Travel advisory · MalaysiaSabah is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Eastern Sabah islands and dive sites.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Eastern Sabah islands and dive sites · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand, UK
- Malaysia–Thailand land border · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Northern and eastern Sabah islands and surrounding waters (France), Sandakan (France), Semporna (France), Sulu Archipelago and intervening sea (Germany), Tawau (France), East coast of Sabah (Germany), North and east coasts of Sabah (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions | Feb 22, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Take normal security precautions | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 16, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise normal safety and security precautions overall (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Sabah
Sabah is the Malaysian state in northern Borneo, known for Mount Kinabalu, orangutans, river wildlife and diving at Sipadan.
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Sabah is the Malaysian state that covers the northern part of Borneo, the third-largest island in the world. Kota Kinabalu, the capital on the coast, is where most visitors arrive. Inland, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia, and the park around it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its forests and gardens are worth a walk even if you do not plan to climb the peak.
Lowland Sabah is known for wildlife. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre near Sandakan cares for orphaned orangutans, and boat trips on the Kinabatangan River look for proboscis monkeys, Borneo pygmy elephants and birds. Semporna is the base for Sipadan, a dive site where daily permits are limited, so book early. Kinabalu climbs also need a booked permit and a guide. A trip of about a week covers the mountain, the wildlife and the coast.
Sabah in five
- Book Mount Kinabalu months aheadThe summit climb needs a permit, a licensed guide and a bed at Laban Rata, all limited. They often sell out for peak months.
- Apply early for SipadanDiving at Sipadan is limited to a set number of permits per day, allocated through licensed dive operators.
- Bring your passport to SabahSabah runs its own immigration check, even on flights from peninsular Malaysia. Carry your passport and check the entry rules for your nationality.Entry rules and visas
- Stay a night on the KinabatanganLodges along the river run dawn and dusk boat trips for proboscis monkeys, hornbills and sometimes elephants.
Neighborhoods
Kota Kinabalu
- Price band: $$
Sandakan
- Price band: $
Semporna
- Price band: $
Kinabalu National Park
Mount Kinabalu, Borneo's highest peak, rises in Sabah's national park, where an overnight climb crosses rainforest toward granite summit views.
Things to do in Sabah
See all attractions in Sabah
Need to know
- Airport
- Kota Kinabalu (BKI); also Sandakan (SDK) and Tawau (TWU)
- Getting there
- Flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and regional hubs
- Getting around
- Domestic flights, buses, a car with driver
- Best base
- Kota Kinabalu, then Sandakan for wildlife, Semporna for diving
- Time needed
- 7–10 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 273 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°DrierMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°DryAprilRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MayRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°DryMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 265 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°ShowersJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°ShowersJulyRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°ShowersAugustRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 245 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 321 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 366 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WettestNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 279 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 315 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Kota Kinabalu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sabah
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 83%
Sabah
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today33°24°83%Tuesday: Rain. High 33°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Wed32°24°88%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu32°24°96%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Fri33°23°96%Friday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat33°23°94%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sun32°23°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Mon32°23°84%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 12:20 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kinabalu Parkabout 2 hours by road from Kota KinabaluBotanic trails at the park headquarters, no permit needed.
- Tunku Abdul Rahman Parkabout 15 min by boatIslands with snorkeling off Kota Kinabalu.
Before you go to Sabah
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Sabah, checked
- Many nationalities enter Malaysia visa-free for a set stay. Check your entry rules on the Immigration Department site before you book.Source
- Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before you arrive. Keep the confirmation with your passport.
- Dial 999 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Sabah.
- Kinabalu National Park climbs need a booked permit and a guide. Book through Sabah Parks before you travel.Source
- Marine park rules apply to island trips from Kota Kinabalu and Semporna. Check current fishing, anchoring and reef rules with Sabah Parks.
Plan around Sabah
Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and entry rules
Read the guideKuala LumpurThe main flight hub for Borneo trips
Read the guideBruneiBorneo's small sultanate, a neighbour to the west
Read the guideKalimantanIndonesian Borneo, with orangutan tours
Read the guideGetting around MalaysiaFlights, buses and road transfers in Borneo
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for trekking and dive trips
Read the guideSabah FAQ
Can I climb Mount Kinabalu without a guide?
No. Every climber needs a permit and a licensed mountain guide. The climb is usually two days with a night at Laban Rata.
Where can I see orangutans in Sabah?
At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre near Sandakan, and sometimes in the wild along the Kinabatangan River.
When is the best time to visit Sabah?
March to June, when it is driest. Rain falls most heavily from October to January.
Do I need a permit to dive at Sipadan?
Yes. Sipadan permits are limited each day and arranged through licensed dive operators, usually based at Semporna. Book the dive package first and fix your flights afterward, since permits can sell out.
How many days do you need in Sabah?
Seven to ten days covers Mount Kinabalu, Sepilok and a Kinabatangan lodge stay. Add three or four days for Sipadan and Semporna diving. Distances are long, so most visitors fly between Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau.