A Malaysian state that sits on the northern part of Borneo island, and famously known for the epic Mount Kinabalu that is the countries’ highest peak. Home to one of the best divers spots, this state is full of beautiful wonders. Starting from the breathtaking lush landscape, beaches and dramatic coastline this state has it all. Sabah makes a perfect combo of jungle retreats and tropical islands to explore as well. The wildlife and biodiversity of Sabah are just unmatchable and this state has too many things to explore than you know. So here is a curated list of places to visit in Sabah.
1. Kota Kinabalu - located on the South China Sea is the capital city of Kinabalu, the capital city however looks small but it sure does have so much to offer. The city is very well connected and developed, and also has a handful of attractions to cover. Keep a day aside to admire the Floating Mosque, Likas Bay, Signal Hill Observatory, shopping in Gaya Street. Anywhere between 1-3 days is a good time to spend in the happening capital city of Sabah.
2. Mount Kinabalu - a 4,095 meters high peak that is often noticed on the state flag, this mountain ranks 20th highest mountain around the world. The level of descending elevation is in between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. If you are looking to climb without a lot of struggle then Low's Peak is your best bet. But if you are looking to take on Mount Kinabalu hike then it would go on to two-days. Plan your hike as there are only limited admissions, and be sure to enjoy the wide variety of flora and fauna.
3. Sapi Island - this island is often described as a cow’s head as it looks like it and is one of the most touristy spots located close to Kota Kinabalu. This 25-acre island is home to wonderful beaches, serene crystal waters, a wide variety of marine life, the Coral Flyer (longest zipline in the world) and of course the water activities. This island is comparatively secluded and a very good choice if you just want to sit back and relax.
4. Kinabalu Park - taking up almost 754 square kilometres, this park became Malaysia’s first UNESCO site in the year 2000. Spread around Mount Kinabalu, this park is home to over 5,000 varieties of plants, over 300 birds and 100 species of mammals and animals overall. You can sight the rarest plants in the world here at this park and that’s the reason why this park is one of the most significant ecological zones on Earth.
5. Mantanani Island - a very small cluster of islands that are isolated islands situated on West Sabah, this island is a beach paradise. You can engage in a whole lot of activities like trekking, snorkelling, diving and so much more. This island can be visited on a day trip and is mainly famous for diving. Diving has become so famous because of the underwater marine life. The marine life here is a sight to behold and is very well preserved.
6. Lok Kawi Wildlife Park - very popular among nature lovers, this park occupies nearly 280 acres and is divided into two distinct sections. One is the botanical side and the other is the zoological side. Run by the Sabah Wildlife Department, this park is also family-friendly as it houses a beautiful children’s zoo and the botanical part of this park gives you great trekking opportunities, go on leisure walks and just connect with mother nature.
7. Mataking Beach - located on the east coast Sabah, this beach is secluded and is on the Mataking Island. One of the most interesting things on this island is the underwater post, where you can post a letter, sounds so cool doesn’t it? This island is a wonderful spot for couples or people who want a secluded time on vacation.
8. Ranau’s hot springs - a lot of hikers like to blow some steam off by relaxing at the natural sulfuric pools located near Ranau. Located just 45 minutes away from Mount Kinabalu, the Poring Hot Springs have a lot more than medical properties that heal your body. Few of the places you can visit nearby the springs are the butterfly farm, hiking trails to see the Rafflesia (world’s largest and smelliest flower), canopy walkway and an Orchid Conservation Center.
With countless islands to visit, beaches, national parks, reserves and monuments, the list of things to visit here in Sabah may just never come to an end. Try your hand at scuba diving at the best beach there is - Kapalai Beach. If you’d like to go on a cave adventure be sure to head to the Gomantong Caves when you visit the Gomantong Forest Reserve. What are you waiting for? Pick out your favourite Malaysia holiday packages and customise them to fit your needs and be sure to add Sabah as a part of your holiday for a beachy vacation!
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