LANKAYAN ISLAND RESORT

A jewel- like tiny island in the Sulu Sea and hour and a half boat ride's north of Sandakan , Lakayan is soon to be declared part of an immense Marine Protected Area. Unpopulated and covered by think tropical island vegetation on its topside, this peaceful, untouched tittle bit of paradise is ringed by an endless pure white sandy beach.While the ideal destination for who search tranquility and relaxation in a virgin natural setting and for families with children, Lakayan Island is also one of the hottest diving destination on the map today: its dive sites - all just a few minutes away - boast unbelievably colorful macro fauna, fascinating wrecks and, in season from March to May, regular sightings of gigantic and harmless whale sharks, the "dream date " of every diver in the world.

LANKAYAN DIVING

Lankayan Island is a true Macroworld paradise. Saved are large stretches of beautiful hard and soft corals belonging to numerous genera, among which are multitudes of macroworld subjects and juvenile fishes, colorful to the extreme.It is possible that some of the species found here are as yet undescribed. Pelagics also abound here, from large schools of scads, yellow tail barracudas, jacks, and many more. The many schools of medium to large humphead parrotfish are always exciting to encounter. Sometimes, the diver is lucky enough to meet large rays, guitarfish and even manatees.For those more inclined towards the smaller denizens of the reefs, there are numerous juvenile fishes, clown anemone fishes, decorator and spider crabs, coral shrimps, nudibranchs, prawn gobies and such rarer subjects as jawfish, ornate ghost pipefish and frogfish.

LANKAYAN ISLAND DIVE RESORT

Bugalow		Bedroom
Dive Centre		Stunning Beaches

Visitors stay in bungalows, made out of local wooden materials to blend into the natural surroundings. Twin/triple bungalows are available. Our chalets are well appointed, with hot bath and fresh water from mainland. Power is available with 220 V or 110 V. All chalets offering direct access to the beach.After a dive, the place for relaxation is the upper lounge which overlooks the western beach and jetty. Here, the tourist can enjoy some sun with a favourite cool drink. A TV room is available for viewing the day's video shots or other footages and a small over the counter shop offers film, batteries and toiletries, internet access.

Restaurant is spacious and serves some of the best and freshest seafood available.Meals are informally served at the central open building, which boasts at amazingly beautiful open-air wooden terrace, the ideal spot for after dinner relaxation and chatting, all the while admiring the dozens of juvenile blacktip sharks swimming leisurely a few feet beneath.

SEPILOK NATURE RESERVE

SEPILOK NATURE RESORT: Hidden amongst a veritable treasure trove of tropical plants and grasses, hug trees and spectacular orchids in bloom, the quaint bungalows of the Sepilok Nature Resort are within walking distance of the world-famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, precious home of the last wild Orang-utans of Northern Borneo .

The resort offers all the comforts and amenities needed after a long wet day spent trekking in the forest: all the timber chalets-sitting by a beautiful natural lake - have attached bathrooms with hot and cold water, shower and bathtub, ceiling fan and air-conditioning. Meals are served in the central building under coved terraces, and it is not uncommon at all to wake up in the morning with an Orang-utan or a few pig-tail Macaques sitting on the verandah.

Besides being the ideal staring point for most other wildlife land destinations in Sabah , as the fauna-rich Kinabatangan river and the surrounding Sukau area, the Sepilok Nature Resort also offers the perfect setting for relaxing after a long plane trip, before continuing on a diving holiday to Lakayan.

NATURE AT SEPILOK: The biggest mistake one could do while visiting the Sepilok lowland tropical forest would be watching the orangutans -- watching only the orangutans, that is: because this formidable stretch of wilderness-wisely preserved just a few miles from the modern bustle of Sandakan-offers and unequalled opportunity to observe in comfort the utterly complex mechanisms of nature at work in the tropics.After having admired for as long as needed the delicate grace of the big red-haired apes, their extraordinary prowess in tree-climbing and upside-down vine-dangling, and after having been dutifully moved to the depth of their heart by their soulful gaze (no other primate looks at you like and orangutan does), the visitors should stay a little longer in the forest, to take a leisurely stroll along the well marked trail in the company of a biologist and guide from the Rehabilitation Center.It is then - and only then - that one will be able to hear the gypnotic, cycada-like song of the tree frogs, the booming, cackling call of the great hornbill, the soft rustle in the dead leaves on the forest floor at the passing of a bronze skink. Only then the metallic shine of spider eyes will be apparent, only then the dead brown little branch will start walking with the hesitant steps of the stick insect, and it is only then that the bright green leaf buds on a low shrub will suddenly take the coiled shape of the pit viper waiting in ambush. 

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