Staying in Lahad Datu can make you learn how to cook the Borneo way, dive and snorkel the local reef and shipwreck without the crowds of Semporna / Mabul, or go mountain biking up and down Mt Silam for picturesque views over Darvel Bay. It's a far cry from this little coastal town's first glimpse, which seems to have a vibrant market for produce, a dry-goods store, sun-scorched buildings and very little else. Travellers on their way to Tabin Wildlife Park and Danum Valley, arriving from KK on early morning flights and immediately spirited away, are missing out.

Best time to fly from Manila to Lahad Datu

The best times to visit Lahad Datu for ideal weather is in mid-January. The busiest month for tourism in Lahad Datu, Malaysia in December, followed by November and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Lahad Datu in May. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Main airports available in Manila and Lahad Datu

Ninoy Aquino International Airport – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is an international airport that is currently serving the Greater Manila Area, being the main international gateway into and from the Philippines as well as to other regions within the country. Also known as NAIA or Manila International Airport by the locals, the airport is located at the Pasay - Parañaque border, which can be found 7 kilometres south of the Manila city and the city of Makati from the southwest direction. The airport is the hub for airlines such as Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, and Philippine AirAsia. This airport consists of four different terminals, namely Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4 meant to cater to different segments with a shopping mall located at Terminal 3. Access to and from the airport is easy since the airport is well-connected to the city by buses, jeepneys and cars traversing through the roads.

Lahad Datu Airport – Lahad Datu Airport (LDU) is a smaller airport in Malaysia. You can fly to 2 destinations with one airline in scheduled passenger traffic. The route with the most departures is the route to Kota Kinabalu with an average of 35 flights from Lahad Datu every week which is over 71% of all weekly departures. By far, there are no international flights from Lahad Datu. The only airline operating here is Malaysia Airlines using the ATR 72/42. The route with the longest flight time from Lahad Datu is to Kota Kinabalu and takes about 55 minutes.

Climate pattern in Manila and Lahad Datu

Average temperatures in Lahad Datu vary barely at all. The temperatures feel hot all year with a chance of rain throughout most of the year. The warmest time of year is generally late May where highs are regularly around 32.1 Celsius with temperatures rarely dropping below 23.7 Celsius at night. If dry weather is what you are after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Lahad Datu are May, February, and then August. Wind in Lahad Datu is usually extremely calm. The windiest month is March, followed by February and August.

Highlights attractions in Lahad Datu

• Mabul Island - Located off Malaysia's south-east coast, Mabul is a tiny island and a fishing village. Popular as a diving spot, lots of sea sports enthusiasts visit this island. The seabed around the island has a depth of 25 to 30 metres. This island is home to rare and small marine life, too. This island ranks high on top stops for viewing marine life in the Indian Ocean with species such as cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, and bobtail squids. On this island six all-inclusive resorts are open.
• Borneo Paradise – Borneo Paradise Eco-Farm is an eco-resort providing lodging and other water sports activities for its visitors. This modern, wooden infrastructure offers total harmony out of the city's hustle and bustle. Many sports include canoeing, boating, trolling, fishing, mountain biking and trailing in the jungle, as well as swimming.
• Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp - When you visit Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp in Malaysia, experience the majesty and grandeur of the Borneo Rainforest. Be part of the region's native clandestine lifestyle and stay in observation platforms in a quest to understand and gain insight into the local lifestyle. The entire Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp restoration project is designed to generate zero waste and maximum water conservation and use. If you're a lover of nature or a photographer, then you'll have a lot of fun here. If you enjoy outdoor activities, there are several marshes, landscape forms, and dense trees clusters that you can drive through.