From the balcony at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the mangrove opens up in front of you and the monkeys come to the feeding platform on their own schedule. Sandakan rewards travellers who are willing to move between town and the surrounding forest and coastline, rather than treating it as a single stop.
The city suits travellers interested in wartime history, wildlife and river landscapes, and anyone using Sandakan as a base for the lower Kinabatangan. This guide covers the places in and around town that are worth your time, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Sandakan
1. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
This sanctuary, off Jalan Labuk, is built around a wooden balcony set in the middle of mangrove forest, which means you are guaranteed a sighting of proboscis monkeys. Silvery lutungs, another monkey species, often come into close proximity with visitors, and if you are lucky you may also see oriental pied hornbills.
There is a feeding at 2:30pm, so plan your arrival around it. The sanctuary is open 8AM–6PM, entrance is RM 60, and it can be arranged easily as a day tour. The journey in is rough and takes about half an hour from the main road; a bus departs from Hotel Sandakan at 9:30AM for RM 20, while a private van costs RM 80 one way. The closest accommodation is at Nipah Resort.
2. Sandakan Memorial Park
The memorial park stands on the original site of the Japanese Prisoner of War camp and is dedicated to the men who lost their lives in the Borneo Death Marches during the Second World War. A small museum in the centre of the park provides a sombre look at the atrocities which occurred.
It is about 12 km from the city, so negotiate a taxi to take you there, roughly 15 minutes, and expect to pay around RM 30 including waiting time. Entry is free.
3. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Right next to the Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre, this centre gives you the chance to see tree-climbing sun bears. Entrance is RM 50.
Because of its position next to Sepilok, it pairs naturally with a visit there rather than a separate trip out.
4. Gomantong Caves
The massive cave is home to swiftlets, and their nests are harvested as a Chinese delicacy. The harvesting process involves people climbing to the roof of the caves with bamboo poles and ladders.
The caves are 100 km by car from Sandakan and there is little public transport, so some tour companies visit here. Wear closed shoes, as the raised footpaths are covered in bird and bat droppings, and there are facilities to wash your shoes afterwards. Entrance is RM 30, with an additional RM 30 for a photo pass.
5. Cruise on the Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan, the longest river in the state, flows past some of the richest ecosystems on earth, especially just before it meets the sea. The Lower Kinabatangan and Sukau areas are known for mangrove swamps and flood plains, and are home to proboscis monkeys. Up river you pass interesting villages where the river is still the main highway, and there are opportunities to view wildlife, including elephants.
The best way to do this is through tour companies, so arrange it before you arrive in the area rather than trying to join on the day.
6. Agnes Keith House and Museum
This is the former home of author Agnes Newton Keith, now restored as a museum. Entry is RM 15, and the ticket is the same as the Sabah State Museum in Kota Kinabalu, so if you can cross Sabah in a day you can visit both for the price of one.
7. Puu Jih Syh
This Chinese temple sits on top of a hill behind Sandakan, where you can get beautiful views of Labuk Bay. It is home to lots of Buddhist swastikas. It is open 8AM–4:30PM and entry is free.
8. Buli Sim Sim
Buli Sim Sim is a picturesque water village on stilts, 3 km east of town past the big mosque. Mini vans go there.
9. St Michael and All Angels Cathedral
Erected in the late 19th century, this is one of the oldest stone buildings in Sabah. Entry is RM 10.
If you only have one day
Start your morning at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, next to the Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre, to see the tree-climbing sun bears while it is still cool. Then head to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, timing your arrival for the 2:30pm feeding so you are on the wooden balcony when the monkeys come in; the drive in is rough and takes about half an hour from the main road.
In the late afternoon, stop at Puu Jih Syh on the hill behind Sandakan for the views of Labuk Bay before it closes at 4:30PM. Finish your evening in town at the Agnes Keith House and Museum, the former home of the author, restored as a museum.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay?
There is a feeding at 2:30pm, and sightings from the wooden balcony in the mangrove forest are guaranteed. The sanctuary is open 8AM–6PM.
How do I get to the Sandakan Memorial Park?
It is about 12 km from the city. Negotiate a taxi to take you there, roughly 15 minutes, and expect to pay around RM 30 including waiting time. Entry is free.
Can I visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Sepilok together?
Yes. The conservation centre is right next to the Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre, so the two are visited as one trip. Entrance to the sun bear centre is RM 50.
Do I need a tour company for the Kinabatangan River?
Yes. The best way to cruise the river is through tour companies, which also cover the Lower Kinabatangan and Sukau areas where the mangrove swamps and flood plains are.
Use these notes to set your dates, then start planning your Sandakan trip around the wildlife and the river.