Exploring Malaysia 
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Tanjung Aru Beach
Located about 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, the Tanjung Aru beach stretch is famous for its beautiful seascape and offshore islands. Taking its name from the casuarinas or aru trees that fringe the fine white sandy it is an ideal location for swimming, windsurfing and boating or watching the glorious sunset.
Sipadan Island
Sipadan Island is the jewel in the crown of Sabah’s dive sites, offering spectacular diving spots. This island which the famous Jacques Cousteau described as an “untouched piece of art.” is now a Marine Park and also a bird sanctuary
Favourite diving spots around Sipadan are Barracuda Point, Hanging Gardens and South Point where you will encounter splendid coral formations, and exotic fishes and turtles. The turtle tomb, another favourite among divers is an underwater limestone labyrinth of tunnels and chambers contains many skeletal remains of turtles. The island, which is partially covered by lush rainforest, is also home to exotic birds, monitor lizards and coconut crabs.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park comprises Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug.
The islands are home to a wide variety of plant species such as the Keruing, Seraya and Nibong palm. Wildlife is also abundant and you can see the likes of scaly pangolins and the Bearded Pig. An intriguing bird species found here is the Burung Tambun (Megapode) species which looks like a chicken with large feet but meows like a cat!
The park is ideal for snorkelling, diving and swimming. The variety of marine creatures here includes the butterfly fish, barracudas, clown fish, dragon fish, bigger species such as red grouper, barracuda and catfish or even giant clams, sea cucumbers, the beautiful feather starfish, sea urchins in brilliant hues, cowrie and scorpion shells.
The best coral reefs can be found between Pulau Sapi and Pulau Gaya. Mid Reef, a submerged reef detached from the island and located at the east of Pulau Manukan is another favourite diving spot. Pulau Mamutik the smallest of the group, is endowed with rich coral life and Pulau Sulug, the least developed and the farthest from the other islands is ideal for those seeking tranquillity, and has beautiful patches of reefs at the southern end. Pulau Sapi, which has great white soft sandy beaches, has a coastline fringed with beautiful coral reefs. Here you can also get onto a glass boat to view the corals. Hiking trails to the interior offer excellent opportunity for nature appreciation.
Pulau Tiga Park (Three Island Park)
There are three islands in this park, namely Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kelampunian Besar and Pulau Kelampunian Damit. Pulau Tiga, the largest of the three islands is dubbed ‘Survivor Island’, being the main location of the popular ‘Survivor’ TV programme in 1999. Pulau Kalampunian Damit is home to hundreds of amphibious sea snakes, while Pulau Kalampunian Besar is popular with the many species of birds.
Turtle Islands Park
The park comprises the three islands of Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan. Located about 40km from Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off the east coast of Sabah, Turtle Island Park was registered as a marine park in 1977 in a bid to protect green and hawksbill turtles, which come ashore to lay their eggs. The park covers about 1,740 ha and has hatcheries to conserve these turtle species.
Pulau Selingan is the main nesting area for green turtles and Pulau Gulisan for the hawksbill turtles. The best time to catch a glimpse of these turtles is between July and October although they lay their eggs throughout the year.
Layang-Layang
This oceanic atoll has a rich growth of hard corals; some so shallow that they break surface during low tides. The island is man-made and was initially constructed for the Malaysian Navy and later developed as a dive resort. The deep waters around it attracts numerous pelagics with sharks and stingrays being regular visitors here. Fast developing into a prime dive site it boasts of a resort, a naval base and nesting colony of migratory birds.
Pulau Mabul
This island, about 30 minutes from Semporna, has a reputation of being one of the best muck-diving sites in the world. It is home to a diverse range of macro marine inhabitants that inhabit its coral rubble and sea grass sites. Dive sites include the Eel Garden, which is one of the deeper sites around the area, Ray Point and Mandarin Valley.
Mataking Island
Mataking Island which lies to the north of Mabul is about 40 minutes boat ride from Semporna. It lies on the edge of the continental shelf and is surrounded by fringing reef of hard and soft corals. During low tide the sandy beach stretches out joining the two islands of Mataking Kecil and Mataking Besar. In addition to being a divers paradise the islands are home to seasonal turtle sightings and also fireflies and coconut crabs.
The Reef Dive Resort at Mataking Island is an exclusive, romantic diving destination. Built from local natural timber it reflects traditional local architecture which blends well with the serenity of the natural environment. In addition to the beauty of the natural surroundings visitors will be pampered at its Jamu Spa which offers signature treatments and traditional massage.
An old cargo ship which was sunk at the famous house reef dive in front of the resort to create an artificial reef is called the ‘Shipwreck Post’. A mailbox placed in the wheelhouse of the boat acts as the ‘first underwater post office’ in Malaysia where divers can ‘post’ their letters underwater. The Mataking ‘Two Islands, One Resort & Spa’ offers visitors an ideal getaway whether for diving, honeymooners, spa lovers and others.
