Lankayan is more of a dive spot rather than a snorkeling haven. The reefs in Lankayan are patch reefs and depths are about 25m average. So not an ideal place to snorkel. The resort on the island will recommend the house reef for snorkelers. There is a sandbar nearby which they bring snorkelers but you would need a boat to reach the area and that means paying more.
Photo: Puffed up pufferfish by Sal
The sandbar is a bit of a disappointment. I didn’t see as many fishes as I was expected. On the plus side, I did encountered 2 black tip reef shark swimming by curiously and just as quickly they swam away when they realized that we were just some boring snorkeler and not a tasty meal ;)
Photo: Juvenile Black Tip Reef Shark by Sal
On good days, the visibility of the sea in Lankayan is exceptional. However, during rainy days, the visibility will be terribly compromised by river runoffs from mainland where the palm oil and logging industry are flourishing unmonitored. So do be careful because the river runoff doesn’t just include sediments but may contain harmful chemical and pesticides. You can actually see a layer of river runoff in the sea water. River runoff is basically fresh water and because of the difference in salinity, the runoff will be a visible layer on top of the sea water. It is usually green in color due to the algae in the runoff.
Photo: A lot of river discharge into the East Coast of Sabah
Reefs surrounding the island are good places to snorkel. Unfortu nately, you would need to swim out a bit. Personally I think it is worth the swim. You do have a choice of renting a boat to send to the outer reefs of the island. If you plan to swim out, make sure you check the tide table because you will have problem accessing and exiting the reefs during low tide.
Lankayan House Reef is still the best place for snorkeling I think. Late afternoon, almost always, you will encounter a turtle swimming at the house reef. Shy juvenile black tip reef sharks are plenty around the island. You could find small critters hiding in nooks and crannies - they are very interesting to photograph.
Lankayan House Reef is still the best place for snorkeling I think. Late afternoon, almost always, you will encounter a turtle swimming at the house reef. Shy juvenile black tip reef sharks are plenty around the island. You could find small critters hiding in nooks and crannies - they are very interesting to photograph.
Photo: Nudibranch by Sal
Overall, if you plan to snorkel only in Lankayan, then it is better to limit your stay to 3 days max. It if a great island for R&R though =) so you might want to stay longer for that. For those who plan to dive in Lankayan then plan to stay longer because they do have lots of dive sights. You might see whale sharks in the area too!
Check out this site if you want to snorkel Lankayan: http://lankayan-island.com/
Check out this site if you want to snorkel Lankayan: http://lankayan-island.com/
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