Labuan
Discover Labuan
Labuan is a federal territory of Malaysia. It comprises one large and six smaller islands in off the coast of Sabah in Malaysia. Labuan is an island with an estimated population of 100,000 people. It's quite a close community where everyone knows everyone. The main town is known as Labuan Town (Bandar Labuan in Malay) but was known as Victoria during the colonial era. Labuan Town is among the cleanest towns in Malaysia and has been called "the Pearl of Borneo". Labuan was proclaimed a Federal Territory in 1984 and declared an International Offshore Financial Centre in 1990.
What to Experience in Labuan
Taste of Labuan...
All food, especially fresh seafood, is extremely well priced. But if you get the locals as a guide, they can show you some cheaper alternatives instead. Labuan is well known for its duty-free especially alcohols. The main entertainment in Labuan is its night clubs and lounges. Although the majority of bars in Labuan are actually for prostitution, there a few that are not. Labuan is full of prostitutes. Additionally, sex slavery is a very real issue in Malaysia, particularly Labuan. Steer clear of the karaoke bars and pool halls, especially if you value your sexual health. Otherwise Labuan is a very safe town. Except road blocks erected by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), but police presence is low due to low crime rate. Roads are not busy, except occasionally in town. The driving attitude of people here is quite leisurely, so it's common to have a car cruising in front of you very, very slowly without any purpose. There are lots of jaywalkers, and pedestrians crossing the road don't practice much caution. Several attractions such as Peace Park and Anjung Ketam are located in village areas where children usually play near or at the road. Be careful if you're driving. Sabah, Brunei, and Sarawak are logical places to go next (see #By boat above for information on ferry service).
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Labuan into what it is today.
The island's name came from Brunei Malay word "labohan" which means anchorage. Labuan had a glorious history under the rule of various empires. After the demise of the Majapahit Empire in the 14th century, Labuan came under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate. On 24 December 1846, Captain G.R. Mundy, commanding H.M.S. Iris, took possession of Labuan, "In the Name of Her Majesty Victoria Queen of Great Britain and Ireland under the Direction of His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, C.B., Commander-in-Chief". The British had negotiated with the Sultanate of Brunei for Labuan among other things. By 1847 the British government concluded a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with the Sultan of Brunei, at the same time acquiring the island of Labuan. On 1 August 1848, Labuan was declared a free port and open to settlers. The Colonial Office took over Labuan in January 1906. In 1907 it became part of the Straits Settlements, a British colony comprising Singapore, Penang and Malacca. During World War II, Labuan was occupied by the Japanese, along with other parts of what was then called British North Borneo (now Sabah). Thousands of Allied troops died in the fighting and eventual defeat of the Japanese in Labuan. In 1963, Sabah joined the Federation of Malaysia, with Labuan included as a district of Sabah. In the 1984 Labuan Agreement, Sabah agreed to cede Labuan to the Federal Government of Malaysia....
Location & Landscape
Federal Territory of Labuan is located off the northwest coast of Borneo, north of Brunei Bay, and faces the South China Sea. It comprises the main island of Pulau Labuan and six smaller islands: Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Daat, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Papan and Pulau Burong. It is located at 05 latitude North and 115 longitude East, and lies approximately 10 km southeast off the coast of the East Malaysian state of Sabah and 25 km north of Brunei. The Federal Territory of Labuan covers an area of 92 km and the main island of Labuan is 75 km. The island is mainly flat and undulating and the highest point is only 85 m. More than 70 percent of the island is still under vegetation. Due to the fact that land utility is geared more towards property and industrial use, there is less agricultural activity in the area. Most of the island's prime land, waterfront and suburbs are used for residential and tourism development.
Climate
Labuan has a tropical climate with two annual monsoon seasons - the South West monsoon from April to June and the North East monsoon from September to December. It is free from hurricanes and typhoons and enjoys good climate all year round. Daily temperatures average 28-32°C. The island's name came from Brunei Malay word "labohan" which means anchorage. Labuan had a glorious history under the rule of various empires. After the demise of the Majapahit Empire in the 14th century, Labuan came under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate. On 24 December 1846, Captain G.R. Mundy, commanding H.M.S. Iris, took possession of Labuan, "In the Name of Her Majesty Victoria Queen of Great Britain and Ireland under the Direction of His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, C.B., Commander-in-Chief". The British had negotiated with the Sultanate of Brunei for Labuan among other things.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYou can arrive in Labuan by ferry from Brunei, Lawas, Limbang, Sipitang and Menumbok, where a vehicular ferry operates. Labuan is the usual port for changing boats for those getting from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei in a day by sea, see the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land page for details. 5.275965115.2420682 Labuan Ferry Terminal, Bandar Labuan. It has a tourist information office located right before customs. They offer bicycle rent for RM5 per hour and RM20 per day. (updated Sep 2016) Labuan Town is small enough to be comfortably explored on foot. The town is one of the most pedestrian friendly towns in Malaysia. You should not encounter any problems as most of the drivers here drive their vehicle in "slow motion". Most of the drivers will give priority to pedestrians that want to cross the street, something generally unheard-of in the rest of Malaysia! However, daytime temperatures maybe slightly higher than other parts of Malaysia....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Labuan Town is small enough to be comfortably explored on foot. The town is one of the most pedestrian friendly towns in Malaysia. You should not encounter any problems as most of the drivers here drive their vehicle in "slow motion". Most of the drivers will give priority to pedestrians that want to cross the street, something generally unheard-of in the rest of Malaysia! However, daytime temperatures maybe slightly higher than other parts of Malaysia. For further destinations, bus services are available; some are vans which the locals refer to as 'buses'. Bus services end at 7PM everyday. Below are some bus routes that may be of interest. One-way bus journeys will cost a minimum of RM1 and not more than RM3. Taxis are also available mainly in the town center. However, usually you may need to go to the taxi station to catch one. Do agree on the fare first before you board, since no taxis in Labuan use meters.
Where to Stay
Labuan is full of prostitutes. Additionally, sex slavery is a very real issue in Malaysia, particularly Labuan. Steer clear of the karaoke bars and pool halls, especially if you value your sexual health. Otherwise Labuan is a very safe town. Except road blocks erected by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), but police presence is low due to low crime rate. Roads are not busy, except occasionally in town. The driving attitude of people here is quite leisurely, so it's common to have a car cruising in front of you very, very slowly without any purpose. There are lots of jaywalkers, and pedestrians crossing the road don't practice much caution. Several attractions such as Peace Park and Anjung Ketam are located in village areas where children usually play near or at the road. Be careful if you're driving. Sabah, Brunei, and Sarawak are logical places to go next (see #By boat above for information on ferry service).
Money & Budget
Duty-free shopping - Labuan's modern shopping centres carry a wide range of locally produced and imported goods. Most popular are spirits and tobacco, textiles and appliances. Every end of the year, the island hosts a month-long shopping carnival with attractive discounts. Cultural shows add to the excitement International Offshore Financial Centre - Pulau Labuan is Asia's newest international offshore financial centre. The 65 foreign banks operating on the island offer sophisticated offshore banking services and numbered accounts facilities to the world's rich and famous. Although it's a duty-free island, the things here are not that cheap. However, the followed items should be cheaper than other places: All food, especially fresh seafood, is extremely well priced.
Language & Talk
English and Malay are widely spoken. Because of the influence of the Brunei Sultanate centuries ago, the majority of local Malays speak the Brunei-Kadayan Malay dialect, which is significantly different from standard Malay. This mixture of Brunei and Kadayan dialects is sometimes called Labuan Malay Dialect. However most of the population can speak standard Malay whenever necessary. Major Chinese dialects (especially Hakka) are spoken among the Chinese community. You can arrive in Labuan by ferry from Brunei, Lawas, Limbang, Sipitang and Menumbok, where a vehicular ferry operates. Labuan is the usual port for changing boats for those getting from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei in a day by sea, see the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land page for details. 5.275965115.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Labuan is full of prostitutes. Additionally, sex slavery is a very real issue in Malaysia, particularly Labuan. Steer clear of the karaoke bars and pool halls, especially if you value your sexual health. Otherwise Labuan is a very safe town. Except road blocks erected by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), but police presence is low due to low crime rate. Roads are not busy, except occasionally in town. The driving attitude of people here is quite leisurely, so it's common to have a car cruising in front of you very, very slowly without any purpose. There are lots of jaywalkers, and pedestrians crossing the road don't practice much caution. Several attractions such as Peace Park and Anjung Ketam are located in village areas where children usually play near or at the road. Be careful if you're driving. Sabah, Brunei, and Sarawak are logical places to go next (see #By boat above for information on ferry service).
Glimpses of Labuan
blue body of water near green grass field during daytime
green grass field near blue sea under blue sky during daytime
green and brown mountain beside blue sea under blue sky during daytime
green grass field near blue sea under blue sky during daytime
Labuan Bajo Mercusuar
A little part of paradise that I called home
Bunch of Mantas
Speed boat of Labuan Bajo
Deep Sunset at Labuan Bajo
Sunset on Padar Island
blue body of water near green grass field during daytime
green grass field near blue sea under blue sky during daytime
green and brown mountain beside blue sea under blue sky during daytime