Avillion Layang Layang is a private island resort located in the South China Sea near Borneo, Sabah, Malaysia also known as "The Jewels of the Borneo Banks".
Off the mystical island of Borneo lies a little gem, a sparkle within the deep blue sea. Like a mariner's dream, it stands all alone, a striking haven in the wide ocean waiting to be discovered.
This is the intriguing island of Layang Layang, a coral-blessed, deep sea atoll off the coast of Sabah; a kaleidescopic underwater world like no other. This marine heritage is a geographical wonder, with the atoll rising from the deep blue of 2,000m, hardly breaching the surface.
Scuba diving is of course the main reason that people visit Layang Layang Island Resort and shark enthusiasts are in for a real treat between April and May when schools of hammerheads make their way through the area for the mating season. Also to be seen are a number of other pelagic species and some macro life too.
As many as 13 coral reefs have formed here, creating breathtaking underwater scenery. Diving is the pinnacle of Layang Layang's beautiful experience - expect a vacation like no other on this isolated atoll.
Layang Layang is one of the Best Dive Site in the World
Being in the middle of nowhere has its advantages. The nearest human inhabitation is over 300 kms away, separated by the fierce South China Sea. The marine life here enjoy total isolation from human encroachment. Its pristine walls with outstanding underwater visibility that average of 30-60 metres year round bears testimonial to its heritage.
Layang Layang is a wall diving mecca. The ocean floor drops to an amazing 2000 metres from the edge of the atoll.
The combination of deep water and pristine walls attracts big fishes galore with the hammerhead sharks being one of Layang Layang's most famous residents. Big schools of these rarely seen oceanic sharks congregate here, their silihouettes dramatically gliding in the clear blue. Not less spectacular are the occasional appearances of dolphines and a turtle or two swimming gracefully around you. And it's not surprising to find yourself being surrounded by schools of Jacks.
Another major attraction of diving in Layang Layang is the feeling of frontier diving - you could see almost anything.
Every dive brings some new surprises - whether it's a dogtooth or a forest of gorgonian fans. The exceptionally dear water has promoted superb coral growth, and the craggy walls are a mass of soft coral and sponges.
Diving is as easy as 1, 2, 3 with Layang Layang Island Resort, as all dive gear is available for rent and will be pre-loaded onto the resort’s diving Catamarans. Guests are on-site in less than 30 minutes and can enjoy all that the underwater world has to offer.
The in-house PADI dive center is professionally run by a team of experienced and qualified instructors. The dive team has thousands of dives at Layang Layang between them.
Many stunning dives await you as the average visibility is between 30 to 60 metres year round.
Layang Layang is a wall diving mecca - the ocean floor drops to an amazing 2000 metres from the edge of the atoll.
This combination of deep water, pristine walls and healthy coral gardens means that you'll see varied sealife from pelagics to colourful tropical fishes to anemones and nudibranchs.
Layang Layang Resort features 86 newly renovated traditionally-designed rooms reflecting the rustic and beautiful style of the Borneo tribes.
All rooms contain modern amenities and home comforts as well as a taste of the exotic.
Although Layang Layang Island is an exotic and remote destination, guests are not expected to settle for less than total comfort and exceptional service.
Guest rooms are air-conditioned and have all the modern comforts such as private hot showers, refrigerators, telephones and TVs with regional satellite broadcasts and in-house videos.
The resort offers a wide variety of activity choices for divers and non-divers.
Aside from water-based activities such as windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling, guests can opt for a relaxation session at the swimming pool or the resort’s spa called Raba Raba House.
The reception block houses a lounge bar, reception counter, 150 seats restaurant and a fresh water swimming pool. International telephone & fax services are available. The reception block houses a lounge bar, reception counter, a 150-seat restaurant and a fresh water swimming pool. International telephone & fax services are available.
With a large restaurant serving Continental and traditional Asian fare as well as a bar lounge, conference room and reading corner, there are many areas to relax and socialize on the resort.
As all guests are on full board basis, meals are presented daily in either buffet setting or set menus with a main focus on Asian cuisine interspersed with International favorites. Enjoy scrumptious meals for as often as five times a day!
Visit the Bird Island Sanctuary, where many migratory birds including egrets, swallows, crested terns, brown foot boobies and more birds come within a large lagoon.
When you are not diving, bird watching is the pastime. Binoculars are not required as migratory birds have taken over one of the island within the lagoon for their annual breeding season. Boat trips to the Bird Island sanctuary can be arranged upon request.
Diving at Layang Layang can easily be combined with the world famous Sipadan island.
"Layang Layang island Resort is one of the nicest resorts that I have visited. An idyllic setting far away from all noise, smog and industrial technos, the resort is for divers, sunbathers, families with children and bird-lovers. The inhabitants of its sea here are full of surprises, from the pea-sized Pygmy Seahouses to pelagic. During my short day, I had seen either Manta Ray or Mobula Devil Ray everyday. Others, also during my stay, had chanced in encountering Hammerhead Shark (Isabella of Switzerland) and even a Striped Marlin (Mia & Hans of Holland, Leander & Matt of Australia, Itsumi & Shonji of Japan). Lucky folks you are! There was even a whale shark on the day that I arrived (Divemaster Johnny and a couple of diving guests vowed). The corals here are pristine and animals tend to ignore divers. This is due to the adequate regulations set up by the Dive Centre & Management. I appreciate these stringent measures in order to protect the environment and the critters. It's been an honor to be a member of the judging panel of the resort's first Photo Competition. I look forward to coming back to Layang!" Stephen Wong, Marine Photojournalist, Hong Kong.
"Layang Layang is a first class dive
destination by any standard. My professional diving career spans
over 35 years with more than 7,000 dives across the Indo-Pacific
region. I can honestly say the wall diving at Layang-Layang is
the best I've ever experienced. Underwater visibility often exceeds
30-40 m and there's an abundance of large creatures including
sharks, mantas, tuna, barracuda, and trevally. There's also host
of smail--fish rarities. For example I found the Blue-backed Pygmy
Angelfish, Oriental Butterflyfish, and the recently discovered
Layang Damselfish. Although most visitors overlook the lagoon
environment it's full of surprises and well worth diving. The
week I sent at Layang Layang passed all too quickly-I'll definately
be returning.
"My week spent at Layang Layang was some of the best diving I have done anywhere in the world. I had several close encounters with the massive school of Scalloped Hammerhead sharks which numbered in the hundreds and I interacted with the huge school of swirling Big-eye Trevally on every dive at the Point. I saw several Manta Rays and also a schoold of Pygmy Manta Rays. The wall diving was spectacular with health colourful coral and giant Barrel Sponges and the diversity of fish life was amazing. You don't always see everything that is promised in the brochures but at Layang Layang it was all there. The resort itself was very comfortable and the staff were all friendly and helpful without exception. Meals were varied and delicious, the Saturday night barbecue was a real treat! The Divemasters were extremely knowledgeable about their dive sites and the marine life that inhabited the sites. I was really impressed with the way the dive boats were set-up and run, with easy entry on to the boats and giant stride exit on the to dive sites. There was nothing left for the divers to do but change out of their wet-suits. I am certainly looking forward to a return visit in the future." Jill McLernon, Western Australia.