Top Kota Kinabalu Half-day Tours

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.

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.

Spot wildlife and fireflies on the banks of the Klias River on river cruise from Kota Kinabalu that goes deep into the protected Klias Wetland. The afternoon departure time ensures that you’ll arrive at the river as animals become most active, you’ll see a spectacular natural show when thousands of fireflies come out after sunset, and the night concludes with a traditional kampong-style dinner.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fish for crabs in a mangrove forest on a full-day tour from Kota Kinabalu to Borneo Kellybays that combines a morning mangrove cruise with a free afternoon in a scenic resort. With optional activities that include kayaking, paddle boats, and banana boats, the day can be as relaxed or adventurous as you want, and you’ll find plenty of space to lounge on Borneo Kellybays’ pristine beach.

Explore both the popular highlights and some lesser-known spots of Kota Kinabalu city on this small-group day tour. A highlight is the unusual Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, a floating temple surrounded by a lagoon. Visit a produce market selling everything from seafood to flowers, and ask your guide for local food recommendations for lunch. Plus, you'll get the best views of  Kota Kinabalu Crocker Range National Park from a viewpoint.

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.

If you’re looking to satisfy an appetite for adventure then look no further than this white-water rafting and zipline tour from Kota Kinabalu, the ideal choice for thrill seekers. No previous white-water rafting experience is necessary to tackle Class III-IV rapids of the Kulu River as you’ll have a guide on hand at all times. Plus, included hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch make for a hassle-free experience tat requires no advance planning.

Spend the day in paradise during this day trip to Manukan Island near Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy a range of activities during your beach sojourn, ranging from beach volleyball to sunbathing to snorkeling and more. Additional amenities like the island’s nearly 1-mile-long (1.5-km) walking trail, optional side visit to Sapi or Mamutik Island, and an included barbecue lunch help ensure a memorable day.

See Kota Kinabalu’s lively nightlife unfold before your eyes as the sun sets on the South China Sea. Stroll through the bustling night market, admire a beautiful sunset from splendid Signal Hill, and indulge in a fresh seafood dinner as locals perform traditional dances to authentic Malaysian songs. - Kota Kinabalu's thriving nightlife & city lights - Bargain-hunting & street eats at the bustling night market - Signal Hill—wondrous cityscape & ocean views - Spirited performance of traditional Sabah dance - Delicious & freshly prepared seafood dinner

Learn about the seafaring skills of the Bajau Laut people, a tribal group of Malaysia commonly referred to as ‘sea gypsies.’ This day trip to Gayang village includes a cruise past their houses built on stilts. Go crab catching and observe main livelihoods, such as fishing and pearl farming, then try your hand at batik painting and keep your creation to take home as a souvenir. Light refreshments are included along with round-trip transport from Kota Kinabalu hotels.

Shimmy through the sights, sounds and leafy streetscapes of Kota Kinabalu City. Architectural heritage, Buildings that withstand the WW2 and a view point of the whole city in all its unassuming charm, you might want to get your cameras ready for this one.

Kota Kinabalu City is the gateway to the Land Below the Wind. It is the state capital of Sabah. At 0930 hrs or 1400, pick up at the City hotel and proceed with a guided tour around the city tour. Take a bird's eye view of the city from Signal Hill. Visit Tun Mustapha Building with its 32 Storey Building with its column of free floors. Visit Poh Toh Tse Buddhist Temple and drive through residential estates. Unravel Sabah's heritage at the State Mosque. Learn more about the rich heritage of Sabah at the State Museum.

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.

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.

Beautiful Borneo Kellybays is an exotic water paradise like no other, located within a mangrove forest along the coast of South China Sea. Nestled among the shady mangrove trees on one side and opening up to a panoramic 8KM beach overlooking South China Sea on the other, Borneo Kellybays offers visitors the unique experience by combining river life and the islander’s life. Whether you enjoy the adrenaline rushing water sports of riding on a banana boat and kayaking in a mangrove river or prefer relaxing in a hammock and splashing in the sparkling blue waters of South China Sea, Borneo Kellybays can offer you this and more! Visitors can also indulge in delicious cool desserts in the shaded lounge area, try their hand in batik painting, or test their sharpshooter talent with the traditional blowpipe darts.

Combine nature with adventure during a full-day tour of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park from Kota Kinabalu. Without the hassle of planning transport or buying snorkelling equipment, you’ll experience the thrills of the Coral Flyer, a zipline that provides views of Sapi Island’s rainforest and coral reefs, and have ample free time to relax on the sands of Sapi Island. Plus, convenient hotel pickup and drop-off mean you won’t have to worry about finding a meeting point.

Sabah’s gateway to Borneo has long been on the radar for those eager seeing more of the natural splendour of Malaysia’s green heart. However, the city has blossomed over the years, where it once did not have a prominent position on the tourism map. Called KK by its residents, Kota Kinabalu has turned into a melting pot of culture, food and a strong affinity towards that what keeps the city such a pleasure to wander through. Its demands to follow in the footsteps of the 21st century are there, but holding tight to its historical values, sights and landmarks makes it an excellent example of old versus new. Turn your Malaysia Borneo exploration complete with our half-day touring the sights, sounds and cultural aspects of one of Malaysia’s thriving travel hubs.

Malaysia’s deeply-rooted cultural heritage has long been a key reason for travellers exploring the Sabah side of Borneo. Spread across the vastness of the region, the cultural differences between the indigenous tribes and minorities, the awareness of the interesting sights and sounds of ethnicity slowly moves towards preservation. With Mari Mari Cultural Village, guests are now able to get a taste of the diversity of the Borneo side of the variety of Borneo without having to travel into all corners and directions and seeking out these interests. The set-up of this village is centralized around the values of Borneo minorities, each with their specific traditions and beliefs. With three departures each day, planned in such a way that engaged visitors will not miss some of the demonstrations of what is acclaimed to be one of the best set-ups of multi-cultural experiences.

The North Borneo Railway runs two weekly return departures (Wednesday & Saturday) from Kota Kinabalu to Papar, year round. Lasting approximately 4 hours, passengers experience the lush landscape of the coastal and rural regions of Sabah. A typical 'tiffin' colonial lunch will be served on the return trip.

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.