Discover the best attractions in Sabah - from iconic landmarks to hidden gems.
Sabah, known as 'The Land Below the Wind,' is Malaysia's easternmost state on the island of Borneo, celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity, towering Mount Kinabalu, and world-class diving at Sipadan Island. The state is home to over 42 ethnic groups, pristine rainforests, and wildlife including orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys.
These are the unmissable experiences that define any visit to Sabah.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
50+ attractions with opening hours, skip-the-line tips, and itineraries.
Find the perfect experiences based on your interests.
Heritage steam train from KK to Papar through paddy fields
Main cultural museum in Kota Kinabalu
The iconic 'floating mosque' on Likas Bay
Colonial-era buildings, WWII memorial, and Agnes Keith House
Natural history, ethnography, and ceramics collections
Restored colonial home of author Agnes Keith in Sandakan
WWII memorial honouring Sandakan Death March victims
Living museum with five ethnic group villages
Highest peak in Malaysia, UNESCO World Heritage Site
World's best dive site in the Celebes Sea
130-million-year-old pristine lowland rainforest
Wildlife-rich river with pygmy elephants and orangutans
Authentic cultural demonstrations of five ethnic groups
Traditional Sunday market with Bajau horsemen and crafts
Bajau Laut sea gypsy culture and fresh seafood
Essential details to plan your sightseeing.
Most attractions open 8-9 AM, close 5-6 PM; some wildlife activities at dawn/dusk
Entry fees range from free (Tanjung Aru beach) to $21 (Mari Mari) to $50+ (Sipadan dive permit)
Arrive early morning for wildlife activities; plan around tide for island visits
Book Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan diving, and Turtle Islands 3-12 months in advance
Make the most of your sightseeing with these local insights.
Book Mount Kinabalu permits 6-12 months ahead — slots sell out months in advance
Sipadan dive permits are strictly limited to 120/day; work through a licensed dive resort
Cash is required at Sepilok, Mari Mari Cultural Village, and many smaller attractions
Use Grab app in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau for reliable, fair-priced transport
Wildlife activities (river cruises, orangutan feeding) are best in early morning
Combine east coast attractions: Sandakan → Sepilok → Kinabatangan → Semporna in 5-7 days
March to September for most activities; diving peaks July-August; avoid January-February for outdoor activities
Required for Mount Kinabalu summit, Danum Valley, and Maliau Basin; recommended for Kinabatangan River
Permitted at most sites; no flash near sea turtles at Selingan Island; drone permits required in national parks
Plan 7-10 days minimum to experience Kota Kinabalu, east coast wildlife, and diving
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