Labuan is compact: the main sights are within a 20 to 30 minute drive of the town centre, so most visitors cover the highlights in a day. This guide goes through them in a sensible driving order and adds the dive, island and shopping options if you stay longer. For transport to the island, ferry fares and an overview of where to base yourself, start with our Labuan travel guide.
WWII sites: War Cemetery, Surrender Point and Peace Park
The Labuan War Cemetery holds the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Borneo campaign and as prisoners of war, and it is well kept and free to visit. It is a quiet place and suits an early morning stop before the heat builds. Nearby, Surrender Point marks where Japanese forces surrendered in September 1945, and the adjoining Peace Park commemorates the event. These three sit together on the island’s heritage trail, so allow about 90 minutes for all of them. A local driver or a guided tour adds context that the signs do not; compare options under Labuan tours.
The Chimney at Tanjung Kubong
The Chimney is a brick structure from the 19th-century coal-mining era, standing near the island’s northern coast. Its original purpose is debated, but it is now a heritage marker with a walking trail and coastal rock formations nearby. Entry is free. Right next to it is the Labuan Bird Park (RM3 for Malaysians, RM5 for non-Malaysians as of 2026), which makes this a convenient pairing.
Kampung Patau-Patau water village
About 15 minutes from the centre, Kampung Patau-Patau is a traditional water village built on stilts over the sea. A walk along the boardwalks is free, and the village is a good place for a seafood meal in the evening. Some households offer basic homestay rooms from around RM50 per night, which suits travellers who want a local experience rather than a hotel.
Wreck diving
Labuan’s wrecks are the main reason divers stop here. The Cement Wreck (10 to 30 metres) is the usual choice for beginners, the Blue Water Wreck and the American Wreck (a WWII minesweeper) suit more experienced divers, and an Australian wreck rounds out the set. A two-dive trip with gear is approximately RM250 to RM400, and a PADI Open Water course is approximately RM1,200 to RM1,500 as of 2026. Expect lower visibility than on Sabah’s reefs and book through a licensed dive centre. For wider context, see best diving in Malaysia.
Island hopping and mangroves
Boats from the jetty run to Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Kuraman and Papan for beach time and snorkelling, at approximately RM150 to RM400 per boat. Kina Benuwa Mangrove Park has a boardwalk trail that is worth an hour if you like birdlife. Seas can be rough during the northeast monsoon from about November to March, so confirm boats are running before you commit to a day trip.
Duty-free shopping
Shopping is the main thing most Malaysian visitors come for. Chocolate, perfume, electronics, wine and spirits are all cheaper than on the mainland, but check the carry-out limits before you buy: allowances for Labuan and Langkawi are changing from 1 January 2027, and the treatment of alcohol is not consistent across reports. The Royal Malaysian Customs site is the authority, and our Langkawi guide explains the same scheme.
A one-day route
Start at the War Cemetery, then Surrender Point and the Peace Park. Drive on to the Chimney and the Bird Park for late morning, lunch in town, then spend the afternoon on duty-free shopping or a short snorkel trip. Finish with seafood at Kampung Patau-Patau. If you plan to dive or island-hop, add a second day. See where to stay in Labuan for hotels, and the Labuan Tourism site for current visitor information.