Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Located just a 10- to 20- minute speedboat ride away from Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park comprises of a cluster of five idyllic islands spread over 4,929 hectares, of which two-thirds is sea. 

The islands - Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Sulug, Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi have soft white beaches that are teeming with fish and coral; perfect for beginner divers as well as snorkellers and picnickers. For those who love adventures on land, Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi also have hiking trails through their pristine jungles. 

Home to a variety of exotic flora and fauna, one is likely to catch a glimpse of rare species such as the intriguing Megapode or Burung Tambun, a chicken look-alike bird with large feet that makes a meowing sound like a cat.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

Prior to may 1995, Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) was an informal protected area in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve of primary, undisturbed, predominantly lowland rainforest with an outstanding complement of Borneo flora and fauna. It was part of the almost one million ha forest concession assigned to Yayasan Sabah. In 1976, WWF-malaysia suggested that the area be declared a national park. The Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) is a 438 sq. km tract. However, Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustess resolved on November 28, 1980, to leave the area within Yayasan Sabah concession but shall leave it unlogged for the purpose of conservation. Thereafter it is known as "Danum Valley Conservation Area".

The area would be administered informally as Conservation Area in recognition of its outstanding biodiversity value. To help justify forgoing such a large financial opportunity, the Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees resolved to make use of Danum Valley for purposes of research and education, which are in line with its charitable mission.

In 1982, the Interagency Danum Valley Management Committee was established, comprising Yayasan Sabah, the Sabah Forestry Department, the sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Evironment, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and several other agencies.

The Forest Management Plan for Yayasan Sabah Concession Area was drawn up and approved by the State Cabinet in 1984. Principle to this plan was the designation of two areas as protected conservation areas, one of which being the Danum Valley Conservation Area. In May 1995, the area was declared a Class I (protection) Forest Reserve by the Sabah Legislative Assembly, meaning that it cannot be logged except by decisions of a two thirds majority vote by the Sabah Legislative Assembly. In 1999, Danum Valley Conservation Area was further gazetted under The Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1998, as a Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Area

source : www.danumvalley.info

Tawau Hills Park

The Tawau Hills Park is located about 24 kilometers from Tawau town and is a famous spot for families and friends to get together for a picnic or camping. With its large area of lush greenery and sparkling river, it is hard to resist not spending your time hereThe park is an essential water catchment area for major rivers of this part of Sabah. The rivers are the Tawau Merotai, Kinabatangan, Mantro and Balung rivers. The park covers an area of 27,972 hectares of land. It was established in 1979. The Tawau Hills Park is the home to myriads of plants and animals. The walk down any of the paths is a learning journey. Each and every plant has a wooden label which identifies every plant. The dominant vegetation is the lowland dipterocarp forest.

With increasing altitutes, thick damp mossy forest takes over the dipterocarp forest. Lowland orchids are also plentiful and the most spectacular of them is the Elephant's Ear orchid. It is a must to take a walk in the 2 hectare lowland gardens which is the home to a wide range of flora. The wildlife here is not to be missed as well. The wildlife is generally elusive but there have been sightings of long-tailed macaques, giant tree squirrels, civets, red-leaf monkeys and even troops of white monkeys.

Visitors can choose to stay at chalets or lodges which have basic amenities such as common bathroom and kitchens. If you want something more outdoorsy, you can always opt to camp in the park. There is a camping ground not too far from the river. The river here is clean enough to take a swim too. If Sabah is the place you want to really explore, consider extending your stay here. There are plenty of accommodations in Sabah which will make it easy for you to find a place to put up during the stay.The only way to the park from Tawau town is by taxi. Other means of public transport is not readily available in this area but you can book your return transport from the Sabah Park counter at a fee of about RM30 to RM45.

source : sabah.attractionsinmalaysia.com

Upside Down House

Turn your world upside down when you visit this unique house in Tamparuli – literally! The ‘Rumah Terbalik’ (which translates to Upside Down House) is the first of its kind in South East Asia and among the five upside-down structures in the world (3 are found in Europe and another in Japan).

The house was opened to the public in early February 2012 and has since been attracting visitors from near and far. The house itself is hard to miss, having been flipped upside down, with its floor facing skyward. Everything inside the house, from furniture to household appliances, hover above your head, as the ceiling is actually the floor. Visitors will notice some distinguishing Sabahan décor and features showcased in this house. In the garage, a car is parked upside down. It might seem disorienting in the first few seconds, but the fascination of it all takes over. This architectural wonder has also been included in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the first of its kind in the nation. Visitors can enjoy a meal or afternoon snack at the Rumah Terbalik Café or pick up a souvenir at the Gift Shop. Guided tours are available.

The house is located along Mile 21, Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli. The journey by road takes approximately 40 minutes. Taxis can take you from the city centre but be sure to make return arrangements as taxis on standby may not be readily available at this location.

Source : www.sabahtourism.com

Pom-Pom Island Semporna Sabah

Looking for a secluded island to just kick back and relax? Hop on a Pom Pom-bound speedboat from Semporna and let your serenity journey begin! An island with a laid back and casual ambience—as the name alludes—Pom Pom is situated circa 45 minutes away from Semporna. Apart from the gorgeous glittering white sandy beach that surrounds it, Pom Pom Island is also filled with lush green mangroves that keep it shady and cool.

Simply climb into a hammock to enjoy the beautiful sea view with a good book and a glass of pina colada, or get into your bathing suit and enjoy a dip in the clear aquamarine water. Either way, you can’t go wrong in Pom Pom. Being one of Semporna’s many dive havens, scuba diving aficionados can also spend the day underwater fawning over the vivid marine lives.

Equipped with rustic-chic resort accommodation, visitors can chill in the air conditioned room after a long day at the beach or book a massage session for the ultimate island decompression experience. The dreamy atmosphere of the resort is also made for couples desiring a grand beach wedding, and honeymooners looking for a romantic destination to celebrate their love.

Source : www.sabahtourism.com

Kapalai Island Semporna Sabah

Kapalai island – The mere name conjures the image of crystal clear waters and a floating paradise like no other. A 45-minute trip from Semporna by speedboat, Kapalai island is one of the many beautiful diving havens in this part of the world. However, Kapalai is truly unique because it is not quite an ‘island’.

The 40 chalets are built on high wooden stilts in the middle of the ocean. Visitors can enjoy the sights of marine life in action as they stroll along the boardwalk, a sturdy construction that connects the various sections of the floating resort. The resort has 40 chalets, equipped with basic amenities, including tea and coffee making facilities.

You will never have to gripe about having a less than desirable view: you have a breathtaking view of the Celebes Sea no matter where you turn! The restaurant is a wooden deck, where diners can eat indoors or al fresco. There’s even a viewing area in the middle of the restaurant which allows you to see the myriad of marine life passing below.

The sundeck, a popular favourite, is a great place to enjoy your novel, work on a tan or indulge in an afternoon siesta. The Dive Centre provides diving, snorkelling and kayaking gear for rent. Can’t dive but would love to? No problem! The centre offers a variety of PADI courses, including Open Water and Introduction to Night Diving. After enjoying your underwater paradise, explore other facilities offered by the resort including the souvenir shop, games room and broadband access.

Source : www.sabahtourism.com (for more information)

Sipadan Island Sabah

Sipadan Island is located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia (which is on the island of Borneo). Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising 600 metres (2,000 ft) from the seabed. It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. 

Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem. Sipadan is judged by many to be among the top 5 diving locations in the world.

The island is a covered in lush jungle and home to tropical birds such as kingfishers, sea-eagles, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. There are also fruit bats and monitor lizards and at nightfall a turtle may come to lay her eggs on the beach while coconut crabs scurry into the water at the slightest sound. It was declared a bird sanctuary as early as 1933 and in 2004, all accommodation facilities on Sipadan were closed to further protect this pristine natural treasure.

Mabul Island Sabah

Located only about 15 minutes by speedboat from the famous Sipadan Island, Mabul Island has gained its own recognition as one of the best muck-diving (a term used to describe limited visibility dives at shallow sites with usually sandy bottoms) sites in the world.

Mabul Island is a small oval shaped island fringed by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger 200-hectare reef. The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 25–30m deep.

Mabul Island is also renowned for its amazing array of macrolife, making it an underwater photographer’s dream location to capture some of the rarest ecological species on film. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fin gobies, frogfish and moray eels are just some of the spectacular critters you will encounter beneath the waters of Mabul Island. Although all the excitement is underwater, you can always set your scuba gear aside for a day to laze on Mabul’s soft sand to work on your tan

Layang-Layang Island Sabah

Layang Layang Island or Pulau Layang Layang is located about 300 kilometer north of Labuan near the famous spratly group of islands. It is a world class diving and fishing paradise. Some rate it as a "Big fish and wall diving Mecca of Southeast Asia".

Its coral walls plunge a staggering 2000 metres down to the floor of the South China Sea. Its warm waters are crystal clear with visibility averaging underwater world. Large shoals of pelagics, including massive numbers of barracuda, jacks and the hammerhead shark frequent these waters. By one tour operator's account, an awesome school of hammerhead sharks numbering a hundred regularly visit Layang-Layang. Manta rays with fin spans of over 10 feet are also found here. Other residents include the Napoleon Wrasse, Hawks bill turtles, Dog tooth tuna, Giant hammerhead wrasse and the White tip reef sharks.

The island has a 1,067-metre airstrip and a comfortable 90 rooms three-star resort. Every room is air conditioned with private amenities and comes equipped with TV, fridge, extra size beds and a private oceanfront balcony. There is a 200-seat restaurant, full service PADI dive center  a free form water pool and souvenir shop. This is a "must visit" island for every serious diver and angler.

Pulau Tiga Marine Park Sabah

Situated 48 km southwest of Kota Kinabalu, the Pulau Tiga Park comprises of the three islands; Tiga, Kalampunan Besar & Kalampunan Damit. Pulau Tiga is the largest of the three islands and has three mud volcanoes. Sea erosion has reduced Pulau Kalampunian Besar to a small sand cay built up from unconsolidated coral fragments.

Whilst Pulau Kalampunian Damit is composed of sandstone, limestone and shale with thick vegetation where hundreds of poisonous sea snakes can be found resting under rocks, in crevices or on tree stumps. All three islands have brackish inland lagoons. 

Its beautiful landscape and unspoilt natural environment has attracted CBS TV Network of the USA to use this island as the main location for the popular 'Survivor' Programme, dubbing it the 'Survivor Island'. Several small mud volcanoes spewing cool, mineral-rich mud can still be found near the summit of the island. The notion that this mineral rich mud is good for your skin makes mud-bathing a must-do activity on this island.