City or town
Things to see in Sandakan (Malaysia): 12 places and when to go
Sandakan is a city in Malaysia with around 392,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 12 places in and around it, mainly Temples (6), History (2), Nature (2). The best known are Sandakan District Mosque, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and St. Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan. The best time to come is February to April and June to August; also possible: January, May and September to October. There are about 12 h 20 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Malaysia · 5.843, 118.108
- Population
- About 392,000
- Places
- 12 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Temples (6) · History (2) · Nature (2) · With kids (1) · Wildlife (1) · Museums and art (1)
- Best time
- February to April and June to August.
- Also possible
- January, May and September to October.
- Nearest airport
- BKI Kota Kinabalu, 228 km as the crow flies
What to see in Sandakan
The places in and around Sandakan, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Sandakan District MosqueMosque in Malaysia2.4 km
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation CentreWildlife sanctuary in Malaysia18 km
- St. Mary's Cathedral, SandakanChurch in Sandakan, Malaysia516 m
- St. Michael's and All Angels Church, SandakanChurch in Sandakan, Malaysia603 m
- Puu Jih Shih TempleBuddhist temple in Sandakan, Malaysia2.6 km
- Sam Sing Kung TempleChinese temple in Malaysia740 m
- Agnes Keith HouseMuseum in Sabah, Malaysia836 m
- Chartered Company MonumentMonument940 m
- Sandakan War MonumentWorld War II memorial in Sabah, Malaysia932 m
- Tam Kung Temple, MalaysiaChinese temple in Sandakan, Malaysia1.7 km
- Telukan DalamBight in Malaysia21 km
- Bukit TimbangMountain in Sabah, Malaysia18 km
When to go to Sandakan
The best time to visit Sandakan is February to April and June to August; also possible: January, May and September to October. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanPossible11:42
- FebBest time11:49
- MarBest time11:58
- AprBest time12:08
- MayPossible12:16
- JunBest time12:20
- JulBest time12:18
- AugBest time12:12
- SepPossible12:02
- OctPossible11:52
- NovBetter not11:44
- DecBetter not11:40
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
There are about 12 h 20 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change. In February, 12 of the 12 places are at their best.
When to go to Malaysia in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Sandakan
The nearest main airport is Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI, Kota Kinabalu), 228 km as the crow flies. How to get around Malaysia (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Tawau13 places177 km
- Kota Kinabalu16 places222 km
- Kuching26 places988 km
- Kuantan6 places1,656 km
- Kuala Terengganu25 places1,662 km
- Johor Bahru43 places1,670 km
And all of Malaysia, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Sandakan?
The best known: Sandakan District Mosque, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, St. Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan, St. Michael's and All Angels Church, Sandakan, Puu Jih Shih Temple. In all, 12 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan?
February to April and June to August; also possible: January, May and September to October. There are about 12 h 20 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change.
How do you get to Sandakan?
The nearest main airport is Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), 228 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Sandakan as the destination and these 12 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- MalaysiaBefore travelling to Malaysia: 9 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism stays of up to 90 days, but you do have to complete the…
- Temples201 places for temples in Malaysia, from National Mosque of Malaysia to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: February to April and June to August. Each with its own se
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.