Layang-Layang Island

Basically a Swallow Reef, Layang-Layang Island is located 300 kilometers to the north of Sabah coast in Malaysian Borneo. A dive resort is situated here on a coral atoll alongside a small Malaysian Naval presence. Reclaimed from the ocean and artificially bloated in size with the help of concrete rubble, there are no sandy beaches to walk on Layang-Layang Island. Standing in the middle of nowhere, Layang-Layang can be approached through scheduled flight services from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

With clear, unpolluted and deep ocean waters, the drop-off outside the island’s reef is almost 2000 meters. Home to schools of marine water species like Hammerhead sharks, this spot is frequented by Whale sharks as well. With no fishing permitted here, Layang-Layang is surrounded by corals in pristine condition along with an abundance of colorful fish life.

The island serves primarily as Malaysia's claim to ownership of this section of the Spratly Islands, i.e., those closer to its land area. The Malaysian Navy has maintained an offshore security post called Uniform Station on Swallow Reef since 1983 and a Malaysian dive resort has operated on the island for a number of years.