Places To Go ( Day 4 )

Layang-Layang Island

Layang-Layang, known as "Swallows Reef" is an atoll situated in the South China Sea 300km north-west of Kota Kinabalu. The island is man-made and was constructed for the Malaysian Navy and later developed for the only dive resort, Layang-Layang Island Resort.

The island location offers absolute isolation, luckily there is an airstrip with regular flights from Kota Kinabalu, which is the only mode of transport for guests visiting Layang-Layang. The extreme location of Layang-Layang, the pristine reefs, excellent visibility, steep walls down to 2000km and regular sightings of pelagics has given Layang-Layang a much deserved reputation of being one of the top ten dive locations in the world.

With resident schools of barracuda and big-eye trevally and frequently seen green and hawksbill are plentifull and healthy with sea fans strecthing to more than three meters across that filter plankton from the passing currents.

The 20m deep lagoon has some great macro creatures to be found including seahorses, cuttlefish and pipefish but it is the pelagics visiting the outer walls that truly excite divers. Schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks and the occasional threshers and silvertip sharks can all be seen.

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 ove the last few years. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins frequently follow the dive boats to each location and divers are sometimes rewareded with snorkeling and diverse fish life and visiting pelagic marine life.

Layang-Layang has rightly gained worldwide recognition.

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre


Situated just two kilometers north-east of Kota Kinabalu City at Likas or ten minutes from the KK City Centre, the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (KKWC) formerly known as Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary (KKCBS) covers 24 hectares (60 acres) of mangrove forest . It is at once an educational and recreational centre.


Commonly sighted birds here include the migratory species from as far as Northern Asia, Siberia and Northern China like the sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank, egrets and herons as well as canopy birds such as collared kingfisher and stork-billed kingfisher. To date almost 80 species of birds have been identified at the sanctuary.For serious bird watching, wear colours that blend into the environment. You may rent binoculars for RM5.00



Opening Hours Tuesday to Sunday 8.00am till 6.00pm (Closed on Mondays)


Admission Fees



Malaysia-RM3.00 / Others RM10.00

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park was officially open to the public on the 17th February 2007. It is located along the Penampang-Papar old road and is fully developed by the Sabah Wildlife Department. The park consists of two components: zoological and botanical. The main objective of the park is to become a family-oriented park and the emphasis is put on the Children’s Zoo.

Among the inhabitants of the zoo (zoological component) are the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros, Orang Utan, Proboscis monkey, Malayan tiger, as well as some different species of deer.The botanical component, on the other hand; offers visitors the opportunity to go jungle trekking along the botanical trail. The paved trail is about 1.4 kilometers long.

However, for leisurely strolls, visitors are only advised to walk halfway along the trail.TariffsLok Kawi Wildlife Park is open for the public daily from 9.30a.m to 5.30p.m.

Entrance fees charged are as follows: adults RM10 (Malaysian) and RM20 (non-Malaysian), children below 18 years RM5 (Malaysian) and RM10 (non-Malaysian), group of 10 to 20 people gets 15% discount from normal rate, and group of 20 and above gets 20% discount from normal rate. No fee is charged on school children in school uniforms, senior citizens (age 60 and above), as well as the handicapped.