Things to do & places to visit in Sandakan Division, Sabah, Malaysia

Sandakan Division region in Sabah, Malaysia. Timezone: Asia/Kuching, current date and time: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 10:29.

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Top things to do (20)

• Bars & Clubs
• Hiking Trails
• Islands
• Parks
• Game & Entertainment Centers
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Neighborhoods
• Religious Sites
• Escape Games
• Architectural Buildings
• Farms
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Observation Decks & Towers
• Golf Courses
• History Museums
• Cemeteries
• Fountains
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Sightseeing Tours

Top places to visit (22 attractions)

1. 5.0 Sepilok Tropical Wildlife Adventure (119 reviews)
   - Wildlife Viewing by Boat and Sandakan City Tour
   Nature & Wildlife Tours
   
   
   I purchased their 3D2N package to see wildlife by boat and jungle trekking. Overall trip was very smooth. Saw a variety of wildlife, including three types of monkeys and crocodile. Also had a city tour at Sandakan. They were transparent in pricing. Highly recommend this tour operator. See more..
   
2. 5.0 Borneo Sandakan Tours - Day Tours (27 reviews)
   - Fantastic, Knowledgeable Guides & Reliable Staff!
   Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sightseeing Tours
   
   
   I spent multiple days of activities with a guide and the staff from Borneo Trails and I cannot say enough good things! Kurt (or Eryanto) was my guide for multiple activities around Sandakan including: Seligan Turtle Island, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Gormantong Caves, and to Sukau to Borneo Nature Lodge (which was also stellar). I have never met a more informative or interesting guide. I learned an overwhelming amount about wildlife, nature, culture, conservation and best practices of the ecological travel industry. All of the captains and drivers and other staff were also prompt, friendly and flexible, as well. The experiences at all of the above places were phenomenal. From watching a sea turtle lay eggs to seeing an orangutan in their natural environment of the jungle- I truly felt like I got to live out a life's dream. See more..
   
3. 5.0 Escape Sandakan (9 reviews)
   - Super tooms
   Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games
   
   
   Escape Sandakan's real life escape rooms are a type of physical adventure game in which people are locked in a room with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit. Players must be observant and use their critical thinking skills to escape the room. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Lankayan island (62 reviews)
   - Paradise
   Islands
   
   
   The whole experience is fantastic. Cabins are large and very comfortable with air conditioning. Water crystal clear. All waste taken off island. Food is excellent without being overcomplicated. Diving would satisfy all but the most demanding or finicky. Staff always smiling and helpful. Turtle hatching and release also part of activities. See more..
   
5. 4.5 Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (42 reviews)
   - The Highlight of a Visit to Sepilok/Sandakan
   Nature & Wildlife Areas
   
   
   It was great to view the Orangutans up close at the Rehabilitation Centre. We saw quite a few orangutans including a hige alpha male during feeding time. At one point a female walk on the railing next to me. That was quite thirlling See more..
   
6. 4.5 Sandakan Rainforest Park (42 reviews)
   - Sorry if you heard me swear!
   Parks
   
   
   We spent a couple of hours walking around here. The views from above the canopy are more that worth the steps up the viewing platforms. It is truly beautiful, with so much to see and do, regular places to rest and catch your breath, but don't forget your water. There is a choice of trails to follow. Make sure to cross the rope bridge. There were plenty of insects, of various sizes to watch, great for bird lovers. We had a VERY close encounter with a rather long green snake that appeared to leap from the undergrowth on to the path we were strolling along, - hence the title of my review - I froze and shattered the blissfully tranquil rain-forest with ear bursting screams of obscenities for a good minute before I realised my legs did actually work and ran in opposite direction! Great memory though! See more..
   
7. 4.5 St.Mary's Cathedral (9 reviews)
   - Pilgrimage
   Wednesday: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Churches & Cathedrals
   
   
   St.Mary's church was founded in 1883 and it is now 135 years old as of 2018, the oldest church in Sandakan.The first church was created as a small wooden structure.Its history dates back to May 1883 when Monsignor T.Jackson, the prefect Apostolic of the Mill Hill, England, order of Missionary Priest, bought five acres of land on a hill to set up a mission. Together with Father Prenger, they built a temporary hut made of 'Kajang' and dedicated the mission to the Blessed Mother and named it St.Mary's Hill. Msgr T.Jackson then asked Father Pundleider to join Father Prenger in Sandakan( used to be called as British North Borneo) and together they opened St.Mary's school on July 24, 1883. The first school in North Borneo with its first pupils, five in all, housed in the kajang hut. By October on the same year, there was a proper hostel for the boys to stay in and a small church. See more..
   
8. 4.5 Kun Yam (Goddess of Mercy) Temple (4 reviews)
   - Nice little gem
   Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites
   
   
   Kun Yam Temple, or Temple of the Goddess of Mercy, is a Chinese temple,very small and hidden away on a small hill slope. It is part of the Sandakan Heritage trail (Nr.6). The temple was built in 1868 and thus should be the oldest building in Sandakan which survived the war times. It definitely worth a visit, it has very touchy atmosphere. When we have been there, only a few people hanging around, so we didn´t disturb anybody´s prayers (otherwise only a few people would fit in the same time). The entry is free (they accept donations). See more..
   
9. 4.0 Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple (191 reviews)
   - Great views
   Religious Sites
   
   
   This is a very colourful temple with spectacular views down to the port, the ocean and back towards the centre of KK. There is a second temple next door and a third under construction all of which are very large. No surprise I guess when the Chinese Malaysians are the second largest ethnic group in the country. Some nice bronzes around the temple and extremely colourful carvings and buddhas inside. Worth a visit for the view alone. See more..
   
10. 4.0 Kg Pukat Fisherman Village (90 reviews)
    - Beautiful Sim Sim
    Neighborhoods
    
    
    I had the chance to spend a couple of hours in Sim Sim in September 2013 with my girlfriend. Our Bradt guide gave a nice description of it and we decided to go there in late afternoon to take some good pictures and having dinner at pier 8. We didn't expect much but this water village was surprisingly nice, the highlight of Sandakan for me, together with the market. For us it was even difficult to imagine something like this. There are several piers with many houses raised on wooden sticks. Just take some time to walk until the end of some piers, if you like to take pictures it is a very nice place to do it. The people there are extremely nice, some kids asked us to take a picture of them and almost everyone welcomed us saying hi. I think the village is very safe. a couple of tips: go by taxi from Sandakan because it is not a nice walk till there and if you have the chance have a dinner at the seafood restaurant on pier 8, the one on right because there are 2 with a very similar name. See more..
    
11. 4.0 The Parish of St Michael and All Angels (82 reviews)
    - Beautiful church
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    If you are from a Christian country, this will seem just like an average church. However, this is actually one of the loveliest churches in Southeast Asia (excluding Philippines). The brick exterior is beautiful and there are gorgeous stained glass windows inside. See more..
    
12. 4.0 Sandakan Golf and Counry Club (2 reviews)
    - Golfing in the East Coast
    Golf Courses
    
    
    A membership 18 hole golf course. The golf course itself is nothing to shout about but it remains one of the last remaining a walking course. After your bad round of golf, there is nothing better than to have a sliced watermelon to cool down tempers. See more..
    
13. 3.5 Sandakan Heritage Trail (80 reviews)
    - A glimpse of Sandakan history!
    Hiking Trails
    
    
    The heritage walk take you up to the English tea house and Anges Keith house. The stairs are not that much but the hot weather makes it difficult. There is a sign for Sandakan heritage musuem but the place is close. The highlight of this walk is the English Tea house. Good food and refreshing fresh juice. You can also take a taxi back to the parish of St. Michael and all angels. If you walk back to the city, there are several monuments and temples along the way. See more..
    
14. 3.5 Bao Gong Temple (18 reviews)
    - Splendid temple overlooking Sim Sim
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    We arrived here when Temple drum lessons were in progress and we felt compelled to listen for a while. They invited us to sit & introduced us to the musicians. So lucky to be there for it. Took our time browsing through very beautiful main part of temple & lovely grounds where there is many statues of their Gods and animals of birth signs, All statues looked so perfect. We were brought here by our Sandakan guide Christopher, another good choice of his. We found our guide via Trip Advisor when planning our trip. His contact is email [email protected] . See more..
    
15. 3.0 Sandakan Heritage Museum (40 reviews)
    - Small basic museum
    History Museums
    
    
    this museum is small and very basic, but it does cover a lot of the history and the heritage of Sandakan from first settlers to independence of British rule. Yes it is basic, and old fashioned, but it has its own charm. And its free! See more..
    
16. 3.0 Japanese Cemetery (30 reviews)
    - small and forgotten
    Cemeteries
    
    
    The cemetery is quite small and looks like no one is taking care of it any more. I would recommend it only if you are around and have a car. See more..
    
17. 3.0 Sam Sing Kung Temple (5 reviews)
    - 'Heritage Site'
    Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites
    
    
    This is a heritage temple which contain a wealth of information on the early history of Sandakan. The bronze bell is one of the old artifacts. Recently receiving a new coat of paint and other upkeep of the Chinese temple. See more..
    
18. 2.5 Sandakan Crocodile Farm (53 reviews)
    - Many Unhappy Crocs.
    Farms
    
    
    We were greeted by the sight of poorly cared for crocs. Dirty waters, cramped enclosures, injured and bleeding crocs, a very sick ostrich. The croc feeding session was a waste too. Little bits of chicken was thrown in to the waters, or to specific crocs. Hardly a show to begin with. You may feed the various types of fishes with pallets that cost you RM1 per packet. There are cute and pretty bunnies that you can hold and play with. And hold a baby croc (mouth taped) See more..
    
19. 2.5 Sandakan Harbou (4 reviews)
    - H’mm...
    Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers • Fountains
    Scruffy, Smelly, dirty we were only here because we were staying at the Four Points at the Sheraton on the Harbour front. See more..
    
20. R&B (0 review)
    Wednesday: 8:00 PM - 3:00 AM Bars & Clubs
    
    
    See more..
    
21. Swag (0 review)
    Bars & Clubs
    See more..
    
22. PaperBox Board Game (0 review)
    Spent 2-3 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
    
    
    Playing Board Game has been more and more popular in Asia! PaperBox provides a comfortable environment, we would love to bring you to a new world of endless fun. Board Game shop is somewhere friends and family to hang out and have fun together. Instead of using electrical equipments, people can finally get together with true relationship! ~Way more than hanging out in a cafe, you deserve to have See more..