Travelling across Peninsular Malaysia and heading to East Malaysia (typically) means stopping by Sabah or Sarawak. But let’s not forget the island federal territory of Labuan and while it may not be among the top tourist spots that immediately come to mind, it has its charm. From experiencing the wreck-diving adventure to the duty-free shopping haven, here are the 8 things you can do the next time you visit Labuan.
1) Experience Wreck Diving
If you love to go underwater, you can’t afford to give diving a miss while on Labuan. A wreck diving, to be exact and this island has four major shipwrecks worth exploring. This includes the American Wreck, Australian Wreck, Blue Water Wreck and Cement Wreck.
Each of these four shipwrecks has its unique history. For instance, the Australian Wreck refers to the Dutch passenger-cargo liner SS De Klerk, which the Japanese used to transport comfort women and PoWs during WWII. However, the ship hit a mine off Labuan, leaving over 330 people dead. The Australian Wreck subsequently earned its name after the Royal Australian Air Force bombed the ship, leaving it to sink around 30 metres below. It wasn’t until 2003 that the sunken SS De Klerk was found and has since become a tourist site.
If you are interested in wreck diving, you can contact Labuan Marine Park at 087-585 502 or 087 582 503 for more info.
2) Explore Beautiful Beaches on Labuan
Labuan is home to many sandy beaches that await you. They have a few of them, namely Pohon Batu Beach to immerse in the sight of the crystal blue waters and enjoy the sunset view. Hungry? You will find local fishermen and hawkers selling fresh seafood, light snacks and refreshments. Or visit the popular Pancur Hitam Beach for sunset viewing, BBQ sessions and picnics, complete with a landscape park. You can also consider visiting Labuan Beach and UMS Beach as alternatives.
Here’s an ideal visit to get to know more about the marine life in Labuan. The museum has two levels of gallery exhibitions, showcasing different local fish species and interesting historical facts about the four famous shipwrecks found in Labuan. Get interactive at the touch pool and discover 14 aquariums that house different marine life. There’s more, namely over 570 collections of marine specimens and accessories from diving gear and fishing tools. Entrance is free and you can request a guided tour. The museum opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Address: Kompleks Sukan Air Antarabangsa Labuan, Jalan Tanjung Purun, 87008 Labuan.
4) Take Photographs at Labuan Clock Tower
One of the can’t-miss visits when you are in Labuan is making a stop at the iconic Labuan Clock Tower. It was an identical replica of the original Labuan Clock Tower originally built in 1906 by tycoon and philanthropist Chee Swee Cheng. Although the tower survived the bombardment during WWII, the British administration chose to demolish it in 1948 and it would take decades later until the replica of the Labuan Clock Tower was constructed in 2002. Perfect for taking photographs and selfies regardless of day or night.
Address: Jalan Tanjung Purun, Bandar Labuan, 87000 Labuan.
With over 580 birds, this Labuan Bird Park is an ideal family-friendly trip worth going to. The park itself houses three huge geodesic domes connected by four tunnels while its large 6.9-hectare area covers landscaped gardens with designated walking paths. You can also find some of the Bornean bird species like hornbills and there’s a museum showcasing the history and culture of Labuan. The entrance fee is only RM3 for adults and RM1 for children while kids under 6 years old can enter for free. For more info, you can contact Labuan Bird Pirk at 087-463 544.
Address: Jalan Tanjung Kubong, 87000 Labuan.
The Chimney Museum is where you can learn the history of coal mining at Tanjung Kubong in Labuan from 1847 to 1911. The museum opened its doors to the public in 2002, showcasing the glory days of Labuan’s coal-mining era via a gallery exhibition. Visitors can also experience what it’s like inside a coal mining tunnel via a special diorama. There’s a floor dedicated to the gallery of the mysterious Chimney Tower. More displays await you with the museum’s massive collection of 612 artefacts from ancient coals to ceramic objects. Entrance is free of charge but you can request a guided tour. For more info, you can contact them at 087-463 603.
Address: Kg Lubok Temiang, Jalan Tanjung Kubong, 87007 Labuan.
7) Visit the Historical Landmark of the Labuan War Cemetery & Memorial
This cemetery consists of a WWII memorial, where 3,908 soldiers were laid to rest. This includes soldiers from our country as well as Britain, India, Australia and New Zealand. If you plan to visit the cemetery and the memorial, you can reach out to the staff from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), where they are on-site from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 4.30 pm.
8) Shop Till You Drop at the Duty-Free Shops in Labuan
If you can’t survive a day without shopping, Labuan turns out to be an ideal destination since it provides plenty of duty-free shops. You can find assorted goodies like chocolates, wines, beers, snacks and more. Among the duty-free shops that you can find in Labuan including One Stop Duty Free (087-421 178) and Hong Kiat Duty Free Shop (014-282 5647).
Address:
(One Stop Duty Free) Bandar Labuan, 87000 Labuan.
(Hong Kiat Duty Free Shop) Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Labuan, 87000 Labuan.
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