Sabah is a state located on the northern tip of Borneo the third largest island in the world and is known for its stunning rainforests, diverse wildlife including orangutans, monkeys, elephants, and rhinoceros, beautiful beaches, and is home to a number of ethnic groups including Kadazan-Dusun, Suluk, and Murut each has its own unique culture and traditions.

Nowadays, Sabah has become one of the popular tourist destinations that is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural attractions. There are so many things that you can do in the area, especially with family such as trekking, hiking, diving, and snorkeling together.

That was just a small example of what things you can do with your family in Sabah. Here are the lists of 15 things to do in Sabah if you happen to visit this exceptional state with your family:

Tanjung Aru Beach has always been known for its breathtaking views as well as the calm waters that allow visitors to soak in the panoramic scenery from a unique perspective. Plan on your journey and enjoy paddling on this exceptional beach while watching the sun setting at the edge of the horizon creating unforgettable memories with your family. If you are lucky enough, you might also be able to get the chance to witness various marine life while paddling such as stingrays, or even playful dolphins depending on the season.

Hop on a tour to start your exploration of various seafood delicacies serves throughout the cafes and restaurants in Sabah, specifically in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is a paradise-like place for seafood lovers where it's known for housing various bustling hawker stalls overflowing with fresh catches to luxurious restaurants serving out traditional delicacies and many creative dishes that you hardly find anywhere else. If you plan to explore, you can take a tour with a guide that will take you to taste numerous local specialties in Sabah such as Bamboo Clams, Mangrove Snapper, and Spider Crabs for the utmost seafood exploration experience.

The capital city of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu is a bustling metropolis on the north coast of Borneo Island in Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu also offers easy access to some of Sabah’s most stunning natural attractions including Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park which is an archipelago of five islands renowned for their pristine beaches, and coral reefs, giving the perfect opportunities for families who are looking for a fun and memorable way to spend their time by doing various water sports such as snorkeling, diving, and island hopping.

Sail through the Beautiful Borneo with 2 hours onboard the luxurious North Borneo Cruises around the TARP island & Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront. As you cruise along the coastline, you will be able to pamper yourself amidst the breathtaking views of the island near Kota Kinabalu including the iconic Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and the majestic Mount Kinabalu in the distance.

The cruise itself provides a wide variety of activities and attractions including a luxurious dinner experience serving a wide variety of cuisines from local to international cuisine while being accompanied by the live music that adds to the festive ambiance, creating a perfect setting for family time.

A haven for proboscis monkeys which is also known as long-nosed monkeys in Sabah, The Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to see these adorable creatures up close in their natural habitat, the mangroves. Explore through the mangroves and get to know more about the sanctuary the importance of probosics monkey conservation and the threats they face in the wild. If you plan to visit this sanctuary, please keep in mind to maintain a safe distance from the monkeys, avoid making any loud noise, and refrain from littering.

It is very well known that Sabah is packed with various natural beauties from beaches, rainforests, and wildlife making it a great destination for nature and animal lovers. If you are looking for a relaxing place that will feed your passion for Mother Nature and animals, then you should try to explore the farm nestles throughout Mount Kinabalu. Take a fun and exciting tour to various farms in Kota Kinabalu including Desa Cattle Dairy Farm which is the state’s largest cow farm that makes you feel as if being transported to New Zealand and Ranau Rabbit Farm which is home to 400 adorable rabbits with your beloved family.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily activity and hop on this relaxing and fun island-hopping tour that will take you to some of the most pristine islands such as Mabul and Kapalai ISlands offering a chance to see what these beautiful places have to offer.

Prepare yourself to try yot the snorkeling and diving activities they offer in the crystal-clear water of Kapalai island and get a glimpse of the marine life including the colorful coral reefs, and other stunning fish living in the slang. Keep your eyes on the water where you might get the chance to witness rare sea creatures such as octopuses, squids, and sea moths during your snorkeling an diving experience.

Hop on the largest marine park in Sabah which features 8 different beautiful islands that boast numerous fascinating sceneries and diverse marine biodiversity making it a popular spot for island hopping. Swim around the abundant marine life, as you get to snorkel into three different sportseahs showcasing unique and different marine diversity. Relaxing beside the beach is another option if you looking for a more laid-back experience, soak up in the sun and play with your family on top of the beautiful sands.

Begin your magical tour where you will be taken on board through the Bongawan Mangroves offering you a scenic boat ride through the lush Mangrove forests. During the day you will be able to witness the flying birds like kingfishers and hornbills amongst the mangrove three, while when the darkness falls it is the signal for the main star of the show, The Fireflies.

Imagine yourself being surrounded by these tiny stunning bioluminescent glows giving those enhancing atmosphere that you won’t be able to forget for a long time.

While not technically located in Sabah, The Sky Mirror is one of the most popular spots located only an hour from Kota Kinabalu and often being combined with Kota Kinabalu and Sabah Tour.

To witness the Sky Mirror in the perfect form, you will need to plan your visit around the high tide as has been mentioned before. High tide itself only occurs twice a day and the ideal period for capturing the reflection usually only lasts for 1 to 2 hours. To know when it's going to happen, it is recommended for you to book tour operators that offer packages specifically for visiting the Sky Mirror.

Visit the magical Mantanani Island for an amazing snorkeling and scuba diving experience in the crystal clear waters in the Mantanani Island. Mantanani Island is a renowned tourist destination well known for its stunning underwater that boasts crystal clear water filled with colorful coral reefs and a diverse range of marine lids making it a dream destination for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.

Mount Kinabalu National Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage site that is a must-visit spot for nature lovers from around the world. It is home to the iconic Mount Kinabalu which si the highest mountain in Southeast Asia and boasts of housing a diverse range of plants and animal life.

There are so many things that you can do here as a family, from helping each other hiking up the trails that cater to all levels, bird watching where there are over 300 species of birds living inside the park, and Go for a relaxing and enhancing nature walk to witness for yourself the park’s fauna and floras.

Learn more about the diverse culture of Sabah’s locale at this living museum called the Mari Mari Cultural Village which aims to preserve and share knowledge about the cultural traditions of the five main ethnic groups in Sabah. Visit traditional houses representing the five ethnicities where you get to take a look for yourself at the unique architectural styles and participate in some of the activities such as trying their hand at the blowpipe technique that is being taught from generation to generation at the village or starting fire using bamboo.

Enjoy your shopping spree at one of the most authentic markets in Kota Kinabalu, The Filipino Market which is divided into three different parts of the market including Pasar Besar which acts as the central market, Pasar Filipino where you get to find a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts and Pasar Ikan which mainly sells many kinds of fish in the area.

The Filipino Market is a major tourist attraction and shopping destination in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah that is a must-visit place for anyone looking to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Sabah.

Learn more about the history and culture of Sabah in The Sabah Museum features a variety of exhibits on topics from archaeology which explains the earliest inhabitants of Sabah, ethnography telling visitors about the different cultures in Sabah, and the natural history where you get to learn about the plants and animals of Sabah. Not forgetting about the gallery that houses numerous arts and artifacts from around the world, this museum is a perfect place to introduce your little one to the rich heritage of the region.

Here are all the fun and exciting activities that you might want to add to your list during your visit to Sabah. Starting from having a shopping spree at the authentic Filipino market, Visiting various Mount Kianablu farms and island hopping, and experiencing various water sports.

If you plan to visit Sabah soon, Traveloka is more than happy to help you book the flight tickets, accommodation, and various activities and attractions mentioned above. Besides giving the best price, Traveloka often gives discounts, and combos to enhance your travel experience. What are you waiting for? Grab your Fast while the promo lasts!