, ‘A one night stay to get out of the city hustle and experience glamping by the beach. Two to three nights is perfect for mixing relaxing and snorkelling or stay three to four nights if you want to SCUBA dive’.
Getting There: Ara Dinawan Island is easily accessible from Kota Kinabalu. The journey begins with a land transfer to Berinngis jetty in the Kinarut township, a drive of approximately forty minutes.
Then, a 20-minute boat trip takes guests to the shores of Arwa Dinawan Island. Please note that the boat is operated by the resort and, therefore, the boat transfers are shared with other guests.
Weather: Ara Dinawan Island Retreat is open year-round. As with the rest of Borneo, the weather is always hot and humid with day time temperatures hovering around 30°C.
From March to October, there is little rainfall and the skies are clear making it the best time to enjoy water sports and the island’s inland adventures.
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