Best time to visit Sandakan, Sabah
When to visit
Best Time to Visit · Mar 27 – May 5
For Sandakan, Sabah, our top-ranked travel window runs Mar 27 – May 5 based on typical historical weather across multiple years—not a live forecast. During this period, typical conditions score good for seasonal fit and very pleasant for absolute comfort. Expect roughly 27°C avg, 6.4mm avg, 1.5m/s avg on average across the window.
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Nov 8, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026
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Nov 8, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026
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About this place
Sandakan, a coastal city of nearly 440,000 in Sabah, Borneo, serves as the primary gateway to world-renowned wildlife sanctuaries. Once the capital of British North Borneo, its prosperous port attracted traders from across the globe before the devastation of World War II. Today, visitors come for the remarkable encounters with orangutans and proboscis monkeys just outside town, while the city itself offers a walkable waterfront, fresh seafood, and a poignant connection to wartime history.
Content adapted from Sandakan on Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location
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Destination Profile
Hot/tropical climate
Yes
Content from Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
- Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre — observe rescued orangutans in a natural forest setting during daily feeding sessions, easily accessible by taxi or bus from Sandakan.
- See proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay Sanctuary — watch these endemic primates, known for their large noses, in a protected mangrove habitat a short drive from Sepilok.
- Explore Sandakan Bay by boat — book a tour to visit offshore islands like Pulau Berhala, but rely on licensed guides or agencies for safety.
- Walk the city heritage trail — the compact town center near the jetty is easy to cover on foot, with a marked route linking the main historical sites.
- Visit the Sandakan War Memorial — pay respects at a significant site for Australian and British WWII history, commemorating the infamous Death Marches of 1945.
Content from Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to See
- Sandakan Heritage Trail — a self-guided walk through the small downtown links colonial-era buildings and waterfront landmarks.
- Buli Sim Sim water village — a traditional stilt village over the water where you can observe local life and catch a water taxi to nearby islands.
- Central Market — on the second and third floors, hawkers serve affordable Chinese and Malay dishes, with fresh produce and seafood on the ground level.
- Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple — a hilltop temple offering panoramic views over Sandakan Bay, though the source provides limited detail on visiting.
Content from Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Best Time to Visit
- July to mid-August — one of the most comfortable windows, with average temperatures around 27°C and moderate rainfall.
- Mid-February through March — another reliable shoulder period with slightly less cloud cover and similar pleasant conditions.
- Avoid booking during heavy monsoon spells — while no specific wet-season dates are provided, the two recommended windows offer the best balance of warmth and dryness.
Content from Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Planning Tips
- Get off the bus at Sepilok junction — long-distance buses from Kota Kinabalu pass the turnoff, saving you a backtrack from town.
- Do not purchase turtle eggs — they are illegal, and police and customs officials will press criminal charges if you are caught transporting them.
- Book island trips through agencies — for safety, arrange private boat explorations of Sandakan Bay’s islands only with licensed guides.
- Carry small bills for taxis and markets — negotiated fares to Sepilok or the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary typically cost between RM 40–180, depending on distance and wait time.
Content from Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Nov 8, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026
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