Tawau 2026: Top Places to Visit & Popular Attractions

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 30 hotels in Tawau

Hotels • Sabah

Instant confirmation

From € 48.65

Hotels • Sabah

Borneo Royale Hotel

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★ 3.4 (180)

From € 57.32

Hotels • Sabah

I-FLY HOTEL

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New Activity

From € 34.42

Local weather

℉℃

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

General info

Time zone
GMT +08:00
No time difference
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit
1EUR = 4.63MYR
Official languages
Malay

Tawau

Hotels in Tawau

LA Hotel Tawau

City Garden Hotel

Check Inn Hotel Tawau

Prince Hotel

Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel

Blu Sentral Hotel

Borneo Royale Hotel

I-FLY 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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