'''Labuan''' are a group of one large and six smaller islands in East Malaysia that lie off the coast of Borneo.

Regions

  • '''Pulau Labuan''' - the main island
  • Pulau Daat
  • Pulau Burung
  • Pulau Kuraman
  • Pulau Papan
  • Pulau Rusukan Besar
  • Pulau Rusukan Kecil
  • Cities

    Labuan is an Island with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Its quite a small community where everyone knows everyone. Labuan was proclaimed Federal Territory on 16/04/1984 and declared an International Offshore Financial Centre on 1/10/1990. A few of the major business that is run on the island are the International Offshore Bankings, Steel mills, Methanol plant, floor tiles production, flour mill as well as offshore supplies. Because of those major businesses, Labuan has a lot of non-Labuan people that work here.

    Other destinations

    Understand

    Labuan island is located off the northwest coast of Borneo, north of Brunei Bay and faces the South China Sea. It comprises of the main island of Pulau Labuan and six smaller islands namely Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Daat, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Papan and Pulau Burung. It is located at 05 latitude North and 115 longitude East, and lies approximately 10 km southeast off the coast of the East Malaysian state of Sabah.

    Labuan is only 8km or twenty minute boat ride from Menumbok, a small fishing town in Sabah. High speed air-conditioned ferries ply daily to Labuan from Sabah, Sarawak and Negara Brunei Darussalam. The trip from Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah takes about 3 hours and about an hour from Negara Brunei Darussalam. It is roughly equidistant from Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore. There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur as well as from Brunei.

    The island is mainly flat and undulating and the highest point is only 85 metres. More than 70 percent of the island is still under vegetation. Due to the fact that land utility is geared more towards property and industrial use, there is less agricultural activity in the area. Most of the island's prime land, waterfront and suburbs are utilised for residential and tourism development. A sizeable area on the south western side of the island is utilised by shipbuilding, manufacturing and oil and gas industries.

    Labuan has a tropical climate with two annual monsoon seasons - the South West monsoon from April to June and the North East monsoon from September to December. It is free from hurricanes and typhoons and enjoys good climate all year round. Daily temperatures average between 28 to 32 degrees celsius.

    Talk

    English & Malay is widely spoken. Major chinese dialects (especially Hokkien) are spoken among the Chinese community. There are also dialects within Malay, such as Kedayan.

    Get in

    By plane

    There are daily flights from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines and [http://www.airasia.com/ AirAsia] as well as thrice daily flights to Miri with MASWings [http://www.maswings.com.my].

    By boat

    You can arrive in Labuan by ferry from Brunei, Kota Kinabalu, Lawas, Limbang, Sipitang and Menumbok, where a vehicular ferry operates. Labuan is the usual port for changing boats for those getting from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei in a day by sea. See the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei in a day page for details.
  • '''To/from Brunei:''' Five ferries daily, with additional services during the weekends, run between Labuan and the Serasa Ferry Terminal in Muara, Brunei.
  • '''To/from Kota Kinabalu:''' At least two ferries daily at 08:30 and 13:00. From Kota Kinabalu, ferries depart at 08:00 and 13:30. The journey takes about 3 hours.
  • '''To/from Lawas:''' One trip daily, departing Lawas at 08:00 and Labuan at 12:30.
  • '''To/from Limbang:''' Two trips daily, departing Limbang at 07:30 and 08:00 and Labuan at 12:30 and 14:00.
  • '''To/from Sipitang:''' Two ferries daily, departing Sipitang at 09:00 and 10:00 and Labuan at 09:00 and 13:00.
  • Get around

    Ferries run regularly between Labuan and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Muara, Brunei There are also regular flights from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu . All flights land at the Labuan Airport or Lapangan Terbang Labuan.. a taxi to the town costs around RM 8

    See

  • '''Duty-Free Shopping''' - This is one of Labuan's known attractions. Its modern shopping centres carry a wide range of locally-produced as well as imported goods. Most popular are spirits and tobacco, textiles and appliances. Every end of the year, the island hosts a month-long shopping carnival with attractive discounts. Cultural shows add to the excitement
  • '''International Offshore Financial Centre''' - Pulau Labuan is Asia's newest international offshore financial centre. The 65 foreign banks operating on the island offer sophisticated offshore banking services and numbered accounts facilities to the world's rich and famous.
  • '''World Class Sport Fishing Destination''' - Pulau Labuan is surrounded by six smaller islands namely Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Daat, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Papan and Pulau Burong. The blue clear water around these idyllic islands is home to one of the world's richest coral and fishing grounds which offers unlimited deep sea tackling and coastal table-fish catches.
  • '''World War II Sites''' - Pulau Labuan is a significant historical destination particularly from the time of World War II. The Labuan War Cemetery, Allied Landing Point and Japanese Surrender Park are three major World War II sites attracting foreign and local visitors alike. A "Remembrance Day" is held every November at the Labuan War Cemetery to honour the 3,900 recorded graves of Fallen Heroes of World War II. This event is attended by Malaysian and foreign war veterans and family members of the Allied soldiers killed in action during the war between 1942 and 1945.
  • '''International Sea Sport Complex''' - Besides the various activities already mentioned, Labuan also hosts the International Sea Challenge in May every year which comprises of four events - the Underwater Treasure Hunt, Jet Sport Challenge, Cross Channel Swim Challenge and Big Game Fishing Tournament.
  • '''Wreck Diving''' - Pulau Labuan has one of the best wreck diving sites in Asia. There are four wreck sites on the island's locally known as The "Australian" Wreck, The "American" Wreck, The "Blue Water" Wreck and The "Cement" Wreck.
  • '''The Chimney''' - The Chimney is just a short drive from the town just like any other destination due to the island size. It is where the coal mining was done in the early days. However no one knows the true purpose of the chimney.
  • '''Bird Park''' - The bird park is just opposite of the Chimney. Consist of 3 major dome connected together. Houses a number of species of bird. Entrance is 3 RM for locals and 5 RM for foreigners.
  • '''Beach''' - As the Pearl of South China Sea, it has beautiful stretches of beach. The famous ones are Pohon Batu and Pancur Hitam where the locals hang out and have a BBQ picnic during the weekend.
  • Buy

    Although it's a duty-free island, the things here are not that cheap. However, the followed items should be cheaper than other places:

  • Pearl & crystals - Made into jewelleries like brooch, bracelets, pendants, earrings, and baju Melayu buttons. Bazaar Labuan is a good place to shop for them.
  • Cars - Especially imported ones. But, they are subjected to taxes when transported out of the island.
  • Chocolate - Lots of choices too, that hard to be found in Peninsular.
  • Cigarette - The price is half of the Peninsular's, but the flavor is not that desirable to some smokers.
  • Alcohol
  • Batik sarongs (RM10 is reasonable and normal price in Malaysia, if more than that, than You shouldn't buy it!)
  • Seafood - Wet Market near Bazaar Labuan is a recommended place. You can even ask the sellers to pack the items frozen-ready for flights. Recommended place to buy frozen ready seafood is SBS Seafood Sdn. Bhd in the center of Labuan's town. Just ask the local or taxi's driver, they can show you where is the shop. Recommended to buy - frozen fish coated with flour which is RM14 per bag, deep-fried it; very crunchy + boneless fish!
  • Things that are really exorbitant here:

  • Computer stuff - sometimes almost double the Peninsular's.
  • Electronics
  • Eat

    All food, especially fresh seafood, is extremely well priced. But if you get the locals as a guide, they can show you some cheaper alternatives instead.

    It is said that if you come to Labuan, it's a must to enjoy its crab delicacies. "Anjung Ketam", at Tanjung Aru (not that Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu) is well-known for crab dishes. This food court consists of 4 stalls, all serving fresh crabs , lobsters and other seafoods. Advance bookings are advised, especially if you want your foods to ready by the time you come, and also some ingredients may have run out if you don't book early ahead. Some of the examples are crab curry, crab in butter milk, and just boiled crab (locals prefer this because they say it retains most of the crab taste).

    "Manja Rasa" is a floating restaurant located near the Labuan Sea Sport Complex. Panoramic architecture, especially in the night, this place also serves lunch buffet at RM9 per head. The dinner delicacies, meanwhile, are all steamed-boat delicacies, RM20 at all-you-can-eat.

    "Mawilla Seafood Restaurant" is the best restaurant in Labuan that serves seafood delicacies - fresh fish (which you can choose), prawn, lobster and squids. Try the Butter Milk Prawn and Nestum Prawn menu. The best in Borneo!. Located at the sea shore of Labuan, near to Labuan Waterfront Hotel. The price is reasonable and worth it!

    The most famous local dessert is "Coconut Puding", which you wouldn't be able to find in anywhere else. Good coconut pudings can be found in Pulau Labuan Restaurant with RM6 each.

    BBQ chicken wings are a Labuan delicacy. They are cooked on skewers over smoky charcoal and wood barbeques. 6 chicken wings for RM6.

    Drink

    Labuan is well-known for its duty free especially alcohols. The main entertainment in Labuan is its night clubs and lounges

    Some of the famous places where people go:

  • POPIN - http://www.popin-labuan.com
  • Sheraton's Some Place Else (SPE) at the Grand Dorsett Hotel
  • Jungle Park
  • Kings KTV
  • Strawberry KTV
  • The Relax
  • Crossroads
  • Jupiter 8 (closed down)
  • Stay safe

    Labuan is a very safe town. It is a very peaceful place and the people are very nice and friendly. Except road blocks with JPJ (local Department Motor Vehicle), police presence is pretty hard to notice, possibly because of the calmness and peace of the town.

    You can notice lots of people jogging around in the evenings, even in the secluded roads in the hills, without fear of being mugged, like in other big cities.

    Crime rate is very low, except once in a while, there used to be physical arguments between the immigrants, but only among themselves, not involving others.

    Roads are not busy, except occasionally in town. The driving attitude of people here are quite leisure, so it's common to have a car cruising in front of you very very slow without any purpose. There are lots of jaywalkers, and pedestrians crossing the road don't practice much caution. So, just be careful if you're driving.

    Get out