#kotakinabalutrip
You know those *ridiculously* perfect tropical coves you see in movies? **Usukan Cove** is that—but real, empty, and just a 90-minute drive from KK. Between **Kota Belud and Kudat**, this half-moon bay with its **opal-colored water** and **jungle-fringed shores** feels like your own private slice of paradise.
### **First Impressions: “Wait… How Is This Not Packed?!”**
- **The water:** A gradient of **turquoise to deep blue** so clear, you’ll see stingrays gliding beneath your kayak
- **The sand:** Powdery white with **pink coral fragments** (nature’s glitter)
- **The vibe:** So peaceful, the loudest sound is your own gasp when you see it
### **The “Oh WOW” Moment: Swimming Through the Keyhole**
At low tide, swim through a **natural rock arch** to discover:
🔑 A **hidden lagoon** with bat caves in the cliffs (yes, actual bats!)
🐠 A **shallow coral garden** perfect for snorkel newbies
💎 **Giant clams** with neon-blue lips (they’re *way* cooler than they sound)
### **Hidden Gem: The Abandoned Pearl Farm**
A 10-minute paddle away, this **creepy-cool overwater ruin** lets you:
- Explore **collapsing wooden walkways** (Instagram gold)
- Spot **reef sharks** patrolling the pylons
- Pretend you’re in a post-apocalyptic pirate movie 🏴☠️
### **Unexpected Encounter: The Midnight Bioluminescence**
Camp overnight (with permission from local fishermen) to see:
🌌 The water **sparkling with blue fireflies** when you splash
🦀 **Ghost crabs** dancing under the moonlight with their shadows 10x their size
### **Must-Try: Jungle Picnic**
Pack a lunch from Kota Belud’s **tamu** (market):
🍗 **Grilled bambangan chicken** (wild mango marinade = tangy heaven)
🍍 **Sweetest pineapples** you’ll ever taste
🧊 **ABC special** shaved ice from the roadside stall near the cove turnoff
### **Adventure Itinerary**
🕢 **7:30AM** – Depart KK (stop for curry puffs in Kota Belud)
🕘 **9AM** – Arrive, kayak to the keyhole
🤿 **10AM** – Snorkel the coral garden
🏝️ **12PM** – Picnic at the pearl farm ruins
🕒 **3PM** – Beach nap in a hammock
🌅 **5PM** – Sunset paddleboarding
🌙 **8PM** – Bioluminescence night swim (if staying)
### **Local Tips:**
- **Hire a local guide** (the tides/channels can be tricky)
- **Weekdays = empty** (weekends see a few KK day-trippers)
- **Leave drones at home** (this is a sensitive marine area)
**Verdict:** 11/10 – feels like discovering your own uncharted island. *Just don’t tell everyone…* 🤫
**Who’s brave enough to camp here? Or found other secret coves? Spill below! 👇**
*(P.S. The bats are harmless… mostly. 😉)*
