A few minutes by boat from the islands of Sipadan and Mabul but a full world away from it, lays the exhilarating Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, sitting on its sturdy stilts on the shallow sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs. Planned and built in full style as an airy, comfortable, sunny water village with no land in sight, it boasts a mile-long sandbank of powdery white sand where one can suntan at complete leisure while gazing out to the miles of brilliant turquoise stretching into the horizon offering the purest image of natural serenity.

Dive spots are extremely close and can be reached in just a few minutes by speedboat and some of them, actually, just by swimming from the dive centre pier. For those who are ready to venture more and aside from the tiny marvels of the macro life of Kapalai can, in just a few minutes, dive in Sipadan (where big fish and turtles abound) or in Mabul (where silky and muddy bottoms offer different and equally pleasant experience and opportunities to the lovers of "muck diving").

With a combination of sun and water in a unique and serene setting with friendly staff, Sipadan-Kapalai is an ideal destination for diver and non diver alike seeking a great holiday experience!

Kapalai Dive Centre

Diving around Kapalai is exceedingly easy and shallow but quite spectacular: the sandy bottom and the spare coral heads host an amazing array of small, often yet-to-be classified, shamelessly colourful subjects, making the diving here an unforgettable experience.

Our PADI Dive Instructors offer a variety of PADI courses here at Kapalai, including Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water & Advanced Open Water courses.

Home to the weird and techni-coloured flamboyant cuttlefish rumbling on the bottom like a miniature tank rippling with fluorescent waves of vermilion, purple, chocolate brown, bright yellow and blinding white, all the time waving and flourishing its paddle-shaped front tentacles like some samurai of yore, looking more like a sensuous orchid than a predatory cephalopod ; it is the domain of the invisible frogfish found in Kapalai in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours- which despite sometimes being as large as a melon will often escape even from the most trained of wildlife spotters.

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A jewel like tiny island in the Sulu Sea, an hour and a half boat rides north of Sandakan; Lankayan has been declared part of an immense Marine Protected Area to adopt the eco-tourism concept. Unpopulated and covered by thick tropical island vegetation on its topside, this peaceful, untouched little bit of paradise is ringed by an endless pure of white sandy beach, offering simply elegant and exquisite accommodation in all 16 wooden, roomy and perfectly appointed seafront double-occupancy chalets and 2 bungalows which consist of 4 and 5 units of standard room respectively.

While the ideal destination for those who search for tranquility and relaxation in a virgin natural setting and for families with children, Lankayan Island is also becoming one of the hottest diving destination on the map today: its dive sites - all just a few minutes away - boasting unbelievable colourful macro, fauna, fascinating wrecks and in season from March to May, regular sightings of gigantic and harmless whale sharks, the 'dream date' of every diver in the world.

Lankayan Island Dive Centre

Our PADI Dive Instructors offer a variety of PADI courses here at Kapalai, including Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water & Advanced Open Water courses.

Lankayan Island is a true Macro world paradise. Saved are large stretches of beautiful hard and soft corals belonging to numerous genera, among which are multitudes of macro world subjects and juvenile fishes, colourful to the extreme.

It is possible that some of the species found here are yet to be described. Pelagic also abound here, from large schools of scads, yellow tail barracudas, jacks, and many more. The many schools of medium to large hump head parrotfish are always an exciting encounter. Sometimes, the diver is lucky enough to meet large rays, guitarfish and even manatees.

For those more inclined towards the smaller denizens of the reefs, there are numerous juvenile fishes, clown anemone fishes, decorator and spider crabs, coral shrimps, nudibranchs, prawn gobies and abundant of rarer subjects such as jawfish, ornate ghost pipefish and frogfish.

We have two totally different wrecks home to abundant of fishes large and small. Our "Lankayan Wreck" was an ocean going fish poaching vessel appropriately demised in the area of its illegal activities. It is now the base of numerous fishes, from small cardinals and yellow pikes to large groupers, cobias and emperors. A very impressive site and at only 23 meters.

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Translated from Malay, Layang Layang means 'Swallows Reef'. This oceanic atoll is situated in the South China Sea about 300 kilometres north west of Kota Kinabalu.

The reef topography is essentially made up of a rich growth of hard corals; some are so shallow that they break surface during low tides, but most begin at depths of about 5 metres and the wall plunges to about 2000 metres to the ocean floor. The deep-water attracts numerous pelagics and offers some exciting encounters off the wall.

On this sliver of land lies a modest but complete resort - the three-star Layang Layang Island Resort. It consists of 76 superior rooms as well as 10 deluxe rooms. Made of tropical hardwood, it shares the look of a Longhouse, the traditional community homes of Borneo’s tribal people.

Rooms are comfortable enough and all are air-conditioned. Dining is a pleasure as a wide range of eastern and western cuisine are spread out for every meal at the restaurant. To ensure variety, daily menus are amended to ensure eating will be one other activity guests can look forward to regularly.

If the lagoon is not enough, there is a swimming pool that seems to continue into the sea. It is a great spot to cool down, put your feet up with a book or get some drinks. At the Raba Raba House, get yourself loosened up with a session of relaxing body massage and foot reflexology. Experts are on hand to get you all refreshed.

Layang Layang Island Dive Centre

The in-house PADI dive centre is professionally-run by a team of experienced and qualified instructors. This team of six persons have hundreds of dives at Layang Layang between them.

Equipment in the dive centre includes 300 units of 80cu ft aluminium tanks, Bauer KAP180 compressors, 20 sets of BCDs and regulators (Scuba Pro), lots of fins, masks, booties, weights and belts. There are also ten Catamaran boats that brings divers to the sites between 10-30 minutes.

All divers must agree to the strict Environmental Conservation Programme set-up by the Dive Centre and are required to sign a Reef Conservation Policy prior to diving. PADI dive courses up to the divemaster level are conducted.

A stunning dive experience awaits, as the average visibility is between 30 to 50 metres. A huge drop of 2,000m off the edge lies the sea floor. As soon as you're in your dive spot, you can be assured of seeing a wide and varied ecosystem.

Largely unexplored, much of Layang Layang has never been seen before - the many reefs here harbour many species yet to be identified nor named. Fishes of every kind of colour and shape darting in and out of delicate pastel corals are a common sight in this underwater playground.

Armed with the spirit of exploration, many divers from all over the world have discovered this jewel in the blue wilderness. It is no wonder Layang Layang is placed at the top of their lists for the best diving spot.

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Sabah in Northern Borneo is blessed with some truly wonderful natural sites top-side too! It boasts rare and varied wildlife, including the endangered orangutan 'The Wild Man of Borneo'. Adrenalin seekers are served not only by Mount Kinabalu but the Padas River which has grade 3 white-water rafting. For more sedate currents, the Kinabatangan River offers a more relaxing alternative to view the flora and fauna in the shoreline forest canopy and floor. Whatever your desire or preference Sabah has an option that will last in memory forever.

Danum Valley - An area of lowland forest covering 438 square km it is home to an array of creatures some rare. The Sumatran Rhinoceros is known to roam the area, along with elephant and Cloud Leopard. Bird life is rich with over 270 species being recorded including the flamboyant rhinoceros and pied hornbill.

Gomantong Caves - Probably the most well known caves in the world. Made famous by Sir David Attenborough climbing guano mounds for our viewing pleasure, its inhabitants include about a million bats and swiftlets. The great man himself considers the caves the most spectacular self-enclosed eco-systems in the world. It has possibly the worlds oldest fast food outlet serving edible birds nests!

Kinabatangan River - The floodplain of this river offers visitors a rare glimpse of the mangrove forests that cloak the shoreline with their population of Proboscis Monkeys and crested egrets. The Proboscis Monkey is the star with its prominent nose and 'sunburnt' appearance making it the butt of cruel jokes.

Mount Kinabalu - Standing 13,400 ft it is the highest mountain in Borneo as well as being a botanical paradise of incomparable bio-diversity and complexity. Despite its height, the mountain is a relatively straight-forward climb that can be accomplished in two or three days according to your fitness, though local tribesman have been known to run up and down it in under three hours!! Obviously after having three Shredded Wheat in the morning!!

North Borneo Railway - Built by the British during the 1880's to provide transportation for crops grown within the interior. Today one can journey back to these colonial days on board a 'Vulcan' steam engine through superb rainforest scenery with breathtaking vistas. The train has been refurbished in a colonial style and consists of five carriages, an observation deck and bar carriage. A great day out from Kota Kinabalu.

Padas White-Water Rafting - The Padas is certified as grade 3 rafting level on international water rafting grading system. It is the ultimate experience both in the adrenaline rush that accompanies rafters as they shoot the rapids as well as the unique mode of transport to get to the starting point. From Beaufort you board a train on the North Borneo Railway and the track lines the Padas River, giving you the opportunity to size-up the raging rapids. Excursions will begin with a safety briefing session conducted by professional raft guide along with a demonstration of rafting techniques.

Sepilok Nature Reserve - A very special place indeed. Obviously renowned for the orangutan Rehabilitation Centre the reserve offers much more and deserves more than a fleeting visit. Take the time to have a leisurely stroll, accompanied by a biologist guide, along the many trails of the rainforest floor. Discover this endangered eco system and understand its fragility. A fascinating, sad and enchanting place. Not to be missed.

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