As part of a longer trip to South East Asia, my husband and I will be spending
eight days in Malaysian Borneo - flying into and out of Sandakan.
We've booked three days' jungle trekking in Kinabatangan and would like to
spend the remainder of the time doing some snorkelling. Could you please
suggest somewhere that is more accessible and closer than the Tun Sakaran
Marine Park in the south? We'd prefer somewhere a little more off the beaten
track than the Kota Kinabalu area too. Gayle Mellard, by email
Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green writes: Having flown into
Sandakan, it would be nice to spend your last few days snorkeling somewhere
that is accessible from there, so I'd suggest heading out to the exquisite
little island of Palau Lankayan.
It's a tiny cluster of islands out in the Sulawesi Sea, reachable by boat from
Sandakan in about 90 minutes. It's a protected area, with a single resort on
it (otherwise it is uninhabited), and renowned for lush vegetation, stunning
white beaches, but most of all, for diving. There is plenty of hard and soft
coral, abundant marine life, plus a few wrecks, and even the chance
usually between March and May, of swimming with the giant Whale Shark.
The resort is low key, with just 16 rooms (mainly bungalows), a great bar and
restaurant, and dive centre. The island is also a nesting place for Sea
Turtles, with new hatchlings being released between May and September. For
more information, see www.lankayan-island.com
Not that November to February is the wet season, during which the boat ride
out can get somewhat choppy.
For information on booking transfers, accommodation, and diving on the island,
contact Borneo Travel (01492 650
225), which has four days on the island from £263pp, with boat transfers,
full board accommodation, and several dives. .
