Making the most of Sandakan
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The Cruise dock is right in the center of town.
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island. Sandakan is known as the gateway for ecotourism destinations in Sabah, such as the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation center, the Rainforest Discovery center, Turtle Islands Park, Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves.
Perched on the hilltop above nearby Tanah Merah, the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple provides a commanding view of the town and harbor below, as does Sam Sing Kung Temple, the oldest building in the city. For a truly authentic experience, make your way to Kampung Buli Sim Sim, a water village on stilts, and enjoy fresh seafood at a floating restaurant, or take a day trip to such ecotourism destinations as the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation center, and the Kinabatangan River.
But the main attraction for visitors here is a visit to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation center, where young, orphaned apes are nurtured and taught skills they need to survive in the shrinking natural habitat that their kind once ruled. These gentle, enchanting animals are sure to capture your heart and create an indelible memory of a close encounter with another species. It cost 30RM for foreign tourists
Getting around
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. Taxi to Sepilok wait and return 40myr.
Sandakan is only a small town and it is easy to walk around. There is a walking trail which covers all the main sites.
Food and shopping
The Central Market and the Milimewa Superstore are just a short walk from the port. Do not get caught with turtle eggs in your luggage as police and customs officials will take a very serious view of this.
Money
The Malaysian currency is the ringgit.
Staying connected
Sandakan has always been a predominantly Chinese city. Unlike most other parts of Sabah, the main Chinese dialect in use among Sandakan's Chinese is Cantonese. However, the most widely spoken Chinese dialect in Sabah. Most residents are able to understand and speak at least basic English.