Sandakan to Lankayan Island - March 17th

Sandakan to Lankayan Island - March 17th - March 19th

March 21, 2023

Real boat - not Chris's version

The next morning we were picked up at 9 AM and transported to a nearby jetty where we boarded the boat for our journey to Lankayan Island. We couldn't find this island on the map so weren't sure exactly where we were heading but was told it was a 1.5 to 2 hour ride.

Blue dot is Lankayan Island

I later found it on google maps (see the blue dot below). I will have to say I think this was the bumpiest boat ride I have ever been on. We were traveling at just over 30 mph (according to my maps.me app) and I learned to brace myself so not to suffer a compressed disc! This rivaled our jeep ride to the Danum Valley. When we finally arrive we both felt that it was clearly worth the journey.

Panoramic View of a sunset at the resort

The island is very small (about 9.9 acres) and totally occupied by the dive resort, trees and beach. It is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area. Much of the resort is built out over the water and we had an over-water bungalow. Here are a couple of pictures.

Chris outside our villa.

All of the boardwalks around the resort were over coral reefs with amazingly clear water and you could see a lot of the marine life just by walking the extensive board walks (what I did). As we walked up the jetty from the boat, there were a number of green sea turtles swimming around.

Our bungalow

Green Sea Turtle

Cuttlefish

Chris took some great pictures of Cuttlefish while snorkeling and a bump headed parrot fish from the boardwalk. More about the bump headed parrot fish can be found HERE.

Just walking on the boardwalk, I saw lots of parrot fish, sting rays, blue starfish, blue coral and lots of tropical fish due to fact that it was so shallow and clear.

Bump Headed Parrot Fish - note the orange on its head

Reception/dining building

The dining room, reception, etc. were all located in a building at the far end of a boardwalk. It was very large and had a wraparound deck. I spent a lot of time outside here reading and enjoying the ocean breezes trying to stay cool. Although we had a deck with chairs at our bungalow, it was sunny until about 3:30 pm.

Meals were delivered to our table...lunch and dinner always contained a big pile of rice, and three dishes of veggies, beef or chicken and fish or prawns. I have gotten really tired of eating rice and it will be awhile before I eat it again.

Dining room/reception inside.

Sea Turtle Hatchery

The island had a group referred to as "Reef Guardians." They gave us a short talk when we first got there. They are primarily focused on sea turtles and have a sea turtle hatchery. They search the beach every morning for new nests, dig them up and bring them back to the hatchery. Here they are protected, except for the occasional crab that manages to invade. They have increased the hatch rate from <50% to 80%. Once the turtles hatch (takes about two months), they bring them down to the beach and release them. There are both hawk bill and green turtle nests. If a nest hatches while you are visiting, they will knock on your door so you can watch the release. Unfortunately none hatched while we were there. We did adopt two nests for Elliot and Gideon so we will get videos and pictures when they hatch.

Military carrying automatic weapons

Chris and I walked around the island one day and when we got to the northern end, we were surprised to come across a "nest" with 3 army men with a large machine gun pointed at the sea. We didn't think it was prudent to take a picture, but we did talk to them. They work in 6 hour shifts and are there 24/7 and have been for many years. So, yes, the state department Level 2 warnings do have some validity. They are guarding against pirates. They told us the last time had been a year ago, but later Chris talked with the commander and he indicated the last time was 7 years ago in Lahad Datu. The commander was there inspecting his troops and he started the conversation by asking where we were from but then Chris peppered him with questions! But it did make us feel safer that they were there.

Beach at low tide just as the sun was rising

The island has beautiful beaches but as we were walking around, we found a surprising amount of trash. One of the reef guardians told as they walk every day to clear trash that just floats in with the high tide. Scary as they are so far out in the middle of the Sulu Sea. Next time we took a trash bag when we walked the beach early in the morning (the only cool time). You aren't allowed on the beach between 6 PM and 6 AM so the sea turtle can come and dig their nests without being disturbed.

We really enjoyed our time on the island and it was the relaxation we needed after all the traveling. The only thing I wished was that the air-conditioning in the room actually worked. Screens on the doors would also have helped as we could then get the easterly wind that always seem to be blowing. I did ask where they get their fresh water and was told like everything else, it all comes in by boat from the mainland. Wow!

You can get your PADI certificate here in 4 days...nice warm water if anyone is interested!

Some more pictures below.