Climate Entry Requirements

Equatorial/Tropical • A valid passport (and visa wherever

applicable) is required.
Average temperature • Social or Tourist Visit Pass does
Lowlands 32˚C/89.6˚F not permit the holder to take up
Highlands 21˚C/69.8˚F employment, business, or professional
work in Malaysia.
Currency • The Social Visit Pass allows foreign
Foreign currencies can be exchanged for visitors to enter the country for
Malaysian Ringgit(RM) at several 5-star business negotiations or inspection
hotels and foreign exchange counters of business premises. These
located in major shopping complexes. passes however, cannot be used
for employment purposes or for
supervising the installation of new
Major credit & charge cards machinery or the construction of a
VISA, MasterCard, American Express, factory.
Diners Club • A fee is charged for a Social Visit
Pass depending on purpose of visit,
Banking Hours profession and country.
Mon-Fri 9.30am - 3pm

Time • While every care has been taken

Malaysia Standard Time is GMT+8
Electricity
230V / 50Hz (British Plug)
Language
Bahasa Malaysia is the national language.
However, English is widely spoken.
in compiling the contents of this
brochure, Sabah Tourism Board (Sabah
Tourism) cannot be held responsible
for any inaccuracy, omission or
alteration that may occur. All rights
reserved except where stated.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission from
Sabah Tourism is strictly prohibited.

ADVISORY
1. In Malaysia, the Possession and Trafficking of illegal Drugs carry the
Death Penalty.
2. Visitors are advised to use only Licensed Dive, Tour Operators, Tour
Guides, Boats and Public Transport.

Sabah Tourism Board

51 Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: 6088-212121 Fax: 6088-212075
Email: info@sabahtourism.com
Website: www.sabahtourism.com
SabahMalaysianBorneo SabahTourism SabahTourism

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 Sabah, the heart
of the coral triangle.
3

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 N

South China Sea Tun Sakaran W E

Marine Park
Layang Layang Island
Sulu Sea S
Mantanani Island Kudat

Lankayan Island
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Marine Park
50 mins Selingan Island

Sandakan
Pulau Tiga

55 mins
Labuan
Tabin

Lahad Datu
Danum
Maliau Valley Tun Sakaran Pom Pom
Basin Marine Park
Mataking
Semporna
Mabul
Tawau Sipadan Kapalai
Celebes Sea

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 The World’s Richest Marine Diversity

Sitting in the heart of the ‘Coral Triangle’ in south-east Asia, home Sabah offers its visitors a range of diverse marine habitats to
to the world’s greatest marine biodiversity, Sabah is a magnet for explore, including fantastic ‘muck diving’ sites with such rarities as
divers and snorkellers from all over the world. With its picturesque mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarinfish, ghost pipefish,
marine parks and tropical islands, pristine coral reefs teeming with frogfish, seahorses, colourful nudibranchs and many more.
life, clear warm water and sandy beaches, this hotspot truly is a
diver’s dream come true. Whether you’re a diver or snorkeller, or wanting to take the plunge
aking and enrol in a dive course run by the many resorts and dive
Many prominent marine biologists and scientists have explored operators, the rich seas of Sabah offer something for everyone in
Sabah’s waters over the years, including the legendary Jacques this adventurous and exotic location.
Cousteau who said of Sipadan “Now we have found an untouched
piece of art...a jewel”. Sipadan island is now protected, and voted
one of the top dive sites in the world – where divers can see schools
of bumphead parrotfish, countless species of sharks, have close
encounters with friendly turtles, and swim through immense,
swirling schools of barracuda and trevally.

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 Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

Comprises of 5 islands: Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, Sulug. just N

Police Bay (Bulijong Bay)

15 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu city center, via Jesselton W E
Merangis Reef
Point Jetty. Ideal for day trips, snorkelling, dive training and
novice divers. Experience sandy ‘muck’ diving to colorful coral S

reefs. Special sightings? Whale Sharks between January to April. Agill Reef
great for watersport activities and jungle trekking too. Pulau Gaya
Clement Reef
Resorts: Pulau Sapi Sapi Reef
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa (Preferred Boutique)
www.bungarayaresort.com Ron
Edgel Patch Reef
Gayana Eco Resort (Preferred Boutique)
www.gayana-eco-resort.com

Gaya Island Resort (YTL) Pulau Manukan

www.gayaislandresort.com Mid Reef
Manukan Reef Kota
Manukan Island Resort North
www.manukan.com Sulug Pulau Mamutik Kinabalu
Pulau Sulug South Reef

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 Mantanani Island

N 80km away from Kota Kinabalu, just off Kota Belud. Embrace
W E white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Book a day trip or
stay overnight. Great location for both novice and experienced
S divers. Take an adventure dive to see 3 large Japanese WWII
shipwrecks in Usukan Bay.
Pulau f Po
int
Ree fish
Mantanani bon e ser
t La
ir Resort:
nu
e Rib Pip De h
Kecil ck Ave ra Fis Mari Mari Backpackers Lodge
Ro oxy aha L ion
y S
all Gil l B Lingisan www.mantanani.com
atW
Gre
Clam
Gard Pulau Mantanani Besar
f en
ank ee Ma
b o n B lian R all ntis
l Ave
Rib Ita ster W Ma nue
b cro Sou
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Na n j u Gat nt
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 Pulau Tiga

For Pulau Tiga head 50 km south-west of Kota Kinabalu, off Snake Island
Kuala Penyu. Also nearby is Snake Island known for its many
banded sea snakes. Pulau Tiga was the filming location for the 1st Coleman Shoal Sandspit
season of the reality series Survivor, hence also dubbed Survivor
Island. Don’t just dive; dip in the Mud Volcano which is rich in Pagong-Pagong Beach
minerals (great for skin they say!). Within proximity, enjoy nature N
Rocky Beach
sightings: wild orchids, birds, macaques and monitor lizards. W E Pulau Tiga
Lalai Point
Ramis Beach
Resort: Larai Larai
S House Reef
Pulau Tiga Resort West End Tiga’s Trail Tagi Beach
www.sdclodges.com UKM’s Reef
Asmara Point Asmara Beach

Midreef Pukat Point

Dunlop Corner New Navigation Light House
Old Navigation
Light House Whip Garden
Dunlop
Shoal

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 Layang-Layang Island

N Malaysia’s only atoll, 300 km north-west off Kota Kinabalu.

W E
Accessible by charter flight by MASwings or Layang Layang
Aerospace. Diving season is between March to August. Amazing
S coral reefs and walls. Catch sight of Hammerhead Sharks, Manta
& Devil Rays, Whale Sharks, Reef Sharks and turtles. Great spot
for bird watching too.
Gor
W Navig gon
ras Cra ator L
ane ia F
se ck R ore
st Resort:
St eef
rip Avillion Layang Layang Island Resort
Val
le y The Point www.avilionlayanglayang.com
Sha
rks
Layang-Layang
Cav Dogtooth Lair
e D Island Resort Wreck Point
’wall
Sn New Channel
ap Old Tun
pe R
r L Chan unwa nel
ed ne y
ge l

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 Lankayan Island

Pegaso Reef
1.5 hours by speedboat from Sandakan. Diverse patch reefs N

offers easy and relaxed diving. Famous sightings of Leopard Lost World Reef 77
W E
Moray Reef
Sharks and Dendritic Jawfish. Situated close to the Turtle
Islands National Park where nesting and hatching turtles can be S
Veron Fan Garden
Sunnung Lair
seen. Lankayan is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Bimbo Rock
Area. Froggie Fort
Pulau Lankayan Lost Reef
Resort: Coral Garden
Billy’s Reef
Lankayan Island Dive Resort Lankayan Wreck
www.lankayan-island.com Ray City Ken’s Rock East Reef

Supermarket Mosquito Wreck

Sandbar Lycia Garden
South Point
South Rock
Jawfish Lair

Mel’s Rock
Katcing Group
Goby Rock

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 Tun Sakaran Marine Park

A cluster of 8 islands spread over 100 km of healthy coral reefs.

They are, Sabangkat, Tetagan, Maiga, Sibuan, Mantabuan,
Pulau Mantabuan Gaya and the scenic Bohey Dulang –a recommended trail for
Pulau Sibuan a jungle trekking trip to the hilltop for an amazing photo-
op. The islands are about 30 minutes away from Semporna by
Pulau Gaya
speedboat. Two of their central islands and lagoon are part of an
Pulau Maiga
extinct volcano.
Pulau
Tetagan Pulau Accommodation:
Bohey Dulang If you’re not staying at one of the island resorts, there are many
Pulau Sabangkat
hotels and backpackers at mainland Semporna. Book your dive
trip to these islands from the local dive operators.

Semporna
Se

N
mp
orn

W E

Pulau Bum Bum

aS
tra

S
ti

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 Mabul Island

World-class dive location. 1 hour by speedboat from Semporna. N Seaventures

This island is a diver’s village as it has many accommodation W E
options to choose from. Ideal for all divers, (snorkellers too!)
and a great location for photographers to capture scenic island S

images. Spot an astonishing array of small animals. Mabul Panglima Reef Paradise 1 & 2
has the biggest artificial fish sanctuary in Asia and is close to Froggy’s Lair
Sipadan Island.
Pulau Artificial Reef
Lobster Wall
Resorts: Mabul
Borneo Divers Resort Sipadan Dive Center
www.borneodivers.net www.sdclodges.com

Mabul Water Bungalows Sipadan-Mabul Resort Ray Point Coral Reef Garden
www.mabulwaterbungalows.com www.sipadan-mabul.com.my

Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort Sipadan Water Village Resort Stingray City
www.scuba-junkie.com www.swvresort.com

Seaventures Dive Resort

www.seaventuresdive.com Eel Garden

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 Kapalai

N
Luxurious ‘water village’ 1 hour by speedboat from Semporna.
Large artificial structures and shipwrecks on the house reef.
W E
Popular for ‘muck’ diving. Also close to Sipadan. Kapalai has
Goby Land S resident turtles! It’s a great destination for divers, wedding
photography and honeymooners.

Little Okinawa Resort:

Mid Reef
Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort
The Jetty www.sipadan-kapalai.com
Mandarin Valley

Blackray Channel Kapalai Cleaning

Station
Eel Garden Gurnard Ground

Stingray City

Coral Garden

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 Pom Pom Island

Idyllic uninhabited island, 40 minutes away by speedboat from N

Semporna. Highlights? Resident population of Green Turtles, W E

nesting and hatching turtles. Optional trip to Bohey Dulang for

jungle trekking. Day trips for leisure travellers is also an option. S Northern Valley
Did we mention they have a long stretch of beach and sea life
visible even from the jetty? Magic
Rocks
Resorts:
Celebes Beach Resort Pulau
www.celebescuba.com Pom Pom
Pom Pom Island Resort New Life Lobster Wall
www.pompomisland.com

Mandarin
House

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 Mataking Island

N
Choose from chalets to villas, Mataking shouts luxury. Just
D’wall W 45 minutes by speedboat from Semporna. Explore their
E

magnificent ‘house reef’ and shipwreck. A great combo of

Pulau Mataking Kecil S
macro and pelagic marine life. Walk the “Moses Walk” sand
Mataking Wreck bar connecting Mataking Besar to Mataking Kecil. The backdrop
of these two islands make it a perfect location for destination
wedding photography. And while you are there, don’t forget to
Lobster Lair send some snail mail from their underwater Pos Malaysia post
box.
House Reef Pulau Mataking Besar
Nudibranch Heaven Resort:
Mataking Reef Dive Resort
www.mataking.com
Magic Rock
Coral Garden

Garden of Eden

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 Sipadan Island

Voted one of the top dive sites in the world, just 20 minutes N
Barracuda Point
from Mabul or Kapalai or 1 hour from Semporna. Malaysia’s W E Coral Garden
only true oceanic island, rising 600m from the ocean floor.
Stunning underwater visibility. Among Sipadan’s highlights? S Turtle Cavern
Sightings of a large number of reef sharks, turtle tomb and
a huge school of barracuda and trevally. Did you know that West Ridge
Sipadan’s popularity started off being a Bird Sanctuary? Pulau White Tip
Sipadan Avnue
MV Celebes Explorer is the only liveaboard operating in the
Sipadan area and can accommodate 16 divers per trip. Contact Hanging Garden
Adventure Journeyworld Travel for more information or log on
to www.borneo.org. Midreef

More accommodation is also available in Semporna, ranging

Lobster Lair
from a 4-star hotel to backpackers. The list of accommodation is
available on www.sabahtourism.com
Staghorn Crest Turtle
Patch
South Point

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 While you are in Semporna, take a hike up Skull Hill (Bukit
Tengkorak), a volcanic rock-shelter site. The Bukit Tengkorak
Archaeological Site was the largest pottery factory in Southeast
Asia during the Neolithic period.

In the late afternoon, take the evening cruise for Proboscis

monkey sightings or fruit bats. Contact BGB Country Tours and
Travel (www.borneotourstravel.com) to book this sightseeing
package.

Tawau is 115km away from Semporna. A town boasting great

seafood (Sabindo Seafood Center) to unique local eats such as
Soto, Bakso and Nasi Kuning. Tawau is an ideal place to purchase
dried seafood. Other local attractions: Teck Guan Cocoa Museum,
Tawau Hills Park, Bukit Gemok, Pasar Gantung market and the
Shan Shui golf course .

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 Conservation

The marine environment is an enormously valuable resource for ll Protecting turtle nesting sites & turtle hatcheries
mankind, and marine conservation is one of the most important ll Coral planting
issues for the Sabah Government who recognise greatly the need ll Creating artificial reefs
to protect its spectacular marine biodiversity. Over the years, ll Beach & reef clean ups
Sabah has protected vast areas of its seascapes, designated ll Shark & ray sanctuaries
as special marine parks under the management of Sabah ll Training divers to check the health of reefs
Parks, where an array of marine species can thrive in safety. ll Spreading awareness & understanding of marine
Collaboration between governmental and non-governmental environment to local people and tourists through education
organisations, eco-friendly local resorts, and University Malaysia
Sabah (UMS), has lead to a range of conservation efforts which
have been successfully implemented.

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 Dive Operators

Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd Mari-Mari Mantanani Dive Lodge Scuba Paradise
www.borneodivers.info www.traversetours.com www.scubaparadiseborneo.com.my
Borneo Dream Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd Navi Borneo Divers Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
www.borneodream.com www.divingkotakinabalu.com www.seaventuresdive.com

Borneo Sea Adventure (Sabah) Sdn Bhd North Borneo Dive & Sea Sports Sdn Bhd Sipadan Pom Pom Resort & Tours Sdn Bhd
www.bornsea.com www.sipadanscuba.com www.pompomisland.com

Diverse Borneo Sdn Bhd Pulau Sipadan Resort & Tours Sdn Bhd Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd
www.diverse-borneo.com www.sipadan-resort.com www.swvresort.com

Excel Dive & Tours (Borneo) Sdn Bhd Pulau Tiga Resort Sulawesi Sea Safari Sdn Bhd
www.excelborneotours.com www.pulautiga.com.my www.sulawesiseasafari.com

Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd Sabah Divers The Reef Dive Resort & Tours Sdn Bhd
www.sipadan-mabul.com.my www.sabahdivers.com www.mataking.com
Layang-Layang Island Resort Sdn Bhd Scuba Junkie Uncle Chang Sipadan-Mabul Dive Lodge
www.layanglayang.com www.scuba-junkie.com www.ucsipadan.com

Photography by Scubazoo

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 PUBLISHED BY SABAH TOURISM BOARD
September 2014

www.sabahtourism.com

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