Famed for its duty-free shopping, Labuan Island lies off the coast of Sabah in East Malaysia. It centres around the waterfront capital of Victoria with its shopping malls and museums and encompasses several untouched stretches of sand. Hidden in the waters surrounding Labuan Island are fascinating wrecks that lure scuba divers from near and far.
Things to do in Labuan
Encompassing the islands of Kuraman, Rusukan Besar, and Rusukan Kecil is the Labuan Marine Park, where you’ll find fringing reefs that are ideal for snorkelling. But it’s the shallow wrecks that are the biggest drawcard for divers, with both hard and soft corals transforming the vessels into a marine wonderland. Explore the 35-metre-long fishing trawler, the “Mabini Padre”, or descend to the “MV Tung Huang”, which sunk while transporting cement to Brunei.
Need a retail fix? Head to the Financial Park Shopping Mall where you’ll find clothing, shoes and electronics at bargain prices. For locally made handicrafts, Malaysian textiles and pearl jewellery, the vibrant Bazaar Labuan is the place to be.
You can escape the hustle and bustle of Victoria on one of Labuan Island’s idyllic stretches of sand, such as Layang-Layangan Beach or Surrender Point. In the north of the island is Pohon Batu Beach, which is backed by a lush hinterland that can be explored along the Bukit Kubong Trail. Nearby is the Chimney Museum, which details the history of coal mining in Kobong.
Getting around Labuan
Labuan Airport is the main aviation gateway to Labuan Island and has regular flights to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Ferries travel from Brunei and Kota Kinabalu to the town of Victoria, which can easily be navigated on foot. Buses travel around the island or you can rent a scooter to explore at your leisure.