Location: Sandakan
Top Things to do in Sandakan
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Sandakan That You Shouldn't Miss
Tropical Sandakan is a paradise for animal lovers. Watch turtles lay eggs at Turtle Islands Park, keep a giggly distance at a crocodile farm or share an impish smile with some of the residents at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The houses on stilts in the fishing village of Buli Sim Sim are perfect for sightseeing and photographing.
Restaurants in Sandakan
1. Sepilok Tropical Wildlife Adventure
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Lenore2014 - Bribie Island, Australia
We thoroughly enjoyed our 8 day discover Borneo tour with My Holiday 2. It exceeded our expectations and everyday was a new experience. We liked that we were in a small group of 9 people. A huge thank you to our guide Elod for his knowledge and kind hospitality. We would highly recommend him to visitors. We didn't want our holiday to end and in fact our whole group stayed on with Elod for the last 2 days of the optional tours. We were not disappointed with all the wildlife we saw at the Orangutan rehabilitation centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Turtle Islands National Park, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and along the river cruises of Kinabatangan River. The hospitality at the accommodations were very friendly and the meals delicious.
2. Turtle Island Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By AR548739 - London, United Kingdom
We booked direct through crystal quest, it was easy, Fatima was fantastic and responded quickly everytime she was very helpful from begining to end. After a few emails back and forth it was booked and we didnt have to pay anything until the day. Her email is - [email protected] The trip was fantastic, the work they do on the island is brilliant, if it wasn't for them the eggs wouldnt stand a chance.
3. Sandakan Rainforest Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
4. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,168 reviews
Reviewed By Daneli09
Arrived early, had a good meal in the onsite restaurant before going to the feeding platform. Saw dozens of proboscis monkeys and several troops of macaques within arms length on the boardwalk leading to the feeding platform. Travelling between the feeding platforms, we saw hornbills, silver eared monkeys, wild boar and a huge monitor lizard. Great day out.
5. Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 996 reviews
RDC is first and foremost an environmental education centre managed by the Sabah Forestry Department. It has been operating since 1997 but mainly for school visits and organising events for school students and also teacher training courses on environmental education.It was later developed for visitors mainly to sustain the environmental education programme for the future. We formally opened to visitors in August 2007 and is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. However, visitors are allowed to stay until 7 pm for viewing of the flying squirrels at the 347-m long Canopy Walkway, the only such structure in Southeast Asia.The newly revamped Birders Rest is now with a 90 m-long walkway, an open hall, a small centre and toilets. As of Nov 16th 2013, we have a new operator for the Keruing Cafe whom we hope will provide better services for our visitors.
Reviewed By ROSSHX - Melton Constable, United Kingdom
We sent 3 wonderful days in the Sandakan RFC using the trails, the canopy walk, the towers, early morning walks, night walks as well as lots of time walking forest trails, saw lots of Bornean wildlife, Orangutan, tarser, monkey, otter, snake, hornbills, snakes, flying squirrels and so much more, sorry to leave and defo hope to go back.
6. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,628 reviews
Reviewed By Cosmopolitan587907
We decided to go to the Bornean Sun Bear Center instead of seeing the Orangutans next door. This place does invaluable work for Sun Bears and we saw 3 bears out from the viewing platform and they were adorable. One of the helpers, Becca was very friendly and spoke to us for 20-30 minutes, answering our questions and talking to us about the bears. We even saw an orangutan pop in from next door briefly in the trees! Could not recommend this place enough!
7. St.Mary's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
St.Mary's church was founded in 1883 and it is now 135 years old as of 2018, the oldest church in Sandakan.The first church was created as a small wooden structure.Its history dates back to May 1883 when Monsignor T.Jackson, the prefect Apostolic of the Mill Hill, England, order of Missionary Priest, bought five acres of land on a hill to set up a mission. Together with Father Prenger, they built a temporary hut made of 'Kajang' and dedicated the mission to the Blessed Mother and named it St.Mary's Hill. Msgr T.Jackson then asked Father Pundleider to join Father Prenger in Sandakan( used to be called as British North Borneo) and together they opened St.Mary's school on July 24, 1883. The first school in North Borneo with its first pupils, five in all, housed in the kajang hut. By October on the same year, there was a proper hostel for the boys to stay in and a small church.
8. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By F7652NOkevinr - Sydney, Australia
Have waited years to come here and I was not disappointed. The orangutans are just so amazing to watch as they play and eat in their playground. They are not locked in this area and are free to come and go as they like. We were mesmerised by their antics. They seem to roll and swing with such ease and rhythm. Out of a forward roll into a rope swing and up a tree in one motion. I wish I could’ve stayed there all day to soak up the entertainment. Love these guys.
9. Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By PlatOng - Kajang, Malaysia
I once visited Puu Jih Shih 10 years back with some of my friends too, the main attraction about this place is the view watching down from the observation deck. It has a beautiful view of the whole sandakan town. And not to forget once you made a turn to the entrance of Puu Jih Shih, you will be welcomed by alot of Buddha's statue. This temple have a history of 30 years, the inside of the temple is really beautiful especially the lotus like flower on the ceiling. You can spend a good 20 minutes here. After a wonderful temple visit, your next destination should head towards town area where you can visit St Michael's Church. See my post for St Michael's Church too!
