Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to the Land Below the Wind, is not just a place with vibrant city life but also offers a wide range of outdoor activities and day trip options. From kayaking in scenic rivers and enjoying the stunning sunset to immersing yourself in arts and exploring the unique culture, our top day trips offer a unique and exciting experience at all times of the year. Get your adrenaline pumping with thrilling activities or relax and take in the natural beauty of the wilderness thanks to all the exhilarating day trip selections for everyone to enjoy.
Pack your bags and join us on an adventure exploring the best day trips from Kota Kinabalu!
River cruising in Sabah is a popular way to experience the diverse wildlife, lush rainforests, and traditional river boat ride. Visitors can take a day trip on one of the many river cruises, such as Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise, Kawa Kawa River Cruise, and The Little Kinabatangan River Cruise, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the surrounding wilderness. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to spot a wide range of wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, long-tail macaques, and rare species of birds, so ready your binoculars or cameras to catch sightings of these animals!
Book your river cruise adventure with Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise, Kawa Kawa River Cruise, and The Little Kinabatangan River Cruise.
Unleash your inner explorer at 1 Heart Maze Café, where love and adventure come together in a unique experience. They feature a large love maze that visitors can explore, with several different pathways making it a fun and exciting challenge for people of all ages. It is also the perfect spot to bring along your family and friends for a leisure outing during the weekends.
After you've had your share of fun exploring the maze, walk over to the 1 Heart Maze Café, where you can enjoy Asian and western dishes in a cosy atmosphere while catching up with loved ones.
Book 1 Heart Maze here!
Stand-Up Paddle Adventure
Savour a breathtaking sunset like never before with Stand-Up Paddling at Tanjung Aru Beach! Paddle across the beautiful sea and dive into the crystal clear waters for a snorkelling adventure among the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life that leave you in awe. Then, set out to the nearby coral magic island for a front-row seat to Sabah's world-renowned sunset view.
This activity is perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers—if you have not tried this before, a guide will be there for you along the way to ensure you will have the best time of your life!
Book Sunset Stand-Up Paddling here!
Come to Sabandar Cowboy Town and live your cowboy/cowgirl dreams with the opportunity to experience the wild west in all its glory.
The activities you can do here include horseback riding, ATV adventure, visiting the Rabbit & Otter Farm, discovering the beauty of the 6-acre Mangrove Park, visiting Sabah's ethnic houses, strolling along the picturesque white sandy Sabandar Beach, and embarking on a romantic sunset Firefly Cruise. There is plenty to do here, and it is the perfect spot to bring your family for weekend fun. When you are here, make sure to indulge in the culinary delights you can find at the Cowboy Restaurant.
Book Sabandar Cowboy Town Tour here!
Kota Kinabalu Indoor Art Classes & Craft Workshops
The Art Attic is a space where you can explore your artistic side through various art classes, workshops, and indoor events. From painting and pottery to photography and sculpture, the possibilities are endless. Get your hands dirty and create something beautiful!
The Art Attic is the perfect place for artists of all skill levels to come together and create. With a wide range of merchandise to shop and classes to attend, including hand-lettering, candle-making, jewellery-making, pottery, and more, The Art Attic has something for everyone. Come and discover your inner artist today!
Book Kota Kinabalu Indoor Art Classes & Craft Workshops here!
North Borneo Cruises
Get ready for an unforgettable evening with North Borneo Cruises!
Indulge in a 2-hour cruise, serving a delicious international buffet dinner and live band entertainment, while taking in the breathtaking views of the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park islands or the sparkling city night lights. Choose from two sessions, the Sunset Dinner Cruise or the KK Night Dinner Cruise, for an exciting experience across the South China Sea. Create cherished moments with your family, friends or colleagues as you go on an extraordinary journey with North Borneo Cruises!
Book North Borneo Cruises here!
Ride the waves and discover the thrill of surfing with Surf Discovery at Sabandar Beach, Tuaran as you stand up on the board, glide on the water, and catch that perfect wave!
Familiarise yourself with surfing equipment and the correct technique as the experts guide you on the basics of surfing—you will be riding the waves in no time! Experience Surf Discovery with your family or friends and make a splash, as the lessons are tailored to your surfing knowledge and confidence level.
Book Surf Discovery here!
Indoor Golf Simulation Centre
Get your golf game on point at Sabah's first-ever Indoor Golf Simulation Centre! Play on some of the world's most famous golf courses as you improve your swing and fine-tune your skills, all in the comfort of an indoor setting, whether to escape from the heat of the sun or have a game of golf on a rainy day.
With various game modes and options available, the Indoor Golf Simulation Centre is perfect for everyone, from avid golfers looking to improve their game to families and friends looking for a new and exciting activity together.
Book Indoor Golf Simulation Centre here!
Explore Malaysia's first underground ant gallery and discover the diverse cultures of Borneo at the Borneo Ant House! Here, you can learn about the fascinating behaviours of Borneo's ant species, immerse yourself in the cultures of the Bajau, Dusun Lotud, Iban, and Bidayuh people, and get to know the fascinating history of headhunting in Sabah.
Enjoy the beautiful views from the Secret Tree House and Canopy Walk, swim with your family in the swimming pool, and participate in exciting activities such as archery and ziplining. Experience the best of nature, culture and adventure all in one place!
Book Borneo Ant House Tuaran here!
Kokol Elf, located 45 minutes from Kota Kinabalu at Kokol Hill, is the perfect spot to escape the hectic city life. One of the best things about Kokol Elf is its stunning panoramic view, which overlooks the bustling city of Kota Kinabalu, the majestic Mount Kinabalu and the dazzling sunset over the South China Sea.
Whether you are lounging on the swing, nest, or hanging cocoon chair, you will get to take in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding area. And with so many Instagram-worthy spots, it's the perfect place to capture memories and share them with your friends and family.
Book Le’ One Kokol Elf here!
Take in Sabah's breathtaking scenery and natural beauty as you explore the mangroves of the Tembara River on a river kayak or sea kayaking in Tanjung Aru and Tuaran. One of the most exciting parts of kayaking is seeing the magnificent Mount Kinabalu in the glorious morning lights or basking in the sunset glow—either one will definitely make you fall in love deeper with the mountain. Explore Sabah's stunning scenery by kayaking, one of the top day trip activities in Kota Kinabalu.
Book your sunset kayaking in Tembara, Tanjung Aru, and Tuaran.
