Lankayan Island Resort — Hotel in Sabah

Lankayan is just like the pictures, although hard to believe.||Turtles are in the shallow waters, all day, every day. So if you want to see them, there is genuinely no better place. The corals were in beautiful condition, with many stunning fish. Baby black tip reef sharks can be seen in the shallows, and if you're lucky, you might see a bigger sharks while snorkelling. There's also a giant bump head parrot fish swimming around each day, as well as barracuda. I personally think the snorkelling is better than the diving, which seemed to be more suited for macro lovers.||The rooms were stunning, and we pretty much had the island to ourselves, with the exception of just a couple of small groups and couples. I would recommend the water villas, particularly villas 1-4 if you want to see the turtles from your balcony, as they feed on the sea grass. When looking up from our loungers, we could often see 5+ turtles swimming around, coming up for air every few minutes or so. Villas 5-9 overlook the coral, so still plenty to see. ||Turtles are absolutely everywhere! The turtles laid eggs every night, often beneath the beach chalets. The staff wake you up if a turtle is comfortable, and laying its eggs, so you will see them regardless of where you stay if you opt in. It was clear that the welfare of the turtles was the priority and observation second, which I truly appreciate. ||We visited out of season and saw 4 turtles (both green and hawksbill) laying eggs within 5 minutes one evening, so who knows how many come to shore when it's peak turtle season each night. This was a once in a lifetime experience. Hatchlings are released in the evening and we saw two sets released. Simply magical. ||For anyone concerned about safety, you can buy high risk insurance for a reasonable price in the UK, which I would recommend. However, we felt very very safe. Military is stationed on the island, but you would barely know they are there despite the small size of the island.||Lankayan is like a Maldivian paradise, swarmed with turtles, that is pretty much empty in September/October, so you feel like you have it to yourself. In fact, it's likely the island will come off the high risk list in the future, and I expect the island will become much more popular. So I would recommend visiting sooner rather than later, and slightly out of season for a more private experience. ||The island is tiny, but with so much to see. If you want crystal clear water, incredible snorkelling and dream like chalets, you won't find better in Borneo or Malaysia. Stay at least 3 nights, no less. We thought 3 nights would be enough given your are so isolated, but we regretted not staying longer to spend more time swimming with the turtles and relaxing.||In my opinion, other alternatives in Malaysia won't compare if you're looking for paradise. I've heard that the Perhentian Islands are beautiful, but can be overcrowded. That won't be a problem here. ||The food was nice/homely, but limited. It is served buffet style but a la carte when there are very few people on the island. It felt like they were feeding you to survive, but it's a dive resort first, even if it does feel like you're in a 5 star resort in the Maldives! Either way, we still enjoyed the food and did not have any complaints. I would recommend stocking up on snacks and drinks, although drinks are available to buy from the restaurant, at the shop near the jetty before catching the 1.5hr boat ride.||I would also note that we seemed to be the first room to be cleaned each morning, so we were awoken by the cleaners on a number of occasions waiting for us to leave the room, very early in the morning. In hindsight, we should have put the do not disturb up, but I wasn't expecting to be awoken before breakfast to vacate my room on my relaxing holiday in paradise!||In summary, if you're considering Lankayan Island for snorkelling, relaxation and turtles in Malaysia or Borneo, I don't think you will find a better option. Sipadan is likely better for diving, but I can't compare it as I haven't been. This was truly the perfect end to our 2 weeks in Borneo, in one of the most beautiful locations...

We read some mixed reviews of this place. I will try and summarise - accommodation, resort, and snorkelling. We did not dive.||||Accommodation - we stayed in the water bungalows which we would highly recommend to go for over the beach villas. While they have access to the beach there is nothing better than waking up to views of the sea and nothing else! The accommodation is large and has seating areas as well as a large bathroom. The bathroom is open to the elements in that you can view the sea bed through the gaps in the floor boards and in the morning you hear the sound of the sea while you get ready for the day. The balconies are large and screened. If feels like you have so much privacy while below you the sea creatures are everywhere! The only gripe I would have is that the AC was not as effective as what you would expect in a 5 star hotel - however you have to remember this is not a beach resort! It’s wonderful accommodation that is simple and it’s all about the location! Here it’s all about the sea and the isolation. We were able to see the starts most nights with the Milky Way visible to us… with distant thunder and lightning on the mainland far away! ||||Resort - this is a dive resort with a focus on this. The central hut which serves as the dining area, a library and bar / lounge. Again it’s paired back and not the same as a hotel lobby - however again it’s all about the location. Meals are Malay with a range of veggie and non veggie options. Non veggie were more varied. Meals are nothing too extravagant - however we’re tasty and plentiful. Dinner on the deck looking out to sea every day was sublime. The rest of the resort includes the dive hut, the beach and over water villas, staff accom and the jungle interior of the island. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches and is so small it takes 10-15mins to walk around. We were fortunate to see baby turtles hatch every evening and a mummy turtle come to lay eggs one evening. Both magical experiences.||||Snorkelling - as we didn’t dive we can’t comment, however it looked like you had a lot of options for diving. The house reefs were fantastic with lots of fish. We were able to swim with turtles every day… there were at least 5 or so who were regularly there. There were also baby reef sharks we could swim with as well as plentiful fish. Having swam in the Caribbean, Red Sea, Australia, Galapagos and the South Pacific these were some of the best snorkelling we did - the fact you don’t need to get on boat tours to see them - just swim off the beach! The negatives were that there were a number of jellyfish - the ones here were not overly dangerous and you would be unlucky to get stung - no one suffered when we weee there. However they were annoying and were more alarming for some swimmers who may not be used to them. The second negative is that there were meant to be boat rides for snorkelers however due to a lack of staff this was not possible. We only found out once we arrived! While it was ok for us, as we were not here long - if you book for a 4plus night package worth checking this before you book as you will soon be keen to explore more than the house reefs.||||In summary it was a magical place and one worth doing the journey to. It’s so isolated and due to the limited number of guests feels so relaxed and exclusive. It should not be compared to a 5 star beach resort instead it should be somewhere you go if you love nature and a...

Where to start, WOW. Lankayan Island is absolutely stunning! My wife and I were slightly nervous for our stay here not knowing what to expect; however, this was blown away as soon as we were picked up and transferred to the island. We stayed for 3D3N which was the perfect amount of time in our opinion.||Staff: We felt in safe hands from the get go and this continued throughout our stay; the staff all go above and beyond to make your stay here an absolute delight - they are helpful, polite, give good advice on what to do and when etc. The island is also an army base (not that you would know) so you feel safe and secure - they often leave and arrive on boats which you can see from your rooms.|Location: The definition of private and remote. The island is a 1 1/2 hour boat ride from Sandakan and is completely isolated - just views of calm blue seas, glorious sunsets and cool thunderstorms over the mainland. You really are at one with nature. This was perfect for us after a busy schedule to have a few days of R&R. The island itself is tiny, you can walk around it in 10 minutes.|Accommodation: Fantastic; we stayed in a water chalet which is not much more than the beach chalets and seemed a no brainer. The chalets are huge, have private balconies with sunbeds, a bathroom with slats which look down into the water below which is teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and more! There is also a bathtub which looks out over the ocean which is incredible. Also - no mozzies in the water chalets due to the sea breeze which is an added bonus! |Activities: I am not one to sit around and sunbathe so was nervous at the thought of a tiny island. However, the island offers snorkelling trips at a cheap rate to a nearby reef - I saw the entire cast of finding nemo, everything you can imagine! There is also snorkelling around the bays of the island which is also amazing - swimming with sea turtles around our chalet was a particular highlight! SIMCA also operate on the island which is a preservation setup to protect the sea turtles. You can sign up to watch turtles nesting and hatching - both of which are special experiences! |Wildlife: Mentioned above - but we saw everything you could possibly want to see. The turtles just swimming around our chalet was amazing and the amount of fish on show is ridiculous. Easily one of the best snorkelling locations I have ever been; even better because it’s literally 10m from the main jetty! Turtles nesting and hatching is also very special as said before.|Food: Seen a few mixed reviews on the food. Not sure why there are negative ones. All meals are buffet style. The breakfast is a mixture of western and Malay with lunch and dinner just Malay but with a large option of choices to choose from - we didn’t find it repetitive at all. It is also very tasty! ||Overall, we loved our stay here. A better experience than the Maldives (if you want chill and nature) for a fraction of the price. We couldn’t believe the experience we got for the price! We have been to a lot of places around the world and both agree this was one of the best places we have ever stayed. With that being said, we wouldn’t want to stay for any more...