Tropical Vacation in Labuan: Kuraman Island Getaway

Map of Kuraman island

Putting on masks and flippers

Snorkelling at the coral reef site

Coral reef seen under the clear blue waters

Group picture with the clear blue sea as a background

Photos Copyright to P. Marilyn, courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

By Huraizah Ahmad & P. Marilyn

Our journey started with a safety briefing by Hj Harith on the site and programme of the day on Kuraman island in Labuan.

After the loading of all our bags into our main transportation of three high powered speed boats, all participants donned on their lifejackets before climbing aboard.

All are hyped up and excited, everyone felt uncertain on the outcome of the almost one hour boat ride.

The long bumpy journey to the island of Kuraman was well worth it by the time our group reached onshore.

The weather, which showed no signs of forthcoming downpour, was what we all had hoped for as we hopped out of our boat, the 'Sky Rider'.

With everyone hungry by the time we reached the island, the smells and sights were quite overwhelming as we prepared for our feast at the beach hut on the beach area.

The first activity of the day was the snorkelling trials not far from the beach shores.

Little did we know that our 'first times ever to do list' would go even further as the day went on.

Two or three participants were accompanied during the snorkelling trials, which provided some practical and vital information before the crew brought us to the snorkelling site on the island.

Geared with a pair of face masks, snorkels, lifejacket and flippers, everyone looked silly as we walked backwards towards the clear blue waters of Kuraman and swam like fishes eager to try out our new breathing apparatus and swimming gear.

We slapped sun block on our bodies for fear of getting burnt by the scorching sun from behind the clouds and shining on our faces.

Upon immersing ourselves in the water, floating and drifting wherever the waves took us, we totally forgot about the blazing sun.

It was an amazing time out in the beach with all the fun people from the Empire Hotel & Country Club, paired with the assistance of the helpful Scuba Tech crew.

Next on our programme was the Banana Boat ride.

The ride joined by eight people warmed up as the speedboat towed the banana boat around the island.

All on board were totally caught off guard when the cruise went from mild to wild, made an abrupt right turn, and caused us to be flung from the boat into the waters.

With everyone floating in the water still dumbfounded but completely enjoying the thrill, there was no denying everyone hadn't had enough of the fun when we all struggled onboard the banana boat for yet another wild ride.

After a few more thrilling rounds, everyone got a little more careful this time as we tried to balance the banana boat each time it swerved.

Fun as it may be, it is not a good experience to swallow seawater.

We hung on to the banana boat for our dear lives and with every swerve the speedboat made, we tried our hardest to balance the boat.

We screamed out, felt a mixture of excitement and fear, and half expected to be thrown off the boat and into the waters again.

And we did it. We jumped off the banana boat with an overwhelming sense of exhilaration and victory.

After using up much of our energy, and with our stomachs growling for food, we reluctantly got out of the water.

The convenient hut sold a variety of beverage and food items and was the perfect spot to take a break, participating the barbeque lunch prepared by the Scuba Tech team.

The whiff of freshly barbecued chicken and lamb chops immediately woke everyone from their brief rest. We joined the rest to another hut for the barbecue.

Lunch was prepared by the multi-tasked and helpful Scuba Tech crew, who bought the items for a great feast on the beach.

After a brief group shot besides the clear blue waters of Kuraman beach, we all jumped aboard our that transported us to the snorkelling site.

Being able to snorkel for the very first time in our lives was the best thing we could have done.

We also discovered that whether a good swimmer, or not, it just takes a strong thirst for adventure for anyone to participate in the breathtaking world of snorkelling.

Watching the beautiful coral reefs on Discovery Channel is nothing compared to what we actually saw with our very own eyes. Just being able to touch and get as close to the small colourful fishes in their natural habitat was just too overwhelming.

The magical moment of being there in the clear blue waters of Kuraman and swimming along with the small fishes was like being in a treasure island paradise.

Many of these tropical coral fishes are known to be cautious, either shying behind the coral burrows or camouflaging themselves against other natural inhabitants of the sea.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

ED NOTE: Labuan is only about 15 minutes by air from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo.