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Best Tourist Places to Visit in Sabah

Last Updated At: 16-Nov-2023

11 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Sabah 2024

A beautiful Malaysian state tucked in the picturesque islands of Borneo, Sabah is the second-largest state in Malaysia after Sarawak. Sharing borders with Indonesia and Brunei, the destination is peppered with lofty mountains, tropical rainforests, gushing rivers, and exotic wildlife. Plan a trip to this fabulous destination to soak in the sublime beauty of picturesque islands and a vast expanse of white, sandy beaches. Visit Sabah, and lose yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sipadan tropical paradises. These are paradise destinations for water lovers, known for white sand, cerulean blue waters, and lush jungles. Explore the vibrant marine life, engage in adventure-based activities, and enjoy magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

Home to the best dive sites in the world, Sabah has many places worth exploring. Here, we bring you a carefully curated list of the top places to visit in Sabah that will give vacation a new meaning!

List of 11 Tourist Places to Visit in Sabah 

Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, Sabah has unique attractions, including sandy beaches, rainforests, mountain ranges, marine life-filled islands, and more. Here, we bring you the top 11 places to visit in Sabah that will leave you mesmerised with the promise of unforgettable experiences and unique adventures.

  • Kinabalu National Park | Home to Mount Kinabalu
  • Gomantong Cave | A Thrilling Natural Wonder
  • Sipadan Islands | The Best Diving Sites
  • Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park | Haven for Snorkellers
  • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre | | Observe the Gentle Primates
  • Maliau Basin | A Scenic Forest Reserve
  • Kinabatangan River | Cruise Down The River
  • Mulu Caves | | Famous for Limestone Karst Formations
  • Turtle Islands Park | Home to the World’s Endangered Green Turtles
  • Poring Hot Springs | Relax in the Natural Hot Water
  • David’s Famosa | A Hiker’s Paradise

1. Kinabalu National Park | Home to Mount Kinabalu

Located in Malaysian Borneo, this stunning park is home to Mount Kinabalu. It is the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Ancient mountain ranges, lush jungles, fantastic hiking and trekking trails, and rare flora and fauna are some of the best things to do in Sabah, making this place perfect for nature lovers and soul seekers.

  • Location. On the Crocker Range in Sabah
  • Best Time to Visit. Between March and September
  • Major Attractions. Richest Collection of Biodiversity, 4500 species of flora and fauna

2. Gomantong Cave | A Thrilling Natural Wonder

Nestled in Sandakan, Gomantong Cave is a beautiful natural wonder that will surely make a place in your heart. It is a vast limestone cavern and offers a home to thousands of insects and bats, including the edible swiftlet, known for its famous bird’s nest soup. It is undoubtedly a not-to-miss Sabah place to visit.

  • Location. Gomantong Hill in Sandakan Region
  • Best Time to Visit. Between March to October
  • Major Attractions. Houses millions of bats and insects, an intricate system of caves

Also Read - Tourist Places To Visit In Malaysia

3. Sipadan Island | The Best Diving Sites

Surrounded by clear blue waters and pristine coral reefs, Sipadan Island is home to some of the best diving sites in the world. The waters here are filled with everything from sharks and turtles to manta rays and colourful fish.

  • Location. Close to the Celebes Sea
  • Best Time to Visit. Between March to May
  • Major Attractions. Large numbers of hawksbill and green turtles

4. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park | Haven for Snorkellers

Located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, it is a paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers. It is a gorgeous collection of islands where marine lovers can check out sunken wrecks to see sea eagles and sea turtles and soak in the beauty of colourful coral reefs. Discover the wonders of this park beneath the waves!

  • Location. Gaya Bay
  • Best Time to Visit. Between March and September
  • Major Attractions. A wide variety of aquatic life

5. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre | Observe the Gentle Primates

This rehabilitation centre is located close to Sandakan and is visited by hordes of tourists who wish to know more about the fascinating world of gentle and intelligent primates, orangutans. Watch these primates having fun in their natural habitat and the way they try to entice their visitors. It is surely one of the top things to do in Sabah.

  • Location. Northern Borneo
  • Best Time to Visit. Between the End of April and October
  • Major Attractions. Rehabilitation of gentle and intelligent primates, Orangutans

6. Maliau Basin | A Scenic Forest Reserve

Referred to as the Lost World of Sabah, Maliau Basin is a forest reserve. It is a lonely pocket of wilderness, lovingly enveloping steep gorges, untouched forest, and cascading waterfalls in a gentle embrace.

  • Location. Tongod District
  • Best Time to Visit. Between January and July
  • Major Attractions. Brilliant natural beauty

7. Kinabatangan River | Cruise Down The River

The gentle meandering 560 km long river is perfect for observing wildlife in their natural habitat. Cruise down the river on a riverboat and get a chance to see monitor lizards, Proboscis monkeys, macaques, crocodiles, and orangutans. You can also spot families of Borneo pygmy elephants.

  • Location. Northeastern East Malaysia
  • Best Time to Visit. Between March to Early September
  • Major Attractions. It gives a fantastic opportunity to watch wildlife.

8. Mulu Caves | Famous for Limestone Karst Formations

Scenic and unique limestone karst caves in Gunung Mulu National Park are some of the most spectacular caves in the world and one of the best places to visit in Sabah. The caves are home to the world’s most significant cave passage, the underground chamber, and the longest cave in Southeast Asia.

  • Location. The Island of Borneo
  • Best Time to Visit. Between July to September
  • Major Attractions. Famous for Limestone karst caves

9. Turtle Islands Park | Home to the World’s Endangered Green Turtles

This lovely park is home to the endangered green turtles, one of the rare species in the world. This place has the largest spread of turtle sanctuaries in the entire region, with three main islands, Bakukan, Selingan, and Guisan. Spend some time in this Sabah attraction here and watch the turtles hatching. Witness the most amazing experience of watching them in their natural habitat.

  • Location. The Sulu Sea
  • Best Time to Visit. Between July and October
  • Major Attractions. Watch turtles hatching

10. Poring Hot Springs | Relax in the Natural Hot Water

One of the most popular Sabah tourist attractions, Poring Hot Springs, is nestled within the Kinabalu National Park. Here, you can spend some time near nature, relaxing in natural hot water and enjoying a refreshing waterfall at the nearby Canoy Walkway.

  • Location. Ranau
  • Best Time to Visit. All Through the year, 8 am to 3 pm
  • Major Attractions. Explore the butterfly farm, Rafflesia flower site, tropical gardens, and Poring canopy walkway.

11. David’s Famosa | A Hiker’s Paradise

An old fort situated right outside the City of Bandau, David’s Famosa, was built in 1767 by the British Army. One of the admirable things to see in Sabah, this place is a perfect spot for shopping, hiking, and sightseeing. Look at the fort, explore the hill, and enjoy some fantastic views of the local wildlife!

  • Location. Bandau
  • Best Time to Visit. Between April to October
  • Major Attractions. Hiking, sightseeing, and shopping

Are you planning a trip to this fabulous destination Sabah in Malaysia? Get in touch with Adotrip, a leading travel platform that helps you with hassle-free travel bookings, exciting deals, sightseeing tours, visa assistance, unique packages, and more. We are here to help you plan the best vacation of your life.

With us, nothing is far!

Frequently Asked Questions about Tourist Places to Visit in Sabah

Q.  What are the top natural attractions or national parks in Sabah?
A. 
Some of the major natural attractions in Sabah are

  • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Mount Kinabalu
  • Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
  • Manukan Island
  • Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • Sapi Island
  • Turtle Island Park
  • Sipadan National Park
  • Kinabalu National Park

Q. Where can I go for wildlife encounters in Sabah, such as seeing orangutans or proboscis monkeys?
A. 
You can enjoy wildlife encounters in Sabah at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.

Q. Are there any beautiful islands or beaches to explore in Sabah?
A. 
Some of the beautiful beaches and islands to explore in Sabah are -

  • Gaya Island
  • Borneo
  • Mataking Island
  • Dinawan Island
  • Mabul Island
  • Boheyduland Island
  • Sipadan Island

Q.  What is the best time of year to visit Sabah for diving or snorkelling?
A. 
The best time to visit Sabah for sm=norkelling or diving is between March and October.

Q. Can you recommend some adventure activities or trekking trails in Sabah?
A. 
Adventure-loving tourists can engage in activities such as diving, snorkelling, hiking, trekking, scuba diving, boating, and more in Sabah.

--- Published By  Adotrip

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