One of the world’s top diving spots! Let’s explore Tawau, Borneo Island

Tawau is a city in Malaysia located in the northeastern part of Borneo Island (Kalimantan Island), bordering Indonesia to the south. The town developed after the 1890s, and especially after World War I, Japanese settlers increased, prompting the development of infrastructure. While most of the city was destroyed during the Pacific War and there are few historical buildings left, there are tourist spots built by the Japanese. Today, Tawau is renowned as one of the world’s top diving destinations! In this article, we present five recommended tourist attractions in Tawau, which is gaining attention as a marine leisure hub.

1. Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island is a small island located off the east coast of Tawau. It is continuously ranked as a top-tier diving destination by diving magazines! Not only is the sea beautiful, but it’s also known as an area rich in marine biodiversity, comparable to the Galápagos Islands and Micronesia.

It’s especially famous for spots where you can swim with green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. You may also encounter manta rays, parrotfish, stingrays, and whale sharks. However, as the surrounding area is designated as a conservation zone, the number of tourists allowed to enter is limited. Staying overnight on the island is also prohibited, so thorough planning and research are essential when visiting.

2. Bell Tower

The small Tawau Bell Tower, located near the ferry terminal, is the only pre-war building remaining in downtown Tawau. It was built in 1921 by the Japanese to commemorate the armistice of World War I. It is said that during the Pacific War, residents cherished the bell’s chime so much that they hid it in a church about 1 km away.

Although small compared to European church bell towers, it frequently appears in old photographs of Tawau and is considered a symbol of the city. It is a valuable site that represents the historical connection between Tawau and Japan, and definitely worth a visit.

3. Japanese Cemetery

After the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance ensured safety for expansion into Borneo, Japanese settlers began to increase in Tawau, and large-scale plantations of rubber and coconut were developed.

By the time of World War II, the number of Japanese residents in Tawau had grown to over 1,000, creating a need for a dedicated cemetery (Tawau Japanese War Memorial). Most of those buried in the Japanese Cemetery on the northwestern outskirts of the old town died before the Pacific War.

Today, the cemetery features gravestones inscribed with Japanese names, as well as remnants of a crematorium and a water-drawing site marked in Japanese. It also serves as a war memorial, complete with commemorative inscriptions.

4. Teck Guan Cocoa Museum

Cocoa (cacao beans) is also one of Tawau’s major agricultural products. Located just beyond the Japanese Cemetery, the Teck Guan Cocoa Museum is a tourist museum affiliated with a cocoa plantation established in the 1970s. A cacao bean processing factory is located right behind the building, so the sweet aroma will lift your spirits even before you enter!

Inside the museum, you can view materials and videos on cocoa cultivation and processing. You can also observe the roasting, grinding, and refining of cacao beans into cocoa powder and cocoa butter. And of course, after the tour, you’ll get to sample various cocoa sweets made from Teck Guan’s cacao.

Cocoa butter is also said to have moisturizing and anti-skin-hardening effects. Be sure to try the soap rich in cocoa butter available in the museum restrooms.

5. Al-Kauthar Mosque

Al-Kauthar Mosque, built in 2004 on the southeastern edge of Tawau’s old town, is a new mosque that can accommodate 16,000 to 17,000 people. The white main hall, green dome, and its slender minaret create an impressive sight.

Large market areas lie to the east and west, making this one of the liveliest parts of Tawau. If you want to soak in the local atmosphere, this is a highly recommended spot.

◎ Summary

This article introduced tourist attractions in Tawau, a Malaysian city on Borneo Island. With top-class diving spots, Tawau is full of travel appeal. However, safety concerns have been raised in recent years, including a 2000 incident where armed groups targeted foreign tourists on Sipadan Island. If you plan to visit Tawau, be sure to research these risks thoroughly and take proper safety measures.