Layang Layang Island
Layang Layang Island, also referred to as “Shallow Reef”, is an oceanic atoll approximately 7 km long and 2 km wide, part of 600 reefs, atolls and islands known as the Spratlys, located 300km north-west from Kota Kinabalu, in the Sabah region of Malaysia.
You will find that there is only one resort on the island, built along the edge of the lagoon, which features 76 standard rooms and 10 deluxe rooms.
Layang Layang Island History
Pulau Layang Layang (in Malay, “Pulau” translates to “Island”) is a man-made island, created by connecting two isolated reefs and filling up the channel between them. In the 1980’s, the Malaysian government built a naval base on the island, claiming its property.
Today there are only a few people living in Layang Layang Island, most of whom are from Sabah or Sarawak.
How to Get to Layang Layang Island
Layang Layang can be reached by plane from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah. The flight takes approximately 1 hour.
The resort is closed from September to February because of the heavy monsoon rain, but it can be visited from March to August, when the weather is at its best and temperatures usually range from 25°C to 35°C.
It is also important to mention that there are no roads or cars on the island, the only means of transportation around the island being by foot or by boat, from one diving site to another.
Diving on Layang Layang Island
Pulau Layang Layang is most famous for its remarkable scuba diving spots. Here you will have the chance to dive into clear, unpolluted water and see flourishing gorgonian forests of colorful sea fans, corals, barrel sponges, giant clams and various marine creatures, a very common sighting being the hammerhead shark. Other species you might spot include turtles, sea horses, large schools of jackfish, parrot fish and barracudas, pipe fish, cuttle fish, leopard sharks, white tip sharks and sting rays.
If you are not yet a diver, the Layang Layang diving centre offers intensive courses.
Whether you are an experienced diver or only just a beginner, in Layang Layang you will find skilled and friendly instructors who will teach you the basics of scuba diving and marine zoology, and assist you whenever during your dives.
Layang Layang Island Resort
Non-divers find plenty to do on the island as well. Layang Layang Island is a wonderful location if you are interested in bird watching: the island offers the opportunity to see swallows, brown booby birds, crested terns, and many more interesting species of migratory sea birds.
You may also choose to simply enjoy the Asian sun or to go kayaking, wind surfing, snorkeling. If you just want to relax and enjoy the amazing seascape around you, the resort is ready to entertain you: the friendly staff and the great facilities, including a large swimming pool, a restaurant and lounge are there at your service.
The beautiful corals, the incredible marine wildlife and the exquisite resort all add up to make Layang Layang Island a truly memorable destination.
If you wish to stay on Layang Layang Island:
