Lankayan

Located deep into the Sulu Seas, Lankayan Island was uninhabited until recently and has only one dive resort, namely Lankayan Island Dive Resort. This small paradise island is serene and tranquil, with stretches of white sand beach, swaying casuarina pines and beautiful sunsets, and offers a fantastic variety of macro marine-life and a muck diving arena that rivals both Mabul and Kapalai Island. With new protection from local fishermen, the larger marine creatures such as Leopard Shark, Sting Ray and Giant Grouper have returned to the surrounding reefs. The corals are excellent with large stretches of hard corals, plus many soft corals.

Among the 40 dive sites is 'Lankayan Wreck', formerly an ocean-going, fish poaching vessel, now host to a variety of fish species from small Glassfish, Harlequin Ghost Pipe Fish and Painted Frogfish, to Giant Grouper. Rare subjects that can be seen include sea horses, Flying Gurnards, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Jawfish, Dragonets and sand divers. Nearby Pulau Selingan, is home to Sabah's Turtle Sanctuary, so expect to see the occasional Hawksbill, or Green Turtle. Relax after your dive with a sundowner in the lounge of the Lankayan Island Dive Resort, overlooking the western beach and jetty.