Top Kota Kinabalu Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Relax on some of the idyllic islands of the coast of Kota Kinabalu without stressing about the cost of a private charter on this small-group excursion. Catch a speedboat from Kota Kinabalu and zip around the South China Sea to beaches on nearby Sapi Island and Manukan Island. Swim and snorkel around the coral reefs, sunbathe on the shore or explore the coastal forests of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, a nature preserve on Manukan. Snorkel equipment provided free of charge so you can jump straight into the water Find out about other activities on these picturesque islands from your guide Really relax in Sapi with a complimentary buffet lunch on the beach Get to and from Kota Kinabalu jetty with round-trip transfers from your hotel

Encounter Borneo’s traditional cultures at Mari Mari Cultural Village, where you get a glimpse into the daily routines and rituals of five major cultural groups. See each group’s distinctive houses, costumes, and practices, with a guide to help explain each thing you encounter, then see a performance that brings traditional Borneo to vivid life. After your time exploring Mari Mari Cultural Village, this tour includes a traditional meal in the village’s dining hall.

Make the most of your time on the 13,435-foot (4,095-meter) Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site valued for its biodiversity, on a private tour. Visit the Mountain Garden to learn about the flora and fauna of the area and hike uphill to the Canopy Walkway for views over the treetops. Exploring with a private guide means you'll receive undivided attention and benefit from insider knowledge of the natural area.

Discover the rich history and heritage of Kota Kinabalu on this comprehensive 3-hour city tour, including hotel pick-up. Visit landmarks like Wisma Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building) and the City Mosque; pay a visit to the prestigious University of Sabah and tour the fascinating Sabah Museum. Finally, soak up views of Kota Kinabalu and the Likas Bay lagoon from the summit of Signal Hill.

Venture into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mt Kinabaly and hike across Kinabalu Park in this incredible full-day tour that includes hot springs, rolling hills, epic scenery and birds-eye-views from atop forest canopies. Your expert local guide will take you through some of Malaysia’s most picturesque countryside and point out indigenous flora and fauna along the way. Enjoy a savory local lunch and a relaxing dip in the Poring Hot Springs on this memorable day trip.

Hot sulphur bath in Poring Hot Spring; Visit the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm; Explore the exotic flora and fauna; Experience one of amazing scenery with Mount Kinabalu; Feel the ecological rainforest ecology on Hanging Bridge; Local distinctive lunch and afternoon tea.

Ride a Vulcan Steam Engine dating from 1896 on the North Borneo Railway during a hassle-free tour. Retrace a colonial trade route through villages, countryside, and tunnels, and pass mangrove forests and rivers for spectacular views of scenery that's mostly inaccessible by traditional tour vehicle. Stop at a number of villages, where there's a chance to visit markets and chat with local people. Plus, lunch and round-trip hotel transfers are included. 

Kinabalu National Park was one of Malaysia’s first national parks, and is now a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. On this private day tour you will learn all about this outstanding natural preserve, with its thousands of species of flora, fauna, and bird life. Join the park’s naturalist on a guided walk, and enjoy other informational activities, such as an audio-visual show. Lunch at a local restaurant included.

Watch for Borneo's extraordinary wildlife on a jungle river cruise and firefly experience from Kota Kinabalu that includes a Malay dinner at a local restaurant. You'll cruise in the late afternoon, the perfect time to spot primates, crocodiles, and birds, then head out after dinner to see fireflies illuminate the river banks in a sparkling display. With pickup and drop-off at hotels in Kota Kinabalu, this Borneo river cruise is a great introduction to the jungled interior of Sabah.

Experience the beauty of Kota Kinabalu without worrying about the hassle of transportation on this small-group tour of the city. Ride in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle as you stop at some of the city’s best-known sites. Visit the museum complex at the Sabah State Museum and Heritage Village, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Signal Hill Observatory Platform, and the Sabah State Mosque.

Explore Borneo's indigenous cultures on a half-day trip from Kota Kinabalu to Mari Mari Cultural Village, which features traditional houses, crafts, and bushcraft recreated by members of each tribe in Sabah. You'll see local people making blowpipes and kindling bamboo fires, then learn the symbolism behind Sabah's long tradition of tattooing. With pickup and drop-off at hotels in Kota Kinabalu, this tour includes entrance fees and lunch.

We combined the scenic nature trails of UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinabalu Park with a treetop adventure taking you 40 meters above the spectacular wilderness of Borneo’s ancient rainforest on a canopy walk in Poring Hot Springs. On this full-day guided tour, you will drive through the picturesque countryside and stop at a local market. Enjoy the ride through the rolling hills of Kundasang, Ranau and take a soak in Poring’s well known mineral rich hot springs. Check with your tour guide, because if you're in luck, the giant rafflesia may be in bloom at Poring.

Dine and dance under the stars on a Kota Kinabalu cruise that includes live music and a buffet of international cuisine. The boat’s open upper deck gives panoramic views of the Kota Kinabalu skyline as the city lights up after dark, and since this dinner cruise features door-to-door transfers from hotels in Kota Kinabalu, you can enjoy an evening out without the hassle of finding late-night transport.

Take the short speedboat trip to Dinawanal Island and enjoy great relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. The island offer picturesque beaches and turquoise waters with colorful marine life and corals.Go snorkeling and walk on the white-sand beach during this relaxing day out that includes all transportation, use of snorkel equipment, seafood lunch and snacks, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Experience the beauty of Kiulu’s countryside during a quad bike tour from Kota Kinabalu, an ideal choice for thrill seekers and nature lovers. Alongside a guide, you’ll get off the beaten path, conquer off-road terrains, and drive throughout traditional villages, where you’ll stop to learn about local culture and traditions. Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off, and refreshments are included.

Escape the city and delve deeper into Borneo’s indigenous culture on a day trip to Tuaran from Kota Kinabalu. A great introduction for first-time visitors, this package saves you the stress of advance planning by taking care of transport and activities, and offering the inside scoop on Sabah’s culture and history.

Soak up the electric atmosphere of Kota Kinabula by night on this 3-hour evening tour, including hotel pick-up. Browse the bustling night market, then enjoy a magnificent view over the illuminated city from the observation deck of Signal Hill. Finally, tuck into a sumptuous dinner of typical Malaysian dishes, accompanied by traditional Malay music and dance.

Cruise through the mangrove forests near Kota Kinabalu on this evening excursion in search of local wildlife. Listen to educational commentary on local species, such as proboscis monkeys, silver leaf moneys, macaque long tail monkeys, monitor lizards, and native birds. Once the sun sets, enjoy the sights of fireflies blinking in the twilight.

Get up close to some of Malaysia’s diverse wildlife without looking through a cage on this river cruise package in the Klias Wetlands. Spend the afternoon drifting through this vibrant mangrove forest, looking out for proboscis monkeys, macaques, crocodiles, monitor lizards and much more. Once the sun goes down, head out again to see the fireflies light up the riverside on this unique combo of afternoon and after-dark cruises.

Take a day cruise from Kota Kinabalu for a chance to go snorkeling in the South China Sea. On this tour, you'll visit Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a group of islands just off the coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and entrance fees are included.

Immerse yourself in Malaysia's diverse natural surroundings on this tour to Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Listen to guided commentary as you visit other must-see stops: the Desa Cow Farm, and Rumah Terbalik.

Scale the mighty peak of Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Malaysia’s highest mountain, on this challenging 3-day hike from Kota Kinabalu. Spend the first day exploring the Kinabalu National Park, then embark on a 7-mile (12km) round-trip hike to the mountaintop. Finally, watch the magnificent sunrise from the 13,451-foot (4,100-meter) summit of Low's Peak. This all-inclusive tour includes accommodation, meals and hotel transfers.

Check off Kota Kinabalu’s key sights in just half a day on this comprehensive guided door-to-door tour. Soak up sweeping views of the city from Signal Hill, learn about Chinese Buddhism at Pu Toh Tze Temple, and explore Sabah’s rich heritage at the Sabah State Museum. Along the way, see the Sabah State Mosque, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, and the 30-story Menara Tun Mustapha.

Explore the Mari-Mari Cultural Village in Sabah with a dedicated guide on this private tour. You'll enjoy personalized attention and the ability to travel at your own pace as you learn about Borneo's ancient and modern culture. Activities include a traditional house tour, a cultural show, and a traditional local lunch.