Lankayan Island, a pristine gem in the Sulu Sea, offers a perfect retreat for divers and nature enthusiasts alike. Located just 1.5 hours by boat from Sandakan, this jewel-like tiny island is a haven for marine life and adventure.
Surrounded by the lush beauty of thick tropical island vegetation, a white sandy beach, and an impressive house reef, Lankayan Island Dive Resort is the ultimate getaway for those seeking to experience one of the hottest diving destinations in the world.
Lankayan Island is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), a protected region that preserves its exceptional marine biodiversity. The island’s conservation efforts ensure a thriving ecosystem that is ideal for divers, snorkelers, and anyone looking to enjoy a virgin natural setting. This eco-tourism concept reflects the resort’s commitment to preserving the environment while offering guests a unique, serene experience in the midst of nature.
As a small island, Lankayan is surrounded by an immense marine protected area, which is home to a wealth of marine life, including large hump head parrotfish, juvenile fishes, and rare species such as ornate ghost pipefish. The waters surrounding the island are remarkably clear, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island features numerous dive sites, including wrecks that attract both seasoned and novice divers.
Getting to Lankayan Island resort is part of the adventure. Since the island has no airport, visitors must rely on boat transfers from Sandakan PSR Jetty. The boat ride, which takes approximately 1.5 hours, offers a scenic journey across the Sulu Sea. During this ride, travelers can enjoy beautiful ocean views, and spot dolphins, sea turtles, and various seabirds along the way.
The resort provides boat transfer services for guests, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey. Once you arrive at the Lankayan Island Dive Resort, you are welcomed with stunning surroundings and the opportunity to disconnect from the outside world.
The Lankayan Island Dive Resort offers exclusive accommodation options, including 16 Beach Chalets and 9 Water Chalets. Each chalet is designed to provide comfort and privacy while keeping guests close to nature. The Beach Chalets are situated just steps away from the white sandy beach, with a private balcony overlooking the turquoise-colored ocean. These chalets are equipped with modern amenities, including tea-making facilities, a mini refrigerator, and a private bathroom with hot water.
The Water Chalets offer a unique experience, perched on stilts above the water. They provide direct access to the sea and allow guests to enjoy incredible views of the surrounding waters right from their private balconies. Whether you choose a Beach Chalet or a Water Chalet, you are guaranteed an unforgettable stay in these perfectly appointed seafront chalets.
Meals at the Lankayan Island Dive Resort are served in a central open building with an impressive view of the sea. The resort offers full board meals, ensuring that guests enjoy fresh and nutritious meals throughout their stay.
The dining experience is informal and relaxed, with light snacks available throughout the day. Meals are prepared with fresh, local ingredients, reflecting the resort’s commitment to eco-tourism and sustainability.
For diving enthusiasts, Lankayan Dive Centre is the heart of the resort. The dive centre offers a variety of diving experiences, from unguided dives to optional guided tours.
The centre’s staff is attentive and well-trained, ensuring that guests feel safe and comfortable while exploring the underwater world. The experienced PADI dive instructors offer a range of courses for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced divers.
The centre is fully equipped with top-quality diving gear, including snorkeling and ocean kayaking equipment, allowing guests to enjoy various water sports. The diving experience at Lankayan Island is truly exceptional, with numerous dive sites that feature vibrant coral reefs, fascinating wrecks, and abundant marine life.
Lankayan Island is renowned for its rich and diverse marine life. The waters around the island are home to large schools of fish, such as clown anemone fishes, piranhas, numerous juvenile fishes, yellow tail barracuda, and yellowtail barracudas, as well as rarer macro world subjects, including ornate ghost pipefish, spider crabs, shrimp and porcelain crabs, and prawn gobies.
The island’s house reef is a true macro world paradise, with large stretches of beautiful hard and soft corals. Divers can expect to see an array of juvenile fishes, coral shrimps, and sea fans. The surrounding waters are also known for their sea turtle corridor, where guests can spot baby turtles and, with a little luck, adult sea turtles nesting on the beach.
The dive sites around Lankayan Island include four completely different wrecks, which are home to abundant fish life. These fascinating wrecks provide divers with the opportunity to explore and discover new marine species.
One of the main attractions at Lankayan Island Dive Resort is the unlimited house reef diving. Just a short swim from the shore, the house reef offers guests the opportunity to dive at their own pace, exploring the vibrant underwater world whenever they like.
The house reef is teeming with life, from juvenile fishes to rare macro species like the ornate ghost pipefish. This is the perfect location for both novice and experienced divers, with easily accessible dive sites just steps away from the chalets.
Lankayan Island is also a fantastic destination for snorkelers. With crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life, snorkelers can explore the house reef and enjoy close encounters with sea turtles, vibrant fish species, and beautiful coral gardens.
For those who prefer to relax, the island offers a stunning beach where guests can unwind while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
The resort also features a swimming pool with a view of the ocean, providing the perfect setting to relax after a day of adventure. Whether you are diving, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the beach, Lankayan Island offers a serene environment for all types of travelers.
Lankayan Island Dive Resort offers a range of packages, including dive and non-dive options. The rates are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and include the SIMCA (Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area) fee, which helps protect the area’s rich biodiversity. The resort’s packages are designed to accommodate both international and local guests, with special rates for divers and non-divers.
The rates include full board meals, accommodation, boat transfers, and access to dive sites. For guests who wish to explore the island’s dive sites further, there are additional charges for guided tours. Click here to find more info about our Lankayan Island Dive Resort package.
We also offer other exciting Sabah travel packages tailored to your needs. Click here to find more info about our Sabah travel package.
Booking your stay at Lankayan Island Dive Resort is easy. Payments can be made online via credit card, Malaysian bank transfer, PayPal, or FPX. Bookings can be made via email or phone, and a confirmation will be sent upon receipt of payment. To ensure availability, it is recommended to book well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Alternatively, guests can arrange their holiday through a travel agency like us, where we will take care of all the arrangements for a seamless and stress-free experience.
When planning your stay, Lankayan Island Dive Resort offers helpful itineraries to ensure a smooth experience. This includes information on pickup times, transport fees, and any additional services guests may require. Payments can be made in advance, or on the day of travel, depending on guest preferences.
Lankayan Island Dive Resort offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine marine environments. Whether you are a diver, a snorkeler, or simply someone looking for a relaxing getaway, Lankayan Island promises an unforgettable experience. With its clear waters, abundant marine life, and eco-tourism philosophy, the island provides the perfect escape into nature’s untouched beauty.
The best time to visit Lankayan Island is during the dry season, from March to October when the weather is ideal for diving and snorkeling.
No, the Lankayan Dive Centre offers courses for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced divers.
Yes, Lankayan Resort is a fantastic destination for snorkeling, with clear waters and an abundance of marine life.
The rates include the SIMCA fee, but additional charges apply for guided dive tours and other activities.
Yes, Lankayan Island Dive Resort is suitable for families, with a range of activities for children and adults alike.
Tell us what kind of adventure you’re looking for. From mountain climbs and island escapes to wildlife and cultural tours. We’ll customize it just for you!
Need help? Call our tour experts at 019-5491400
Remarkable Borneo Travel & Tours is a Malaysian tour operator based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We offer a wide range of affordable and appealing Sabah tour packages, such as Mount Kinabalu climb, Borneo tours, Sabah diving and island packages and Sandakan tours. Our mission is to provide memorable travel experiences that allow our customers to discover the wonders of Borneo.
