Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
Discover the magnificent turtles and other sea life below the crystal clear, turquoise waters off the surrounding islands. Snorkel from the boat or off the beaches – perfect for the family and experienced divers.
Located on Borneo Island, Kota Kinabalu is the capital state of Sabah, in Malaysia. Overlooking the South China Sea, the city is bordered by the Crocker mountain range, peaked by Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Surrounded by lush rainforests to the east and tropical island beaches to the west, this idyllic city has much to offer adventurous travellers.
Cheap flights to Kota Kinabalu are now available for a limited time only, so book your flight today and prepare to be enraptured by the tranquil beauty and thrilling adventures of this city! Kota Kinabalu is home to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), a 20 minute drive from the city centre.
Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Discover the magnificent turtles and other sea life below the crystal clear, turquoise waters off the surrounding islands. Snorkel from the boat or off the beaches – perfect for the family and experienced divers.
Skip the water for a day and walk through the jungle and stilt villages of Monsopiad and Mari Mari, showcasing the traditional customs of the ethnic groups in the area.
Embrace the island life and hop on a boat to the surrounding islands of Gaya, Manukan, Sapi and Mamutik where a plethora of water sports, beach activities and jungle trekking awaits you.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Country | Malaysia |
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Currency | Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) |
Language | Malay / Mandarin / English |
Hub Airport | Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) |
Airline | Malaysia Airlines |
Time Zone | GMT + 08:00 |
Travel Adaptor | Type G |
The region of Sabah experiences a moderately warm climate all year round, so you can visit any time! To avoid the heavy rainfall, plan to visit between January and April when the west coast region of Kota Kinabalu becomes drier. The city is famous for its festival season occurring in July, when you can see colourful pomp and ceremony adorning the city streets. Visitors flock to the city during July so be sure to book accommodation a few months in advance. Early May brings the Sabah Fest – a celebration of music, theatre and food representing the various ethnic groups in the region. Take advantage of low-season hotel specials from October to March and catch a glimpse of the orangutans in their natural habitat!
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Low °C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 24°C | 24°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C |
High °C | 30°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C |
Rainfall (mm) | 163 | 85 94 | 151 | 265 | 293 | 264 | 268 | 301 | 346 | 306 | 252 |
Kota Kinabalu, affectionately known as KK, is an increasingly popular destination on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. It’s the capital and largest city of the region, and an important gateway into Sabah and East Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu’s appeal lies in its seaside location, and proximity to the tropical islands and lush rainforests of Borneo. It’s a hotspot for diving, wetland adventures, and eco-tourism, and the year-round warm weather makes any time a great time to enjoy the vast range of outdoor activities, ranging from sailing and scuba diving to zip-lining through the wild jungles. Diving is one of the most popular attractions here, as the World War II wrecks, coral reefs and underwater rock features make for fascinating viewing for divers of all levels. If you prefer to stay above water, the deep sea fishing in KK is also a popular choice. On land, there are as equally exciting adventures to embark on, like trekking through the cultural villages of Mari Mari and Mosopiad. If you’re heading out of town for the day, swing past Lok Kawi Wildlife Park to meet and greet some rare and exotic species.
For a souvenir stop, the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market has an array of pearls, crystals and colourful sarongs. Whatever your budget or interests, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime in Kota Kinabalu!
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