Labuan

The Federal Territory comprises Labuan Island and six other smaller islands that, together with Labuan, have an area of 92 km². The islands lie 8 km off the coast of Borneo adjacent to the Malaysian state of Sabah and the independent State of Brunei Darulssalam and are on the northern edge of Brunei Bay facing the South China Sea. Labuan is largely flat and undulating and the highest point is only 85 metres. More than 70 percent of the island is still covered with vegetation. Bandar Labuan or Labuan Town, formerly known as Victoria, is the major town and Port and faces Brunei Bay.

Sights -  Labuan’s attraction

Marine Park

The now protected islands of Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar of the Labuan Marine Park has little to offer but a place to relax. The water is clear and beaches are clean but the sand not powdery white as in other islands. The snorkeling are not the best as there is little or no corals from dynamite fishing. What is good is there is little crowds, but just you, a book and the sea breeze. Try to hire boats from the jetty at the Market to the islands.

Labuan Marine Museum

This museum was set up to preserve the precious marine heritage of Labuan. Conceptualised after a ship, visitors enter the museum through a metal bridge and are exposed to myriad aquariums displaying all kinds of marine life. Once can also touch and feel starfishes, sea cucumbers and king crabs. Free Admission, 9am-5pm.

Peace Park

Peace Park was built as a memorial and renunciation of the horrors of the Second World War. Prominently seen in the park is a large raised-mound with two walls, surrounded by landscaped gardens and pavilions. Arched bridges over tranquil ponds and shaded gazebos create a feeling of serenity.

Surrender Point

Surrender point is where the 37th Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Division Australian Imperial Forces on 9th September 1945 which led to the end of World War II in Borneo. Southeast Asia's first war crime trials were also conducted in this area.

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial is a beautifully landscaped memorial garden and the final resting place of 3,908 war heroes who died in the war. Every year in November a commemoration is held to honour the lives of the valiant men who fought during the war.

Water Villages

There are many water villages in Labuan but the main ones are Kampung Patau-Patau and Kampung Bebuloh Laut. Each house is connected to the other by cement walkways. It is an interesting stroll through these houses with brightly coloured blooms.

Botanical Gardens

About five minutes from Labuan town, is the Botanical Gardens which was previously the grounds of the Government House, locally known as 'Bumbung 12'. Built in 1852, the house was a long and low structure with an interesting roof design. The Botanical Gardens is a recreational park with old tress and beautiful landscaping.

Chimney

The Chimney is a 106 foot high red brick stack believed to be linked to the coal mining days of Labuan. In its heyday, a thriving settlement was built at the seafront area below the Chimney. It was then used as a bell tower to announce the arrival of ships to the residents below. The structure has become an intriguing mystery that fascinates locals and visitors alike.

Labuan Bird Park

The labuan Bird Park is located near the Chimney structure. The park has three large dome-like cages amidst a sprawling landscape. Enhance your knowledge on the feathered species as you encounter hornbills, kingfishers, sharmas, mynas, peacocks and herons.

Wreck Diving

Labuan Island offers some of the best wreck diving. Four shipwrecks have been discovered off Labuan. The American Wreck is the USS Salute, a minesweeper located 33m at the bottom was built in the late 1943, and sunk by a mine in 1945. The Australian Wreck was a freighter built in Rotterdam, which fell into the hands of the Japanese. It was sunk by the Australian Air Force in 1945. The Cement Wreck is the MV Tung Hwang, a freighter that hit a sandbank in 1980 and sunk. It was carrying cement for the sultan of Brunei’s new palace. This is the easiest to dive and often used for wreck dive training. The Blue Water Wreck is the MV Mabini Padre, a Philippine trawler that sank in 1981. Borneo Divers, a dive operator, have an office in the Waterfront Labuan Hotel to arrange dives. www.borneodivers.info.

Places to stay

Melati Inn. Tel : (6087) 416307, Price : RM48

Hotel Sri Villa. Tel : (6087) 413605, Price : RM35-40

Hotel Mariner. Tel : (6087) 418822, Price : RM82-136

Ambassador Hotel. Tel : (6087) 423233, Price : RM60-80

Global Hotel. Tel : (6087) 425201, Price: RM69-99

Waterfront Labuan Hotel. Tel (6087) 418111, Price RM178-200

Sheraton Labuan. www.sheraton.com

Hotel Tiara. www.tiaralabuan.com

Getting there

Flights are available from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Miri and Kuching. Labuan is a 20 minute boat ride from Menumbok, a small fishing town on the mainland of Sabah. High speed air conditioned ferries travel daily from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

Homestays in Labuan

Stay in a traditional home instead of a hotel and get a feel of the kampung(village life). Please see homestay link.

For more information please

Labuan Tourist Information Centre, Lot 4260, Jalan Dewan/Jalan Berjaya, Labuan 87007, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan 
Phone: +6087-423 445   Fax: +6087-423 446   Email: mtpblbu@tourism.gov.my , www.labuantourism.com.my

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