It only took me 5 trips to Malaysia to make it to Sabah — and I want to make sure that you do not make the same mistake. Sabah is calling. Plus the sunsets in Sabah are some of the best in the world. Always so colorful, no matter where you are. Don’t believe me? Check out the following photos:
Where To Watch The Sunset In Sabah
1. Kudat
Hibiscus Beach Retreat
Hidden in the dense coastal jungle is an amazing chalet and one of the most relaxing places I found in Sabah. Known as the Hibiscus Beach Retreat, this one chalet is cut off from the world. A porter will come by twice per day to check on you and take your food order, but other than that it is just you, the jungle and the water — there is no cell service of wifi here! Great place for a digital detox 😉
2. Sabah Tea Resort
Ranau
Sunsets over the water are all fine and dandy, but a sunset over Kinabalu, Borneo’s iconic mountain and tallest point, is one you will never forget. The Sabah Tea Resort is a sprawling tea plantation nestled in a 130 million year old rainforest at the top of the mountain. Come here during the day and learn how tea is made, or opt to stay overnight so that you can enjoy both the sunset and the sunrise.
3. The Waterfront
Kota Kinabalu
Ordinarily when people speak of the KK waterfront they are referring to a small cluster of bars at the southern end of town. However the entire waterfront stretches north 2km from there all the way to the Marlin statue. Right next to the Marlin is the famous “I ❤ KK” sign and the sun setting in the background makes for a great photo.
4. Sunset Bar
Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu
Arguably the best place to watch the sunset in Kota Kinabalu is the famous (and aptly named) Sunset Bar. And no, that is not my dainty hand holding the wine glass — photos compliments of Charlene (I’m Cha Cha) because I was too busy filming the sunset to take any photos (oops!)
Note: Sunset Bar is open to the public but if you are not a guest of Shangri-la there is a RM25 cover charge — but don’t worry, it comes with a free drink 😉
5. Laban Rata
Mount Kinabalu
Watching the sunset from Laban Rata, the halfway point when climbing Mount Kinabalu, is a view you will never forget. Kinabalu is the tallest point on Borneo and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sabah.
6. Shangri-la’s Rasa Ria Resort
Tuaran, just outside of Kota Kinabalu
Making its second appearance on this top 10 list is Shangri-la’s other location just outside of KK, the Rasa Ria Resort. Without a doubt this is the best place in all of Sabah to watch the sunset. Their private beach ensures that you don’t have to fight the crowds to take that perfect photo.
7. Tip of Borneo
Northernmost part of Borneo
The Tip of Borneo is an amazing yet overlooked destination in Sabah. This rocky outcropping is a great drone spot but also an amazing place to view the sunset because there are zero obstacles in the way, zero people, and zero boats. You’ll feel like the only person on earth as you watch the sun dip into the sea.
8. Scuba Tiger
Semporna
You don’t need to be able to see where the sun hits the horizon to enjoy the sunset. Sometimes the silhouettes of nearby palm trees and rooftops actually enhances the experience. Case in point the above photo, taken at the Scuba Tiger Resort just outside of Semporna — the same place I went scuba diving at Sipadan with 😉 (Sipadan Island is considered one of the top 3 scuba diving destinations in the entire world!)
See The Video Scuba Diving Sipadan Island in Sabah
9. KK City
Anywhere in Kota Kinabalu
Can’t see the sunset from your hotel room? Don’t worry, regardless of where you are in the city, sunsets in Kota Kinabalu are still gorgeous. While eating at a Chinese restaurant far away from the waterfront we noticed the colorful sunset and I couldn’t resist snapping a quick photo from the parking lot on my phone.
10. Anywhere
Everywhere in Sabah
There are no bad places when it comes to watching the sunset in Sabah. I was motorcycling around the eastern coast one random evening when I stopped on a bridge to snap this photo.
Remember, there is no such thing as a bad sunset when in Sabah 😉
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