One Hundred and fifteen degrees east of Greenwich and lying on the equator is the modern and multi-cultured Island of Borneo with the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah.
Three countries are represented on the island. Borneo has Kalimantan with Indonesia in the south, Sarawak in the north and between Sarawak and Sabah, the country of Brunei. While each country has its own charms, it is recommended that the most hassle-free itinerary for a yachting journey to and around Borneo is to focus on Sabah.
Known as ‘The Land below the Wind’ for its positioning outside of the typhoon belt, Sabah was controlled by the British North Borneo Company during the colonial era, drawn to these shores in search of timber, spices, coffee and rubber. It was under the auspices of the Company the 36 ethnic tribes found within its borders gave up their head-hunting ways and became “civilised”.
While head-hunting is now a thing of the past, it is still possible to experience the rich cultural heritage of the peoples of Sabah, now blended into a harmonious community of ethnic tribes, predominantly Kadazan, Dusun, Rungus and Murut, living peacefully alongside Chinese, Malays and Indians.
KK & SABAH CULTURE & ADVENTURE
The capitol city of Kota Kinabalu, often known as KK, is a major tourist destination, a gateway for travellers visiting Sabah and Borneo and a welcome beacon for yachts. “Arriving yachts can clear into KK to berth at the Sutera Harbour Marina where all can enjoy the Marina, Yacht Club, fine dining, Golf & Country Club and other recreational facilities”, notes Captain Jean-Francois (JF) Cormerais of Asia Pacific Superyachts in Sabah.
“Sutera Harbour Marina at Kota Kinabalu is one of the safest places to leave the boat unattended when ready to take a trip along a river, enjoy a visit to Mari Mari Cultural Village or trek up Mount Kinabaulu, described as the most climber-friendly high mountain in the world and highest peak south of the Himalayas”.
KK is also the gateway to Kinabalu National Park, home to extraordinary natural scenery and Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia at 4,095m. Sabah takes great pride in being home to mystical Mount Kinabalu, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and one of the youngest mountains in the world (7-8 million years old). The top three highest mountains in Malaysia are all located in Sabah, namely Mt Kinabalu, Mt Trusmadi and Mt Tambayukon.
This granite mountain Mt Kinabalu still grows and is a bio-diverse hotspot that houses an astonishing array of records of all sorts; the highest plant diversity globally per unit area, the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, and even the world’s largest leech! Extreme adventure seekers can also opt for the via ferrata (or iron road) trek up Mount Kinabalu.
Another attractions is ‘Gaya Street’ (Sunday Market), one of the city’s most interesting markets. Located in the central business district, this popular Sunday market comprises hundreds of stalls offering a diverse array of goods, from handicrafts and souvenirs.
Sabah offers ongoing excitement, from mountain high to ocean deep activities. Island visits are just minutes away from Kota Kinabalu city and also the starting point to a Mount Kinabalu climb, about 3hrs away in Kundasang. Also on tap are the adventures of rafting, camping, hiking, and historical and culture experiences in a country filled with diversity, unique cultures, beaches and exotic foods.
Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, is a modern city offering international-standard hotels and resorts as well as a range of restaurants and international cuisines. Those interested in the country’s culture will enjoy visiting the homes of different tribes, namely the Kadazan-Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau, and Murut. Here you can see the making of different types of rice wine, clothes made from the jackfruit bark, blowpipe demonstrations, bamboo fire-starting demonstrations, and an in-depth look at the mystical symbolism behind them. Visitors are also given the opportunity to sample Sabahan traditional delicacies from each ethnic group.
Cultural enthusiasts can also enjoy a fun and educational visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village. Communities show their way of life with demonstrations of paddy planting and harvesting, rubber tapping, river fishing, playing of traditional instruments and games, production of traditional handicrafts, cooking of local dishes and much more.
SABAH SEAS
Places of cruising interest near the Kota Kinabalu Port include the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, named after Malaysia’s first Prime Minister. The marine park encompasses the islands of Gaya, Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi and Sulug and is a favourite destination of experienced divers and underwater photographers. The park is home to an abundance of aquatic life and colourful corals. On land, a 250m zip line from Gaya to Sapi using the Coral Flyer could be your first taste of adventure here.
Besides cruising the east coast islands and enjoying the beautiful beaches, here you’ll find exciting outdoor activities, cultural and adventure tours, delicious halal food and ethnic water villages populated by local fishermen and friendly tribal communities, living harmoniously next to and within the tropical rainforest.
Sabah’s rich cruising waters from Labuan to Kudat offer some of the most spectacular and beautiful waters, islands and mainland attractions in South East Asia and can be considered one of the most diverse cruising playgrounds in the world. A journey around the tip of Borneo is a favourite as the East Coast is renowned for diving, particularly the world-famous Sipadan, ranked annually amongst the world’s top-five dive sites.
There is also the Tun Sakaran Marine Park with its mysterious and legendary Bohey Dulang, a trademark of the Semporna seas. A hike up Bohey Dulang is a must, rewarding you with stunning views upon reaching the top.
DIVE HOTSPOTS
You don’t have to travel far to immerse yourself in a world class diving experience because the bio-diversity hotspot of Southern Asia, Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, has it all. Whether you choose snorkelling or scuba diving, there are many amazing diving sites including the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the islands on the East Coast of Sabah, such as Lankayan Island in Sandakan, and, as noted, Sipadan Island in Semporna.
Diving is big in Sabah and the location of the country’s jewel, Sipadan Island, one of the top-rated dive spots in the world. At nearby islands to Sipadan large marine life and tiny sea creatures and colourful corals and reef are guaranteed sightings. Among top dive sites, in addition to famed Sipadan Island include: Lankayan Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Layan-Layang Island, Mantanani Island, Mataking Island, PomPom Island and Pulau Tiga, famed as TV’s Survivor Island.
Spectacular diving can be found amid the beautiful corals, sea turtles, barracudas, clown fishes and sometimes, rare and even endemic species of underwater life. In fact a diver may find rare or endangered sea creatures such as green and hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse and giant clams, as well as countless species of sharks and schools of thousands of barracuda and jacks.
Sabah is not only known for its reef’s larger inhabitants but also as a ‘Muck diving’ paradise with such rarities as the mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarin fish, harlequin ghost pipefish plus many types of weird and wonderful frogfish and nudibranchs. With its sandy beaches, tropical islands, blue waters, coral reefs and atolls, Sabah has several dive sites rated to be amongst the ‘Top Ten’ (as well as ‘Top Five’) in the world and many more yet to be truly explored.
SABAH ADVENTURES
Sandakan is the wildlife capital for Sabah. The endearing orang utan at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Sanctuary is a must-visit (to be arranged in advance by your agent). It is the leading centre of excellence for orang utans in Borneo and where visitors can view, from a platform, how rescued orang utans are nursed and released back into the wild.
Next to it, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre nurses adorable sun bears. The Rainforest Discovery Centre located within the vicinity has a long canopy walkway for an opportunity to sight 250 species of birds and one of the few places to see the Giant Red Flying Squirrel.
If you’re up for more adventure there’s a trek to Maliau Basin, ‘the Lost World of Sabah’. Circled by pristine rainforest, Maliau Basin is a unique basin-shaped water catchment that flows to the Maliau River and Kinabatangan River. Arrangements can be made to take you to the seven-tier Maliau waterfall that is absolutely breathtaking.
Adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities await adventure seekers who enjoy white water rafting and are ready to navigate through the rapids of Kiulu River. Suitable for beginners, you only need some arm strength and a lot of team effort to make it to the end. Kiulu River also has a double zipline that you can try right after!
For ziplining with a different view, head over to Coral Flyer Zipline, the world’s longest island-to-island zipline that stretches from Sapi to Gaya Island and a fun activity for all. Other adventurous things to do in Sabah including spelunking at Gomantong Caves and a visit to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
“Tabin Wildlife is a very good place to see many different animals and it’s also wonderful for bird watchers and flora & fauna enthusiasts”, comments Capt. Jean Francois, adding for those choosing to stay over: “It’s quite an experience to wake up to a pygmy elephant at the front door of your chalet!”
Visitors can also getting up close to some of Malaysia’s most mesmerising and iconic wildlife in backdrops of lush virgin rainforest when exploring the spectacular Danum Valley conservation area, renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. Here to be encountered are a wide range of wild primates, birds and insects. You can retire to your base at any of a variety of jungle lodge accommodations to enjoy nocturnal nature walks (or just relax in the Jacuzzi!).
RIVER WILDLIFE
Don’t miss the opportunity for an amazing Kinabatangan River jungle cruise! This jungle river is one of the two places in the world where you can spot pygmy elephants. At times these gentle giants can be viewed drinking water and cooling off on a hot day at the second longest river in Malaysia.
Other than being home to Borneo’s indigenous orangutan and proboscis monkey, the surrounding forest at Kinabatangan River is also one of only two known places in the world where 10 species of primates and all eight species of hornbill in Borneo can be found. A trip up the river at dawn or dusk is the best opportunity to see wildlife and, possibly, the reclusive orangutan population and pygmy elephants.
COMMUNITY
Apart from the magnificent cruising, marine and nature parks, wildlife sanctuaries and forest reserves, the rural areas of Sabah is where community-based tourism comes in. Community-based tourism (CBT) is an initiative to promote sustainability and improve the livelihood of the community in an area, emphasizing the development and involvement of the community in developing and managing their own tourism destination and products.
Sabah consists of more than thirty different races and ethnicities with the number of languages and dialects going over eighty. All these different groups live together and form a homogenous community, where they still retain their own culture, custom, tradition, art, and festivals delivering authentic and rewarding experiences to visitors.
CAPTAIN’S NOTES
Sabah is divided by a mountain range from north to south and has separated Sabah’s East and West for 20 years. When I arrived there was only a dirt road connecting E to W and it was very often closed due to logging trucks sliding and blocking the road when it rained. However the was covered many years ago.
As far as weather, when rain comes from the south west most of it is stopped by the mountain, which is opposite from east coast. However, it is good to note the local weather is very much uncertain, when compared to general weather resulting from a strong high or low close to Sabah. The reason is Mount Kinabalu (9400m) is only 30-40 km from the coast. The humidity on the lower land and the very cold air at the mountain top creates a ‘pump’, taking hot air from the mountain to shore. This pump is often very strong and creates its own system.
Motor Vessels/Yachts and any vessel over 24 meters are now required to use an Officially Approved agent to clear in and out. It is recommended to appoint an agent in advance. The current status during Covid-19 is: “Open with conditional entry approval required”.
E-mail: borneo@asia-pacific-superyachts.com
Website: www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com
Photo Credits: Sabah Tourism and Asia Pacific Superyachts.
