Sandakan is a beautiful city in the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the northeast coast of Borneo. Sandakan is the second largest city in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu, with many memorable attractions for curious travellers.
Sandakan has attractions such as the Puu Jih Shih Temple, which offers panoramic views of the city. The Agnes Keith House is also a wooden bungalow that re-creates the city’s colonial-era life. Therefore, if you have a long weekend for a trip to Sandakan, read on and find out more about the 10 best things to do in Sandakan.
What Makes Sandakan A Place You Must Visit?
Sandakan is a must-visit location because you can participate in many interesting and exciting activities while vacationing there. Did you know you can catch glimpses of turtles at Turtle Islands National Park? While in Sandakan, you can also explore the Gomantong Caves and stroll in the Sandakan Rainforest Park. If you plan to stay longer, you can also have an entirely new experience by volunteering at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
How many days should you stay in Sandakan?
Three to four days would be a good duration to stay in Sandakan. You can join a local tour to visit the main tourist attractions. However, if you vacation in Sandakan for a week or two, you could immerse yourself in the local culture and experience Sandakan like a local.
What is the best time to visit Sandakan?
The hottest month in Sandakan is May, followed by June and April. Therefore, the best time to visit Sandakan is from December to February. The average high temperature is between 30.8 and 29.2 degrees Celius. However, these months are also the busiest time of the year. Do try to book your hotel reservations early to avoid any disappointments.
10 Best Things To Do in Sandakan 2025
1. Visit The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans and dozens of other wildlife species. Some other animals treated at the centre include; sun bears, gibbons, and elephants. That is not all. The orphaned orangutans that are rescued are trained with survival skills to live in the wild. They are then released as soon as they are ready.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm daily
Address: Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan Sepilok, Sabah Wildlife Department, W.D.T. 200, Sandakan, Jalan Sepilok, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-633 587
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sepilokorangutan
Check Info On Website2. Marvel At The Architecture Of Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple
Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple is located at the hilltop of Tanah Merah at Sandakan Bay in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. The temple was built in 1987, and it is the largest Chinese temple in the town and is situated around 4 kilometres west of the town centre. The temple is located in a hilly area where visitors can view the Sandakan coast. Its surroundings, within a forested area, is ablaze with dragon sculptures and gilded Buddhas.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am to 4.30 pm daily
Address: Puu Jih Syh Temple, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-255 399
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Google Reviews: Here
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Refer Info On Website3. Feast At The San Da Gen Kopitiam
San Da Gen Kopitiam serves excellent food within a welcoming atmosphere. You can try the hoisin duck sandwich, served on fluffy, sweet white bread and fried egg, if you visit. Another delicious dish would be the salted egg French toast, a toast served with a runny, salted egg yolk in the middle. For those who prefer Asian food, you can try their traditional laksa, served piping hot with generous ingredients.
Operating Hours: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm daily
Address: Lebuh Dua, Pusat Bandar Sandakan, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-238 988
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TasteSanDaGen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandagen.kopitiam
4. Learn The History Of The Agnes Keith House
The Agnes Keith House is a historic house museum in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. The museum is named after Agnes Newton Keith, an American author known for her three autobiographical accounts of life in British North Borneo. After being left with no further occupants, the Sabah Museum Department and the Federal Department of Museum and Antiquities began collaborating in 2001 to restore the house. On 26 April 2004, it was finally opened to the public as a museum.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Address: 296, Jalan Utara, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-221 140
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agneskeithhouseofficial
View website5. Volunteer At The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre has two aims: to provide care and rehabilitation to rescued sun bears and to increase awareness of sun bears internationally. There are currently 43 rescued ex-captive sun bears and one captive-born residing at the BSBCC. The facility includes large forest enclosures to provide a natural environment suited to the needs and welfare of the sun bears and facilitate their rehabilitation back into the wild.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am to 3.30 pm daily
Address: Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, PPM 219, Elopura, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-534 491
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunbear.bsbcc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bsbcc/?hl=en
View website6. Take A Walk in The Sandakan Rainforest Park
The Sandakan Rainforest Park is an excellent location for jungle trekking and exercise. There are a few treks that are great for jogging. Paths are marked well, so you know you are heading deeper into the park or exiting. The park is also an excellent location for a family outing. You can see monkeys, rare bird species and insects while enjoying the cool breeze and fresh air.
Operating Hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily
Address: Sandakan Rainforest Park, 90000 Sandakan Sabah
Phone No: 089-531 522
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sandakanrfp
7. Catch A Glimpse Of Turtles At Turtle Islands National Park
You will have a truly magical experience at the Turtle Islands National Park. Seeing the Turtles come up on the beach at night to lay their eggs and you helping to release the young hatchlings is a memory that will be treasured. The boat ride to the island takes an hour, and the accommodation on the island is comfortable. Furthermore, the island has gorgeous beaches and snorkelling activities in the daytime.
Address: Turtle Islands National Park, 90000 Sandakan Sabah
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Google Reviews: Here
View website8. Experience Nature At the Rainforest Discovery Centre
Rainforest Discovery Centre’s main highlights are its 363m long canopy walkway, exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, environmental education programmes and a small lake with a suspension bridge. It also has a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor or outdoor activities. The night walk is highly recommended for enjoying the scenery of the rainforest.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Address: Rainforest Discovery Centre, Jalan Lintas Sibuga, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-533 780
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sepilokrdc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainforestdiscoverycentre/?hl=en
View website9. Go On An Adventure To The Gomantong Caves Sandakan
The Gomantong Caves are an intricate cave system inside Gomantong Hill in Sandakan. The hill is the most prominent limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan area. The primary cave system is divided into two parts: the more accessible Simud Hitam (Black Cave) and the larger Simud Putih (White Cave), which lies above. Situated in the Gomantong Forest Reserve, the caves and the surrounding area are protected areas for wildlife, especially orangutans.
Operating Hours:
8:00 am to 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Saturday – Thursday)
8:00 am to 11.30 am, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Friday)
Address: Gomantong Caves, 90000 Kinabatangan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-561 527
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Google Reviews: Here
View website10. Feel The Wonder of St. Michael’s and All Angels Church
St. Michael’s and All Angels Church is an Anglican church in the city of Sandakan and is the oldest stone church in Sabah. The church building is also the first wholly-built stone building in Sabah. The Japanese forces dynamited the church before surrendering in 1945 as World War II ended, although the shell of the church remained standing. Reconstruction began after the war, and St Michael’s is still one of Sabah’s few historic stone buildings.
Operating Hours:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Monday, Wednesday – Saturday)
7.15 am to 7.30 pm (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday and Public holidays
Address: 5, Lorong Damai 6, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Phone No: 089-215 860
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelchurch.sdk
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