Sandakan

A port city on Sabah's east coast, Sandakan is the gateway to orangutan sanctuaries, river wildlife and a wartime history you can visit.

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A port city on the east coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, facing the Sulu Sea, Sandakan is Sabah's second-largest city after Kota Kinabalu. It was once the capital of British North Borneo. The town is commonly called the gateway to Sabah's eco-tourism sites: Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, founded in 1964, the Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Caves and the Malaysian Turtle Islands.

Many Chinese migrants arrived from Hong Kong, and the town became known as Little Hong Kong. Allied bombing and the Japanese occupation almost completely destroyed it, so it was rebuilt after the war. Its wartime history is visible at Sandakan Memorial Park, on the site of a former prisoner-of-war camp. The climate is tropical rainforest, hot and humid all year, and rain falls in every month. October to February tends to be the wettest period, and April is usually the driest. Plan several days, since the wildlife sites lie a drive or boat ride from town.

Sandakan in five

Get back to shore before duskA dusk-to-dawn sea curfew has been enforced since 19 July 2014 to counter militant threats from the southern Philippines. Plan boat days so you are back in port before dark.
Take the Sepilok bus from townSeparate buses run from town to Sepilok, and taxis and minivans are also available. Confirm the return ride before you set off.Getting around
Compare Kinabatangan and Gomantong toursThe Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves are both reached by tour from town. Compare one combined tour with two separate days before you pay.Tours and tickets
Ask which Turtle Island your boat visitsThe Turtle Islands are reached by boat from Sandakan. Ask whether the trip goes to Selingaan, Gulisaan or Bakkungan Kechil, and what the price includes.Tours and tickets
Set up offline maps before you leave townSave maps and the route to Sepilok offline before you travel.Phones and eSIM

Things to do in Sandakan

See all attractions in Sandakan

Park · SandakanSandakan Memorial Park

Sight · SandakanSandakan Japanese Cemetery

Sight · SandakanSam Sing Kung

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SandakanPut the places you like in Sandakan on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Ringgit (MYR)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before arrival Read more
Emergency: 999 police, fire or ambulance; 112 also works on mobiles
Tipping: Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wettest period
FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Wettest period
MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drier, hot
AprilRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Driest month
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
JulyRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, rain
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wettest period begins
NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wettest period
DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wettest period

Average daily high and low in Sandakan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Sandakan

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Sandakan

05:16 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today31°25°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°25°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu30°25°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°25°72%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 72%.
Sat30°24°96%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sun30°24°82%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 82%.

Updated 02:26 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

Amount

Converted to

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Sandakan

eSIM for SandakanOffline maps for the Sepilok roadRead the guide

Insurance for boat and jungle daysCover for boat trips and forest walksRead the guide

Stays in SandakanTown center and Sepilok basesRead the guide

Tours to the Turtle IslandsBoats and river tours from townRead the guide

Rules for Sandakan, checked

Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you arrive, and check other entry rules with the Immigration Department of Malaysia before you book.Source
A dusk-to-dawn sea curfew has been enforced since 19 July 2014. Ask your boat operator about current rules before any trip on the water.
Cover shoulders and knees and remove your shoes before entering mosques such as Jamek Mosque and temples.
Do not feed or touch wildlife at sanctuaries or on river trips, and follow the staff instructions at Sepilok.

Plan around Sandakan

All of Malaysia

Regions, entry rules and transport for a Malaysia trip with Sandakan

Read the guide Sabah in context

Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu and the rest of the state by road and air

Read the guide Getting around

Buses to Sepilok, the long-distance terminal and the ferry to the Philippines

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules and the arrival card to complete before you fly in

Read the guide Money and costs

Typical spending on a bed, food, transport and sights in Sandakan

Read the guide Where to stay

Places to base yourself in town and for early starts at Sepilok

Read the guide

Sandakan FAQ

Is Sandakan worth visiting?

Yes, if you want wildlife and wartime history on one trip. Sepilok, the Turtle Islands and Gomantong are all reached from town, and the old town holds several older churches and temples.

How many days do you need in Sandakan?

Two full days cover Sepilok and the old town. Add a day for the Turtle Islands or the Kinabatangan River.

When is the best time to visit Sandakan?

April is usually the driest month. October to February tends to be the wettest period, so expect rain on most trips then.

How do you get from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan?

Sandakan is about 319 km east of Kota Kinabalu. Fly for speed, or take the main road, which runs through Telupid and Ranau.

Is Sepilok the only place to see orangutans near Sandakan?

No. Sepilok takes in orphaned or injured orangutans and rehabilitates them for life in the forest, and it was founded in 1964. Wild orangutans are also seen on river trips along the Kinabatangan.

What is the Sandakan Festival?

It is a cultural festival held once a year, introduced in 2000 by the Sandakan Municipal Council. Check the month with the council before you plan.