01 / SEAFOOD
Labuan Mud Crabs
Fresh mangrove crabs and tiger prawns served in salted-egg, kam heong, or butter sauce along the waterfront and stilt restaurants.
PEARL OF BORNEO
WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN LABUAN
Small in size,
deep in story.
Lying off the coast of Sabah at the mouth of Brunei Bay, Labuan is Malaysia’s 92 km² duty-free island — home to seven islands, four shipwreck dives, a National Geopark, and centuries of maritime history.
- Archipelago
- 7 Islands
- Dive Sites
- 4 Wrecks
- Geopark
- 8 Geosites
- Port Status
- Duty-Free
TANJUNG KUBONG • c. 1900
“An island small enough to drive around in an hour, yet layered with enough history to reward slow exploration.”
01 // THE 5S OF LABUAN — FIVE REASONS TO VISIT
01 / SUN
Tropical Sunsets
Year-round warmth with golden sunsets along Layang-Layangan and Pancur Hitam.
02 / SAND
UN Clean Beaches
A 9 km west-coast stretch honoured with the UN COBSEA Clean Beach Award.
03 / SEAFOOD
Daily Sea Catch
Fresh mud crabs, tiger prawns, and grilled fish at some of Malaysia’s best prices.
04 / SHOPPING
Duty-Free Island
Tax-free chocolates, fragrances, and goods at Financial Park and Bandar Labuan.
05 / SPORTS
Diving & Sea Action
Four shipwreck dives, island kayaking, coastal cycling, and golf.
02 // HERITAGE STORYTELLING
Five Reinventions of Labuan Island
A sheltered Brunei harbour becomes a British coal station, a WWII battleground, part of Malaysia, and a modern duty-free Federal Territory. Choose a chapter to trace the island’s story.
CHAPTER 01
BEFORE 1846
Anchorage of the Brunei Sultanate
Explore places from this chapter on the map:
1 / 5
KEY DATES IN THIS ERA
03 // INTERACTIVE ISLAND ATLAS
Interactive Map of Labuan
Explore 41 landmarks, beaches, wreck dive sites, islands, food spots, and stays across Labuan.
HERITAGE
Google Maps
The Chimney
04 // THINGS TO DO
Eight Ways to Experience Labuan
05 // FOOD & DINING
Seafood & Bruneian-Malay Delicacies
Daily South China Sea catches paired with traditional Bruneian-Malay and Kedayan dishes.
02 / TRADITIONAL STAPLE
Ambuyat & Cacah
Sago palm starch rolled with bamboo prongs (chandas) and dipped into tangy tempoyak or sambal belacan.
03 / LOCAL KUIH
Kuih Jelurut & Punjung
Steamed pandan and coconut milk encased in young nipah leaf cones, sold at the weekend market and water villages.
06 // TRAVEL INFORMATION
Getting to Labuan & Getting Around
BY AIR (LBU AIRPORT)
Direct flights from Kota Kinabalu (25 min), Kuala Lumpur (2.5 hrs), and Miri. The airport is 5 minutes from town.
BY SEA (FERRY & SPEEDBOAT)
Daily ferries and speedboats connect to Menumbok (30 min, RORO vehicle ferry available), Kota Kinabalu, Limbang, Lawas, and Serasa (Brunei).
GETTING AROUND
Car rentals from RM60/day and island-wide Grab e-hailing. Nothing on the 92 km² island is more than 20 minutes from town.
TRAVEL PREPARED
Consider travel cover for ferry or flight connections, and ensure your policy covers scuba diving if exploring the 30 m shipwrecks.
CALENDAR
Upcoming Events
Confirm dates with organisers before travelling
LABUAN