Local Destinations Malaysia
		Kapalai Kota Kinabalu Lankayan Island Layang-Layang Island Mabul Island Mataking Sepilok Sipadan Island
	Hotels and Resorts
		Layang–Layang Island Resort
	Malaysia Map
	Scuba Diving in Kapalai
	Local Travel Tips

Layang – Layang, known as “Swallows Reef” is an atoll situated in the South China Sea, 300 km north of Kota Kinabalu. The island is man made and was constructed for the Malaysian Navy and later developed for the Dive Resort, Layang – Layang Island Resort. This isolated resort is accessed by regular flights from Kota Kinabalu to the Island’s airstrip.

The extreme location, the pristine reefs, excellent visibility, steep walls that drop down to 2000 metres and regular sightings of pelagics have all given Layang – Layang a much deserved reputation of being one of the top dive locations in the world. Also known as 'The Jewel of the Borneo Banks', Layang - Layang is truly a magical marine kingdom of bottomless blue, decorated with a kaleidoscope of nature's most lavish seascape.

In order to receive ultimate diving conditions, Layang Layang is operational from March to October of each year.

With an average visibility of 30 to 50 metres, divers can expect an amazing scuba diving experience here. The sea floor, right off the edge of the isle, drops down to 2000 metres.With resident schools of barracudas and big eye trevally and also frequently seen green and hawksbill turtles, the reef has something to offer everyone.

The corals are plentiful and healthy, with some sea fans measuring more than three metres across. The 20 metres deep lagoon has some great macro creatures to be found including seahorses, cuttlefish and pipefish.

The pelagics that visit the outer reef walls truly make the diving here exciting: schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks and the occasional threshers and silver tip sharks can all be seen here. Stingrays are also regular visitors including manta rays, pygmy devil rays, marbled rays and eagle rays.

Rare sightings such as whale sharks, orcas and melon headed whales have all been seen over the last few years. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins frequently follow the dive boats to each location and divers are sometimes rewarded with snorkelling and diving with these amazing creatures. It is no wonder why Layang Layang is placed at the top of their lists for the best diving spot.

To protect this unique marine environment, all divers are informed about the strict Environmental Conservation Programme set-up by the resident Dive Centre and are required to sign a Reef Conservation Policy prior commencing their diving.
 

Layang – Layang Island Resort

Facing the calm water of the lagoon, the resort boasts 76 rooms and 10 suites in six blocks of hardwood timber structures. Every room is air-conditioned with private amenities and comes equipped with TV, fridge, extra size beds and a private balcony.

Amenities: There is a bar and a restaurant, which offers an extensive variety of Asian and Continental dishes. There is a swimming pool, souvenir shop, massage parlour known as the "Raba-Raba House" where guests can indulge in a round of relaxing body massage and foot reflexology. Layang Layang Island Resort also offers conferencing and banqueting facilities, which can easily accommodate up to 200 pax. Conference room caters for company seminars, meetings and incentive group functions. Fresh water for the resort comes from a desalination plant, which offers crystal clear waters.

The dive operation is a certified PADI dive centre headed by qualified instructors with vast experience in running professional dive operations. A team of 6 dive masters/ instructors who had logged hundreds of dives in Layang Layang will assist with the daily scheduled dive trips.