Sandakan Holiday Weather Overview
Sandakan is a popular base from which to explore northeast Borneo. The town has an interesting history, and suffered a great deal during the second world war, being home to an infamous prisoner of war camp.
Sandakan has plenty of natural attractions, as well as cultural ones. Nearby is the popular Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, and visitors can also enjoy the Gomantong caves, home to millions of bats. A little further afield lie the Turtle Islands, where rare protected turtles breed, and which are a haven for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Sandakan's Climate
Sandakan has a tropical rainforest climate. Because of its proximity to the equator, it is hot all year round, with little seasonal variation in temperatures. It's also pretty wet all year round - it is a rainforest, after all. This leads to consistently high levels of humidity which some visitors find uncomfortable.
Best Time to Visit Sandakan
The best time to visit Sandakan depends on what you want to gain from your experience. If you're looking for a typical beach holiday, you'll want to visit at a different time of year than if you're interested in the area's nature and wildlife.
Sun, Sea and Sand
If you're hoping to spend your time lazing on a beach, then the best time to visit Sandakan is April, which is the driest time of the year. Here you can expect average daily highs of 32°C, with overnight lows of 24°C. It's hot, sticky and humid, but in terms of actual rainfall you will probably just see a few thundery downpours rather than anything too prolonged.
Take plenty of beachwear and lightweight summer clothing, and perhaps an umbrella, just in case.
Sandakan's Wildlife
The best time of year for viewing turtles on Turtle Island is July. The best time to view Orang Utans is between April and November, as the trees are in fruit and the Orang Utans will come lower down in the forest.
Between April and November, average daily highs remain at around 32°C, with overnight lows of 24°C. Rain increases as you move towards November, but as ever in the tropics you'll find that most of the rain comes in torrential downpours in the afternoon or early evening.
However, April to November is typhoon season in the West Pacific and the Philippines. Although Sandakan is not affected directly, the sea bed is often stirred up so this season is not ideal for scuba divers.
Sandakan's Wet Season
Sandakan is wet all year round, but by far the wettest period of the year is between November and January. At this time, you can expect torrential rain - around 17 inches a month, coupled with high temperatures and high humidity.
Clearly this isn't ideal for a beach holiday, but nor is it ideal for more active pursuits. Mount Kinabalu is often closed to climbers during this season, as the ascent is too dangerous, and wildlife safaris become more difficult as the animals tend to hide. If you do visit Sandakan in the wet season, take waterproof shoes and be prepared for localised flooding.
Best months to visit Sandakan?
January and February are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Sandakan. The weather averages gathered from Sandakan weather forecast and Sandakan weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 28°c and average of 52.6 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Sandakan?
February and March are the coldest months with temperature at around 24°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Sandakan?
January and November receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 430.19mm.
Travelling to Sandakan? Check out our Weather averages of Sandakan to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Sandakan section.