Location: Sandakan
Top Things to do in Sandakan
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do in Sandakan, Sabah
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. 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.
2. 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.
3. Sandakan Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
In September and October 2017 my wife and I visited delightful Malaysian Borneo visiting attractions in both Sarawak and Sabah. Included in the Sabah section was a visit to Sandakan Memorial Park. A visit to the Sandakan Memorial Park is a reflective and very solemn experience for any visitor to Sandakan. It dedicates the memory of 1793 Australian and 641 British members of the armed forces whilst prisoners of war (POWs) in Borneo during World War II. It highlights the terrible atrocities inflicted upon those POWs who lost their lives on the infamous Death Marches from Sandakan to Ranau, around 220 kilometres inland and close to Kinabalu Park. Only 6 prisoners, all Australians, survived. To my mind it is an essential visit for any Australian traveller to Malaysian Borneo to gain an insight into this important aspect of Australian war history. The Park is adjacent to the site of the original Sandakan POW camp. There are several memorial and interpretive stations around the park for visitors to explore at their own pace via an impressive walking track. The landscaping of the Park including the lake, gardens and trees is very beautifully maintained. The Commemorative Pavilion is also an important aspect of the Park displaying photographic exhibits that tell countless stories of the atrocities inflicted upon these brave POWs by their Japanese captors. A feature in this Pavilion is the decorative gates depicting flowers representing people of the three nations who suffered at Sandakan during the Second World War. Above all, the Park is a chilling reminder to all that in learning to forgive the wrongs of the past we must maintain Memorials such as Sandakan Memorial Park to make sure we never allow these wrongs to be repeated. It’s this reminder that makes this Park so essential to include in any Borneo visit. Equally impressive are the memorial stain glass windows installed since 2005 in St Michael’s Church, Sandakan in memory of the POWs imprisoned in Borneo. I would recommend a visit here also. You need to make arrangements with the Church Office to gain access inside the Church, for a small fee. Another must for travellers interested in this chapter of World War II history is the Sabah Tea Plantation at Ranau. The Plantation is on the very site where the Death Marches ended and viewing further impressive POW memorials is an added bonus to simply buying Sabah tea or enjoying lunch in the Plantation Restaurant. We were deeply moved by all three experiences. .
4. 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.
5. Lankayan island
6. Deramakot Forest Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By sukiesue2019
I have just spent 7 days in Deramakot and have to say that the wildlife exceeded all expectations. In reference to the last post, yes the accommodation is basic but we all knew that before we booked so it should not have been any surprise. Whilst there we did suggest that a thorough clean prior to new clients arriving should be instigated, but other than that it was much as expected. As to the food, the cooks we took in with us produced very tasty food, especially given the limited kitchen set up available to them, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And yes we did break down a couple of times - but only for a couple of minutes, and once the battery was sorted there were no further problems. The vehicles may not have been the most luxuriously comfortable, but for being able to see the animals and to photograph them they were ideal. However, you are not at Deramakot for the rooms or food - the wildlife is the draw and this definitely did not disappoint. Our tour leader, Mike (Adventure Alternative Borneo), was a wizard with the spotlight and we had so many great sightings of leopard cats and the highlight was seeing a flat-headed cat posing beautifully on a log. Along with the binturong, orangs, gibbons, three species of civets, colugos, flying squirrels and numerous birds, we were treated to a wonderful collection of the wildlife of the area. I would wholeheartedly recommend Deramakot (and Mike!) to anyone who appreciates wildlife and particularly if you want to see some of the more bizarre animals that you can find in Borneo. I cannot wait to return.
7. 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!
8. Agnes Newton Keith Home
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 359 reviews
Reviewed By klaass1952 - Renkum, The Netherlands
This home gives an excellent impression of the life of Agnes Newton Keith and her husband and son. Well displayed historical information of their life in Sabah, the tastefully decorated and furnished rooms and the architecture of the house itself give a wonderful impression of the life of a colonial professional and his novelwriting wife at that time.
9. Gomantong Cave Sandakan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 562 reviews
Reviewed By PhongN221 - Gungahlin, Australia
Having read David Attenborough's autobiography and his description of the Gomantong cave, I wanted to go here. It certainly is amazing to see all the animals that make up the eco-system of the cave.
10. 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!
TAGS
