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Lankayan
The picturesque island of Lankayan is one of Malaysia’s newest dive destinations. The island, which is just off east the coast of Sabah in the Sulu Sea, has only one resort, ensuring uncrowded dive sites and plenty of relaxation. Just a few minutes from the island are numerous interesting dive sites, including 3 wrecks, plenty of macro life, some colourful reefs & - in season - the chance to see Whalesharks.

Dive Spots
A couple of kilometres to the south of Lankayan is Jawfish Layer. This site has an excellent variety of both hard & soft corals and is a favourite site. It is possible to find all manner of macro delights here - many Frogfish lie perfectly camouflaged in ambush, Ghost Pipefish are common, quite a few different species of Nudibranch’s can be found and even the elusive Mimic Octopus can be seen here if you are lucky. Further south, the Katcing Group of islands have some dive sites that are also good for small things, especially Nudibranch's. The area also has some larger inhabitants. Look on the sand and you will see the eyes of Stingrays cautiously following you, while Leopard Sharks can also be seen taking a nap. The site gets its name from the Yellow Jawfish though. This curious-looking fish can be found in with its head sticking out of the rubble. Look closely, and you may notice that its mouth is full of tiny eggs. Moskito Wreck, just to the east of Lankayan, is a great wreck for diving. The Japanese ship came to grief in WWII and now sits between 10 and 25 metres of water in calm conditions, allowing divers plenty of time to uncover its mysteries. The ship is in excellent condition, the main structure is still intact and the ship’s gun still perches proudly on the bow. Barracuda & large schools of Trevally are often seen around the wreck, while the structure itself is an excellent spot to look for small critters. Lankayan Wreck & another small wreck just off the main jetty are also good dives, with plenty of macro delights to be found, including Ornate Ghost Pipefish & Painted Frogfish. To the north are more enjoyable shallow reefs with excellent corals that hide plenty of unusual life. The big draw of the area is the seasonal appearance of Whale Sharks though. Around April & May, Lankayan is an excellent place to encounter these gentle giants as they cruise past on their ancient migration routes. Turtles are also fairly common and the island itself is a breeding ground for both Green & Hawksbill Turtles. Bumphead Parrotfish & large Groupers are also regularly seen, as are Octopus & Cuttlefish. Those who are really lucky may even bump into a docile Dugong.

Dive Bases
Lankayan is a small island, with only one high end resort - Lankayan Dive Resort, that has been built specifically with divers in mind. Diving is included as a package with your accommodation. The island can also be dived from Sandakan on mainland Sabah, although this is not a common option. Lankayan can be dived year-round, offering easy diving, calm seas & an excellent diversity of life. April & May is the time for Whale Shark encounters
Lankayan Find Dive Centres & Resorts in Lankayan Dive All of the islands dive sites are just a few minutes from the resort and a number of trips are made each day, generally returning to the resort between dives. Travel The island is reached by boat from Sandakan on the mainland. The closest major airport is Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah in the north of the state. Stay Lankayan Dive Resort offers high-end accommodation in beach-side bungalows, normally as a package with your diving. Accommoation must be booked in advance. Do Once the diving is over, relaxing, enjoying the picture perfect setting & marvelling at the island's tranquility are about as active as Lankayan gets.

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