Location : Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan, Malaysia.

Labuan Marine Park is located 2 kilometres off the southern part of Labuan Main Island. Beautiful and wild, the park encompasses 10 square kilometres of pristine water and three secluded islets, namely Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Rusukan kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar. It features long stretches of sandy beaches, reef atoll, jungle tracks and quiet tidal pools. Sea snakes, rare butterflies and a prolific bird life add to its enchantment.
These islands are uninhabited and permission is required to camp here. If you are not into diving, snorkelling and swimming are other activities you can do here. Snorkelling and scuba trails introduce you to an underwater world of fascinating marine life. The many secluded beach spots offer unusual privacy and natural ambience.

The special underwater attractions of Labuan are its shipwrecks. Four well researched and regularly dived wrecks to the southwest make this area ‘the wreck diving centre’ of Malaysia.

Getting There

Best Time To Visit : February – October.

By Air : Labuan is assessable by air from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu or Miri.

By Ferry : Another option is to take the air-conditioned ferry all the way from Kota Kinabalu. Journey by ferry will take 2.5 hours. Ferries are also available from Limbang, Lawas and Bandar Seri Begawan.
By Vessel : The journey by vessel from Victoria Harbor to the 3 islands takes about 30 minutes. The ride from the Harbor to the wrecks ranges from 30 minutes to 1½ hours.

Pulau Papan
Of all the small islands around Labuan, this is the most developed. It has an old colonial light house on it. It is a popular weekend getaway for families and visitors from Brunei, where they can picnic, swim and snorkel. Fishing is also allowed on this island. Chalets are available for rent, but many prefer camping in tents.

Three secluded islets
Borneo, camping, diving, fishing, island, labuan, labuan marine park, national park, snorkelling, trekking, wreckPulau Kuraman
Pulau Kuraman is by far the most developed islet in the Marine Park. It has a jetty and a few units of chalets. Plans are underway to upgrade the facilities on this island. Pulau Kuraman is situated about 14 km from Victoria Harbor, Labuan and is about 5.2 sq. kilometres in size. It has two beautiful white beaches, perfect for picnicking and sun-bathing.
The island is surrounded by hard corals, the most conspicuous species of the coral reef is the Acropora tubinaria. The corals are found in water 8 – 13 meters deep. The water surrounding this island is very suitable for snorkelling and swimming. There are places for camping and picnicking as well. Jungle trekking at this bigger island is also possible.
Pulau Rusukan Besar
This island is still densely forested and is perfect for picnic, swimming and snorkelling. Pulau Rusukan Besar is about 14 ha. in size and is situated just next to Pulau Kuraman, and about 15km from Victoria Harbor. There are coral reefs in the waters to the west, east and south of the island. The water east and south of the island is very good for snorkelling and viewing from glass-bottom boats, as well as scuba diving.
Pulau Rusukan Kecil
This is a beautiful, quiet and unspoilt island. It has no development on it and is perfect for camping. Pulau Rusukan Kecil is situated near Pulau Kuraman and it has a land area of only 8 ha. The coral reefs nearby consist of mostly Acropora and Platygyra species.

The Four Wrecks of Labuan

The Blue Water Wreck is for experienced divers only. It is called MV MABINI PADRE with dimension of 80m (L) X 12m (B) X 6m (DR). This Stem Trawler sank in the year 1981 and is located at the northwest of Kuraman Island.

The Cement Wreck is the easiest to dive with a dimension of 92m(L) X 15m(B) X 7m(DR). It is called MV Tung Hwang and was carrying cement when it sunk in the year 1980.

The American Wreck is for experienced divers only and is called USS SALUTE. The US Navy Minesweeper has a dimension of 184ft(L) X 33ft(B) X 9ft(DR) and was built in the year 1943. It sunk in 1945 and is located southwest of Rusukan Kecil Island.

The Australian Wreck is called SS De KLERK and is a Cargo/Passenger Steamer with a dimension of 85m (L) X 12m (B) X 6m (DR). It was built in the year 1900 and sunk by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1945 after it was captured by the Japanese in 1942. The wreck is located southwest of Rusukan Besar Island.

Banned – Fishing and anchoring
Local authority bans all form of fishing in waters around the Park. Fishing is allowed further away from the marine park. It also bans anchoring. Visiting yachts will either have to rent a mooring or tie to a dock in one of the marinas in the main island of Labuan. The only exceptions are boats under three meters in length using a stone anchor, and larger vessels having special advance authorization in writing from the authority. But you may photograph, swim, observe and study all form of marine fauna and flora. You are also allowed to scuba dive, sail, kayak and snorkel freely.

Accommodation

Visitors usually go for day-trip to this marine park as accommodation is limited. Camping can be done here with permission. For more details, pls contact,

Labuan Tourism

Address : Labuan International Sea Sports Complex, P.O Box 80753, 87017 Labuan F.T, Malaysia.

Tel : (+60)87-422622   Fax : (+60)87-419622

Email : enquiry@labuantorism.gov.my

Further information can be obtained from the following offices:

Department of Fisheries Malaysia,

Ministry of Agriculture,

Address : Tingkat 1-6, Wisma Tani, Lot 4G2, Presint 4, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62628 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya

Tel : (+60)3-88704000   Fax : (+60)3-88892460

Department of Fisheries, Labuan

Address : Km 4 of Jalan Patau-Patau, Peti Surat 81411, 87024, W.P. Labuan

Tel : (+60)87-415881   Fax : (+60)87-412885

E-mail : labuanfish@dof.gov.my

Sources :

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