Kota Kinabalu

🇲🇾 Malaysia

Borneo's gateway to Mount Kinabalu

1

Avg. Ships / Day

8h

Avg. Time in Port

Peak Season

Not really a peak season

JFMAMJJASOND

3 sailings over the next 12 months

Based on cruises available on Cruisello

About Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah on Malaysian Borneo. Larger ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the port, which is about 2km from the city centre. The waterfront has a busy fish market and rows of seafood restaurants. Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's highest peak, is visible from the city on clear days but the national park is about two hours away by road. The islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just 15-20 minutes by boat, have coral reefs and clear water for snorkelling. The Filipino Night Market on the waterfront has cheap grilled seafood and satay. For wildlife, the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park has Borneo's proboscis monkeys, sun bears, and orangutans. Sabah's mixed Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, and Chinese communities give the city a distinctive cultural mix. The currency is Malaysian Ringgit, and English is widely spoken.

Port Location

Things to do in Kota Kinabalu

Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~8h port call

Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu

Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu

4.8(37)1h15:00–16:00, 17:00–18:00
Fits your port day
From $38per person
Viator
Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach

Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach

5.0(10)2h16:30–18:30, 17:30–19:30
Fits your port day
From $63per person
Viator
Kota Kinabalu City Tour Cultural & Heritage Tour with Lunch

Kota Kinabalu City Tour Cultural & Heritage Tour with Lunch

5.0(9)4h08:00–12:00
Fits your port day
From $63per person
Viator
Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo

Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo

4.8(9)4h04:30–08:30, 15:30–19:30
Fits your port day
From $48per person
Viator
Top of the World - Sunrise Leisure Hike St. Veronica Hill

Top of the World - Sunrise Leisure Hike St. Veronica Hill

5.0(8)4h04:00–08:00
Fits your port day
From $95per person
Viator
Half-Day Mari Mari Cultural Village from Kota Kinabalu

Half-Day Mari Mari Cultural Village from Kota Kinabalu

5.0(5)4h09:00–13:00, 12:00–16:00, 13:00–17:00
Fits your port day
From $92per person
Viator
RAID Try-Dive Experience in Kota Kinabalu

RAID Try-Dive Experience in Kota Kinabalu

4.9(54)6h09:00–15:00
From $123per person
Viator
Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour with Transport, Guide and Lunch

Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour with Transport, Guide and Lunch

5.0(5)5h09:00–14:00
Fits your port day
From $63per person
Viator
Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors

Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors

5.0(3)3h10:00–13:00, 16:30–19:30
Fits your port day
From $75per person
Viator
Join us for a RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu

Join us for a RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu

5.0(30)6h09:00–15:00
From $123per person
Viator
Mari-Mari Cultural Village Half Day Tour

Mari-Mari Cultural Village Half Day Tour

5.0(4)4h 30m09:00–13:30, 13:00–17:30
Fits your port day
From $83per person
Viator
Zen & Splash: Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga in Tanjung Aru

Zen & Splash: Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga in Tanjung Aru

5.0(2)45m08:00–08:45
Fits your port day
From $19per person
Viator

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.

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Cruises visiting Kota Kinabalu

Exotic Southeast Asia Odyssey – Singapore & Saigon

14 nightsNorwegian JadeHong Kong🇭🇰
From$3,349per person
View details

Quick Facts

TimezoneAsia/Makassar (UTC+8)
CurrencyMalaysian Ringgit (MYR)
$10 ≈ MYR 41
LanguagesEnglish, Malay, Tamil
TippingNot expected; service charge often included

Todays Weather

NaN°
Rain, Partially cloudy
8 km/h
UV 6

5-Day Forecast

Wed27°
Thu27°
Fri27°
Sat28°
Sun28°

Cruise Lines stopping in this port

Sail to Kota Kinabalu for $2,909pp

Compare 3 upcoming sailings.

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