Exploring Sandakan’s Ecological and Historical Treasures
Determining how many days are enough to enjoy what Sabah offers is hard. However, I do believe that regardless of how much time you spend in the state, you have to visit Sandakan one way or the other because of its rich ecological and historical offerings.
As someone who mostly visited Sabah for its beautiful beaches and delicious food, I’ve recently grown a new appreciation for Sandakan. So, allow me to gush about this city and simultaneously help you plan your next trip to this biodiverse city!
Whether you’re the adventurous or laid-back type of traveller, this guide is essential to make your trip as smooth as possible. Continue reading to discover where to stay, eat, and what to do during your trip to Sandakan!
Time Zone
Standard Malaysian Time (GMT+8)
Best Time to Go
Since most of the attractions and activities in Sandakan involve the outdoors, the best time to visit is during its dry season, which is typically from March to October. During these times, you can expect clear weather, and animals are most likely to come out of their shelters.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin
Calling Code: +60
How to Get Around
Grab: Grab operates in Sabah, including Sandakan. It’s one of the most accessible modes of transport for tourists because of the fixed rate and ease of pinning your desired location.
Taxi: Taxis are also common around Sandakan and are a comfortable way to get around the city. However, prepare your negotiating skills, as you’ll most likely have to settle a fare since they rarely use the metre.
Car rental: If you’d rather travel at your own pace, comfort, and privacy, you can rent a car at one of the many car rental companies in Sandakan. Some of the most well-known rentals include AYK Car Rental, KERETA SEWA SANDAKAN, and SE Car Rental Sandakan.
Where to Stay in Sandakan
Sabah Hotel, Sandakan
– Media credit: sabahhotelsandakan
Address: Jalan Utara
Phone: +60 89-213 299
Pricing: $$
Sabah Hotel is a great option if you want to stay somewhere away from the bustling centre while staying relatively close to the attractions. This secluded 4-star hotel feels more like a resort, with its tall palm trees, spacious suites, and huge outdoor pools.
These pools can accommodate kids and adults and even have slides! However, if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, you can relax by one of the gazebos and admire the surrounding lush rainforest.
We also want to highlight the rooms because they’re modernly designed and feature windows overlooking the hotel’s amenities or the surrounding greenery. They also come with modern amenities like hot water, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and en-suite bathtubs!
Livingston Hotel, Sandakan
– Media credit: mem_umie
Address: Jalan Utara
Phone: +60 89-223 223
Pricing: $$
If location and comfort are your top priorities, then Livingston Hotel should be right up your alley. It’s located in the heart of the city, meaning that malls, cafes, restaurants and attractions will be within a few minutes away.
The hotel itself is lovely, offering modern and spacious rooms to ensure the best sleep after a day of travelling. Each stay also includes a free breakfast at their in-house restaurant, The Living Delight!
Lastly, the hotel also offers an outdoor swimming pool with rain showers!
The Elopura Hotel
– Media credit: theelopurahotel
Address: HS12, Sandakan Harbour Square
Phone: +60 89-240 888
Pricing: $-$$
The Elopura Hotel will spoil you with panoramic waterfront views from the comfort of your rooms. This magnificent view is also paired with an amazing bed, and together, they will help you sleep away from your stresses!
It may not be located in the city’s centre, but it does have nearby restaurants and cafes that are waiting to be discovered. Moreover, it’s near Harbour Mall Sandakan, so you won’t have to worry about running out of dining and shopping options!
You won’t have to look far to find the best dishes and views either, as the hotel comes with a restaurant and lounge where you can admire the sea while enjoying local and international food.
Where to Eat in Sandakan
Balin Roofgarden Bistro & Bar
– Media credit: balinrooftop
Address: Nak Hote, Jalan Pelabuhan Lama
Phone: +60 89-272 988
Operating hours: 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM
Balin Rooftop Bistro & Bar is one of the most Instaworthy spots to eat in Sandakan, as its interior has a rustic cafe-like design. However, our favourite part is the al-fresco area because of its laid-back vibe and the refreshing breeze, courtesy of the nearby waterfront.
Aside from being a looker, this restaurant also succeeds in offering a wide variety of tantalising Western dishes. For instance, they provide a solid burger selection that features beefy patties, perfectly fried chicken thighs, and fresh veggies!
However, we recommend their pizza more if you’re visiting with a group. They offer various classics like Hawaiian and pepperoni, but the main highlight is the thin and perfectly crispy crust.
English Tea House & Restaurant
– Media credit: juhankamaruddin
Address: 2002, Jalan Istana
Phone: +60 89-222 544
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
English Tea House & Restaurant is a great option for those slow afternoons when you don’t have an itinerary. It offers spectacular views and a relaxing ambience, courtesy of its beautiful al-fresco area.
Here, you can treat yourself to an afternoon tea, complete with biscuits, muffins, and sandwiches! However, don’t let the quaint tea sets prevent you from ordering their cheeseburger because you’ll be missing out on one of the juiciest and veggie-filled burgers in Sandakan!
You can also end your meal on a sweet note with one of their desserts or fresh fruit juices—we love their vanilla ice cream with chocolate sprinkles!
Empire Seafood Restaurant
– Media credit: mikheil0
Address: 90000 Sandakan
Phone: +60 12-812 2366
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Empire Seafood Restaurant is one of the best places to enjoy Sandakan’s seafood scene! The dishes offered here are caught fresh daily and are prepared in various ways, ranging from savoury to spicy, sweet, tangy and more!
One of the stars of their menu is their BBQ sauce-drenched crabs. The combination of the sweet and tender white crab meat and the slightly spicy sauce never gets old!
They also offer a myriad of finger foods, among which are their fried prawns. We love adding this to their crispy noodles with prawns to add another layer of crunchiness and umami, and we recommend you try it, too!
What to Do in
Meet friendly apes at Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan Sepilok
– Media credit: sepilokorangutan and fleurs.photospot
Address: Sabah Wildlife Department, Philippines W.D.T. 200
Phone: +60 89-633 587
Business hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Rates:
- Malaysian:
- Adults: RM5
- Children: RM2
- Non-Malaysian:
- Adults: RM30
- Children: RM15
Orangutans are some of Sabah’s most protected species, and you’ll find some of them living their best lives at Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan Sepilok. This conservatory has been around since the early 1960s, and it has housed injured and orphaned orangutans since.
After nourishing these orangutans, they are then released into the wild where they belong, not before you can meet and observe them, of course! As much as possible, we recommend visiting during their feeding times (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM) to witness them interacting with the keepers.
The conservatory is a highlight in itself as well. It covers over 4,000 hectares and is filled with lush towering trees, which will make you feel minuscule during your trek.
Observe Bornean Sun Bears in their natural habitats
– Media credit: bsbcc
Address: PPM 219, Elopura
Phone: +60 89-534 491
Business hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Rates
- Malaysian:
- Adults: RM10
- Children: RM5
- Non-Malaysian:
- Adults: RM50
- Children: RM25
I never saw myself as an animal, but witnessing the Bornean sun bears in their natural habitat made me think twice. These adorable giants are naturally shy and introverted, but unfortunately, they’re at risk because they’re running out of places to live—that’s where BSBC comes in!
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservatory houses 40+ of these adorable creatures, and since 2014, they’ve been open to the public. Today, you can observe their daily routine and learn about their behaviours thanks to the visual aids and keepers of the conservatory.
Despite their overbearing size, sun bears are the smallest of their kind. You’ll also easily identify them through the golden yellow crest found beneath their neck—hence their name.
Watch the sunset from the Sim Sim Water Village
– Media credit: rhiannon.vl
Address: E68, Lorong Sim Sim
The Sim Sim village is one of Sandakan’s most impressive architectural feats. This attraction consists of walkways and houses built on stilts above the sea, making it one of the best places to observe the sunset.
There’s nothing like watching the water slowly bleed orange once the sun sets while a cold breeze brushes through your face. It’s a great experience to enjoy after a day full of walking through rainforests.
Pay respects at Sandakan Memorial Park
– Media credit: maymaynie_
Address: 90702, Jalan Labuk
Phone: +60 89-275 400
Business hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates: Free
The Sandakan Memorial Park should be on your itinerary if you want to learn more about the city’s past. This attraction was built to commemorate the 2,000+ fallen soldiers during the Pacific War.
After paying your respects, you can explore the rest of the memorial park, which features a beautiful manmade lake, small traditional houses, and wooden walkways. It’s also a great spot to unwind and relax as the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds serenade you.
Go back in time at Agnes Keith’s House
– Media credit: nikoor12
Address: 296, Jalan Utara
Phone: +60 89-221 140
Business hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates:
- Malaysian: RM2
- Non-Malaysian: RM15
Agnes Keith’s House was once inhabited by the family of Mr Harry Keith, a forest conservator. Throughout the years, it has been rebuilt and now stands as a museum that retains its beautiful colonial-style architecture.
It houses various war artefacts, but the main highlight is the timeline showing the life of the titular Agnes Keith, a renowned writer. She wrote multiple autobiographies that tell the story of living in Borneo before, during and after World War II.
Where to Shop in
Harbour Mall Sandakan Malaysia
– Media credit: a._adzuan
Address: Harbour Square, Pusat Bandar Sandakan
Phone: +60 89-276 888
Harbour Mall Sandakan Malaysia is always a treat to visit because it lets you view the sea in all its glory for free! Meanwhile, you’ll find plenty of items to spend your money on inside, from gadgets to clothes, sporting goods, etc.
The mall also features an arcade, complete with the latest video game machines. If that’s not up your speed, you can also spend time at the mall’s cinema and catch the most anticipated films of the year!
Lastly, the mall also features a variety of cafes and restaurants. You can either treat yourself to local delicacies or check out their Western offerings to try your favourites like burgers, steaks, tacos, and more.
Apps to Download
Grab: Ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia
Google Maps: Useful navigation app
Klook: Hotel, transport, and activity booking app