Sabah Attractions Guide 2026

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Sabah.

1. 1

   Mount Kinabalu

   natureAdult $30 park entry + $50 guided climb · Child $15 park entry + $25 guided climb2 days

   At 4,095 metres, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia and all of Southeast Asia, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The two-day summit climb via the Timpohon Gate trail rewards trekkers with breathtaking sunrise views above the clouds and passes through extraordinary cloud forest ecosystems.

   Tip: Book permits 6-12 months in advance through Sutera Sanctuary Lodges · Acclimatize at Kinabalu Park the day before · Bring warm layers — summit temperature can drop to 2°C

2. 2

   Sipadan Island

   natureAdult $40 permit fee · Child Diving not recommended for under 12Full day

   Sipadan is consistently ranked among the world's top five dive sites, with a vertical wall dropping 600 metres into the Celebes Sea, home to green sea turtles, barracuda tornados, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays. Only 120 diving permits are issued daily, making advance booking essential for this extraordinary underwater wilderness.

   Tip: Book permits months ahead through licensed dive operators in Semporna or Mabul · Stay on Mabul or Kapalai islands as overnight stays on Sipadan are not permitted · Best visibility July-August (30m+)

3. 3

   Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

   natureAdult $7 (RM 30) · Child $3 (RM 15)2-3 hours

   One of only four orangutan sanctuaries in the world, Sepilok has been rehabilitating orphaned and displaced Bornean orangutans back into the wild since 1964. Visitors watch feeding sessions from a raised platform boardwalk as orangutans swing through the rainforest to collect fruit and milk — an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

   Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before feeding time for a good viewing spot · Camera fee RM 10 extra · Combine with Rainforest Discovery Centre next door

4. 4

   Kinabatangan River Wildlife Safari

   natureAdult $15-30 per boat cruise · Child $10-202-3 days recommended

   The Kinabatangan River, Malaysia's second-longest river at 560 km, flows through one of the most biodiverse corridors on earth, where pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, and over 200 bird species can be spotted during boat cruises. Staying in riverside lodges at Sukau or Bilit allows multiple daily boat safaris through oxbow lakes and mangrove channels.

   Tip: Stay riverside for multiple daily cruises · Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens · Pygmy elephants most common near Bilit and Sukau

5. 5

   Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

   natureAdult $5 park fee + $10-15 boat transfer · Child $3 park fee + $10 boatHalf day to full day

   Just 15-20 minutes by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu's Jesselton Point jetty, this marine park encompasses five coral-fringed islands — Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug — with over 50 dive sites, crystal-clear snorkelling waters, and white-sand beaches. The park is perfect for day trips or longer stays at Gaya Island's resorts.

   Tip: Manukan has the best facilities; Sapi is great for snorkelling; Mamutik is quietest · Rent snorkelling gear on the islands ($5) · Go on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds

6. 6

   Danum Valley Conservation Area

   natureAdult $15 conservation fee · Child $82-3 days minimum

   One of the oldest and most pristine lowland dipterocarp rainforests on earth at 130 million years old, Danum Valley covers 43,800 hectares of untouched wilderness near Lahad Datu. The forest shelters 340+ bird species, 124 mammal species including orangutans, sun bears, clouded leopards, and Bornean pygmy elephants in a truly remote setting.

   Tip: Access is restricted to guests of Borneo Rainforest Lodge or researchers only · Night walks reveal slow lorises, civets, and flying squirrels · Book months in advance — limited capacity

7. 7

   Kinabalu National Park

   natureAdult $6 (RM 25) · Child $3 (RM 10)Half day to full day (or 2-day summit climb)

   Encompassing 754 square kilometres of montane forest around Mount Kinabalu, this UNESCO World Heritage Site contains one of the richest floral assemblages in the world, including pitcher plants, orchids, and the rare Rafflesia — the world's largest flower. Multiple short nature trails, a mountain garden, and the Timpohon Gate trailhead are all within the park.

   Tip: Visit the Mountain Garden for rare highland plants · Silau-Silau Trail is excellent for birding · Altitude is 1,500m — bring a light jacket

8. 8

   Poring Hot Springs

   natureAdult $4 entry + $2 canopy walkway · Child $2 entry + $1 canopy walkway3-4 hours

   Located within Kinabalu National Park's buffer zone, Poring Hot Springs features natural sulphurous hot spring pools, a 43-metre-high canopy walkway through the rainforest, a butterfly farm, orchid conservation centre, rafflesia garden, and the spectacular 120-metre Langanan Waterfall accessible on foot.

   Tip: Bring swimwear for the hot spring pools · Canopy walkway has weight limits — check on arrival · Langanan Waterfall hike is 1.5 hours return

9. 9

   Mari Mari Cultural Village

   culturalAdult $21 (RM 90) · Child $15 (RM 65)2-3 hours

   An immersive living museum in the hills 25 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, Mari Mari presents authentic reconstructed longhouses and homesteads of five Sabahan ethnic groups — Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Murut, Lundayeh, and Rungus — with cultural demonstrations including fire-starting, blowpipe use, traditional cooking, and traditional dance performances.

   Tip: Book in advance — sessions can sell out · Cash only payment on arrival · Wear comfortable shoes for walking between village sections

10. 10

    Gomantong Caves

    natureAdult $5 (RM 20) · Child $2 (RM 8)1-2 hours

    The largest cave complex in Sabah, Gomantong is famous for its edible bird's nests — considered a delicacy across Asia — and its staggering colonies of millions of bats and swiftlets. The main Simud Hitam cave features a 300-foot-high entrance chamber, and the caves are managed as a wildlife sanctuary within a 3,297-hectare forest reserve.

    Tip: Wear shoes with good grip — cave floor is slippery · Bring a torch/flashlight · Combine with Kinabatangan River cruise same day

Attractions by category

Explore by your interests.

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path attractions worth seeking out.

Practical information

What you need to know before you go.

Hours

Most attractions open 8-9 AM, close 5-6 PM; some wildlife activities at dawn/dusk

Fees

Entry fees range from free (Tanjung Aru beach) to $21 (Mari Mari) to $50+ (Sipadan dive permit)

Best Times

Arrive early morning for wildlife activities; plan around tide for island visits

Booking

Book Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan diving, and Turtle Islands 3-12 months in advance

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Frequently asked questions