Sandakan is a coastal city in Sabah, Malaysia, located on the northeast coast of Borneo Island. It is the second largest town in Sabah, after the state capital of Kota Kinabalu. Sandakan is known for its rich culture and history, and is home to a number of historical sites and monuments.
Sandakan is located on the eastern coast of Sabah, between the Sulu and Celebes Seas. The city is surrounded by lush rainforest, and is close to a number of national parks, including the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The city has a tropical climate, with hot and humid temperatures throughout the year.
Sandakan has a rich history, dating back to the 16th century when it was part of the Sultanate of Brunei. During the 19th century, the town was an important trading port, and was the site of a number of battles between the British and Dutch forces. In the early 20th century, the town was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, and was the site of the infamous Sandakan Death Marches.
Today, Sandakan is an important port and industrial centre. The city is home to a number of industries, including oil palm plantations, forestry, and fishing. The city also has a vibrant tourism industry, with many visitors coming to explore its rich culture and history. Sandakan is also home to a number of cultural sites, including the Agnes Keith House, which is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the author Agnes Keith.
Sandakan is an important historical and cultural centre in Malaysia, and is home to a number of important sites, monuments, and museums. The city is a popular tourist destination, and is a great place to explore the culture and history of Malaysia.
Experience Sandakan with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Sandakan. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Sandakan in Malaysia has a tropical climate with temperatures averaging around 27°C throughout the year. The wet season runs from October to March, with heavy rainfall and high humidity levels. The dry season is from April to September, when temperatures are slightly cooler and humidity is lower. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 34°C and the rainy season is usually accompanied by thunderstorms. The winter months are typically cooler and drier, with temperatures ranging from 20-27°C.
Our weather forecast for Sandakan helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May. 17th 2026 May. 17th 2026 | max: 33.4 °C min: 24.3 °C |
11.9 m/s 23.0 m/s |
99.1 % 23.1 m |
81.3 % 1,008 hPa |
05:52:16 18:15:49 |
|
| May. 18th 2026 May. 18th 2026 | max: 33.0 °C min: 23.7 °C |
13.0 m/s 20.2 m/s |
98.3 % 21.7 m |
81.0 % 1,008 hPa |
05:52:11 18:15:57 |
|
| May. 19th 2026 May. 19th 2026 | max: 26.2 °C min: 24.1 °C |
6.8 m/s 13.7 m/s |
98.6 % 24.1 m |
91.2 % 1,009 hPa |
05:52:08 18:16:06 |
|
| May. 20th 2026 May. 20th 2026 | max: 33.9 °C min: 23.6 °C |
11.5 m/s 16.9 m/s |
77.7 % 22.1 m |
77.0 % 1,008 hPa |
05:52:04 18:16:15 |
|
| May. 21st 2026 May. 21st 2026 | max: 31.4 °C min: 23.8 °C |
10.4 m/s 11.9 m/s |
92.1 % 21.9 m |
82.5 % 1,009 hPa |
05:52:02 18:16:25 |
|
| May. 22nd 2026 May. 22nd 2026 | max: 32.2 °C min: 23.8 °C |
9.4 m/s 15.8 m/s |
92.2 % 23.0 m |
81.1 % 1,010 hPa |
05:52:00 18:16:35 |
|
| May. 23rd 2026 May. 23rd 2026 | max: 29.3 °C min: 24 °C |
5.4 m/s 9.0 m/s |
93.6 % 19.6 m |
86.6 % 1,010 hPa |
05:51:59 18:16:45 |
|
| May. 24th 2026 May. 24th 2026 | max: 31.0 °C min: 24.1 °C |
4.7 m/s 10.1 m/s |
91.8 % 21.4 m |
88.0 % 1,010 hPa |
05:51:59 18:16:56 |
|
| May. 25th 2026 May. 25th 2026 | max: 30.8 °C min: 24.1 °C |
8.3 m/s 17.6 m/s |
92.6 % 21.3 m |
87.6 % 1,010 hPa |
05:51:59 18:17:07 |
|
| May. 26th 2026 May. 26th 2026 | max: 29.3 °C min: 23.8 °C |
7.2 m/s 17.3 m/s |
100.0 % 18.7 m |
88.3 % 1,009 hPa |
05:52:00 18:17:19 |
|
| May. 27th 2026 May. 27th 2026 | max: 26.4 °C min: 23.3 °C |
9.7 m/s 28.8 m/s |
100.0 % 20.2 m |
90.7 % 1,009 hPa |
05:52:02 18:17:30 |
|
| May. 28th 2026 May. 28th 2026 | max: 30.6 °C min: 22.8 °C |
7.6 m/s 20.2 m/s |
100.0 % 21.3 m |
83.6 % 1,010 hPa |
05:52:04 18:17:42 |
|
| May. 29th 2026 May. 29th 2026 | max: 29.7 °C min: 22.8 °C |
6.8 m/s 13.3 m/s |
98.6 % 24.1 m |
85.5 % 1,009 hPa |
05:52:07 18:17:55 |
|
| May. 30th 2026 May. 30th 2026 | max: 33.4 °C min: 23.3 °C |
10.4 m/s 23.0 m/s |
98.1 % 24.0 m |
81.6 % 1,008 hPa |
05:52:11 18:18:07 |
Would you like to travel to Sandakan on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Sandakan.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 12th 2027 Tuesday, 12th of Jan. 2027 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 01:00 am | 11:59 pm | |
| Feb. 9th 2027 Tuesday, 9th of Feb. 2027 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 01:00 am | 11:30 pm | |
| Mar. 9th 2027 Tuesday, 9th of Mar. 2027 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 12:30 am | 11:00 pm | |
| Jun. 30th 2027 Wednesday, 30th of Jun. 2027 | Silver Cloud | 252 - 302 | 07:00 am | 10:00 pm | |
| Nov. 16th 2027 Tuesday, 16th of Nov. 2027 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 07:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
| Dec. 14th 2027 Tuesday, 14th of Dec. 2027 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 07:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
| Feb. 5th 2028 Saturday, 5th of Feb. 2028 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 06:00 pm | 12:00 am | |
| Feb. 6th 2028 Sunday, 6th of Feb. 2028 | Silver Muse | 576 - 691 | 12:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Feb. 20th 2028 Sunday, 20th of Feb. 2028 | MS Europa | 408 | 07:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
| Mar. 21st 2028 Tuesday, 21st of Mar. 2028 | Azamara Onward | 672 - 804 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Apr. 14th 2028 Friday, 14th of Apr. 2028 | HANSEATIC spirit | 199 - 230 | 10:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
| Mar. 18th 2029 Sunday, 18th of Mar. 2029 | Silver Whisper | 388 - 466 | 02:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 19th 2029 Monday, 19th of Mar. 2029 | Silver Whisper | 388 - 466 | 12:00 am | 12:15 am |
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.| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu - Sabah in Malaysia | 221,89 km |
| Balabac in the Philippines | 279,62 km |
