Sandakan, Sabah

Sandakan, Sabah

Malaysia

Encounter endangered orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat at the renowned rehabilitation center.

Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Language Malay, English
Time Zone MYT (UTC+8)
Best Time to Visit Nov–Mar
Typical Duration 14-15 nights
Price Range From $5,810 pp
Port Type Port of Call
Tender Port Yes

Gateway to Sabah's wildlife and natural wonders, offering access to rainforests, orangutans, and the Kinabatangan River ecosystem.

Cruises that visit Sandakan, Sabah

Build Your Day in Sandakan, Sabah

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 7:00 PM
Usually about 11 hours ashore
Getting around:
Sandakan Central Market It's very convenient and easy to access within Sandakan city. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 4k Closed · Opens 6 AM
Harbour Mall Sandakan The only proper mall in Sandakan. Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 4k Closed
Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan Sepilok Sanctuary for Orang Utan located at Sandakan. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 3k Closed · Opens 9 AM
MOMO Oriental Kitchen Perfect service, excellent food, the best cuisine in Sandakan Coffee shop · ★ 4.9 · 3k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Sushi King Sandakan Happy hour food·Kids' menu Japanese restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 3k Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
MYDIN Sejati Ujana Good place to buy grocery, prices affordable and many choices Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 2k Closed
Restaurant Seafood Sim Sim 88 Its really fresh like seafood everywhere else in sandakan. Restaurant · ★ 3.8 · 2k Closed · Opens 7 AM
Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) This place was my favorite part in our whole Sepilok/Sandakan journey. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 2k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Daily Coffee Sandakan Food taste so yummy and their service is the best in Sandakan so far. Cafe · ★ 4.8 · 2k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Gentingmas Mall, Harbour Square Best place to buy a groceries..very recommended & affordavle price Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 2k Closed
Sandakan Memorial Park Free entrance to the sandakan commerative pavilion and with air-conditioned. Memorial park · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Sandakan Crocodile Farm Definitely worth a visit if you are a visitor of Sandakan. Tourist attraction · ★ 4 · 1k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Balin Roofgarden Bistro & Bar Very recommended for who want a relaxing dinner or lunch in Sandakan. Bistro · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 2 PM
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Entrance fee is RM10 for Malaysians Wildlife refuge · ★ 4.5 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM
Crowd99 Sandakan Staff friendly,clean,menu mixed fruits shaved...delicious 😋 Cafe · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 11 AM
English Tea House & Restaurant Having tea, pastries while enjoying the view of Sandakan and the sea.🤩🤩 Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM
San Da Gen Kopitiam The nasi lemak has a big portion and the lobster is cooked to perfection. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Sandokan Seafood Restaurant Nice environment.The food service is fast and delicious.Can repeat again. Seafood restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM
Empire Seafood Restaurant Superb Food / Reasonable Prices / great boss and staff …. Seafood restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Ocean King Seafood Restaurant Fresh seafood cook with perfection at a very reasonable price. Seafood restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Agnes Keith House A wonderful place to learn about the history of Sandakan town. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM
Indah Jaya Waterpark The only small water park at Sandakan and swimming pool. Water park · ★ 4.1 · 1k Closed · Opens 1 PM
Up Case Cafe Warm ambience, family friendly, food is delicious, price is affordable 😋 Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 11 AM
New King City Seafood Restaurant Outdoor seating Seafood restaurant · ★ 4.1 · 1k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM
Hai Goreng Goreng The food portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM
DOJO NANYANG KOPIHOUSE (IJM SANDAKAN) Yummy food..good staff and affordable price..5 star!! Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM
Nam Chai Restaurant Bah Kut Teh Cash-only Chinese restaurant · ★ 4 · 1k Closed · Opens 9:15 AM
Hainan Cafe Sandakan Sabah Food so delicious and price also not expensive. Asian restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Kedai Good Taste Bah Kut Teh 好味肉骨茶 Cash-only·High chairs Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu
Kedai Makan Kong Teck Great tasting fresh seafood noodles. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 6:30 AM
Kg Pukat Fisherman Village This area famous for the handmade prawn crackers. Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 7 AM
Harbour Bistro Lodge Good food, cheap prices and great staff. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 3 PM
Sandakan Rainforest Park Free to enter, has plenty of trails to go for hikes Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 7 AM
Sandakan Waterfront Beautiful waterfall with those little spa fish that eat your feet. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 0k Open 24 hours
Hainan Village Signature ( Sandakan ) The portions were huge, very tasty, and good prices, around RM15-18. Vegetarian restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM
Urban Cafe The juice is really fresh and the mocha tasted awesome. Cafe · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM
兴隆大酒家 Heng Loong Restaurant 山打根 Sandakan Reservations required·Private dining room·High chairs Chinese restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
GrillHaus Star food reasonable price. Western restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 12 PM
Chokolatte - The Coffee Ministry Delicious healthy food options, qualitative coffee and friendly staff! Cafe · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
D72 Sim-Sim Seafood Restaurant tom yam niccceeee and big portion seafood fresh warm service Seafood restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 7 AM
Kedai Makan Ngee Lee 義利酒家 Cash-only Chinese restaurant · ★ 4.1 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
Restoran Fatimah Really great local food for unbeatable prices. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 6:45 AM
Kedai Makanan King Cheong Food are delicious and just done renovations, clean 😊 Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 AM
Rock Paper Scissors Cafe The food here is amazing, tastes great and the food is freshly made! Cafe · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM
Gentingmas Mall, YoYi Collection Point & Playground, Bandar Perdana Great place for shopping and value for money. Supermarket · ★ 4.1 · 0k Closed
Coffee O’clock The coffee is the best in town, food is affordable and the staff is amazing. Cafe · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Bistro 88 Delicious food and awesome service with a good price. Asian restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
A Plus Rasa Asli Tempatan The chicken rice is delicious and cheap Asian restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM
#1 Roastery Great coffee, incredible service and kindness from the staff. Coffee shop · ★ 4.4 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
Pasir Putih Beach Beach · ★ 3.6 · 0k
Jeti lagenda kg Bambangan Good for reacretional but sometimes crowd by people Beach entertainment shop · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Mingle Ground (Sandakan Great coffee, friendly staff. Cafe · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
Gracia VII Harbour Mall Sandakan Friendly staff and beautiful accessories ❤️😘 i want to visit again Fashion accessories store · ★ 5 · 0k Closed
Sandakan Heritage Trail A decent little walk taking in some great spots around sandakan. Tourist attraction · ★ 3.5 · 0k Open 24 hours
Aqua Coffee It has very good coffee and a great atmosphere among the fish tanks. Cafe · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM
HARINI SANDAKAN Fantastic food, great portion sizes for the price and very tasty food. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
Switch @ Harbour Mall Sandakan Cell phone store · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed
Pusat Kalvari Sandakan Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed
Sandakan 'The Little Hong Kong' She is very passionate about sharing stories about Sandakan. Tourist attraction · ★ 4 · 0k Open 24 hours
Tucz @ Habour Mall Sandakan Staff very friendly n baju smua cantik2 design n good quality Women's clothing store · ★ 5 · 0k Closed
Sejati Walk Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Bee Fun Land Sandakan Playground · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM
POLO HAUS HARBOUR SANDAKAN MALL Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed
Grandview beach Tourist attraction · ★ 4 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Sandakan, Sabah

About Sandakan, Sabah

Sandakan serves as a port of call for cruise travelers exploring the natural wonders of Southeast Asia. Currently, Silversea operates voyages calling at this Sabah port, offering passengers access to extended 14-night itineraries that traverse the region's most captivating destinations. With seven upcoming cruises scheduled, Sandakan appears most frequently on itineraries during the peak months of January, June, February, November, and December, making it an ideal stop for those seeking adventure in Malaysian Borneo.

During your time ashore in Sandakan, you'll discover why this port has become increasingly popular with cruise travelers. The surrounding region offers remarkable opportunities to experience pristine rainforests and remarkable wildlife encounters. Whether you're interested in exploring the natural heritage of Sabah or venturing on organized shore excursions to nearby attractions, Sandakan provides a memorable gateway to one of Asia's most biodiverse corners. The port's position on various regional routes means you'll enjoy convenient access to other sought-after destinations including Kota Kinabalu, Coron Island, and Hong Kong.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Explore Sandakan's Colonial Heritage

Walk through the historic English Tea House, a beautifully restored colonial mansion offering panoramic views of Sandakan Harbour. Discover the poignant Sandakan Death March Memorial and Japanese Cemetery, which tell the compelling stories of World War II history. These landmarks provide fascinating insights into the region's complex past within easy reach of the port.

2

Savor Fresh Seafood at the Markets

Experience the vibrant Central Market where local fishermen display their daily catch of fresh prawns, fish, and crustaceans. Sample authentic Sabahan dishes like fish head curry and grilled seafood at waterfront restaurants overlooking the harbour. The aromatic spice blends and bustling atmosphere capture the authentic flavors of Malaysian coastal cuisine.

3

Encounter Wildlife at Sepilok Sanctuary

Visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, located just 25 kilometers from port, where you can observe rescued orangutans in their natural habitat. Watch these magnificent primates during feeding times and learn about conservation efforts protecting Borneo's iconic species. This unforgettable wildlife experience showcases Sabah's commitment to preserving its extraordinary biodiversity.

4

Shop Local Crafts and Souvenirs

Browse the bustling Sandakan Central Market and nearby shops for authentic Sabahan handicrafts, including traditional beadwork, wooden carvings, and batik textiles. Local artisans sell unique souvenirs reflecting indigenous cultures of Borneo. The vibrant marketplace atmosphere and genuine local products make for memorable shopping that supports community craftspeople.

5

Cruise Scenic Sandakan Harbour

Take a boat tour through the picturesque Sandakan Harbour, passing mangrove forests and spotting local fishing villages built on stilts. Observe traditional wooden boats and learn about the maritime heritage that defines this coastal town. The serene waterways and authentic village life offer a peaceful perspective on daily life in Sabah.

Cruise Lines at Sandakan, Sabah

Cruises Departing From Sandakan, Sabah

Cruises Visiting Sandakan, Sabah

Ship Schedule at Sandakan, Sabah

Sandakan, Sabah Location

Other Cruise Ports in Malaysia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sandakan known for?

A historic port town in Sabah, gateway to wildlife and national parks.

How can I visit Sandakan?

Fly into Sandakan Airport or travel by road from Kota Kinabalu; explore the waterfront and nearby parks.

What wildlife can I see near Sandakan?

Orangutans, Proboscis monkeys, and diverse Borneo rainforest species in nearby sanctuaries.

Why visit Sandakan’s historic sites?

From British North Borneo to WWII, the town preserves a rich historical narrative.