5D4N : Dive at Lankayan Island
On the northeastern coast of Borneo Malaysia lies the city of Sandakan and roughly 80 kilometers north of Sandakan
Introduction
On the northeastern coast of Borneo Malaysia lies the city of Sandakan and roughly 80 kilometers north of Sandakan, or one and a half hours by speedboat, lies the little known island of Lankayan. Popular among muck divers and big fish enthusiasts alike, Lankayan Island offers something for everyone.
Baby turtles, giant whale sharks, and relaxing white sandy beaches are just a few of the sights you’ll enjoy while staying at the Lankayan Island Resort. Far from civilization, 80 kilometers from Sandakan, Lankayan Island Resort offers all the modern amenities you’ll need to relax after a long day of exploring. A macro diving paradise, this Marine Protected Area offers plenty of healthy coral reefs filled with strange and beautiful creatures. Lankayan Island Resort, with its 23 lovely chalets, is the only resort on the island.
Best Time to Visit :
Diving is open all year at Lankayan however the best diving occurs during the dry season from March through October.
Do allow 1 week time for processing, booking for accommodation and for dive trips.
Dive Site Information
Lankayan Notable Dive Sites :
Over 20 dive sites including several wrecks and numerous small reefs surround Lankayan Island. From tiny nudibranchs to the world’s largest fish – the whale shark – there is plenty to see around Lankayan Island. Prepare for your trip by learning about a few of Lankayan’s more notable dive sites.
Jetty Wreck: Right off Lankayan Island’s jetty is this artificial wreck easily accessed by a guide rope. Before you reach the small fishing boat down below you’ll see schools of batfish and jacks. As you get further down keep an eye out for blue spotted rays, cuttlefish, and scorpion fish. Anemone fish are common and frogfish are often found at night. Also look for lionfish lurking around the jetty’s pillars. The dive reaches a depth of 20 meters.
Jawfish Lair: About an 8 minute boat ride from the Lankayan Island jetty, this dive site is named after a small fish with a big mouth. The yellow jawfish poking out of the sandy seafloor have the curious habit of protecting their eggs by incubating them in their mouths. Rays and leopard sharks may also be found resting in the sand but don’t forget to enjoy the wide variety of hard corals in the shallower areas of this dive. You may find nudibranchs, frogfish, and cuttlefish. This dive reaches a depth of 28 meters.
Lankayan Wreck: About 8 minutes to the west of Lankayan Island is a sunken boat that was once used for fish poaching. Fortunately the wreck is now home to a wide variety of fish. Groupers and yellow sea perch are often seen around the boat, as are the small and hard to find ghost pipefish. This is a relatively shallow dive at 15-23 meters. Visit March through May to see whale sharks passing through.
Froggie Fort: Located on the northeast end of the island just north of the Lankayan Wreck the reef at this site is known for its frogfish. Batfish, angelfish, pufferfish, and triggerfish are all also easily found at this reef. Make sure to keep an eye out for lobsters and nudibranchs.
Mel’s Rock: This dive site is just south of Lankayan Island. Surrounded by sand this small patch of reef is composed mostly of hard corals. However, soft coral can be found at the top of the reef roughly 12 meters down. Nudibranchs are common and lobsters can be found among the barrel sponges.
Mosquito Wreck: The ship at this site was once part of Japan’s World War II Mosquito Fleet. Today it is home to jacks and barracuda. Look into the open ocean and you may see a manta ray or whale shark. Plenty of fish have made this wreck home, however take a moment to appreciate the boat itself. The bow gun is still intact as are other parts of the ship. This dive reaches a depth of 25 meters.
Twin City: This site consists of two small reefs separated by a narrow strip of sand. Look among the black coral bushes for small transparent shrimps of which there are many. Blue fusiliers and rabbit fish are often seen among the reefs. Lucky divers may see a bamboo shark or cat shark lurking around this dive site. Watch out for small jellyfish as they do sting.
Moray Reef: A bit farther from Lankayan Island than the other dive sites, Moray Reef is an excellent site for getting away from groups of other divers. As the name suggests this reef is known for its moray eels - so look into the reef’s crevices and check around the corals for gaping morays.
Extension Night :
Prices per person in SGD $
SGD $305.00 – Diver (includes diving)
SGD $250.00 – Non-diver
SGD $130.00 – Child
(below 12-years)
Other Rates :
Triple-share occupants gets
a 5% discount
Single supplement surcharge at 50% of Twin rates
What's Included
Return transfers from Sandakan airport to jetty
Return boat transfers from Lankayan Island
04 nights in twin-share Chalet
03 buffet-style meals a day
Afternoon snacks
Daily Tea/coffee, cold water and cordial
03 guided boat dives per day around the islands
Scuba tanks, weight belt with weights
Unlimited self-guided buddy housereef diving
Self-guided night diving for certified divers
Boat Schedules to/from Lankayan Island Resort
Sandakan to Lankayan: 10.00am
Lankayan to Sandakan: 07.00am
Equipment needed for the excursion:
Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera
Check-In Time into Chalet– 13:00 pm
Check-Out Time from Chalet – 06:00 am
EQUIPMENT RENTAL AT THE RESORT (Prices exclude 6% GST)
1. BC JACKET MYR 30/DAY
2. REGULATOR/GAUGES/OCTOPUS MYR 30/DAY
3. TORCH WITH BATTERIES MYR 20/DIVE
4. MASK, SNORKEL MYR 15/DAY
5. FIN MYR 10/DAY
6. WET SUIT MYR 25/DAY
7. BOOTIES MYR 10/DAY
*Prices are subject to change
What's Excluded
• Equipment rental
• Marine park fee
• 4 x AA sized batteries (if required for night dive)
• Airfare (if any)
• Taxes and fuel surcharges,
• Personal expenses (includes drinks, bills and tips),
• Travel insurance (proof of insurance required),
• Visa application and fees (if applicable),
• Gratitude for the Boat Crew / Guide
Dive Trip Requirements
• Valid passport and Visa (if applicable)
• Cash in Singapore or local currency (Malaysian Ringgit; RM)
• Personal Medication
• Travel Insurance (recommended)
• Able to snorkel/swim in the sea
• Minimum of PADI Open Water Diver Certification or equivalent (for leisure diver)
Non-Diver Package :
Prices quoted are all inclusive except for dive equipment, where guest can bring their own or rent from the resort or just rent some that they need only. Example - snorkel and fins.
For:-
A) NON-DIVER Are only allowed to dive in front of the Dive Centre with Instructor via Padi Discovery Scuba Programme (DSD).
B) NOT A CERTIFIED DIVER YET or Are only allowed to dive in front of the Dive Centre with Instructor via Padi Discovery Scuba Programme (DSD).
C) DIVER WHO DO NOT WISH TO DIVE DURING BOOKING but later wish to dive may do so and will be charged at the resort based on Per Dive Rate.
Non-Diving Package Includes :
2-way land transfer from Sandakan Airport/Hotel to Sandakan Yacht Club jetty (35minutes)
2-way boat transfer from Sandakan Yatch Club jetty to Lankayan Island Resort (105 minutes)
Accommodation on twin/triple sharing basis in the Resort
Fresh buffet meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner throughout the stay.
Afternoon snacks served.
Tea/Coffee, Cold Water and Cordial served throughout the day
Snorkel around the Island (from the shore or from Lankayan Dive Centre)
Optional guided tour to the Orang Utan Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre on last day (should this option to be included, guest will pay for their own entrance fee at the gate)
How to Get There
As Lankayan lies nearby the city of Sandakan in eastern Sabah; you will first have to take a plane from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu (or any other city that flies to Sandakan) to Sandakan. The boat ride to Lankayan Island takes about one and a half hour from Sandakan. As the boat leaves very early in the morning; it is best to stay in Sandakan the night before. The boat ride is always part of your reservation at Lankayan Island Dive Resort; your reservation also includes a pickup from your hotel or resort (in Sandakan).
Payment Terms
SGD 100 deposit required upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and dive trip.
Payment payable once upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and or with dive trip package/s.
Equipment Rental
Rates (SGD)/ Per Day
Dive Torch : SGD 10
Dive Computer : SGD 15
Dive Computer - D4i : SGD 30
Camera : SGD 35
Disclaimer
Estimated rates for booking :
Exact cost of dive trip booking depends on each dive itinerary and arrangement package. Invoice on the payment details will be sent to your personal email account upon booking.
Terms and Conditions :
All reservation MUST provide the following information: Name as per passport, Passport Number, NRIC (for MALAYSIAN ONLY), Nationality, Gender, Date of Birth, Medical & Flight details, and at least 1 Emergency contact information of friend or relative.
For Diver, the following additional INFORMATION required:
a) Diving Qualification & Level :
b) Number of logged dives (approx) :
c) Last logged dive (dd/mm/yy) :
Packages Includes: Land & boat transfer on the check-in and check-out day only. Additional fees will be charged for unscheduled transfers.
Package Excludes: Diving equipments & gears, beverages, laundry, room service, airfares and item not mentioned or specified in the packages
Extension Stay: Extension Night Stay is permitted subject to the accommodation availability
Full payment is required 30 days prior to commencement of services. If full payment is not received by the due date, your reservation will be cancelled and full deposit will be retained by the Resort.
After commencement of service, no refund, in part or full, will be given for services included in the package which have not been utilized
Weather conditions: We cannot predict the weather conditions these days for scuba diving even for the best season
Infant, Pregnant Woman and Senior Citizens (above 80 years old) are not allowed by boat to the Resort.
Scubareefing will not be held liable for any delay, additional expenses of inconvenience which may be caused by directly or indirectly by events outside of the company control, such as late arrival of domestic or international flights, civil disturbances, fire, floods, unusually sever weather, act of God, act of Government, or the failure of any machinery or equipment and property whilst staying at the resort, of during participation of any activity. In the unlikely event that the dive trip is cancelled due to bad weather, rough and dangerous sea conditions, a natural disaster, an act of God, war, political unrest, a danger to passengers, or the boat, then the resort has the right to cancel or delay the departure. The resort withholds the rights to change the planned itinerary, leave for jetty early or change the schedule.
Scubareefing will not be held responsible, or in any way liable, for property losses, personal losses, accidents, injury, or death for any reason whatsoever, wheter through any activities booked through us, or caused to you by third parties. All guest will be required to read and sign the company Standard Liability Form and other related forms at the resort upon arrival and check-in.
We strongly recommend that all guests take up adequate travel insurance that covers accident, loss caused by cancellations, loss of baggage, personal property, medical expenses, medical evacuation and weather disruption that caused any acitivity cancellations. Guests intending on participating in diving activities must ensure their insurance covers them for SCUBA related activities and has appropriate ‘depth’ coverage.
Cancellation Policy
Any change in trip dates after booking confirmation will be subjected to SGD 100 administrative fees per change/s. Full fees will be charges for
packages cancelled or postponed with less than 28 days notice.
If you cancel less than 28 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, full payment will be non-refundable. If more than 28 days, 50% of the package
price will be forfeited with an administrative charge of SGD 50 Payable to the dive shop.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
* The timings are as estimated proposed. Diving trip is subjected to road/traffic/tide/weather conditions on the day of trip.
Additional Information
Currency accepted: Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
Electricity Supply: 220-240V 50Hz, 3 pin straight plug
Time difference: None
Immigration: Countries which require a visa for entry
Marine Park fee: Approximately 5RM
* The timings are as estimated proposed. Diving trip is subjected to road / traffic / tide / weather conditions on the day of trip. Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in
itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip. Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Please check you have the required travel documents before booking your dive trip. Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from your time of entry into Malaysia.
