City in Sabah, Malaysia
Sandakan for solo travelers
Is Sandakan good for solo travel?
Sabah's gateway to Sepilok orangutans, the Kinabatangan river and Turtle Islands. Cheap and friendly with wartime history; the town is quiet and public transport is basic.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Dress modestly, take taxis at night and book river lodges through established operators. |
How to meet people in Sandakan
Backpacker hostels in town, group tours to Sepilok and Kinabatangan, shared river boats and lodge dinners.
Good things to do alone
- Watch orangutan feeding at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre
- Take a Kinabatangan River dawn cruise
- Visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- Walk the Sandakan Heritage Trail
- Eat fresh seafood at Sim Sim Water Village
Where to stay in Sandakan
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sandakan town centre | Waterfront, markets, budget hotels and seafood |
| Sepilok | Close to the orangutan centre and forest lodges |
| Taman Tshun Ngen and Bandar Indah | Residential stays, malls and local restaurants |
Solo travel across Malaysia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Penang | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kuala Lumpur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Malacca | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kota Kinabalu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cameron Highlands | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Perhentian Islands | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kuching | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Tioman | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sandakan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Taman Negara | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Langkawi | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ipoh | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Johor Bahru | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Redang | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Semporna | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Genting Highlands | 2/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Sandakan good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Sabah's gateway to Sepilok orangutans, the Kinabatangan river and Turtle Islands.
How do you meet people in Sandakan?
Backpacker hostels in town, group tours to Sepilok and Kinabatangan, shared river boats and lodge dinners. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Sandakan?
Widely spoken.
Is Sandakan safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Dress modestly, take taxis at night and book river lodges through established operators.
More about Sandakan
Going to Sandakan solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.