Sabah Green Tourism: "Barracuda Storm" Emerges Like a Typhoon Eye During a Seawalk

▲ For a summer island escape, Malaysia is an excellent choice, offering beautiful beaches, oceans, and a rich ecological treasure trove. (Photo / Provided by Malaysian Tourism Board)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Special Feature

Planning a tropical island trip this summer? You can’t miss “Malaysia,” a country full of tropical island vibes. This summer, with the launch of direct chartered flights to Sabah and Malaysia’s visa-free policy, it’s a great option to explore the beauty of its islands.

The Malaysian Tourism Board notes that all of Malaysia’s islands are ideal for summer visits, especially the “Sabah” region, which boasts diverse ecosystems and a wide range of nature-based activities to satisfy every traveler. Those yearning for an island holiday should consider a “green tourism” trip to Sabah.

Sabah Island Experiences & Green Tourism

Located in a tropical climate zone, Sabah’s most captivating feature is its pristine rainforest landscapes.Mount Kinabalu National Parkis like an ecological treasure trove, where harmony between nature and wildlife can be seen everywhere. Known as the “Land Below the Wind” due to its lack of typhoons, Sabah allows visitors to take a long-tail boat ride along its tropical rainforest rivers for a firefly river tour. The Malaysian Tourism Board describes this experience as visually stunning, similar to New Zealand’s glowworm caves. Alternatively, you can go white-water rafting on the Kinabatangan River — safe yet thrilling. Here, you might even spot the endangered “proboscis monkey,” affectionately nicknamed the “Romeo of the Nose.”

   
▲ Left: Explore the mysterious proboscis monkeys along quiet waterways by long-tail boat and experience the “Firefly River Tour.” Right: With luck, you can see the endangered proboscis monkey. (Photo / Provided by Malaysian Tourism Board)

For those keen on water activities, about a 20-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu city center liesTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park,which features pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters as pure as glass. This marine park, composed of five islands, is one of the world’s rare pollution-free ocean environments.

In this beautiful marine world, the activity of “seawalking” has gained popularity in recent years. It allows non-swimmers to wear a glass helmet resembling a space visor. Inside this oxygen-filled headgear, visitors can freely walk underwater alongside tropical fish, starfish, and other marine life.


▲ Thousands of barracudas gather like a typhoon eye, creating a breathtaking "barracuda storm." (Photo / Provided by Malaysian Tourism Board)

Among Sabah’s islands, “Sipadan Island” has been ranked as one of the best diving destinations, while “Layang-Layang Island” has also been voted one of the top ten diving spots in the world — both are favorites among diving enthusiasts.

Divers’ Paradise — Sipadan Island

This is also a diver’s paradise. For instance, “Sipadan Island,” chosen as the best diving destination, and “Layang-Layang Island,” voted one of the world’s top ten diving spots, are dream dive locations for underwater explorers. Sipadan Island is a volcanic island formed by undersea eruptions, renowned for its rich marine beauty. The Malaysian Tourism Board notes that the island is home to over 3,000 species of tropical fish, hundreds of coral varieties, and various types of “sharks,” making it another oceanic ecological treasure.


▲ Sipadan Island is one of the world’s top diving destinations. (Photo / Provided by Malaysian Tourism Board)

 
▲ Left: The Land Below the Wind, Sabah, is the ultimate summer spot for water recreation. Right: A turtle on Sipadan Island. (Photo / Provided by Malaysian Tourism Board)


▲ Home to the world’s largest flower — the Rafflesia. (Photo / Provided by Malaysian Tourism Board)

Related Travel Agency Packages
● Lion Travel: “Colorful Sabah ~ Mabul Snorkeling, Paintball Extreme, White-Water Rafting, Sunset Seafood BBQ BBQ 5-Day Tour” and “Sabah Rock ‘n’ Roll ~ 5-Star FUN Night Firefly River Adventure & Unlimited Water Activities 5-Day Tour.”
● Star Travel: “Sabah Free & Easy 3D2N” and “5-Star Sabah Free & Easy + Gayana Island Overwater Villa 5D4N.”
● Trans Maldivian Airways Travel: “Sabah Paradise ~ Joy of Mountains & Waters 5-Day” and “Relaxed Lifestyle ~ Sabah Free & Easy 5-Day.”

【Sabah Travel Information】
● Population: 28 million
● Climate: Equatorial rainy climate
● Flights: Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
● Visa: Visa-free entry for up to 15 days
● Time difference: No time difference
● Exchange rate: Approximately 1 Malaysian Ringgit = 10 New Taiwan Dollars
● Related information
This summer, China Airlines operates four direct charter flights from Taipei to Sabah on June 30, July 4, July 8, and July 12. Taiwanese travelers can explore Asia’s ecological treasure trove—Sabah—in the shortest possible time. Sabah offers a diverse range of travel experiences, including night river cruises, family-friendly rafting on the Liwagu River, diving, snorkeling, and exploring the vibrant underwater world. Combine your trip with the Malaysia Shopping Carnival (1 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival), taking place nationwide from June 29 to September 1, for a multi-faceted travel experience.

★ Ticket Information:
Kinabalu Park (Mount Kinabalu National Park): Adult RM15, Children under 18 RM10

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Adult RM10, Children under 18 RM6

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▲ Sabah Island Vibes (Video embedded from YouTube. We apologize if it has been removed.)