Layang Layang (Swallow Reef) atoll - resort closed since 2025
Closed: the island's only resort (Layang Layang Island Resort) had its operating licence cancelled by the tourism ministry on 6 Jan 2025 and Divernet reports no more diving from the island; no reopening was found. The remote atoll, about 300 km north-west of Kota Kinabalu and 7 km x 2 km with a central lagoon, drops 2,000 m on the outer walls. The resort listed 13 sites: Crack Reef, D'Wall, Dogtooth Lair, Gorgonian Forest (sea fans, major hammerhead area), Navigator Lane, Sharks' Cave (leopard and whitetip sharks), Snapper Ledge, The Runway, The Tunnel (night dive), The Valley, Wrasses Strip and Wreck Point (no wreck). Hammerheads peak March-May; the depth limit was 40 m as there is no chamber on the island. Individual site positions are not published, so the atoll is entered as one point on the south-eastern rim.
Facts
- Region: Kota Kinabalu, Usukan, Mantanani & Layang Layang - Sabah, Malaysia
- Area: Layang Layang (Swallow Reef)
- Depth: 5–40 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: strong
- Type: wall, drift, pinnacle
- Coordinates: 7.369, 113.845 (approximate)
- Highlights: scalloped hammerhead, grey reef shark, whitetip reef shark, leopard shark, dogtooth tuna, manta, sea fan, barracuda, turtle
- Unverified: Individual site positions are not published; the atoll is one estimated point on the south-eastern rim (the island lies there). Current status after the 2025 licence revocation unconfirmed.
- Tips: Resort/liveaboard-only atoll: there was no other way to dive it than by flight from Kota Kinabalu and stay at the resort. Currents can be strong (Crack Reef, Gorgonian Forest). Season was Feb/Mar-Aug; the resort was closed Sep-Jan. Do not plan a trip without confirming reopening and a valid operating licence.