Must-Visit Places and Attractions in Tawau, Malaysia 2026

Q: What is the best time to visit Tawau?

The best time to visit is from March to October, when conditions are generally better for onward island trips, though tropical showers can occur at any time.

Q: How do I get to Tawau?

Tawau is served by Tawau Airport, with flights from major Malaysian hubs. From the airport, travellers can continue to Tawau city or transfer by road to Semporna.

Q: How do I get around Tawau?

Use taxis, Grab where available, private transfers, or rental cars. Pre-booked transfers are recommended if heading directly from Tawau Airport to Semporna.

Q: Where to stay in Tawau?

Stay in Tawau city for markets, food, and short stopovers, or stay in Semporna if your main purpose is island hopping or diving.

Tawau is a coastal city in Sabah, Malaysia, and a useful gateway to eastern Sabah’s islands, plantations, and nature areas. The city is best known as the airport access point for travellers heading to Semporna and the diving islands around Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai. Tawau itself offers local markets, seafood, cocoa and agricultural products, and nearby nature attractions such as Tawau Hills Park. It has a multicultural Sabah atmosphere and a practical, local feel rather than a resort-town image. For travellers exploring Sabah’s east coast, Tawau is an important transport and food stop.

Hotels in Tawau

See 32 hotels in Tawau

Hotels • Sabah

LA Hotel Tawau

Instant confirmation

From

R$ 207.06

R$ 209.11

Hotels • Sabah

Check Inn Hotel Tawau

Instant confirmation

4.2 / 5

(42)

From

R$ 152.58

Hotels • Sabah

Blu Sentral Hotel

Instant confirmation

From

R$ 241.83

Hotels • Sabah

Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel

Instant confirmation

3.3 / 5

(63)

From

R$ 162.32

R$ 170.2

Hotels • Sabah

City Garden Hotel

Instant confirmation

4.3 / 5

(58)

From

R$ 104.31

Hotels • Sabah

Prince Hotel

Instant confirmation

3.9 / 5

(18)

From

R$ 123.76

Hotels • Sabah

MB Hotel

Instant confirmation

3.8 / 5

(87)

From

R$ 140.77

Hotels • Sabah

Borneo Royale Hotel

Instant confirmation

3.5 / 5

(198)

From

R$ 240.63

R$ 243.03

Hotels • Sabah

Heritage Hotel

Instant confirmation

3.9 / 5

(103)

From

R$ 154.42

Hotels • Sabah

Pertama Lodge

Instant confirmation

3.9 / 5

(19)

From

R$ 98.54

Hotels • Sabah

I-Vista Hotel

Instant confirmation

From

R$ 278.01

Hotels • Sabah

Dancenter Mangrove Hotel

Instant confirmation

New Activity

From

R$ 94.65

Local weather

℉℃

MAR - OCT
32°24°
Warm tropical weather with generally better travel conditions
NOV - FEB
31°23°
Wetter period with heavier showers possible

Tawau

Hotels in Tawau

LA Hotel Tawau

Check Inn Hotel Tawau

Blu Sentral Hotel

Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel

City Garden Hotel

Prince Hotel

MB Hotel

Borneo Royale Hotel

Heritage Hotel

Pertama Lodge

I-Vista Hotel

Dancenter Mangrove Hotel

Quick facts about Tawau

Local weather

Time zone

Currency

Official languages

FAQs about Tawau

What is the best time to visit Tawau?

How do I get to Tawau?

How do I get around Tawau?

Where to stay in Tawau?

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