Understand
Sandakan was the former capital of British North Borneo until 1946. The town prospered in the early days due to its port with visiting traders from about the world. Sandakan is an important town to Australian and British WWII history with the infamous Death Marches commencing here in 1945 [1] and [2]. After WWII the capital moved to Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). It is the gateway to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary [3] and the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Get in
The most practical way for the short term visitor to get into Sandakan is by air. Self-drive, tour group or public bus are the other options
By plane
Sandakan Airport (IATA code SDK) is connected directly daily with Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia [4], and to Kota Kinabalu by Malaysia Airlines [5] and its subsidiary MASWings [6] (which took over the rural air service from FlyAsian Express (FAX) on 1 October 2007). MASWings also has connecting flights with Tawau and Kudat.
Taxi - travel by taxi out to places such as Sepilok or the War Memorial is easy, however fare negotiation will be required as meters are not commonly available.
Bus - there are buses and vans going everywhere in the areas around Sandakan, to the airport, Sepilok, Buli Sim Sim etc.
By foot - Sandakan is only a small town and it is easy to walk around. There is a walking trail which covers all the main sites.
In town
Sandakan Memorial Park - Located 11km from city, the memorial park is situated on the original site of the Japanese Prisoner of War camp. The memorial park 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. Negotiate a taxi to take you there (15 min), and expect to pay around RM 30 including waiting time. Entry is free.
Puu Gih Jih - a Chinese temple on top of a hill behind Sandakan where you can get beautiful views of Labuk Bay.
St Michael and All Angels Cathedral - erected in the late 19th century, it is one of the oldest stone buildings in Sabah.
Buli Sim Sim - a picturesque water village on stilts, 3km east of town past the big mosque. Vans go there from Sandakan.
Further afield
Sepilok - The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is where orang utans rescued from plantations and also from being kept as pets are re-adapted to living in the jungle. Most popular are the twice daily feeding times when the orang utans come out from the jungle. See the Sepilok page for more details.
Turtle Islands Park - Three islands in ths Sulu Sea where you can see turtles laying eggs and also turtle conservation at work. You can only stay on Selingan Island.
Gomantong Caves - The massive cave is home to swiftlets and their nests are harvested as a Chinese delicacy. The harvesting processes involves people climbing to the roof of the caves with bamboo poles and ladders. Getting there/away: The easiest way to get to the caves is by car from Sandakan about 100km away. Using public transport is difficult. The caves are on the itinerary of some tour companies.
Do
Go on a river cruise on the Kinabatangan - The 560km Kinabatangan River, the longest in the state, flows pass some of the richest ecosystems on earth, especially just before it meets the sea. The Lower Kinabatangan and Sukau areas are known for its mangrove swamps and flood plains, and is home to its most famous inhabitants, the proboscis monkeys. Up river, you will go past interesting villages where the river is still the main highway. There are also opportunities to view wildlife, including elephants. The best way to do this is through tour companies from Sandakan and even Kota Kinabalu.
Buy
Fancy for "Salted Fish"? Prawn crackers & dried shrimps are tasty and available at local market.
Dried "Ikan Bilis" is also a local produced product available at most shops or even in Airport available to bring back as gifts.
Eat
Sandakan has good and fresh seafood.
Habeb Restaurant, at the third avenue in the town. Serve nice indian and local food. Please remember to taste the Roti Cobra here.
Imperial Bay View, in the newly develop Habour Square- Serve nice Chinese food with reasonable price.
Ocean King Seafood Restaurant, Pasir Putih. A pier-like structure over the water, with indoor and outdoor seating. No menus, just pick your creature from the tanks and tell the waitress/chef how you want it prepared.
Restaurant 2020, at Mile 4. A favorite for the local's rich and famous.
English Tea House, at mile 1 of Jalan Utara, nice ambience and serve traditional English Food.
Tomato Sandakan- A casual restaurant serving local and western food. The menu is extensive and prices are very reasonable. Popular with locals and centrally located in town.
About seven kilometres outside of town in a few strip malls, there's a number of entirely or partially Chinese vegetarian restaurants serving mock meat dishes. It's a good place to stop on your way back from the Memorial Park.
Drink
Try down beside the waterfront as this is being developed with new places opening.
Sleep
Hotel Seafront, Block 43, Fourth Land, Leila Rd, Sandakan, Tel: +089 222 233, [7]. Located 5 mins walk to the water front. This hotel offers modern, clean and comfortable rooms suitable for the independent traveller wanting something mid-range. Internet is available in the foyer. Bookings can made via the website. Note that the hotel is 4 storeys and there is no lift.
Hotel London In the heart of the city ,is a great deal for budget traveller. It is the best budget hotel. The room is clean and beautiful as it is newly renovated. There is also Internet Connection in room for traveller with laptop. Room rates start from RM 55 to RM 75. There is also a magnificent rooftop garden for traveller to relax while listening the sound from the fish pond. Other facilities include tour arrangement, internet access corner, all rooms are equip with television with satellite channel, DVD player upon request, and the hotel is backup by generator in case of power outage.
PATS Bed and Breakfast Lodge, mile 1½ north road, between bus station and city. Before Sabah Hotel. tel 019 5843895 Manageress: Patricia W. Pascua. Family home atmosphere cheap with some dormitory rooms, Kitchen for you own use. Comfortable living room and nice relaxing balcony.
Sandakan Backpackers. New backpacker guesthouse with small dorm rooms at R25 and private rooms starting at R55, many with harbour views. All with A/C. Lobby/lounge overlooks harbour. Internet is R4/hr, while laundry runs at RM 15 per kilo. Run by the owner, Zaina, who doubles as a travel agent. On Harbour Square between Gentingmas Mall and the market. Same building as the KFC. Well-kept.
Sandakan Harbour Square B&B. New guesthouse with small dorm (fan) rooms at R18 and private rooms starting at R50. Simple "breakfast" of white bread and instant coffee. Views of the harbour. Internet temporarily not available. Owned by Ms. Rosa from Zamboanga. On Harbour Square right next to Gentingmas Mall, across the way from KFC.
NAK Hotel, [8]. The oldest, purpose-built hotel in Sandakan. Family run since 1966. A mix of history and the contemporary. Recently refurbished to offer excellent facilities in a rich, intimate environment. Rooms are thematically designed, with views of the sea. Located in Town Centre; among commercial buildings, banks, airline offices, central market & bus station.
Get out
Tour Groups - there are many outfits offering tours to Sepilok via Sandakan and will take is the other nearby attractions.
Turtle eggs, while illegal, is obtainable at the local wet market at a very cheap rate. Bringing it out, or even buying it, when found by the custom officers or wildlife officers can really ruin your trip as they will press charges again you. Do not try!
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The"wild man of Borneo"
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1964 to return orphaned "apes back to the wild. The centre was being administered by the wildlife section of the Forestry Department which in 1988 was upgraded as a department under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Development. All administration and management was given to the new Wildlife Department of Sabah. The objectives of the project have expanded in recent years. While Orangutan rehabilitation is stilt the primary goal at Sepilok, present aims include public education on conservation, research and assistance to other endangered species such as captive breeding of the rare and endangered rhinoceros. This centre is now under the supervision of more than 37 staff, including a Wildlife Officer who is also officer-in-charge of the centre, a veterinary doctor, wildlife rangers and general workers. The centre has a reception centre, information centre, offices for wildlife staff, an animal clinic, quarantine area and enclosures for various animals such as the rhinoceros. Sepilok, renowned for its orangutan rehabilitation project, has stimulated a greater local and international awareness of the protection laws for endangered species, and the Centre has resulted in an increase in detection and confiscation of illegally held captive animals.
Kinabatang River Cruise
Kinabatangan River’ is Sabah’s longest river and measures 560 km from its headwaters in the southwest of the state and empties into the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. This area is known to have the most conservation of wildlife in the whole Island of Borneo whom is the third largest Island in the world. Sightings of the unique Proboscis Monkeys are common among the rainforest in the late afternoon. One may also catch a glimpse of a wild Orang Utan, leaf monkeys, gibbons, macaques or the newly discovered “Borneon Pgymy Elephants”. Though elephants and larger animals come and go-herd often break up to get through to plantations encroaching many areas. Bird lovers will find the bird-watching incredible: all 8 of Borneo’s hornbill species are seen regularly. Occasionally, two species of the gorgeous pitas can be spotted, as well as the Storm’s stork and the bizarre Oriental darter or ‘Snake Bird’ in any short trek can be sight. The lodge is located out of the normal tourist route and has been built by using a recycle wood and placed out of the tourist route in order to enjoy the surrounding nature and to minimize the impact.
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