Sabah is where Malaysia shows off. The eastern wing of Borneo packs in some of the planet's most extraordinary natural experiences into one state — a mountain that touches the clouds, the world's best dive site, orang utans in the wild, pygmy elephants along a jungle river, and island beaches that feel like they belong in a postcard. If you haven't been, it needs to go on the list.
This guide covers Sabah's headline attractions and the hidden spots that most peninsular Malaysians overlook — the places that turn a standard Sabah trip into something unforgettable.
🦧 Sabah At A Glance
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Highlight
Mt Kinabalu (4,095m)
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Climate
Tropical, 26–34°C
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Gateway
Kota Kinabalu Int'l
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Photography
World-class 🌟
Must-see attractions in Sabah
Sabah's unmissable highlights are Mount Kinabalu (the highest peak in Southeast Asia), Sipadan Island (consistently rated one of the world's top dive sites), the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and the Kota Kinabalu waterfront sunset. These are world-class experiences you simply cannot replicate elsewhere in Malaysia.
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Mount Kinabalu
Kinabalu Park, Ranau
At 4,095m, Kinabalu is the highest peak in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You don't have to summit to appreciate it — the Kinabalu Park trail system is stunning at lower elevations, and the mossy forest and giant pitcher plants are accessible on a day hike. Summit permits book out months in advance.
UNESCO 🌿Hiking 🥾
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Sipadan Island
Semporna, East Sabah
Consistently ranked among the world's top five dive sites — barracuda tornadoes, schools of jacks, hawksbill turtles, and a 600m wall dropping into the abyss. Access is strictly limited to 120 divers per day by permit. Book months ahead through an approved resort in Mabul or Kapalai.
Diving 🤿World-class 🌊
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Sepilok Orang Utan Centre
Sandakan, East Sabah
One of the world's most important orang utan rehabilitation centres — twice-daily feeding sessions (10am and 3pm) where semi-wild orang utans come to the platform from the surrounding forest. The adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is a must-combine visit.
Wildlife 🦧Conservation 🌿
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Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
KK Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu
Five islands 15 minutes by boat from KK — coral reefs, snorkelling, white sand, and crystal-clear water right off the city's coast. Pulau Sapi and Pulau Manukan are the most popular. Half-day island hop for under RM100 including snorkel gear and boat transfer.
Snorkelling 🐟Island 🏕️
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KK Waterfront Sunset
Kota Kinabalu City
Kota Kinabalu faces west, which means it gets the most spectacular sunsets of any Malaysian city — the sun drops into the South China Sea with the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman silhouetted in orange. The waterfront strip from Jesselton Point to KK Times Square is the best spot.
Sunset 🌅Photography 📸
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Danum Valley
Lahad Datu, East Sabah
One of Borneo's last intact lowland rainforests — pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, and dozens of endemic species. Accessible only through approved lodges. A 3-night stay is the minimum to see the jungle properly. One of Malaysia's most extraordinary but least-visited experiences.
Wildlife 🐘Rainforest 🌿
Sabah's hidden gems
Beyond the famous peaks and dive sites, Sabah has wildlife river cruises through pygmy elephant territory, a Sunday market that locals have been trading at for generations, accessible hot springs in the jungle, and pristine islands off the Semporna coast that see far fewer visitors than Sipadan. These are worth seeking out.
💎 Hidden Gem
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Kinabatangan River Cruise
Sukau, East Sabah
A slow boat cruise along one of Borneo's most wildlife-rich rivers — pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orang utans, and dozens of hornbill species visible from the water. Dawn and dusk river cruises from a riverside lodge are the most rewarding. Combine with Sepilok for a Sabah wildlife circuit.
💎 Hidden Gem
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Poring Hot Springs
Ranau, near Kinabalu Park
Sulphur-rich natural hot springs in the Kinabalu Park buffer zone — outdoor baths set in the rainforest, plus a canopy walkway through the treetops above the spring. A perfect post-hike recovery stop on the drive back from Mount Kinabalu to KK.
💎 Hidden Gem
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Pulau Mantanani
Off Kota Belud, Northwest Sabah
Three tiny islands with pristine coral, white sand, and excellent snorkelling — almost none of the crowds that pack Mabul and Kapalai. Dugongs have been spotted here. A boat trip from Kota Belud and a night in a simple beach chalet gives you the Sabah island experience without the tour groups.
💎 Hidden Gem
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Gaya Street Sunday Market
Kota Kinabalu City Centre
Every Sunday morning, Gaya Street transforms into one of Sabah's most colourful open-air markets — handicrafts, jungle produce, handmade items, and the most diverse breakfast scene in KK. Arrive before 7:30am for the full experience before the heat sets in.
Stay connected in Sabah
CelcomDigi covers Kota Kinabalu city, the main highways, and key tourist areas like Sepilok, Sandakan, and the Kinabalu Park entrance. Signal is limited in deep jungle areas like Danum Valley and offshore on the Kinabatangan — download offline maps for those zones.
📶 Stay connected in Sabah
Navigate, share, and stream on CelcomDigi 5G in Sabah
Covering KK city, Sandakan, Sepilok, and the main tourist corridors — Malaysia's widest, fastest network.
See Postpaid 5G Plans →🌏 For international visitors
CelcomDigi Tourist SIM — pick up at KK Airport
Available at CelcomDigi Express Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Arrival Hall) or as eSIM online. Unlimited internet from RM15 — ASEAN roaming on 14-day and 30-day passes.
Get your Sabah Tourist SIM →What to eat in Sabah
Sabah's food scene is defined by fresh seafood, indigenous Kadazan-Dusun flavours, and a vibrant Filipino-Malay hawker culture. Hinava (raw fish cured in lime and chilli), bambangan (jungle fruit pickle), fresh grilled fish, and butod (sago worm, if you're adventurous) are all part of the Sabah experience. Halal food is widely available in KK city and along the main tourist routes.
🦐 Must-try food in Sabah
Grilled Seafood 🦐Hinava 🐟Nasi Lemak Sabah 🍚Mee Jawa 🍜Bambangan 🌿Tuaran Mee 🍝
🕌 Halal tip: Halal food is widely available in KK city — the Filipino Market and Servay area have excellent halal seafood and local stalls. Look for JAKIM halal certification at restaurants along the tourist strips.
🗳️ What's your top Sabah bucket list item?
Vote and see what other travellers are most excited about!
🏔️ Climb Mount Kinabalu32% 🤿 Dive at Sipadan Island30% 🦧 See orang utans at Sepilok24% 🐘 Spot pygmy elephants on the river14% Top tips for visiting Sabah
Book Sipadan permits and Mount Kinabalu summit climbs months in advance — both have strict daily limits and sell out. Combine Sepilok and Sandakan with the Kinabatangan River for an efficient east Sabah wildlife circuit. Download offline maps for jungle and offshore areas.
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Book Sipadan & Kinabalu early
Sipadan is limited to 120 divers per day and books out 3–6 months ahead. Kinabalu summit permits are similarly limited. Both need advance planning — they will not be available last-minute in peak season.
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Download offline maps
Kinabatangan, Danum Valley, and offshore islands have limited signal. Download Google Maps offline for east Sabah before leaving KK. CelcomDigi covers urban areas and main highways reliably.
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Combine Sepilok & Kinabatangan
These two wildlife hotspots are 1–2 hours apart via Sandakan. A 3-day loop from KK — fly to Sandakan, visit Sepilok, overnight on the Kinabatangan, return to KK — is the most efficient east Sabah wildlife circuit.
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Time your KK sunset
KK's west-facing waterfront delivers one of Malaysia's best sunsets. Set an alarm for around 6:15pm and head to Jesselton Point jetty or the Waterfront Esplanade. Have your camera ready and charged.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places to visit in Sabah?+
Sabah's top attractions: Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan Island, Sepilok Orang Utan Centre, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and KK waterfront sunset. Hidden gems: Kinabatangan River cruise, Poring Hot Springs, Pulau Mantanani, and Gaya Street Sunday Market.
How do I get a Sipadan diving permit?+
Book through an approved dive resort on nearby islands (Mabul, Kapalai). Only 120 permits per day — book 3–6 months ahead in peak season. You cannot book permits independently.
How many days do you need in Sabah?+
Minimum 5–7 days: 2 days KK, 1 day Kinabalu Park, 2–3 days east Sabah wildlife circuit (Sepilok + Kinabatangan). Sipadan diving requires a separate 3–5 day trip from KK to Semporna.
Is there a Tourist SIM at Kota Kinabalu Airport?+
Yes — CelcomDigi Express has a kiosk at KK Airport Arrival Hall. Tourist eSIM also available online from RM15. Unlimited internet from RM15 for 3 days to RM60 for 30 days.
Is Sabah safe to visit?+
Yes — KK and main tourist areas are safe. The east coast areas near the Sulu Sea have had historical security advisories — check Malaysia's official travel advisory before visiting. The main tourist circuit (KK, Kinabalu, Sepilok, Kinabatangan) is well-established and safe.
Ready to explore Sabah?
Sabah is the kind of destination that leaves you planning your second visit before you've finished the first. Whether it's standing below Kinabalu, watching orang utans wake up in the forest, or seeing a sea turtle glide past at Sipadan — the experiences here are genuinely unlike anywhere else in Malaysia.
Stay connected with CelcomDigi Postpaid 5G across KK and Sabah's main corridors. International visitors can pick up a CelcomDigi Tourist SIM from RM15 at KK Airport or online as an eSIM.
