Description
Tanjung Datu National Park is situated at the westnmost tip of Sarawakon the Datu Penisula. It is one of the smallest parks in Sarawak, with an area appromiximately 14 kilometres square (1,379 ha). Gazatted 16 March 1994 and published to public on 19 May 1994 and was formerly known as Labuan Gadong. Half of the peninsula is situated within Sarawak and the other portion lies in Kalimatan Indonesia. The park is also described as the "Heaven of Borneo" by foreign visitors.
Interesting natural features with splendid rain forst and unique coral reefs make the park an exceptionally signficant area for biodiversity. Its pristine envirnment with a series of mountain ranges and luxurious mixed dipterocarp forest and fauna make the park a pleasant place to visit. The unpolluted crystal clear water of the South China Sea provides a wide range of marine life, which could be prime attraction to those who love snorkeling and scuba diving. Turtles are another possible attraction to the visitor because the park is one of the few destination for the turtles landing to lay eggs. Due to its location being quite remote and isolated, the park offers a spectacular destination for nature-based tourism attraction.
The Park has yet to be officially opened to public. However, visitors cen get a permit to visit the park from the Sarawak Forest Department and get there by hiring a boat from the coastal town of Sematan. The journey from Sematan to Tanjung Datu National Park, approximately 40 minutes. During the monsoon season from October until February the sea condition is often too rough for small boats. Usually small boats are not allowed to travel at the time of the year. Visitors to the park are encouraged to travel during the month of April to September when the sea is calm.
Northern Shoreline
The shoreline to the north of Teluk Labuan Gadong is rocky with large granite boulders. There are small narrow beaches at Pasir Antu and Pasir Berunput. These area is very scenic with rugged mountain in the background. In the morning especially in the morning., it is possible to hear the call of the gibbon and it would be best to travel along this coastline by kayak in order to fully appreciate for the natural beauty of the unspoiled environment.
Cliffs
The main cliff area is at Tanjung Labuan Gadong and is approximately 80 meter in height. These cliffs are composed of altered sedimentary rocks. Inland from the cliffs is a viewpoint and from the top it is possible to see the entire shoreline of the park to the north, Teluk Upas and Teluk Jin Siong to the south and also the village of Teluk melano and the surrounding areas. On a clear day dolphins can be seen swimming near to the bay.
Marine Life
The area has an abundance of interesting and varied marine creatures from dolphins to whales, flying fish, turtles, king crabs, octopus, sea anemones and corals.
Inland
The interior of the park is comprised of steep mixed dipterocarp forested mountains. There are many different animals species in the forest like gibbon, long tail macaques, bearded pigs, tufted ground squirrels, peacocks, mouse deer, barking deer, sambar deer and hornbills.
There are no accommodation fercilities provided in the park, but they is a "home-stay programme" which was initiated by the Sarawak Tourism Board, that involved the local people in order to provide a cultural experience of everyday Malay village life. This stay inculde staying with the local family, eating the same food as the family and joining in their cultural evenet and activities. A local tour agency (Borneo Inbound) was appointed to conduct the hoe-stay experience.
This park will be open for visitors in the future.
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