Coming soon
3 Days 2 nights
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Lankayan is a small tropical island in the Sulu Sea, about
one and a half hours by boat from the port of Sandakan, and sits within a large marine protected area with excellent diving. Unpopulated and circled by a white sandy shore, Lankayan Island is also exquisitely private, perfect for honeymooners and anyone seeking peace and tranquility.
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As the only resort on the island, Lankayan Island Dive Resort was built in 1997 with sustainability in mind, and is an outstanding example of how eco-tourism can contribute to conservation. Today it boasts a privately-managed conservation area called SIMCA – Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area – which is 467 square kilometers and includes three main atolls consisting of Lankayan, Tegaipil and Billean. These three islands are historic nesting places for the endangered Green and Hawksbill turtles, and SIMCA plays a crucial role in enforcing a no-take zone, protecting the turtle eggs, and monitoring long-term environmental changes in coral cover, fish life, water quality, and sedimentation.
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If you want your tourism dollars to go a bit further, a
percentage of what you pay goes into SIMCA’s conservation fund which
helps sustain the patrolling of boats by locally trained wardens, supports the turtle hatchery, and aids in other marine conservation efforts.
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Conservation efforts aside, the resort is lovely, consisting
of 23 wooden chalets right on the beach. Every chalet has its own private balcony with direct access to the beach. Delicious fresh meals and snacks are available throughout the day, with an emphasis on locally caught seafood, and evening barbecues held at the bar.
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If you are an avid diver, Lankayan Island is wonderful.
Through the professional dive center, go on three boat dives a day, or simply
buddy up and dive the excellent house reef straight from the shore. Non-divers can keep busy with snorkeling, kayaking, or visiting the turtle hatchery.
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Day 1
Pick-up from your Sandakan hotel at 9:00 AM for transfer to Pulau Sipadan Resort jetty (If booking a flight to Sandakan, you need to arrive by 9:00 AM to allow travel time to the jetty to catch the once daily boat to Lankayan Island). Upon arrival, depart to Lankayan Island on the 10:00 AM scheduled boat (1.5 hour boat ride). Register, check-in and settle into your chalet on the island. For divers orientation will be held at 3 pm. Rest of the day free at your own leisure.
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Day 2
Breakfast at the resort. Divers will go on 3 boat dives in front of the Dive Center. Non-divers free at leisure – you are free to rent snorkel gear and snorkel off the beach at the house reef.
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Day 3
Early morning after breakfast at 7:00 AM, depart the resort to return to Pulau Sipadan Resort jetty for drop off at your hotel in Sandakan, Sepilok or airport. If booking an airport connection, please book flights after 11:00 AM. Included in the package is also a guided tour to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabililtation Center upon arrival back in Sandakan – you just have to pay your own entrance fees.
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*Due to the limited quota given it is advisable to book in advance.
Please note that deposit will have to be made to make the reservation.
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