Situated at the tip of Borneo, few Malaysian destinations are as remote or as intriguing as Kudat.

As you land on the short strip at Kudat Airport, you have to wonder what visitors would see in the area as a holiday destination. The 40-minute flight on FAX (Fly Asian Express) from Sabah’s Kota Kinabalu International Airport is a little bumpy as the 19-seater Twin Otter is buffeted by thermal air currents.

The airport consists of a building that would serve as a bus shelter in most other parts of the country. But of course it is the isolation that is Kudat’s most endearing quality.

Head north from here and apart from the even more remote Pulau Banggi, lying before your eyes are the open Sulu Sea and then Palawan Island in The Philippines.

This remote and wild coast of northern Borneo with its clean air, unhurried lifestyle, near pristine environment, scenic beauty and tranquility could well see a mini tourism boom in the coming years.

An exclusive development including Kudat Karma will play a huge role in attracting well-heeled tourists to a part of the world that has recently become known as the Kudat Riviera.

Work is well under way to develop this and other exclusive hideaways adjacent to the beach or in the foothills immediately behind the beachfront.

The projects include Kudat Karma (19 villas of between two and five bedrooms), Kulambu Cove (one exclusive villa of six bedrooms), Beach @ The Tip (eight villas of three to four bedrooms) and Coconut Reef Club (10 villas of between two and four bedrooms).

Already, several imported Javanese rice barns have been erected on large plots of beachfront land. These beachside bungalows are colourfully decorated in regional-sourced textiles and fitted with the most luxurious amenities.

The Kudat Riviera will offer a range of exclusive activities for guests who are used to the best. Watersports will be high on the recreational agenda for most guests. Big boy toys like quad bikes are already in place for those who want a little sand dune action.

All the bungalows within the Kudat Riviera development will be private retreats with their own swimming pool, beachside cabanas, state-of-the-art home entertainment equipment and barbecue facilities.

Guests will be offered helicopter services to access and dive in remote reefs, trek in remote rainforests, climb Mount Kinabalu, whitewater raft the Padus River or enjoy sunset cocktails on a remote island.

Getting There