Once the capital of British North Borneo, Sandakan is now the world's best-value wildlife port — where a short drive from the pier puts you face-to-face with wild orangutans, the smallest bears on earth, and long-nosed proboscis monkeys deep in the rainforest.
Ships dock at the commercial pier about 4.5 km from Sandakan town — do not try to walk; transport is easy and cheap.
💡 Pro move: No beaches near Sandakan; nearby island beaches require speedboat transfers and are not feasible on a standard port call.
Sandakan has a working commercial port with a cruise terminal; all ships dock alongside the pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Sandakan Cruise Terminal / Karamunting Port📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ships | Sandakan Commercial Pier📍 | Docked |
Sandakan's headline act is its wildlife — Sepilok's orangutans and the Sun Bear Centre are unmissable; WWII history and waterfront dining round out the day.
World-famous sanctuary where orphaned orangutans are re-trained for life in the wild. Walk wooden boardwalks to the open-air feeding platform at 10 AM or 3 PM for guaranteed sightings.
Find Sepilok wildlife tours →Right next door to Sepilok — meet the world's smallest bear species, rescued from the illegal pet trade, on elevated boardwalks through rainforest habitat. Combine with Sepilok for a full wildlife morning.
Find Sepilok combo tours →A canopy walkway stretches high through the rainforest treetops near Sepilok — a paradise for birdwatchers and anyone wanting to feel the scale of Borneo's jungle up close.
Find Sepilok day tours →A private sanctuary set in mangrove forest where Borneo's iconic long-nosed proboscis monkeys gather at feeding platforms at 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM — incredibly close views.
Find proboscis monkey tours →A sobering and beautifully maintained park on the site of the WWII POW camp where the infamous Sandakan Death Marches originated. Combine with the restored colonial Agnes Keith House and the English Tea House for a moving cultural afternoon.
Find Sandakan history tours →Walk the wooden boardwalks of Sandakan's famous overwater stilt village and eat ultra-fresh seafood — butter prawns, salt-and-pepper squid — cooked to order right above the water. Try local UFO tarts for dessert at a nearby kopitiam.
Find Sandakan food tours →The port itself is not walkable, but once in town there's a pleasant waterfront and hilltop temple route.
From the Sandakan Harbour Square area, walk uphill through the old town to the Pu Ji Shi Buddhist Temple perched on a hill. The panoramic views of Sandakan Bay and your cruise ship at anchor are spectacular.
Visit the beautifully restored colonial wooden house of American author Agnes Keith — one of the few buildings to survive WWII bombardment. Just outside is the English Tea House with sweeping bay views and afternoon tea.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 29 | 6:22 AM | 6:11 PM |
| Feb | 82°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 23 | 6:23 AM | 6:19 PM |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 25 | 6:14 AM | 6:18 PM |
| Apr | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 6:00 AM | 6:14 PM |
| May | 86°F / 30°C | 78°F / 26°C | 28 | 5:52 AM | 6:15 PM |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 28 | 5:54 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Jul | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 26 | 6:00 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 27 | 6:02 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Sep | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 27 | 5:58 AM | 6:07 PM |
| Oct | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 28 | 5:53 AM | 5:52 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 29 | 5:56 AM | 5:47 PM |
| Dec | 83°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 29 | 6:09 AM | 5:56 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.