Man-made Kapalai island with the houses on stilts, Sabah, Malaysia

Things to do in  Sabah

Take a walk on the wild side

One half of Malaysian Borneo, Sabah state occupies the island’s northeastern corner in a whirl of rainforest and desert islands—with the jagged peak of Mt. Kinabalu towering over everything. The top things to do in Sabah center on the forest: longhouse stays, jungle treks, river trips, firefly cruises, and tours to proboscis monkey and orangutan sanctuaries. But you can also climb Mt. Kinabalu, scuba dive and snorkel in Sipadan and the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, and explore the bustling state capital of Kota Kinabalu.

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Top 15 attractions in Sabah

#1

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

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Nestled among the mangrove forests of Semawang, the privately-owned Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary allows you observe the endemic primates during feeding times throughout the day. Fresh fruit and vegetables are provided to supplement the diets of the monkeys, who roam free in the surrounding forest.More
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#2

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (TARP)

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A scenic option for water-sports fans and wildlife lovers who don’t have time to travel to Mabul or Sipadan, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from downtown Kota Kinabalu. Comprising five small islands, the park combines white-sand beaches with coral reefs, jungle, and abundant marine life.More
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#3

Mari Mari Cultural Village

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Nestled in the jungle outside Kota Kinabalu, the Mari Mari Cultural Village lets you discover the old lifestyles of five different Borneo ethnic groups. Enjoy traditional food (and rice wine, watch demos of crafts from tattooing to fire lighting, catch a dance performance, and learn about traditional beliefs and building styles.More
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#4

Kinabalu National Park

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Reigned over by the mighty Mt. Kinabalu—the tallest mountain in Malaysia—Kinabalu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity. A paradise for nature lovers, the park is home to around 5,500 plant species (including varieties of orchids and pitcher plants), about 326 bird species, and more than 100 mammals.More
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#5

Mt. Kinabalu (Gunung Kinabalu)

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One of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia, the mighty Mt. Kinabalu (Gunung Kinabalu) attracts climbers from all over. But the 13,435-foot (4,095-meter) summit isn’t the only reason travelers visit Kinabalu National Park. With around 6,000 species of flora, the UNESCO-listed park is recognized as one of the most important biological sites in the world.More
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#6

Manukan Island (Pulau Manukan)

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The second-largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Manukan Island (Pulau Manukan) boasts coral reefs, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and lots of lush vegetation. Head to the island to do some snorkeling and to explore on the network of walking trails.More
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#7

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu)

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The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu) is not only the largest mosque in the city, but also the most visually striking. Surrounded by a lagoon, the building appears to float when viewed from a distance, and casts a picturesque reflection into the water below.Built in 2000, theKota Kinabalu City Mosqueaccommodates up to 12,000 worshipers at a time, and can be entered by non-Muslims outside regular prayer times. The mosque features a classical style with four minarets and a grand blue-and-gold dome, designed to resemble the Nabawi Mosque in Medina, the final resting place of Muhammad.A visit to the mosque is best enjoyed as part of a half-day city tour of Kota Kinabalu, where you’ll get the chance to explore other cultural landmarks, like the Wisma Tun Mustapha and the Sabah Museum, and view the city sights from Signal Hill.More
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#8

Sandakan Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

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Established in 1964, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre rehabilitates baby orangutans that have been orphaned as a result of illegal logging and deforestation in Malaysia. Visit the center for an opportunity to see this endangered animal in its habitat at scheduled feeding times and in the rehabilitation nursery.More
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#9

Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve (Poring Hot Springs)

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Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve is nestled in the jungles of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Poring Hot Springs includes tiled pools used for soaking in sulfurous thermal waters; a suspended jungle walkway; a swimming pool and slide; and an orchid Conservation Center home to more than 1,200 species.More
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#10

Sapi Island (Pulau Sapi)

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Sapi Island (Pulau Sapi is part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, an underwater wonderland located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Though the second-smallest island of the archipelago, Sapi Island is home to the Coral Flyer Zipline, one of the longest island-to-island ziplines in the world.More
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#11

Signal Hill Observatory Platform

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Located on the hills near Padang Merdeka, the Signal Hill Observatory Platform is the highest point in Kota Kinabalu, which means it’s one of the best places to go for sweeping, unobstructed views of the city and beyond.Signal Hill is widely considered a ‘must­do’ attraction for all visitors to Kota Kinabalu. From this decked observatory platform, you’ll not only get a panoramic, bird’s eye view of the sprawling city center, but also vistas extending to the beaches of Tanjung Aru and Likas Bay, and even to the outlying islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.You can visit Signal Hill as part of a half­day city tour, which also takes in other Kota Kinabalu attractions and landmarks, including Wisma Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building), the City Mosque, the University of Sabah, and the Sabah Museum.More
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#12

Klias Peninsula (Klias Wetlands)

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With their comically long noses and ginger fur, proboscis monkeys are a highlight of any visit to Borneo. And the Klias Peninsula (Klias Wetlands, an expanse of coastal forest a couple of hours south of Kota Kinabalu, is the perfect place to watch them swing through the trees. After nightfall, fireflies flicker and glitter by the river.More
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#13

Sabah Museum (Sabah State Museum)

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Within easy reach of Kota Kinabalu city center, Sabah Museum (Sabah State Museum) explores the heritage, art, culture, and daily life of Sabah and its people. Along with the main building, the museum comprises a Heritage Village, Ethnobotanical Garden, and Science and Technology Center.More
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#14

Tip of Borneo (Tanjung Simpang Mengayau)

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As the northernmost point of Borneo—the third-largest island in the world—the Tip of Borneo (Tanjung Simpang Mengayau) is the meeting point of the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The significant location of the dramatic headland is marked by a bronze globe and surrounded by rugged coastal scenery.More
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#15

Gaya Island (Pulau Gaya)

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Just a short boat ride from the bustling city of Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island (Pulau Gaya) is home to diverse people, landscapes, and history. It’s one of five islands that comprise Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, a protected marine reserve, and is renowned for its crystal blue waters, inland rain forests, and luxe hotels—all within easy reach of Sabah’s capital.More
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Explore Sabah by interest

Top activities in Sabah

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

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$241.00
Guided Snorkeling Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Guided Snorkeling Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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$62.00
Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

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$125.00
Padas River White Water Rafting from Kota Kinabalu with Lunch

Padas River White Water Rafting from Kota Kinabalu with Lunch

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$140.00
Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

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$197.00
Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

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$64.11
Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise

Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise

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$46.16
Full-Day Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Day Trip

Full-Day Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Day Trip

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$118.00
Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch

Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch

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$190.79
(2 Dives) Discover Scuba Diving Kota Kinabalu

(2 Dives) Discover Scuba Diving Kota Kinabalu

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$96.73
Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour

Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour

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$149.00
Island Hopping

Island Hopping

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$95.00
Borneo Wildlife Tour 4 Days 3 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp

Borneo Wildlife Tour 4 Days 3 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp

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2
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$353.00
Pandan Pandan Private Island Escape with BBQ Lunch

Pandan Pandan Private Island Escape with BBQ Lunch

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$120.78
Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch

Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch

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$55.39
Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo

Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo

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$80.00
Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour

Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour

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66
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$50.00
Full Day Tour in Mantanani

Full Day Tour in Mantanani

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$140.00
Full-Day Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring

Full-Day Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring

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$175.00
Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

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$89.75
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All about Sabah

When to visit

They call it rainforest for a reason—Sabah is hot, steamy, and rainy year-round. The rains are heaviest from October through January. March and April are the best months for climbing Mt. Kinabalu, while August is a dry month in much of the state. Like elsewhere in Malaysia, accommodation is at a premium over the Lunar New Year holiday period in January or February.

Getting around

With only one short stretch of railway line, getting around Sabah is generally a matter of buses and boats, though there are several domestic airports. Modern express buses link Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna, and Tawau, while intrepid travelers can piece together vans to more remote destinations. Public transit in the cities is limited and hard for outsiders to access: self-driving, taxis, tours, and the Grab rideshare app tend to be your best options.

Traveler tips

Many travelers come to Sandakan to see orangutans at the Sandakan Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, sunbears at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and monkeys at Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Don’t miss the city’s old town, the Sim Sim water village, an area of jetties and stilt houses spread out along the waterfront. The Sim Sim Seafood Restaurant is great for a seafood feast.

Local Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Time Zone
MYT (UTC +8)
Country Code
+60
Language(s)
Malay
Attractions
20
Tours
187
Reviews
1,607
EN
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People Also Ask

Is Sabah worth it?

Yes, Sabah is worth it. It delivers everything most travelers want from a Borneo adventure on a much more manageable scale than Indonesian Kalimantan—and at a much more affordable price than Brunei. Just be sure to allow yourself enough time to explore properly.

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What is Sabah best known for?

Half of Malaysian Borneo, Sabah is best known for its jungle, islands, and wildlife —including sun bears, proboscis monkeys, and orangutans—and Mt. Kinabalu, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that appears on the state flag. Top jungle destinations include the Kinabatangan River and desert islands that run from Sipadan to Gaya.

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How many days do you need in Sabah?

Sabah spans more than 28,000 square miles (73,000 square kilometers), so the longer the better. To do justice to Sabah, including a Kinabatangan River cruise, climbing Mt. Kinabalu, and diving, you need at least two weeks—some travelers even spend double that.

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Is it safe to travel to Sabah?

Yes, it’s generally safe to travel to most of Sabah. However, some foreign offices advise against travel to the islands and dive sites off the southeast coast, including Sipadan, because of the risk of kidnapping. The US State Department recommends caution in eastern Sabah.

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Is English spoken in Sabah?

Yes. While the official language of Sabah is Malaysian, many residents also speak English—some also speak Chinese dialects, including Mandarin, and a range of local languages. Anyone who works in tourism or hospitality will speak English and it's widely spoken by everyone in the capital of Kota Kinabalu.

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What is the best month to visit Sabah?

August is a popular month for visiting Sabah. Different areas of the state, which have different climate patterns, are generally drier and sunnier than average, and visibility for scuba diving is usually good. Accommodation prices can be high, particularly during the school break at the end of the month.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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