Top 10 day trips things to do in Sandakan

1. Sandakan wildlife day trip with guided tour

Full-day guided tour — visit orangutans, sun bears, and proboscis monkeys around Sandakan with a professional guide.

2. 3-day wildlife river cruise in Kinabatangan

Three days exploring the Kinabatangan River by boat, with opportunities for wildlife spotting, night walks, and optional tree planting in lush rainforest surroundings.

3. Full-day wildlife and cultural tour of Sandakan

All-day tour with hotel pickup — visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Sandakan Memorial Park, and enjoy local sights, with lunch included.

“The visit was extremely well organized, beginning with a video showcasing the efforts of the Malaysian government and the OrangUtanuk charity. We paid 10MR for camera use, but mobile phone photos were free. When the mother and her baby arrived at the feeding station, I opted to savor the moment rather than take numerous pictures, which I will cherish in my memory. Our guide led us to the nursery where we observed the baby orphans being fed behind glass for their protection. They were delightful and full of energy. Kudos to the staff and volunteers for their impressive work in conserving these remarkable forest inhabitants. Thank you.”— Sue W

4. Full-day wildlife tour in Sandakan, Borneo

A full day of wildlife viewing in Sandakan — Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Labuk Bay for proboscis monkeys, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and trails at Rainforest Discovery Centre.

“Hadi was a fantastic guide, full of knowledge. I initially feared the tour would be rushed, but we actually had ample time to explore and enjoy each experience without hurrying from one location to another. The little bus was clean and comfortable, and we were fortunate to be the only guests, allowing us to adjust our itinerary as needed. We opted out of the rainforest walk because of the rain and chose to spend extra time with the proboscis monkeys.”— jamesgB1101RU

5. Day trip to Sepilok Orangutan and Proboscis Monkey from Sandakan

Full day trip, includes visits to Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Labuk Bay for Proboscis Monkeys, return transport to Sandakan.

“It was a disappointing experience. The booking was confirmed, and payment was taken, but the operator failed to respond to my questions. Even after reaching out to support about 10 hours before the scheduled trip, I was assured that my pickup would happen on time. In the end, nobody showed up, and I wasted a whole day in my hotel room. While I did receive a refund, I advise against booking with this tour operator.”— Arijit_C

6. Full-day tour of Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Centre

Full-day tour from Sandakan — visit Sepilok Orang Utan, the Bornean Sun Bear facility, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre with family or friends.

“An excellent personalized tour. The experience was informative, unique, and enjoyable. I am very grateful to our guide and driver.”— Peter_R

7. Sepilok Orang-utan and Sandakan city day trip

Full-day private tour — Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, local lunch, Central Market, Sim-Sim Water Village, and Puh Jih Syh Buddhist Temple included.

“Absolutely yes! Bernadette did an excellent job organizing our transfers in Kota Kinabalu. After a two-hour delay with Air Asia, we were worried about our day. However, Bernadette worked with our guide Jackie, who greeted us with a smile and a driver at Sandakan airport. We had an amazing day observing orangutans, small bears, and proboscis monkeys. It was a memorable experience and a great value.”— dean852

8. Sepilok Orang Utan and Bornean Sun Bear conservation tour

Full-day tour from Sandakan—visits to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre, with guided rainforest boardwalks.

“The tour was one hour late for pickup and did not respond to any of our calls or texts. Our total time from pickup back to the hotel was two and a half hours. We paid $347 for four people, but from Sandakan, you could simply take a taxi, pay the entrance fee, and it would only cost $32 for four people. It feels unreasonable to charge such a high price for this tour. I recommend taking a taxi; it's much easier, and you can spend more than an hour at the park.”— Michael_J

9. Kinabatangan River wildlife cruise day trip from Sandakan

Full-day boat cruise on the Kinabatangan River, prime for wildlife spotting in Sabah's diverse ecosystem.

“We participated in the 3D2N Kinabatangan experience, staying at the Borneo Natural Sukau Bulky Resort. The accommodation is well-kept with comfortable beds, and the buffet dinner was satisfactory, although breakfast fell short. However, many aspects were disappointing. The hosts and tour guides lacked warmth; while they weren't rude, their interactions felt minimal, making it seem like we were merely a source of income. This contrasts sharply with the welcoming nature of lodges we encountered in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. The 3D2N tour felt pointless due to the limited offerings during this timeframe. A visit would be more worthwhile as 2 days and 1 night if animal sightings are the goal. The boat tours were repetitive, offering the same experience multiple times. The "trekking" amounted to a short 30-minute walk around the lodge, lacking variety. The environment was underwhelming, dominated by small trees and muddy patches filled with mosquitoes. We only spotted macaques attempting to snag food from the resort. It resembled a swamp rather than a vibrant jungle. The rainforest is confined to the length of the main river, while palm plantations dominate the rest of the area. Animals only thrive along the river because that's their only habitat. It's disheartening, and the palm trees are clearly visible on maps. The tour's accessibility via boat may prioritize profit over ethical wildlife viewing. Although we did see animals, it felt morally troubling, detracting from the experience for someone sensitive to these issues. We were unable to disembark and explore due to restrictions from palm plantation owners who want to hide the devastation they've caused. The noisy environment probably distresses the animals. Furthermore, the area lacks UNESCO protection, leaving it open to exploitation. If jungle wildlife is your interest, look for alternative options. Additionally, I learned from other tourists that they managed to pay less than we did for similar experiences.”— opocajthepianist

10. Kinabatangan River sunset wildlife cruise from Sandakan

Three-hour small group cruise along the Kinabatangan River at sunset, searching for wildlife such as hornbills, monkeys, and elephants.

“We stayed for three days and two nights. The lodging was outstanding, and the meals provided on-site were also excellent. The guides, along with the entire staff, were fantastic.”— Journey16625885207