Things to do in Sandakan

Lankayan Island is a hidden paradise in Malaysia, perfect for travelers seeking peace, nature, and crystal-clear waters. The island is known for its pristine beaches, soft white sand, and excellent snorkeling and diving right off the shore. The atmosphere is quiet and untouched, making it ideal for relaxation and disconnecting from busy city life. Marine life is abundant, and the coral reefs are well preserved. Lankayan Island is especially suitable for couples and nature lovers who appreciate simple luxury and eco-friendly surroundings.Tips: • Book accommodation in advance • Bring reef-safe sunscreen • Pack light, casual clothing • Respect marine life and coral reefs

I almost left the Sandakan Memorial Park off my travel plans, but I'm glad I didn't. The Sandakan Memorial Park is a lovely, cool oasis with great views. The park was built to commemorate the residents of Australia, Britain, New Zealand and Sandakan Island who endured three years of brutal Japanese occupation during World War II. It's very informative and the stories are very touching, and you can see many real historical events and stories left by the 6 prisoners of war who survived the concentration camp. The Sandakan Memorial Park is well worth a visit.

The granite in the church, the Friendship Window, and all the doors that were originally preserved shocked me. When I arrived that day, there happened to be an event going on at the Elton Resource Centre next door. The staff was too busy to pay attention to us. We waited until they finished their work before we calmly started buying tickets and visiting the venue. When you go in to visit, the staff will not give much explanation or introduction. If you are traveling independently like us, it is best to search for information before departure so that you can answer any questions you find based on your own information after arriving at the church. Personally, I suggest that you don’t need to join a tour group, traveling in Sandakan on your own is already very comfortable. No rush to meet schedule. Taking photos in the church gives you a European feel ❤️

We chose this hotel for a short family trip because of its tranquility, and after our stay, everyone raved about how great our choice was. It doesn't follow trends or try to be trendy; it exudes a quiet elegance without being ostentatious. From the moment we entered, even the elderly in our family couldn't help but say, "This place makes us feel so at ease." The entire hotel space is exceptionally bright and airy. There are no cramped corridors or overly complicated decorations. Several thriving green plants line the hallways, and even the air is free of pungent aromatherapy, only a subtle, natural fragrance. The staff were exceptionally patient with the elderly and children, proactively bringing small snacks for our kids and thoughtfully providing warm milk. The rooms were spacious enough that the elderly didn't feel cramped at all. Two wicker chairs were placed on the small balcony by the window, where the whole family could sit, drink tea, and enjoy the courtyard view—it was incredibly pleasant. In the morning, the courtyard is filled with the scent of plants, and the wind, filtering through the eaves, carries the distant chirping of birds. In these moments of peace and tranquility, the tension of our daily lives completely melts away. The most precious thing about traveling isn't how many sights you see, but that the whole family can have a peaceful rest. This hotel perfectly meets that need, and we'll definitely choose it again for future family trips.

Pulau Manukan is the second largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and is also the headquarters and office of the park. The island has complete tourist facilities, including hotels, tennis courts, water skiing centers and wooden houses for accommodation. Pulau Manukan is famous for its wide range of water entertainment projects and is well located between Sapi Island and Mamudi Island, so it is often chosen as one of the destinations for a day trip.

Mermaid Island is a holiday resort worth visiting. It is located in the suburbs of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, and has many highlights. The following is a detailed introduction: • Beautiful beach scenery: It has a 2-kilometer white sand beach with fine sand like powder, soft and comfortable to step on. The sea water is clear and presents a charming blue-green color, spreading from shallow to deep. It is known as the "Maldives of Asia". Every shot is a beautiful blockbuster. • Rich marine activities: This is a paradise for snorkeling and diving. There are many snorkeling spots and more than 20 certified diving spots around the island, and the visibility of the sea water is up to 40 meters. Snorkeling can see colorful coral reefs and tropical fish schools, and deep diving has the opportunity to meet turtles, reef sharks, etc., and you can also see rare marine life such as manta rays and seahorses. • Romantic sunset view: It is a great place to watch the sunset. In the evening, the sunset dyes the sky red, and the orange-red clouds are reflected on the sea. The whole world is shrouded in warmth. Visitors can stroll on the beach to enjoy it, or choose a sunset cruise and take a boat out to sea to experience the magnificent scenery. • Unique natural wonders: From April to May every year, if you are lucky, you can see "blue tears". This underwater microorganism emits a blue glow in the dark, like a star in the palm of your hand, adding a dreamy color to the beach at night. • Simple humanistic customs: The fishermen on the island are warm and simple. They will greet tourists in a friendly manner and take photos with them. In addition, there is a pier directly to the sea on the island, which is a good place to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

Mount Kinabalu, highest mount in South East Asia. A good mountain for those who like challenges. Went there a few times with different group for friends.

Huantan Island is very beautiful! Especially when the weather is clear The white sand beach + jelly sea are really too beautiful! The ride to Mermaid Island is long (the pier is far from the city), and the boat ride takes 30 minutes The ride to Huantan Island is short (the pier is close to the city), and the boat ride takes 1 hour Ps: The boat is really shaking, if you are prone to seasickness, you should choose Mermaid Island Also, the sea water here is too salty, and snorkeling babes should be prepared to drink a lot of sea water~ But you must experience it when you come, it's really great The island and mountain facilities are basically complete, so don't worry too much, but there is no signal~

Sipadan island is world famous and an amazing spot for scuba diving (sharks, turtles, huge colorful corals, etc) and also excellent for snorkeling.It is a really a must to order a guaranteed Sipadan permit in advance long before you get there are the number of permit per day is limited especially during peak seasons.Mabul island is the nearest and the best place to stay at as there are no resorts on Sipadan itself.