Shabandar Beach: My Secret Paradise Where the Sand is Gold & the Crowds are Zero! 🌴🌊

#kotakinabalutrip Okay, I found it—the **perfect hidden beach** near Kota Kinabalu where I didn’t have to Photoshop strangers out of my pics! Shabandar Beach is that *quiet* friend who doesn’t brag but secretly has the best vibes. Here’s why you need to go before everyone else finds out! ### **First Impressions: "Is This Real Life?"** - **The sand:** Like walking on brown sugar—soft, warm, and *barefoot-approved* - **The water:** So clear I could count the pebbles (and my tan lines forming) - **The soundtrack:** Just waves, wind, and the occasional "plop" of a coconut falling ### **The Magic Moment: Golden Hour Glory** While other beaches pack up, Shabandar puts on a **free sunset show**—sky on fire, water turning to liquid gold, and not a single influencer doing yoga poses in sight. ### **Secret Spot: The "Crab Kingdom" Tide Pools** At low tide, scramble over the rocks on the left side to find: - Tiny fish playing hide-and-seek - Hermit crabs hosting shell swap meets - Natural "jacuzzis" (if you’re 3 inches tall) ### **Funny Encounter: The Machete Coconut Man** Local fisherman Pak Ali saw me sweating and *whack*—hacked open a coconut with his knife. "Vitamin sea!" he laughed. Best 5-ringgit I ever spent. ### **Beach Picnic Must-Haves:** 1. **Roti kahwin** (kaya toast) - the OG beach snack 2. **Iced Milo** - because childhood tastes better by the ocean 3. **Spicy keropok** - for that satisfying crunch between swims ### **Chill-Only Itinerary** 🕘 **9AM** Arrive (park right by the sand!) 🕚 **11AM** Swim + build questionable sandcastles 🕑 **2PM** Nap under palms (watch for falling coconuts!) 🕓 **4PM** Tide pool safari 🕠 **5:30PM** Sunset photos (no photobombers!) 🕖 **7PM** Seafood feast in KK (butter prawns mandatory) ### **Local Tips:** - Weekdays = your private beach - Bring water shoes for the rocks - Leave only footprints (this place is too pretty to trash) **My Rating:** 12/10 would trade my desk chair for a hammock here. **Who’s been? Any other secret beaches I should know about? Spill below! 👇** *(P.S. If this goes viral and ruins the quiet vibe, I’ll never forgive you all.)* 🤫💙