Wreck Diving Labuan

Wreck Diving
Labuan offers ideal diving conditions all year round for beginning, novice, and seasoned divers. Crystal clear waters and an opulence of shipwrecks have made Labuan the region's center for wreck diving. Four shipwrecks have been discovered so far. Two were sunk during World War II and the other two were commercial vessels that sank in the 1980s. Diving expeditions can be arranged to Labuan's four major wrecks: American, Australian, Blue Water, and Cement Wreck.

Located southwest of Pulau Rusukan Kecil, the American Wreck is the USS Salute, which is a minesweeper built in late 1943. It was sunk by a mine in 1945 and now sits on a sandy bottom at 33m. The Australian Wreck site lies approximately 23km from Labuan and southwest of Pulau Rusukan Besar. The identity of the ship is still uncertain. It was a freighter built in Rotterdam in 1900, captured by the Japanese in 1942, and sunk by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1945. Hence it was aptly named after its foe. The Cement Wreck is the MV Tung Hwang. It was a freighter, which hit a sandbank in 1980 while carrying cement for the Sultan of Brunei's new palace. Located east of Pulau Kuraman, it sits upright in 30m of water and its masts are 8m below the surface. The Blue Water Wreck sits approximately 34km offshore Labuan, northwest of Pulau Kuraman. It was the MV Mabini Padre, a Philippine trawler that sank in November 1981. Being further offshore, this wreck usually has the best visibility. Among all the wrecks, the Cement Wreck is the easiest to dive and is usually used for wreck-dive training. The American and Blue Water Wreck are for experienced divers only.

Labuan Beaches & Islands

Beaches & Islands
Labuan and its neighbouring islands are a sun-seeker's paradise with breathtaking panoramic views of the South China Sea, secluded white sandy beaches, and lots of tropical sunshine. The remote islands of Papan, Kuraman, Daat, Rusukan Besar, Rusukan Kecil, and Burong have plenty to offer. Visitors can spend the day exploring the beaches or the dense jungle inland, which is home to a variety of plants and animal. There are also a variety of water sports, such as jet skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving, fishing, and even wreck diving. The crystal clear water offers a window to the rich marine life of the South China Sea.

Labuan World War II Memorial Park

World War II Memorial Park
A beautifully landscaped cemetery, the War Memorial is located at Tanjung Purun on the outskirts of Labuan town (formerly Victoria Town). The memorial is the final resting place of fallen Allied soldiers. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Commission, it is a poignant memorial to the 4,000 Australian, New Zealand, and British Allied servicemen who had lost their lives during the World War II. A section is also dedicated to the Indian Soldiers of the Punjab Regiment who died fighting alongside their comrades. Many visitors, especially those from Australia, often return annually to pay their respects to lost friends and relatives.