i. Santubong Wildlife Cruise The cruise starts at the Sarawak Boat Club. From there, your boat cruises to the mouth of the Santubong River. Irrawaddy dolphins may be spotted. En-route, all the while, your boat roams the mangrove-lined rivers looking for wildlife. At the Salak estuary and island, as the light starts to fade, we go in search for the rare proboscis monkey. Small groups are sometimes seen in the treetops at the water edge, settling down for the night. As dusk arrives, we search for fireflies and crocodiles. The boat proceeds further up river where fireflies gather at night. Enjoy the subdued resplendent twinkling of the beetles (yes, fireflies are beetles!) flying about and around the branches of the mangrove trees. As you make your way back to the boat club, you will experience first-hand how to spot a crocodile. When a torch is beamed over the riverbanks, red bright spots will get your attention. In pitch blackness, a bright torch is all one needs to detect
crocodiles along the river!
ii. Mangrove & Irrawaddy Dolphin Watching Wildlife Cruise This trip along the Santubong River and plies the Salak River Delta system, of which, both stream into the South China Sea. In both, one experience a close-up view of the heavily silted mangrove swamp, a haven for its inhabitants of reptilians to crustaceans and fishes: crocodiles, water monitor lizards, otters, mud skippers, mangrove crabs, prawns, edible jellyfish, shell fish, monkeys and more. The swamp continues a wide range of types of trees, the most significant being the black and red mangroves, locally known as 'bakau' or 'Bako'. It's utilized as piling in developments and is likewise processed as charcoal. Easily mistaken as wasteland, the area experiences tidal rises that leaves rich silts on which the mangrove thrives, giving rise to symbiotic relationship affecting all flora and fauna, aquatic life and coastal organisms. The Irrawaddy or snubfin dolphin, inhabits the rivers, estuaries and shallow coastal
areas. The Santubong area remains one of the best places in Sarawak to view this unusual looking marine mammal. When seen, they swim and dive around open waters less than 30 metres deep. Visitors will need a keen eye to spot the dolphins and they are best seen when they frolic near local fishing boats that are hauling in the catch!
iii. Satang Island Satang Island is the nearest to Kuching, Satang comprises of two islands, Besar(big) and Kecil (small). Most diving activities are done around Satang Besar where coral reef fringes two third of the island’s edge and submerged boulders lay on the other. It is a playground for macro lovers. Satang Islands are located just outside the coastal area of Santubong with muck diving activities happening around Satang Besar. Variety of corals and marine life can be found on the reef around the island. For the avid underwater photographers, there are plenty of macros of different species to be found here.