[2] It was designated as a Class 1 Protection Forest by the Sabah Forestry Department in 1984.

[3] Balembangan's terrain is rugged and steep inland, with flat coastal areas of mangroves.

[1] Balembangan Forest Reserve hosts dipterocarp tree species including Dipterocarpus grandiflorus, Shorea faguetiana and Vatica maritima.

Pandanus tectorius grows freely in watery areas behind the mangroves.

Saltwater crocodiles and long-tailed macaques have also been observed.