Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu

Snorkel, dive and relax at Kota Kinabalu Islands

Visiting Kota Kinabalu islands is surely one of every travellers' bucket list to do, and to start off your island exploration, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP Islands) is definitely a safe bet. Comprised of 5 Islands namely, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik, Gaya, and Sulug, you can enjoy a variety kinds of water activities such as snorkeling, diving, trekking, hiking, jetski, parasailing and many more water sports.

Other than TARP islands, you might also want to explore other pristine islands such as, Mantanani, Pulau Tiga or the private Ara Dinawan Island.

Here are some island, snorkeling and diving packages in Kota Kinabalu:

Twin Island Hopping at TARP Islands

Fun Boat Snorkeling and Islands Visit

Shuttle Boat Transfers From Kota Kinabalu to TARP Islands

Sutera @Mantanani Staycation

Pandan Pandan Island Escapade

Catch a sight on one of world's best sunsets

Let’s not forget that the city also boasts a reputation for being one of the world's Eight Great Places to Watch The Sunset (Huffpost). Visit Tanjung Aru beach during golden hours and get ready to be stunned. Stroll through the beach while watching the sunset touches the sea.

Alternatively, hop on to the sunset dinner cruise to watch this gorgeous sunset from the sea or go for a staycation at Sutera Harbour Resort to get this amazing view from the sunset bar.

Here are some packages to see Kota Kinabalu sunset:

Sunset Dinner Cruise with North Borneo Cruises

Luxurious Amazing Love Sunset Cruise

Sutera Harbour Resort Stay with Sunset Dinner Cruise

Go for an adventurous white water rafting

Watch out adrenaline-junkies out there!

Kota Kinabalu rivers provide you a diverse rapids suited to every kind of adventurers of differing abilities and fitness level, from the rapids for leisure travellers to the rapids that challenge even the most fearless.

Some of the best locations to go white water rafting are the longest and most popular, Kiulu river (Grade 1-2); the newest attraction, Kadamaian river (Grade 1-2); and the most challenging, Padas river (Grade 3-4), where you can also experience riding on an old diesel train from Beaufort to Pangi.

Here are some White Water Rafting packages in Kota Kinabalu:

Kiulu White Water Rafting (Grade 1-2)

Kadamaian White Water Rafting (Grade 1-2)

Padas White Water Rafting (Grade 3-4)

Proboscis Monkeys & Fireflies sightings on a river cruise

Sabah is blessed with abundance of river systems along with Borneo's most unique species and endemic wildlife. In Kota Kinabalu, you can grab the opportunity to spot long-tailed macaques, rare silvery langurs and of course the Proboscis Monkeys - which can only be found right here in Borneo by joining a relaxing river cruise.

Some of the renowned river cruises places in Kota Kinabalu are Klias, Kawa Kawa and Weston Wetland, also known as "The Little Kinabatangan" River Cruises. When you are onboard these cruises during evening time, fireflies will entice you for a magical display of twinkling lights to lead your way along the river. 

Here are some proboscis and fireflies wildlife river cruise in Kota Kinabalu:

Klias River Cruise

Kawa Kawa River Cruise

"The Little Kinabatangan" Weston Wetland River Cruise

Learn About Sabah's Culture at Cultural Villages.

Aside from its beautiful city, mountain and islands, Kota Kinabalu is a perfect city to gain insight on Sabah's heritage in the form of cultural villages. Some popular and unique cultural villages are Mari Mari Cultural Village, KDCA Cultural Village and Walai Tobilung. These villages aim to share the knowledge, history, and traditions of Bornean ethnic culture in the form of a live museum, ensuring that the traditional way of life will never be forgotten.

At Mari Mari Cultural Village, you can enjoy activities from rice-wine making to blow-pipe shooting and fire-starting, as well as sampling Sabahan delicacies and snacks while watching traditional performance.

For KDCA Cultural Village, it is highly recommended to visit during Kaamatan (Harvest) festival, an annual major festival celebrated widely by the locals in Sabah during the whole month of May.

Situated at Kampung Minansad, Walai Tobilung is one of the last place displaying and preserving the culture of Tobilung tribe. Witness the native’s way of living by visiting their traditional houses decorated with ancient paintings, crafts and tools. You may also sign up to see the Bobolian Ritual Show, one of the near extinct spiritual ceremony in Sabah.

Here are some cultural villages you can visit in Kota Kinabalu:

Mari Mari Cultural Village

Walai Tobilung

Climb Mount Kinabalu

For adventurers alike, climbing Mount Kinabalu is always one of the top bucket list activities in Sabah. Not only it is declared as the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, for its wealth of flora and fauna, but also recorded as Malaysia's tallest mountain. Towering at 4,095.2 metres above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is no small feat to climb. This is why, a minimum of 2-day hike with a one night stay at Panalaban Basecamp is required for climbers to take a rest before reaching the summit.

Avid climbers can also try the World's highest Via Ferrata (Low's Peak Circuit or Walk The Torq) where you would descend back using the challenging 'iron road' (pathway consisting ladder, bridges, cables with special equipments).

Nevertheless, climbing Mount Kinabalu is worth conquering due to the rewarding sight of breathtaking scenery when you arrive at the Low's Peak Summit.

Here are some Mount Kinabalu climb packages for you:

2D1N All-Inclusive Mount Kinabalu Climb

2D1N Mount Kinabalu Climb Via Ferrata (Walk The Torq)

2D1N Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Mount Kinabalu

3D2N Mount Kinabalu Climb & Kinabalu Park

Explore Kundasang

A trip to Kota Kinabalu will not be complete without stopping by Kundasang Town. It is located in the highlands of Ranau, near the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, just below Malaysia's tallest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. The place is well known for its cooling weather and countless of popular attractions from Nabalu Handicraft & Souvenir Market with an open viewing platform and one of the best scenic views of Mount Kinabalu, to Desa Cattle Dairy Farm where you can enjoy the fresh milk or gelato in the cool air, as well as the Alpaca Club, home to the first and only alpacas in Sabah - spend an afternoon hand feeding these adorable animals.

Kundasang has managed to build a reputation of its own and attracts thousands of tourists all year round. It is a destination that is perfect for anyone looking for stunning scenery, culture, history, and unique Malaysian delicacies.

Here are some popular attractions and hotels you can visit in Kundasang:

2D1N Kinabalu Park & Desa Dairy Farm with Mountain Resort Stay

ATV Adventure in Kundasang (Earthquake Historical Site or Desa Dairy Farm)

Nabalu Lodge Kundasang Staycation

Kundasang Highlight Leisure Family Tour

Try your hands at arts and crafts in Kota Kinabalu  

Channel your inner Picasso and spend a relaxing afternoon creating new arts and crafts. Bring along your family and friends to make your own scented candles, or tap into the traditional art of batik and create your own handkerchief and scarf with a painting that is uniquely yours! If you want to create a personalised gift for your loved ones, you can also try the pottery class or the leather keychain workshop and bring back the finished art as a present. 

You do not need prior experience to join any of these! An instructor will be with you throughout the class, teaching and assisting you in creating your masterpiece. Besides that, all equipment and materials needed are provided, so all you need to do is come and enjoy yourself becoming an artist for the day! 

Here are some of the popular art classes and workshops in Kota Kinabalu:

Kota Kinabalu Indoor Art Classes & Craft Workshops

Sabah Seafood Dinner & Handcrafted Pottery Workshop (Evening Session)

Explore Tuaran Countryside on a Bike and Kayak

Just 34 kilometres (40 minutes) from the city centre, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Kota Kinabalu countryside at Tuaran. Ride out the hustle and bustle of the city while passing through the rustic villages, local market, fruit farms, suspension bridge and beautiful waterways. And of course, this activity can be enjoyed by cyclists of all ages (as long as you are fit for cycling).

Another way to enjoy the beautiful countryside scene is by kayaking through Serusup Bay with Tembara Kayak. Whether you are going for its morning or sunset session, you will always be in awe by its lush mangrove forest. This activity is perfect for adventurers looking for a good workout without going too far away.

Here are some packages in cycling and kayaking adventures

Tembara Kayak (Morning or Sunset)

Tuaran Countryside Cycling and Traditional River Cruise Lunch

Go on a Camping Trip in Kota Kinabalu 

Pack your sleeping bag and experience Sabah's natural beauty with a camping trip near the city! Kota Kinabalu offers a unique experience, allowing you to indulge in the magnificent view of Mount Kinabalu or witness the panoramic view of the nearby South China Sea right from your campsite. 

Bring along your family and friends for a memorable trip in the great outdoors as you enjoy an evening BBQ with the Sabah's picturesque sunset as the backdrop. At night, let the glittering starry sky mesmerise you, and at dawn, say hello to the morning sun peeking among the misty hills while drinking a hot cup of coffee to start your day. 

Here are some camping packages in Kota Kinabalu: 

Hawun Valley Kiulu Camping

Hawun Valley Kiulu (Admission Ticket)

Hawun Valley Kiulu Room With Private Platfrom

5D4N Sabah Adventure - ATV, Waterfall Hunting, Camping, 4x4 Off-Road 

2D1N Aura Montoria Adventure 

3D2N Long Pasia Sinipung Mount & Ferrian Waterfall 

Visit local markets

Kota Kinabalu has a lot of markets that you can visit, and one of them is the Filipino Market. During the day, you can browse for fresh sea produce and handicrafts, and at night, the market transforms into haven for fresh grilled seafood and other local delights.

If you are visiting during the weekends, you must visit the iconic Gaya Street Sunday Market. Popular by both locals and travellers, this bustling market has everything you can think of—delicious treats, unique souvenirs, fresh produce, and even pets!

But the excitement at Gaya Street is not limited to just Sundays. The Api Api Night Food Market Gaya Street happens every Friday and Saturday, offering a wide selection of delicacies (keep an eye on the stinky tofu!) to choose from. Open from 6:00PM to 11:00PM, it's the perfect spot for satisfying your after-dark cravings.

Another new weekend night market is the Sunset Walk @ Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Open every Friday and Saturday from 4.30PM to 11.00PM, this night market offers scenic a dining experience by the sea. So, will you not only enjoy a yummy selection of street food, but you will also treat your eyes to Sabah's wonderful sunset.

Here are some tours with visits to local markets in Kota Kinabalu:

Kota Kinabalu City Tour & Filipino Market

Kota Kinabalu City Night Tour & Seafood Dinner