Why not make your next Southeast Asian trip to North Borneo’s pristine natural paradise?
THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. Sabah Tourism’s newly launched campaign, ‘Feel Sabah, North Borneo’ lets international travellers know that the uniquely located Malaysian Borneo destination is poised as a destination for visitors that savour slow travel, amazing avian experiences and protecting the ocean.
Featuring messages about mindful travel over rushing through holidays and savouring a slower pace of life, we’re adding Sabah to our must-visit destinations this year.
About Stunning Sabah
Sitting atop the world’s third-largest island of Borneo, Sabah is a destination of timeless beauty where immerse travel reveals authentic and memorable journeys through vibrant culture and natural wonders.
The region’s unique blend of modern and rustic charm ensures experiences suit every guest’s wishlist — from first-time visitors to seasoned Sabah experts.
Whether you love a simple stroll along an unspoilt beach, a mind-clearing country walk or a river cruise that lets you get up close and personal with nature, Sabah is an undiscovered Southeast Asia gem that can deliver each alongside mountain explorations, crystal-clear ocean waters, and tropical rainforests waiting to be discovered.
Where Nature Meets Adventure
With more than 300 islands, guests can choose a destination overlooking the South China Sea, Sulu Sea or Celebes Sea, and of course, visit one of the area’s signature attractions, Mount Kinabalu – the tallest peak in Malaysia and Borneo.
Elsewhere in Sabah, there are a host of incredible natural retreats offering chances to get closer to nature and superb eco-lodges to make your visit all the more luxurious.
To The Islands on West Sabah
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a stunning marine park in Kota Kinabalu. Its five islands are ideal for dive training and novice divers. Many dive operators offer a full range of PADI courses and arrange for dive trips within the park. An added bonus is that the park is just a 20-minute boat ride from the Kota Kinabalu city centre.
Expect to discover scorpion fish, blue-spotted rays, cuttlefish, mantis shrimps and the occasional green or hawksbill turtle. At some locations, rare creatures such as the harlequin ghost pipefish and mandarin fish may be found with the help of a dive guide.
Nearby, stay in paradisiacal escapes, including Gayana Marine Resort, Bunga Raya Island Resort, Gaya Island Resort and Manukan Island Resort.
Islands in East Sabah
For more casual water enthusiasts, Lankayan is a tiny island in the Sulu Sea on Sabah’s east coast. With white sandy beaches, pretty casuarina trees and glorious sunsets, it appeals as much to non-divers and snorkelers — and offers the chance to spot leopard sharks, marbled stingray and giant grouper — as scuba enthusiasts and is home to Lankayan Island Dive Resort.
With rich biodiversity, Tun Sakaran Marine Park is another top location. This protected area and its central islands are part of an extinct volcano with peaks reaching 450 metres above sea level, and a crater has become a lagoon. The low-lying outer islands completely contrast with beautiful white sand beaches and coconut palms.
The park requires visitors to register at the Sabah Parks office in Semporna or via their tour agent. There is currently no overnight accommodation in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, but several dive companies based in Semporna run daily diving at the park.
One of the top dive sites in the world, Sipadan lies in the Sulawesi Sea just north of the equator, off Sabah’s southeast coast. Reached by boat via the town of Semporna, Thickly forested and surrounded by sandy white beaches, the oceanic island was formed by corals growing atop and rises 600 metres from the ocean floor.
Located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin — the richest marine habitat in the world — divers can take in more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species.
It is also a place where green and hawksbill turtles come to mate and nest, and it’s not unusual to see more than 20 turtles on a single dive alongside barracuda and big-eye trevally.
The macro life at Sipadan is as amazing as the big fish, with garden eels, leaf scorpion fish, mantis shrimps, fire gobies and various pipefish guaranteed at certain dive sites.
With its diversity and abundance of marine life, it is little wonder that Sipadan is a global dive destination.
When visiting, stay at The Reef Dive Resort on Mataking Island, Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort on Kapalai, Pom Pom Island Resort, Sipadan Mabul Resort and Borneo Divers Mabul Resort on Mabul Island.
Ocean lovers would do well to visit Sabah while the ADEX Sabah Ocean Partnership Summit 2023 happens from 18th to 20th August 2023 at Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu.
Experts and experienced speakers will cover ocean conservation, education, underwater photography and film topics. To have a little fun at the summit, the organisers have added a mermaid competition and one for ghost net hunters.
Wildlife in Sabah
Sabah is a sanctuary for endangered and protected wildlife in Borneo. As home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world — dating back 130 million years and home to 688 bird species — avian enthusiasts could choose no better destination than this.
A visit to Sandakan for a cruise along the Kinabatangan River reveals the rarely-seen habitats of Borneo’s pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, sun bears, hornbills, crocodiles and even Irrawaddy dolphins.
The 560-kilometre Kinabatangan River is where visitors can spot all eight hornbills and 10 primate species. Stay in one of many luxury rainforest eco-lodges that focus on sustainability.
Rhinoceros Hornbill
Danum Valley Conservation Area is accessible by road from Sandakan, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu. The 130-million-year-old rainforest is recognised for protecting endangered wildlife, including banteng, clouded leopard, and Bornean pygmy elephant.
It’s one of the best birding destinations in Sabah. Popular birds to spy here include six pitta species, including Black-crowned, Blue-headed, Blue-banded and Borneo Banded Pittas.
Danum Valley Conservation Area houses luxurious to budget accommodations for far-wandering travellers, including The Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Danum Valley Field Centre.
A perfect time to visit would be October 13-17, when the 12th Asian Bird Fair 2023 will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu.
No matter which incredible natural destinations in Sabah you add to your itinerary — from diving hotspots to natural sanctuaries — you are sure to ‘Feel Sabah’ and come away richer for the experience.
Sabah Tourism Board, 51 Gaya Street
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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Article Sponsored by Sabah Tourism Board.
