https://au.trip.com/moments/detail/kota-kinabalu-583-132485508
JULIE BARRETTUnited States

Kota Kinabalu is stunning, but I honestly don't recommend visiting in June because...

Kota Kinabalu: A tropical fantasy of sunset spectacles × firefly-filled mangroves × snorkeling at Mermaid Island (Tanjung Aru Beach × Kinabalu Park × Secret Lagoon of Mantanani Island × butter prawn feast × Floating Mosque) **📍 Core Experiences: Sunset Spectacle × Nature Encounter × Island Adventure** **🆓 Free Highlights** **🌅 Tanjung Aru Beach Sunset "Golden Hour Spectacle"** 📍 Top 3 sunset spot globally (18:00-19:30). Wear a bohemian dress for a *First Love* romantic vibe. AR triggers "Sunset Countdown" (real-time best photo time). Base at Shangri-La's beach (unobstructed view). Bring sunscreen (strong UV) and flip-flops (soft sand). Code "SUNSET KEY" for free coconut smoothie. **🌳 Kota Kinabalu City Mosque "Mirror Lake Spectacle"** 📍 Asia's most beautiful Floating Mosque (8:00-17:00). Wear a Muslim robe for *Arabian Nights* mystique. AR triggers "Architecture Projection" (religious stories). Base at lakeside boardwalk (reflection shots). Bring a sunhat (open square) and sandals (slippery shore). Code "MOSQUE KEY" for free headscarf. **🦅 Gaya Street Sunday Market "Local Flair Spectacle"** 📍 Every Sunday 8:00-13:00. Wear a floral shirt for *Coco*-style market fun. AR triggers "Dialect Translator" (vendor phrases). Base at durian cake stall (Musang King samples). Bring a sun jacket (no shade) and a crossbody bag (crowded). Code "MARKET KEY" for free hand-drawn map. **💸 Premium Highlights** **🐚 Mermaid Island Snorkeling "Coral Spectacle"** 📍 1-hour speedboat ride (lunch + gear included). Wear a bikini for *Legend of the Blue Sea* underwater shots. AR triggers "Fish Tracker" (rare species). Base at Mantanani Island (white sand + reefs). Bring waterproof sunscreen and motion sickness patches. Code "CORAL KEY" for free underwater camera. **🌌 KAWA Mangrove Fireflies "Galaxy Spectacle"** 📍 Evening cruise (proboscis monkey spotting). Wear dark clothes for *Avatar* fantasy. AR triggers "Firefly Guide" (real-time hotspots). Base at mangrove boardwalk (monkey photos). Bring bug spray and a light jacket (cool nights). Code "FIREFLY KEY" for free glow bracelet. **🏔 Kinabalu Park ATV Adventure "Mud Spectacle"** 📍 4x4 rainforest trek (farm experience included). Wear a windbreaker for *Fast & Furious* thrills. AR triggers "Off-Road Navigator" (terrain updates). Base at Desa Cattle Farm (cow cuddles + ice cream). Bring a face mask (dusty) and gloves (ATV grip). Code "ATV KEY" for free farm milk. **🚗 Transport Guide: Speedboat × Private Car × Island Hopping** **🛥 Mermaid Island Speedboat "Wave Spectacle"** 🛥 Round-trip (~¥250). Wear a life jacket for *Pirates of the Caribbean* vibes. AR triggers "Wave Alert" (real-time conditions). Base at jetty (meeting point). Bring sunscreen and a vomit bag. Code "BOAT KEY" for free seasickness bag. **🚗 Private Island Tour "Freedom Spectacle"** 🚗 7-seater day trip (~¥600). Wear casual clothes for *On the Road* snaps. AR triggers "Attraction Guide" (next stop updates). Base with driver (Chinese guide). Bring a sunhat (no AC) and a lockbox (valuables). Code "CAR KEY" for free water. **🏝 Island Hopping "Island Combo"** 📍 Mantanani + Sapi + Mamutik (lunch + snorkeling). Wear swimwear for *Baywatch* moments. AR triggers "Island Switch" (real-time info). Base at transfer boat. Bring reef shoes and waterproof sunscreen. Code "ISLAND KEY" for free snorkel mask. **🍤 Food Guide: Butter Prawns × Bak Kut Teh × Durian** **🔥 Must-Try Codes** **🦐 Welcome Seafood "Butter Prawn Spectacle"** 📍 Downtown (¥80/person). Wear a tee for *Midnight Diner* feels. Order by weight to avoid scams. Code "BUTTER KEY" for free pepper crab. **🍲 Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh "Herbal Spectacle"** 📍 Gaya Street (¥25/person). Wear hanfu for *Cooking Master Boy* vibes. Free soup refills. Code "HERB KEY" for free fried dough. **🍈 Durian Street "King of Fruits Spectacle"** 📍 Bridge Night Market (Musang King ~¥60/kg). Wear shorts for *Durian Drama* fun. Pick split durians for ripeness. Code "DURIAN KEY" for free mangosteen. **🏨 Stay Guide: Beach × Street × Farm** **🌅 Tanjung Aru Hotels "Sunset Spectacle"** 🏨 Shangri-La/Tanjung Aru Resort (sunset bar + infinity pool). Wear evening gown for *007* luxury. Base at beach deck (panoramic shots). Bring sunscreen and a pool blanket. Code "BEACH KEY" for free champagne. **🏮 Gaya Street Homestays "Local Spectacle"** 🏠 ¥200-400/night (breakfast + market map). Wear floral shirts for *Nanyang Nostalgia*. Base at rooftop (market views). Bring a sunhat and a lock. Code "GAYA KEY" for free souvenir. **🐄 Kinabalu Farm Lodges "Pastoral Spectacle"** 🏡 ¥500-800/night (ATV + farm tour). Wear cowboy gear for *Westworld* adventure. Base at stargazing spot (milky way photos). Bring a jacket and sleeping bag (<5°C nights). Code "FARM KEY" for free milk. **📸 Photo Guide: Silhouettes × Fireflies × Jellyfish** **🌅 Tanjung Aru Silhouettes "Golden Silhouette"** 📍 Beach boardwalk. Wear solid-color dresses for *Love Letter* aesthetics. AR triggers "Silhouette Filter" (lighting adjust). Base at coconut trees (framing). Bring wet wipes (sandy). Code "SILHOUETTE KEY" for free photo book. **🌌 KAWA Fireflies "Green Galaxy"** 📍 Boat deck. Wear dark clothes for *Guardians of the Galaxy* magic. AR triggers "Firefly Timelapse" (real-time video). Base at mangroves (no light pollution). Code "GALAXY KEY" for free postcard. **🐠 Mermaid Island Jellyfish "Transparent Spectacle"** 📍 Coral reefs. Wear a bikini for *Aquaman* shots. AR triggers "Jellyfish Tracker" (real-time locations). Base near fish schools (interactive backdrop). Bring a waterproof phone case. Code "JELLYFISH KEY" for free snorkel video. 📌📸 Bookmark now—let Kota Kinabalu’s sunsets, fireflies, and islands dazzle your tropical dreams!
View original text
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: May 29, 2025
_ti***ku
_ti***2c
Petermary
_ti***81
17 people found this moment helpful
7 Comments
_TS***sm
_TS***sm
View original text
Nevenna
Nevenna
Show more
Submit
17
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Tanjung Aru Beach

4.8/52220 reviews | Diving
Kota Kinabalu
No.2 of Best Things to Do in Sabah
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

Haven't seen one of the world's top 3 sunsets yet? Don't worry, go to Kota Kinabalu!!

쮸블리블리
Tanjung Aru Beach

Malaysia | Chasing the Most Beautiful Sunset in Kota Kinabalu

Oscar~Mitchell
Kinabalu GeoPark

Kota Kinabalu is stunning, but I honestly don’t recommend going in July because...........

Aurora_Nightshade+34
Yee Fung Laksa

Sabah #Be a lady in a resort #Massage Asia's first choice #Enjoy the best Malay cuisine

Sarah0408
The Stadthuys

I gave up on Thailand—Malaysia is visa-free, delicious, fun, and safe!

ExpeditionExplorers
Tanjung Aru Beach

Honestly, Kota Kinabalu and Semporna are perfect overseas destinations for family trips with kids

Ariana Cox
Tanjung Aru Beach

Seaside Final Showdown! Semporna vs. Kota Kinabalu – The Ultimate Choice for Food, Stay & Fun

_25_1996_Karen
Mengalum Island

🏖️ Is this Maldives?! No, this is Kota Kinabalu✨

노마드너겟
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Kota Kinabalu is Must Visit😍

adilk
Tanjung Aru Beach

Tanjung Aru Beach: Sabah’s Golden Hour Paradise

Vivian21
Mengalum Island

Magellan Sutera Resort in Malaysia is Wonderful😍❤️

adilk
Tanjung Aru Beach

Sorry, even the sunset at Tanjung Aru can only rank TOP 3

PhoenixSoul78901