Hi, I posted a message here but can't see it. Maybe they haven't got it up cos I'm a new user here.
Just want to add some more points to what Ali has mentioned.
Diving - There are a few good diving spots in Sabah. In the west coast where Kota Kinabalu is, you can dive in the nearby islands, e.g. Sapi or Mamutik, just a 20-30mins speedboat ride; in the east coast, of course Sipadan and Mabul are inevitably the best diving spots, but you will need to fly to Tawau (airfare around RM200 on the budget airline www.airasia.com), after that 1 hr to Semporna, and then another hour's boat ride to the island; alternatively, you can take a bus ride down from Sandakan, since you are going to Sandakan. Suggest that you take a flight back after that.
Another place to dive is up north, called Mantanani, you can do a day trip or stay in the chalet on the island. Dugongs are easily sighted in Mantanani.
Mt Kinabalu - if you want to climb, you can book in advance thru an agent here (which i can help) or you can deal direct with Sutera Sanctuary Lodge, number stated in Ali's message. The problem is, you'll have to call them every now and then to check if there is any room available at Laban Rata, the resthouse at 3,000km, the last stop before you hit the summit. After the climb, I'll suggest that you go to Poring Hotspring for a dip in the sulphuric spring water. If you can still climb, trek up the canopy walk and do the suspension bridge. It's fun.
White Water Rafting - drive up to Beaufort Train Station, take the only train (diesel) in Borneo, built by the British, and then get to the starting point of the adrenalin pumping white water rafting along the Padas River. Everyone who has been on this tour will never regret and in fact, love it so much that they want to do it again and again. I personally love it even though I got thrown out of the raft every time (some rafter friends of mine just like to do that to me, so be nice to them 😊.
Proboscis Monkey + Wetland + Fireflies - There are two places you can see Proboscis monkey, one in Kinabatangan River (west coast) and Klias Wetland (east coast). Klias is easily accessed since it's just a 2 hour bus ride away from Kota Kinabalu. To see the long nosed monkey, you just need to take a boat ride along Klias River. At the end of the tour when darkness falls, you will be amazed by the glittering fireflies, dancing along the river bank.
Hope this info is useful for you.
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