Sandakan

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Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Sandakan

Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)

4.3
4.3/5
30 reviews
This is a good place to learn about the uniqueness and importance of the tropical rainforest. Due to its unique environment, it is home to one of Sabah's rare birds, the Borneon Bristlehead and 250 other species of birds, such as hornbills, spotted broadbills, pitta, There are many birds such as kingfishers, so this is a paradise for bird lovers.Sepilok · 580m from downtown
Turtle Islands Park

Turtle Islands Park

3.9
3.8/5
35 reviews
Turtle Islands Park consists of several islands located in the Sulu Sea off the east coast of Sabah. As an important sea turtle nesting and hatching site in Southeast Asia, it is a breeding paradise for endangered green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. Among them, Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil, and Pulau Gulisan are great places to watch sea turtles. Turtle Islands Park might not offer the most beautiful scenery in Sabah, but it is a very moving place. At night, sea turtles crawl out of the sea to lay their eggs on the beach—this is why the mother turtles come ashore. The hatched baby turtles break out of their shells and make their way into the sea between late night and dawn, and you can quietly witness it all on the beach. Sea turtle nesting is usually seasonal, but at Turtle Islands Park, turtles come here to lay eggs every day, with July–October being the peak season. All eggs are collected, hatched, and released by staff to protect the sea turtles' population.Sandakan · 33.8 km from downtown
Lankayan Island

Lankayan Island

3.7
4.4/5
36 reviews
Lankayan Island is located in the Sandakan Sulu Sea. The island is very small and surrounded by emerald water. The island is lush with tropical vegetation, the beach is delicate and white, and it has a colorful underwater world with a panoramic view of the tropical scenery. A quiet environment away from the hustle and bustle, it is a good choice for leisure vacation. It is both a resort, a diving site and a sea turtle conservation center. Lankayan Island is located in the living area of sea turtles. During the breeding season of sea turtles from June to September every year, you have the opportunity to see the whole process of sea turtle nesting and hatching of small sea turtles. Lankayan Island is also described as a marine world wonderland. The sea is clear and blue, you can see a lot of giant marine life, and there are many diving spots. It is suitable for going to the island all year round, but diving is very good from April to November every year. In season, huge and harmless whale sharks can be seen.Sandakan · 74.4 km from downtown
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

3.6
4.9/5
23 reviews
This is an ape sanctuary where you can see the orangutans swinging, eating, and interacting with the staff. It's a wonderful experience.Sepilok · 1.2 km from downtown
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary - Entrance

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary - Entrance

3
4.5/5
108 reviews
There is a Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Reserve in the suburbs of Sandakan, Sabah. Many proboscis monkeys live here all year round. Therefore, it is also a good place to get close to proboscis monkeys. Especially in time for feeding, the proboscis monkeys will scramble to emerge from the woods. The reserve is located in a vast oil palm plantation 30 kilometers away from the urban area, which is a large mangrove forest. Compared with orangutans, proboscis monkeys should be a must-see animal. After all, there are orangutans in Sumatra, but proboscis monkeys only live in Borneo. This reddish-brown primate is one of nine protected animals in Sabah. Its body is about 72 centimeters long, its tail can reach almost the same length, and its weight can reach 24 kilograms. The monkey, named for its bulbous nose, has a big belly and a white face. When you come to the reserve, you can come by car. Of course, you can also take a one-day tour in the local area. You can see the proboscis monkeys in the afternoon, fireflies in the evening, and beautiful sunsets in the evening. The day tour includes round-trip hotel transfers and a buffet dinner, and costs approximately MYR 150 per person. In addition, there are two-day tours, including three meals and accommodation, the price is about 250 ringgit per person, and the accommodation is mainly located in NipahLodge. In addition to taking pictures of the cute proboscis monkeys, tourists who come here can get in touch with them and feed them. The reserve is divided into two platforms, Platform A is open from 9:30-14:30, and Platform B is open from 11:30-16:30. The feeding time for PlatformA is 14:30 and the feeding time for PlatformB is 16:00. The proboscis monkeys in Labuk Bay can be approached up close. Of course, this doesn't mean you can pet it, because proboscis monkeys are naturally territorial animals, and your friendly petting is an offensive behavior for it. Of course, they may relax their vigilance at mealtimes, and many tourists will stand beside them and take pictures with them, and they don't care. Interestingly, proboscis monkeys have big noses that interfere with their feeding, so it looks comical that they need to push their noses up with their paws when eating. In addition to the proboscis monkeys, there are 300 wild monkeys living in the conservation area. Animals in the sanctuary are largely kept out of human contact, with the exception of mischievous cynomolgus monkeys, who often blatantly "steal" people's snacks and sun hats when people aren't looking. In addition, in Zone B, you can also see black langurs that are two smaller in size. The black langur is also very cute, and the head shape is basically mohawk. Some female monkeys carry little monkeys on their backs. The whole body of the little monkeys is still golden, with a tender and naive look. They often play awkwardly with their mothers. When they are three to five months old, the hair gradually turns black. Likewise, they're not afraid of people at all, and they don't mind if you sit next to them as long as you're well-meaning. In addition, this reserve also has a great feature. You can see fireflies at night, which is very beautiful, like in a fairy tale, twinkling, like a dream.Sandakan · 28.2 km from downtown
Sandakan Memorial Park

Sandakan Memorial Park

3
4.7/5
21 reviews
The park houses a number of small museums dedicated to the memory of thousands of Australian and British soldiers killed during Japanese rule. The shovels, generators and boilers used at the time are rusted but still in place, and a nearby staircase leads to a small memorial pavilion.Sandakan · 4.9 km from downtown
Sandakan Crocodile Farm

Sandakan Crocodile Farm

2.9
4.5/5
4 reviews
The Sandakan Crocodile Farm houses more than 3,000 reptiles, holds snake and crocodile shows, and has a children's park.Sandakan · 4.7 km from downtown
Sandakan Sports Complex

Sandakan Sports Complex

2.9
Sandakan Division · 941m from Sandakan
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)

2.9
3.4/5
15 reviews
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is a center dedicated to sun bear conservation, research, and education. Sun bears are the world's smallest bear species and are also endangered. Named for the bright patch of fur on their chest, sun bears may look cute, but they possess sharp claws that are useful for nesting. Due to the gradual loss of their habitat, sun bears are at risk of extinction.Sepilok · 1.3 km from downtown
Puu Jih Syh Temple

Puu Jih Syh Temple

2.8
3.3/5
3 reviews
PuuJihShihBuddhistTemple is a special temple in Sandakan. From the temple, you can see the whole coastline of Sandakan is very beautiful! the sky is very blue! Many local people go to worship, the incense is very strong, and the inside is very clean.Sandakan · 3.5 km from downtown

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What travelers say about Sandakan

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NevennaJuly 24, 2025
5.0
A stunning place, the nature is untamed, and it is never really crowded, a great way to get closer to nature and explore the rainforest. The canopy walk was my favorite! You can spend your entire day here, since the area is huge, and also there’s a lot of resting spots as well as a great restaurant within the grounds. I haven’t taken any photos of the garden area, but if you go to RDC absolutely visit that, it is very unique and beautiful. Also, highly recommend a night walk, which you can book for yourself at the ticket office, it is not pricey at all, and the rangers and guides that take you trough the jungle at night are very knowledgeable and professional. A one of a kind experience, thank you Sepilok ! 💚💚💚

Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)

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小思文July 14, 2021
4.0
Turtle Island is a very unique tourist island. You can indeed see some large species of turtles here. It is also a great place to visit. The natural and geographical features of Turtle Island are very good, but some facilities on the island are relatively scarce.

Turtle Islands Park

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Jakob53December 27, 2025
5.0
Lankayan Island is a hidden paradise in Malaysia, perfect for travelers seeking peace, nature, and crystal-clear waters. The island is known for its pristine beaches, soft white sand, and excellent snorkeling and diving right off the shore. The atmosphere is quiet and untouched, making it ideal for relaxation and disconnecting from busy city life. Marine life is abundant, and the coral reefs are well preserved. Lankayan Island is especially suitable for couples and nature lovers who appreciate simple luxury and eco-friendly surroundings.Tips: • Book accommodation in advance • Bring reef-safe sunscreen • Pack light, casual clothing • Respect marine life and coral reefs

Lankayan Island

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矢沉January 30, 2025
5.0
Entering the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is like opening a vivid book of natural history. As soon as you enter, you can hear the long cries of gibbons, as if welcoming visitors. Walking along the winding path, the tall parashorea chinensis blocks the sun, and the sun can only shine through the gaps. Here, if you are lucky, you can see orangutans wandering in the forest. They grab branches with their flexible long arms, sometimes stop to eat, and sometimes look at tourists curiously. The observation station in the reserve is an excellent viewing point, where you can observe the life of the orangutans up close. The staff will also explain the living habits and protection knowledge of the orangutans, so that people can deeply understand the significance of protecting this home. When the sun sets, the afterglow gives the rainforest a layer of gold, and leaves with full shock and awe of nature. This trip is not only sightseeing, but also a deep dialogue with natural creatures, an unforgettable experience engraved in the depths of memory.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

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M36***59August 30, 2017
5.0
There are feeding activities at 11:40 a.m. and 16:30 p.m. in the reserve, which attracts a large number of tourists. At 14:30 p.m., feeding activities were conducted by forest rangers deep in the conservation area. All visitors who want to see long-nosed monkeys at close range are provided with the best observation sites, as well as the convenience for those who do not want to spend time traveling long distances to see long-nosed monkeys.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary - Entrance

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多多March 24, 2020
4.0
I almost left the Sandakan Memorial Park off my travel plans, but I'm glad I didn't. The Sandakan Memorial Park is a lovely, cool oasis with great views. The park was built to commemorate the residents of Australia, Britain, New Zealand and Sandakan Island who endured three years of brutal Japanese occupation during World War II. It's very informative and the stories are very touching, and you can see many real historical events and stories left by the 6 prisoners of war who survived the concentration camp. The Sandakan Memorial Park is well worth a visit.

Sandakan Memorial Park

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Ramona BRMAugust 20, 2026
5.0
A beautiful place and, honestly, much more interesting than I expected. Reading some reviews, I'd seen comments about the place not being particularly well-maintained, but I think it's important to remember that it's a farm, a real farm, and from that perspective, I found it more than well-maintained and absolutely consistent with what it is. I was expecting something completely different, but instead I was pleasantly surprised by how unique and intriguing this place is. It was wonderful to be able to see the crocodiles in person, up close, but always in complete safety. Personally, I enjoyed this visit even more than the river trip, where, yes, we saw wild animals in their habitat, but often surrounded by numerous boats full of tourists. Here, despite being a farm, the experience was much more pleasant and engaging. I also really appreciated the option to buy food to feed the animals: we bought a lot and we really enjoyed it, because it allows you to contribute directly and at the same time, it makes for an even more immersive experience. Another thing I really appreciated is that this was the only place we've visited so far where we found no price difference between tourists and residents. I personally thought it was a good choice, and it made me even more happy to spend a little more on the facility. We were also lucky enough to witness them feeding the crocodiles: SPECTACULAR! Definitely one of the highlights of the visit. I absolutely recommend it to anyone passing through Sandakan. I'm really happy I was there, and, against all my initial expectations, it was one of the experiences that surprised me the most.

Sandakan Crocodile Farm

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JJH94.December 6, 2022
5.0
Beautiful Bears being looked after by great staff members who really care.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)

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WHAYYDecember 6, 2021
4.0
A beautiful holy place with a great view of Sandakan. A very welcoming place for other religion's devotees as well to visit

Puu Jih Syh Temple

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