Borneo island is the third largest in the world. Its lands belong to the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesian part of the island is called Kalimantan and occupies about 73% of the entire island.
Borneo Island, known as “Pulau Borneo” in Malay, is primarily divided into two Malaysian states: Sabah and Sarawak, which are located in the northern part of the island. The Malaysian part of Borneo is renowned for its lush rainforests, towering mountains, pristine beaches, and vibrant cultural heritage.
Sabah, home to Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, boasts iconic landmarks like Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s tallest peak, and the Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also famous for its orangutan rehabilitation centers – Sepilok and Semenggoh, where travelers can observe these endangered primates in their natural habitat.
Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, offers its own enchanting attractions, including the majestic Mulu Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its vast cave systems and unique limestone formations. Visitors can also experience Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage by visiting traditional longhouses inhabited by indigenous tribes like the Iban.
Check our first timer’s guide on tourist attractions in Borneo island: you can find up-to-date information on best things to do, places to visit and activities to enjoy in 2024.
General Info
- Location: East of mainland Malaysia.
- Average sea temperature: in winter +28.2 C; +30 C in summer.
- Average air t: in winter: +30.7 C degrees during the day, 25.4 C at night; in summer: +32.7 C during the day, +25.5 C at night.
- Best season to visit: March to October, but April has higher rainfall. The most sunny days are in May, July and August.
- Rainy season: November to February.
- Borneo Island on the map: link.
Best Things to Do in Borneo island
Explore its beaches
Beaches are one of the main attractions of Borneo island. Start your beach vacation by heading to Gaya Island, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. This picturesque island is known for its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforest backdrop. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply lounging on the beach while soaking up the tropical sun.
Another must-visit beach in Borneo is Tanjung Aru. It’s a place where you can enjoy the most beautiful sunset. The sand on the beach is fine and clean, and the water is clear and warm, the coastline is very long.
There are many cafes and a large food court. Near the beach there is Perdana Park with its musical fountain.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Due to the reduction of forest areas, the population of orangutans is also declining. Borneo island is one of only two places on Earth (Sumatra being the other) where endangered orangutans can be seen in their natural habitat. These primates are considered as the smartest ones: they can make tools and even exchange gifts.
Visit Sepilok Forest Reserve – rehabilitation center located in the east of Sabah state. This is the most popular place in Borneo to see primates. Sepilok offers educational programs and guided tours to raise awareness about orangutan conservation and the threats facing these magnificent animals. Adjacent to Sepilok is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sun bears, the smallest bear species in the world.
Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is another important rehabilitation facility for orangutans, located near Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak state. If you want to avoid the crowds, then head to Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Similar to Sepilok, Semenggoh is dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of orangutans. The center provides a sanctuary for orphaned, injured, or rescued orangutans, aiming to reintroduce them to the wild.
Join day trip to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
Visit National Park Bako
Do not miss the opportunity to visit Bako National Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to get even closer to the virgin nature. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, known for their distinctive long noses and pot-bellies, silvered leaf monkeys, bearded pigs, elusive Bornean wild boar, macaques, monitor lizards, and numerous bird species.
It offers a network of well-maintained hiking trails that wind through its diverse landscapes. Telok Pandan Kecil Trail is the popular one which leads to a secluded beach.
Tour to Bako National Park from Kuching
Walking in Rainforest Discovery Center
The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) is an educational and conservation facility located near the city of Sandakan in the Malaysian state of Sabah. One of the main attractions at the centre is its impressive canopy walkway, which is 25-meters high and 620-meters long.
The walkway provides visitors with a unique perspective of the rainforest canopy, allowing for birdwatching and wildlife observation from a bird’s-eye view. The Rainforest Discovery Center was opened in 2006 and has become a world-renowned environmental education center. There you’ll see a huge number of plants, insects and animals living in Borneo island.
Diving in Borneo
One of the things to do in Borneo is to try scuba dive, even though it is not cheap compared to diving in Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Given that you will have the opportunity to see turtles, hammerhead fish, whale sharks and many other deep-sea inhabitants, you can pay a little extra.
Diving in Sipadan is hugely popular so as not to harm the coral reefs, only 120 dive permits are issued daily. If you’re into underwater photography, you can head to small Mabul Island, that once was a fishing village and is a great place to dive.
Mamutik Island
Mamutik Island is one of the five islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. The island boasts healthy coral reefs, with a variety of hard and soft corals providing habitat for a wide range of marine organisms.
The waters surrounding Mamutik Island are teeming with diverse marine life, including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and other fascinating creatures.
Sapi Island
The waters surrounding Sapi Island are rich in marine life and coral reefs, making it a fantastic spot for snorkeling. Snorkelers can explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter colorful fish. There is a huge single coral in the form of mushroom. It is prohibited to touch the coral itself, but you can swim up and see. Next to it there are many fish, turtles and jellyfish.
Manukan Island
This island has well developed infrastructure. There are many cafes with seafood, local and Chinese cuisine, rental equipment, canoes. The beach is long, there are sun loungers and deckchairs. Snorkelers can explore the shallow reefs close to the shore, while divers can venture to deeper dive sites to discover a variety of underwater species, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and coral formations
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is the highest in Malaysia and one of the highest in the region, to climb to the top you don’t need special equipment. About 40,000 people annually try to ascent the mount Kinabalu. The last part of the way to the summit goes through the clouds. On your way you can meet biologists and botanists from all over the world who come to study the flora and fauna.
Borneo Cultural Villages
Borneo is known for its rich cultural diversity, including various indigenous communities and ethnic groups living on the island.
Sarawak Cultural Village
Located in Sarawak, Malaysia, this living museum showcases the diverse cultures of Sarawak’s indigenous tribes, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Penan, Melanau, and Malay communities. Make sure to explore traditional houses, watch cultural performances, and participate in hands-on activities.
Join Day Trip to Sarawak Cultural Village
Mari Mari Cultural Village, Sabah
Situated near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, this village offers visitors a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of various ethnic groups in Sabah, such as the Kadazan-Dusun, Rungus, Bajau, and Murut. Visitors can learn about traditional practices, taste local cuisine, and watch cultural performances.
Rafting on Kinabatangan River
Kinabatangan River is a favorite destination for many tourists. Guides offer walks on a small boat along the mouth of the river. The almost silent movement of the boat allows you to see orangutans, crocodiles, huge pythons and elephants up close if you are lucky enough to be here in season.
Explore Mulu Caves
The Mulu Caves are situated within Gunung Mulu National Park in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. The park is renowned for its limestone karst formations, diverse ecosystems, and unique cave systems. The Mulu Caves comprise several major cave systems, including Deer Cave, Clearwater Cave, and Wind Cave.
