Although still relatively undiscovered by many travelers, Kudat and the Kudat Peninsula offers a unique and off-the-beaten-path destination in Sabah. Due to its secluded location from the rest of Sabah, the region has kept much of its original charm and traditions. Besides the Tip of Borneo the area is home to many beautiful beaches and unique cultural activities. Hence this relaxed-paced environment is great for enjoying natural beauty, cultural experiences, and relaxing beach getaways.
Kudat in short
Around 185 kilometers northeast of Kota Kinabalu, the coastal town of Kudat is the northernmost city of Sabah and the capital of the Kudat District. With a relatively small population of approximately 32.000, comprising mostly of Malay and Chinese, the prominent ethnic people living in the area are the Rungus tribe. The city is the gateway to the Kudat Peninsula with picturesque beaches, unspoiled islands, and lush green landscapes. On an annual basis, around 80,000 to 100,000 tourists visit the region of Kudat.
From Kota Kinabalu, Kudat can only be reached by road, which takes approximately 3 hours.
Tip of Borneo
A visit to Kudat would not be complete without a trip to the Tip of Borneo, at the very end of the Kudat Peninsula. This iconic landmark marks the northernmost point of the island of Borneo. Also dubbed the Horn of Sabah and Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, meaning ‘lingering junction’, this is where the South China Sea on the west and Sulu Sea on the east meet. According to locals, this point was once a post to observe and prevent pirates from landing. With many battles fought along the coast, there are supposedly many shipwrecks in the sea.
With picturesque views, the tip of Borneo is a beautiful place for sunset. The most notable feature marking the site is a large bronze globe with inscriptions of the location. After being closed due to renovations, the tip of Borneo re-opened to the public in April 2023.
What to do in and around Kudat
See below a list of activities to do in and around Kudat.
Tip of Borneo
A trip to the area of Kudat goes hand in hand with a trip to the Tip of Borneo, which is approximately a 40 minutes drive north of the city. This iconic landmark, also dubbed the Horn of Sabah, marks the northernmost point of the island of Borneo, where the Sulu and South China Seas meet. Enjoy breathtaking views, picturesque sunsets, and explore the nearby rocky cliffs and sandy beaches.
Rungus (Bavanggazo) Longhouses
As the most prominent ethnic community in the region, the Rungus people have a significant presence dating back before British colonization. Known for their communal lifestyle, the longhouses they live in boast numerous families living under one roof. Visiting their traditional longhouses offers a great opportunity to experience their distinct culture, traditions and provides insight into their way of life, crafts, and how they got by relying on fishing, farming, and hunting for their livelihood.
The Rungus longhouses are conveniently located along the route from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat. Besides visiting the longhouses, they also offer staying overnight in the Bavanggazo Longhouse Homestay. See also the where to stay section for more details.
Gombizau Honey Bee Farm
Near the Rungus longhouses south of Kudat, the Gombizau Honey Bee Farm provides insights into honey production and traditional beekeeping methods by the Rungus community. For many generations, the people of Kampung Gombizau have been consuming raw honey as it is believed and has been proven to possess remedial powers. Learn about the importance of bees to the ecosystem and watch how they are smoked out of their bee hives to extract pure honey. You also get a chance to taste raw honey straight from the honeycomb and learn about its superior taste to food when used in cooking.
Gong making in Sumangkap
Less than 1 km from Gombizau Honey Bee Farm is the village of Sumangkap, famous for its gong-making. These instruments are the main musical instrument of the Rungus and are played on all festive occasions. See a demonstration of gong making in various sizes and purchase a gong with a custom name or symbol as a souvenir to take it home.
Beaches
The region of Kudat is home to several beautiful beaches and islands, making it a great place to relax, surf, swim and picnic. Popular beaches include Kalampunian Beach and Kelambu Beach on the west coast and Bak Bak Beach on the east coast, just above Kudat town. Nearby islands such as Banggi Island and Balambangan Island to the north of Kudat offer opportunities for snorkeling and diving.
Attractions along the way to Kudat
On the way to Kudat, consider some regional attractions around Tuaran and Tamparuli or Kota Marudu;
- Tuaran; Peak of Hope, Sabankar Cowboy Town and Sabankar Magrove Park
- Tamparuli; Upside Down House, Tamparuli Suspension Bridge, Jurrasic Land Kiulu (ideal for kids), Zip Borneo, and Murug-Turug waterfalls a little further east.
- Kota Marudu; Walai Tobilung Cultural Village
When to go
Climate-wise, the best months to visit Kudat are February to April with temperatures of around 30 degrees. In general, January is the rainiest month as the typhoon season brings rain from the Philippines to this part of Sabah. Hence this period can come with flooding. The hottest months are April to June. As with the rest of Sabah, the humidity around Kudat is very high, with November as the most humid month of the year (84.2%) and September as the least humid (77.8%). The sea temperature is suitable for swimming all year round.
The busiest month for tourism in Kudat is December, followed by November and June. On the contrary, May is the least popular and hence least expensive month (but also the hottest).
How to get there
By road
Kudat is 185 kilometers / 3 hours away from Kota Kinabalu. The route goes past Tuaran and Kota Belud and is marked 3 on the Sabah road map. For most, the road is well-maintained with several rest areas or regional attractions along the way. A new 130-kilometer coastal highway from Tuaran to Kudat should cut traveling time between Kota Kinabalu and Kudat to 1.5 hours.
From the direction of Sandakan, it takes around 400km / 7 hours, going past Mount Kinabalu.
By bus
Another option is to take a bus from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat. Several bus companies operate daily services between the two destinations. Buses typically depart from the Inanam long-distance bus terminal just a little north of Kota Kinabalu, and the journey takes around 4 to 5 hours. Currently, Kudat is not a destination you can book via the Easybook app.
By flight (currently not operational)
Although Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have been operating flights to Kudat pre-covid, there are currently no flight options going here. Kudat Airport is around 10 kilometers north of the city.
Where to stay
Most accommodations in the area of Kudat can be found in and around Kudat on the eastern coast and near the tip of Borneo on the west coast. A unique stay is the Bavanggazo Longhouse Homestay south of Kudat.
Kudat Golf & Marina Resort
Very well priced and most likely the best hotel in the center of Kudat. This resort offers a golf course, swimming pool, and marina.
Friendly Hotel
The Kudat Riviera (luxury)
This beachfront resort offers a range of accommodation options, from cozy chalets to spacious villas. t provides stunning views of the sea.
Bavanggazo Longhouse Homestay
For a unique and cultural experience, consider staying in a traditional Rungus longhouse. Kampung Bavanggazo offers homestay options where you can live with a local family, participate in their daily activities, and learn about the Rungus culture and traditions.
Miabale Retreat
Hibiscus Villa Borneo (luxury)
Resorts and budget-friendly guesthouses around the tip of Borneo provide beautiful views of the coastline and easy access to stunning beaches and rocky cliffs.
Tanjung Simpang Mengayau
Hibiscus Beach Retreat
Tommy’s Place @ Tip of Borneo
BorneoTip Beach Lodge
