On the northern tip of Borneo, Sabah feels like nature turned up to full volume. Here, Mount Kinabalu rises over jungles alive with hornbills, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants, while just offshore lie some of the richest coral seas on Earth. Whale sharks, turtles, and hammerheads appear seasonally, and the region's conservation efforts—from orangutan sanctuaries to marine parks—are setting the pace for how people and wildlife can share one of Asia's last great wilds.
Mabul is a tiny island with a giant reputation. Its reefs are alive with turtles, flamboyant cuttlefish, and rare macro critters, while just next door, Sipadan is ranked among the best dive sites on Earth. Mabul is also home to a turtle hatchery and sanctuary, where local efforts protect nesting grounds from heavy pressures. Yet, like many islands in Southeast Asia, it struggles with waste management—plastic and debris often wash onto its beaches, reminding visitors of the fragility of these world-class ecosystems.
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