LABUAN Labuan, located in the South China Sea about 8 km off the coast
of Sabah, is a charming island port and Malaysia's only deep-water
anchorage. Seen from the air, Labuan has often been likened to a star
floating on a turquoise sea. A thriving duty-free port and international
offshore financial center, Labuan has developed into an important
venue for business and commerce. The island offers several excellent
hotels and international venues for meetings, conventions and trade
exhibitions.
Places of Interest
Labuan-Wreck Diving
Labuan is a haven for wreck diving. The four wrecks located within
Labuan's waters, namely the Blue Water, Cement, American, and Australian
wrecks, are easily accessible. The types of diving skill required
on these wrecks are rated from novice to experienced, with penetration
into the hulls. Professional diver operators cater for daily dive
trips, as well as from Openwater to Wreck Diving Specialty courses.
The Cement Wreck can be dived by novices, but the Blue Water, American
and Australian Wrecks require Advanced Divers or logged experience.
Diving Labuan island is reputed to be a diving and fishing haven. The
coral reefs in these waters are some of the best around, while the
Lucornia Shoals make great fishing grounds for game and deep-sea fishing
enthusiasts.
Diving and fishing trips can be arranged at hotels and local travel agents.
The Chimney Standing 105 feet high, the Chimney is a relic from the coal-mining
era of the 1800s. Coal was transported by a single rail track to Victoria
Port in Labuan, which served as a station for ships sailing to the
Far East. The Chimney is Labuan's most famous landmark.
Getting there:
Local transport is available to Tanjong Kubong, outside Labuan town.
War Memorial A landscaped cemetery dedicated to the Australian, New Zealand,
and British Allied servicemen who lost their lives during the World
War II. It also contains a section dedicated to the Punjab Regiment
of Indian soldiers who died fighting alongside the servicemen.
Getting there:
Take a taxi from Jalan Tun Mustapha or the town center.
Labuan-Wreck Diving