Lankayan Island Dive Resort
The only resort on Lankayan Island, inside the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area. Whale sharks visit reliably March through May; green and hawksbill turtles nest June through September.
Lankayan Island Dive Resort is the sole resort on a small island in the Sulu Sea, 1.5 hours north of Sandakan by boat. Since 2001 the island has been part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), with fishing prohibited and marine biologists conducting regular reef surveys. The house reef reflects that protection: consistently good visibility and a healthy coral structure that muck divers and reef divers both find productive.
Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area
The two standout seasonal events are whale shark sightings and turtle nesting. Whale sharks are seen regularly from March through May; the encounters are in open water at the surface rather than on the reef, and typically involve snorkelling alongside them. From June through September, green and hawksbill turtles arrive to nest on the island’s beaches. Guests can request to be woken if nesting or hatching occurs during their stay. Outside these windows the island’s reefs, house reef jetty, and occasional wreck diving are the main draw.
In December 2001 the Malaysian government declared Lankayan one of three islands constituting the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA). Fishing is now prohibited in the area and officers from the Malaysian police, the Wildlife Department of Sabah, and the company Reef Guardian work hard to protect the reef and to combat poachers. Resident marine biologists also survey and census the surrounding ecosystem to track its health and learn more about the intricacies of its ecology.
As part of the Sea Turtle Corridor, Lankayan Island is a regular stop for Green and Hawksbill turtles. Local marine preserve staff work hard to protect the turtles from poachers, careless humans, and predation. Turtle eggs are carefully counted and brought to a fenced off turtle hatchery. Upon hatching the turtles are counted again and released into the sea.
Guests at the Lankayan Island resort can request that they be woken up or contacted if the turtle hatching occurs during their stay. Visitors can also learn more about Lankayan’s conservation efforts at its information centre.
Facilities
Meals are served on an open terrace overlooking the water; juvenile black tip sharks are a common sight at the surface during dinner. The dive centre runs three daily boat dives plus unlimited jetty diving and night dives. Equipment rental, snorkels, and kayaks are available. There is a beach bar, TV room, internet access, and a small shop. The island operates at a deliberate pace and suits guests who are not looking for organised activities beyond diving and the conservation programme.
The whale shark season (March to May) books up earlier than the rest of the year. If your dates fall in that window, ask us about availability sooner rather than later.
