The northern portion of the island of Borneo, sitting in the Pacific Ocean, is home to a large section of Malaysia. Naturally, surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful deep blue ocean, this part of the country is a magnet for those wishing to embark on boat trips.
So what should you expect from a boat trip around Malaysian Borneo? Firstly, there is so much more to do in the way of activities than simply sitting on the deck of a boat and watching the waves float by. You might have opportunities to do some game fishing. Or, if your idea of fishing doesn't quite stretch to battling a large Marlin, then you can just as easily choose to drop your line over the side and see what bites you attract, with a cocktail at your side while you wait.
Another popular activity is snorkeling. You don't have to go through the rigmarole of time-consuming training sessions to learn how to scuba-dive. All you need is a mask and snorkel and then you can plunge into the Pacific Ocean and enter an entirely new and exciting dimension.
Tour boats will also provide light meals. This is an excellent way to appreciate local cuisine, especially if you appreciate sea food – the platter you end up being served with will be so fresh, some of the main catch's relatives will still be gliding around the seas while you eat! Depending on which part of the world you have arrived in Malaysia from, there will undoubtedly be a variety of delicacies that are completely new to you.
Well some people prefer a boat trip to be a way of immersing themselves in calm, with the only sound the gently chugging engine and the lapping of waves, others prefer to bring a party with them. Therefore some vessels have extremely capable surround-sound music systems to create an up-tempo atmosphere as you head out from port, embarking on your Pacific adventure.
This part of the Pacific – the South China Sea – is a particularly fertile marine environment. You will be entering a habitat that is home to some of the world's most exotic and exciting creatures. During particular times of the year you might well be lucky enough to catch sight of the occasional group of whale sharks. The sight of one of these ocean-going Leviathans is often enough to cause some trepidation amongst tourists. They do have an intimidating look – they are dark in colour, peppered with white spots – and are exactly the same shape as tiger sharks or, worse still, great white sharks. As their dorsal fins scythe through the water, you could be forgiven for automatically thinking of the theme tune to ‘Jaws'.
However, rest assured, whale sharks are about as dangerous to human beings as sparrows. Perhaps less so! Their main sustenance is microscopic sea creatures known as plankton. So any animal whose staple diet consists of something that only shows up on a microscope will not have very dangerous jaws! On the contrary, these giant creatures glide through the oceans majestically. Over the years they have become acquainted with the human who like to swim alongside getting to know them.