Photo Credits: Sabah Tourism Board / Chong Chao Sheng
By Geena Roslyna & Elwa Gloria Justin
Earth Day is like that underrated character in a movie, often overlooked but quietly carrying more importance than we realise.
In Sabah, we are surrounded by natural wonders, from one of the oldest rainforests in the world to some of the most sought-after diving spots. But these places do not stay this way on their own. It takes effort, consistency, and cooperation to protect them.
This Earth Day, here are a few places in Sabah that remind us why it matters.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
Danum Valley is one of Southeast Asia’s best-preserved lowland rainforests, estimated to be around 130 million years old, older than the Amazon. Home to species like the Bornean orangutan, bornean elephant, and clouded leopard, it remains one of the last places where Borneo’s wildlife still thrives in its natural habitat. It also has a famous canopy walkway and scientists from all over the world visit this rainforest for research.
Maliau Basin
Maliau Basin is one of the few places in the world that remains virtually untouched. In fact, it remained largely unexplored until the 1980s, protected by its almost perfectly circular shape that feels like a natural fortress. Deep within, it is home to the stunning 7-tiered Maliau Falls, one of Sabah’s most iconic hidden waterfalls.
With no roads leading in, every view here is earned on foot.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Just 15 to 20 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is one of the most accessible island getaways in Sabah. Made up of five islands—Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug—it offers clear waters ideal for snorkelling, parasailing, and a quick escape into nature.
Tun Sakaran Marine Park
Often referred to as the “Maldives of Sabah,” Tun Sakaran Marine Park is known for its striking turquoise waters and island landscapes. It is home to the iconic Bohey Dulang viewpoint, where panoramic views reveal the full beauty of the surrounding lagoon. Beneath the surface, rich coral reefs support hundreds of marine species.
Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu stands at 4,095 metres, making it the highest mountain in Malaysia. Unlike many peaks of its scale, it is a walkable summit climb without the need for ropes, though still physically demanding. At sunrise, climbers are often rewarded with a sea of clouds stretching below them. Beyond its landscape, Kinabalu also holds deep cultural significance, believed by local communities to be a resting place for spirits.
Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan River is one of the best places in Asia for wildlife river safaris. Along its banks, visitors have the chance to spot the “Big 5 of Borneo”—orangutans, Bornean elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and crocodiles. At sunset, the river transforms into a scene straight out of a nature documentary.
