Labuan's Rich Marine Life Takes Centre Stage At Diving Festival

LABUAN, June 30 (Bernama) -- Labuan’s rich marine life and colourful underwater scenery took centre stage at the just-concluded 2026 Labuan Diving Festival 4.0.

The festival from June 25 to 28, highlighting the island’s potential as a leading diving and marine tourism destination, brought together divers, snorkellers, marine enthusiasts and tourism stakeholders to promote Labuan’s underwater heritage and marine attractions.

Organised by Labuan Rusukan Besar Tour and Travel, with diving operations led by Dive Rusukan Labuan, the festival attracted 19 licensed divers and 13 snorkelling participants.

They included visitors from Singapore, China and Italy, as well as participants from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan.

Dive Rusukan Labuan head Jeffrey Lee said during the diving activities, participants witnessed abundant marine life, including large schools of fusilier fish, batfish and barracuda, as well as pufferfish, groupers and various other reef species.

“They also observed healthy and colourful coral formations around Labuan Rusukan Besar Resort and its surrounding waters.

“Apart from diving and snorkelling, the festival also featured island hospitality experiences and networking activities among participants and tourism stakeholders,” he told Bernama today.

He said one of Labuan’s key diving attractions was its well-known wreck sites, located within gazetted heritage protection areas under the Department of National Heritage.

“Special approval was obtained to conduct diving activities at the historically significant wreck sites, allowing participants to safely explore an important part of Malaysia’s underwater heritage.

“The festival received strong support from Tourism Malaysia, Perbadanan Labuan, Labuan Environment and Marine Conservation Society, Labuan Dive Club, Marine Park Labuan, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), police and the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM),” he said.

-- BERNAMA