Layang-Layang Island is one of Southeast Asia's most unique coral atolls. Part of the Spratly Islands, it lies at depths exceeding 2,000 meters. Formed by thousands of years of coral accumulation, it has risen above the sea level. Today, the island is approximately 1.2 kilometers long and only 200 meters wide.

In the past, the island was a mere reef that only surfaced during low tide. The Malaysian government reclaimed and developed it in the late 1980s to establish a naval station and maritime patrol base, citing its strategic and economic importance in the South China Sea.

It has since been developed into a conservation tourism destination, particularly for scuba diving, as the island's ecosystem remains remarkably rich. The coral reefs are robust and highly diverse. Divers often encounter schools of hammerhead sharks during peak season from April to July. Manta rays, tuna, sea bass, and numerous other colorful fish are also common.

Layang-Layang Island boasts only one resort, the Layang-Layang Resort, managed jointly by the government and private sectors. This resort accommodates approximately 80–100 visitors per session to maintain the ecological balance. The island has no permanent settlement, and all visitors must book accommodation and transportation in advance. The resort only offers a few charter flights per week from Kota Kinabalu.

The island's tranquility and unpolluted skies make it one of the region's most beautiful stargazing and sunset spots. It also serves as a key marine biology study site for the University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Tourism management here emphasizes strict eco-diving practices, including prohibiting the handling or touching of marine animals, the collection of coral, the use of sunscreen containing reef-destroying chemicals, and the limited number of dive boats per day. This has helped the island maintain its pristine condition, earning it the nickname "The Jewel of the South China Sea."

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How to Get There

• Travel to Layang-Layang Island must be booked through the resort. Tourists fly from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, taking approximately one hour, with limited flights per week.
• Boat travel is not popular due to the long distance and rough sea conditions.

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Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit:

• The island is open to tourists and offers diving only from March to August, avoiding the monsoons.

Advance Booking:

• Since there is only one resort and limited flights, packages must be booked several months in advance.

Activities:

• The island's tourism is primarily focused on diving. There are no white-sand beaches or other activities.

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Admission Fees:

• There is no entrance fee to the island, but you must pay for a diving and accommodation package at the island's only resort, which is quite expensive due to its remote location (prices vary depending on the number of diving days and room type).

Opening Hours:

• The resort and diving activities are open from March to August, six months a year (closed during the monsoon season, from September to February).