- JAN - DEC33°24°
Tropical
Top things to do in Sandakan
3D2N Discover Kinabatangan River with stay at Bilit Adventure Lodge in Sandakan
English guided
Free cancellation
(8) • 400+ booked
From
NT$ 11,126
2D1N Selingan Turtle Island with Turtle Watching at Sandakan
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Morning departure
(5) • 400+ booked
From
NT$ 10,527
Sandakan 2-Day Kinabatangan River Wildlife Discovery
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(2)
NT$ 6,803
4D3N Sepilok Wildlife Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise Experience in Sandakan
English guided
Free cancellation
(12) • 400+ booked
From
NT$ 15,611
Sandakan Sepilok Orangutan & Sun Bear Half-Day Guided Tour
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(2)
From
NT$ 4,227
Sandakan Gomantong Caves & Kinabatangan River Day Trip
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English guided
Free cancellation
NT$ 4,179
2D1N Stay at Sepilok Jungle Resort with Sepilok Wlidlife Tour in Sandakan
English guided
Free cancellation
(3) • 100+ booked
From
NT$ 4,985
Half Day Sepilok Orang Utan & Sun Bear Tour in Sandakan Sabah
Private tour
English guided
Free cancellation
NT$ 4,586
Sepilok Orangutan Centre Half Day Tour
English guided
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
(5) • 400+ booked
NT$ 3,869
Sukau Full-Day Wildlife & Nature Exploration
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
NT$ 2,925
Sandakan Gomantong Caves & Kinabatangan River Cruise with Wildlife
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
New Activity
NT$ 9,618
Hotels in Sandakan
From
NT$ 1,393
NT$ 1,408
From
NT$ 2,335
Tyng Garden Hotel
Instant confirmation
From
NT$ 803
From
NT$ 1,061
From
NT$ 1,663
NT$ 1,681
From
NT$ 668
From
NT$ 980
From
NT$ 2,029
NT$ 2,189
From
NT$ 556
From
NT$ 724
Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
Instant confirmation
From
NT$ 4,672
Hotel O Hotel Ramai
Instant confirmation
From
NT$ 427
Sandakan travel guide
Reviews of Sandakan activities
Klook User
2026-08-17 11:07:46
We had the most amazing and fun time on this tour. We loved our time on Kinabatang River where we saw macaque and proboscis monkeys, a Pygmy elephant, crocodiles and birdlife. Our guides Robert and Jeanette were very friendly and knowledgeable. The Bilit Lodge is simple but very clean and satisfactory. The food was also very enjoyable and tasty. Our only downside was that we booked late and couldn't secure accommodation in Sepilok so missed the opportunity to spend some additional time there. The tour company arranged alternative accommodation back in Sandakan but this meant we spent more time travelling on the first two days. Overall I thought this was very well organised and we loved the opportunity to get close up with the variety of animals. The people we met on the tour were all very lovely and safety protocols are followed on the river rides.
Utilisateur Klook
2026-09-03 21:06:37
The day was well-managed by Johnny, our guide, who accompanied us throughout. The transfers from our hotel to the various locations were well-executed. We would have appreciated receiving confirmation details from the company prior to the excursion. Otherwise, everything else went smoothly.
Kato *****
2026-08-13 06:14:34
I was a little worried about the accommodation being either a resort or a homestay, but I was relieved to find it was a resort with air conditioning, hot water, and a refrigerator. The evening cruise was fantastic; we saw orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and Borneo elephants. During the night walk, we saw sleeping birds and slow lorises. On the morning cruise, we spotted a large crocodile. I know seeing animals depends on luck, but I was very satisfied with all the different creatures we encountered!
林 **
2026-09-30 09:25:01
The room was small, and the water heater in the bathroom was missing, which forced us to take cold showers. The worst part was that mothballs and air fresheners were placed in the bathroom, and their strong scent triggered my nasal allergies all night, keeping me awake! Imagine if someone had a G6PD deficiency; how could they possibly stay in this place? 🙁 Aside from this issue, the overall facilities were okay. Most importantly, the meals were much more abundant and delicious than I expected, and the staff was very friendly with an excellent service attitude, which is truly commendable! 😃
Klook 用戶
2026-07-13 01:05:06
Unfortunately, the forest resort was fully booked, so we switched to the Sandakan Hotel, which meant we couldn't experience the jungle atmosphere. The first day of the itinerary started with airport pickup at 7:30 AM, picking up other group members along the way. In the morning, we watched the orangutan feeding show and sun bear feeding within the park, which involved a lot of walking. We had lunch at the Banana Cafe, where we could upgrade our drinks for an additional charge. In the afternoon, we visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre, learning about local bird species, frogs, plants, and their history. The center had many specimens of beetles, butterflies, snakes, and more; it was a small exhibition hall but packed with rich resources. Afterward, we went on a rainforest hike, actually walking through the jungle to look for small creatures. During the hike, the guide asked us which route we preferred and helped us take photos. This part lasted about an hour, and we listened to the guide's explanations along the way. They were enthusiastic in answering any questions we had. We arrived at our accommodation around 3 PM to rest. In the evening, we had dinner at the hotel, and breakfast was provided the next morning. Although there weren't many choices, it saved us the trouble of deciding what to eat. The next day was just the airport drop-off. It's a shame we couldn't spend more time exploring the forest resort, but overall, it was still a good experience.
Thalia *******
2026-07-29 12:24:42
It was absolutely fantastic! A must-do in my opinion! We had two exceptional guides! We saw everything possible (orangutans, sun bears) and had a super beautiful hike!
Klook User
2026-09-13 05:44:07
love this hotel.. center within old sandakan town.. room very clean and well mantain even the hotel is quite old.. definately will come again
Sandakan at a glance
Quick facts about Sandakan
Local weather
℉℃ General info
Time zone
GMT +08:00
No time difference
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit
1TWD = 0.13MYR
Official languages
Malay
Recommended trip duration
3 days
Flight time
2.5 hours
When departing from Kuala Lumpur
What to know before visiting Sandakan
What Sandakan is best for
Sandakan is a compact gateway for Outdoor & sports activities, Cruises and guided Tours, with outdoor experiences and boat-based sightseeing driving the city's booking mix. Demand rises and falls through the year: Klook booking data show noticeable jumps in activity bookings during March–May and much lower activity around July. If you want fewer crowds, aim for the quieter months; if you prioritise the full seaside and wildlife atmosphere, travel in March–May when interest on Klook is highest. Decide whether you want lively peak-season energy or quieter flexibility. Based on Klook booking data.
When to visit Sandakan
Peak interest on Klook concentrates in March–May while July sits at the low point for demand, so timing affects both crowding and choice. Prices move across the year too: typical paid prices were around MYR 227 in July and climbed to around MYR 1,752 in May, with a steady rise through early spring. That means July offers lower prices and smaller crowds, while March–May delivers the peak-season atmosphere but at higher median prices. Plan July for budget-friendly, quieter visits; pick March–May for the fullest activity lineup and livelier conditions.
| Month | Demand Level | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| July | Very quiet | MYR 227 |
| November | Quieter than usual | MYR 272 |
| February | About average | MYR 653 |
| March | Peak demand | MYR 1,525 |
| April | Peak demand | MYR 1,480 |
| May | Peak demand | MYR 1,752 |
| June | Busier than usual | MYR 1,444 |
Demand is bookings in that month compared with a typical month, from historical Klook booking data, grouped into the demand levels above; typical price is the median paid on Klook in that month; prices are shown with their currency code. Based on Klook booking data, July 2025 – June 2026.
Tips for travellers from Malaysia
Most travellers lock experiences in well ahead: on Klook the typical booking lead time is around 39 days ahead, while the earliest planners book roughly 67 days out. That means you should plan and book about a month in advance to secure dates and times, and consider booking earlier for March–May when demand peaks. Klook booking data also show many bookings arrive within two weeks for last-minute choices, so you still have flexibility if your dates change. Use Klook to compare availability and book confidently — secure popular cruises and outdoor experiences before peak months fill up.
FAQs about Sandakan
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What is Sandakan best known for on Klook?