Sandakan Travel Guide

The second-largest city in Sabah, Sandakan is best known for its fabulous natural attraction and is a must-visit destination for animal lovers.

Home to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, this is the place to go for an up close encounter with orangutans as well as the chance to cruise along Kinabatangan River to spot endless wildlife in action or you can take a trip to Turtle Island and be part of a sea turtle conservation project. And these are just some of the attractions around Sandakan.

However, there is more to this region than nature. Culturally diverse – with over 42 ethnic groups within Sabah – this area is also of interest if you enjoy wartime history.  With a memorial and attractions that tell the story of this area during WWII including one of the most well-known wartime incidents – the Sandakan Death Marches.

Borneo Orangutan in Sandakan, Sepilok, Sabah
Borneo Orangutan in Sepilok

Below, you will find our best guides to Sandakan so you can have the best time possible in this fascinating destination.

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Sandakan Attractions

There are some great places to visit in Sandakan.  Read more about all these attractions in Sandakan below.

Sandakan Acommodation

There is a great range of accommodation in Sandakan from great hotels to budget options and every price point in between.  Read our guide below to book the perfect Sandakan hotel for your trip.

Sandakan Travel

Sandakan is easy to reach from Kota Kinabalu and other major destinations in Sabah. It also has an airport with good connections to major cities in Malaysia. Read our detailed guides below on how to travel to Sandakan.

You can find more information on other destinations in Malaysia across this site here.