Kudat Sabah Travel Guide: Things to Do, How to Get There and When to Go

Kudat sits at the top of Sabah, on a peninsula that points straight into the sea where Borneo ends.

Most visitors to Sabah spend their time around Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu and the islands off the west coast. Kudat gets far fewer people, and that is a big part of its appeal.

The roads are quiet, the beaches are wide and empty, and the Rungus villages along the way still keep their traditions going.

This Kudat Sabah travel guide covers where it is, how to reach it from Kota Kinabalu, what to see, where to eat and stay, and when to plan your visit.

Where is Kudat and why visit?

Kudat is a small coastal town in northern Sabah, on Malaysian Borneo. It overlooks Marudu Bay on one side, and the peninsula around it ends at the northernmost point of the island.

The town has real history. In the early 1880s it served as the first capital of British North Borneo, before the administration moved to Sandakan. That era brought Chinese settlers, which is why you will still see old shophouses, a Chinese temple and Chinese street names in town.

Today Kudat is known for three things.

The Tip of Borneo, where two seas meet.

Quiet white sand beaches with almost no development.

The Rungus community, whose longhouses, gongs and beadwork are the cultural heart of the region.

Coconut plantations cover much of the peninsula too, and locals sometimes call the area the land of coconuts.

How to get to Kudat from Kota Kinabalu

Kudat is roughly 190 km north of Kota Kinabalu. The drive usually takes three to four hours, depending on traffic and how many stops you make.

The road runs north through Tuaran, Kota Belud and Kota Marudu before reaching the Kudat peninsula. The scenery changes from paddy fields and river valleys to oil palm estates and then open coastline.

You have three practical options.

Self drive. This gives you the most freedom, since the best stops in Kudat are spread out and have no public transport between them. Start early, ideally before 8 am, so you are not driving the last stretch after dark.

Bus. Buses run between Kota Kinabalu and Kudat town, but schedules are limited. You would still need a taxi or a local driver to reach the Tip of Borneo and the villages.

Private transfer or guided day trip. This is the easiest way if you only have a day or two. A driver handles the long road, and you can stop at the gong village, the longhouse and the beaches without worrying about directions or parking.

Things to do in Kudat

Stand at the Tip of Borneo

The Tip of Borneo, known locally as Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, is the main reason people make the trip.

It is the northernmost point of Borneo, where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea. A marker and viewing areas sit on the headland, and paths lead down toward the rocks and the water.

Go in the late afternoon. The light is softer, the heat drops, and you can stay for sunset. Wear shoes with grip, since some of the rocks and paths are uneven.

The area is open daily during daylight hours, and any entry fee is small. Bring water and a hat, because there is little shade near the point itself.

Visit a Rungus longhouse at Kampung Bavanggazo

The Rungus are the largest ethnic group in the Kudat area, and Kampung Bavanggazo near Matunggong is the best known place to learn about them.

The longhouse here is built from bamboo with a thatched roof. Several families traditionally share one longhouse, with each family having its own room.

Visitors can look around, watch traditional music and dance, and try Rungus food. Many people choose to stay overnight to see village life properly.

Look for pinakol, the beaded necklaces the Rungus are known for. Each design carries its own motifs, and buying one directly from the village women supports the community.

If you want more background on Sabah’s ethnic groups, our guide to the Mari Mari Cultural Village introduces the Rungus alongside four other tribes.

See gongs being made at Kampung Sumangkap

Gongs are central to Rungus ceremonies, weddings and festivals. Kampung Sumangkap is where many of them are made by hand.

You can watch the craftsmen shape and tune the metal, try striking a gong yourself, and buy a small one as a souvenir.

Nearby Matunggong hosts the annual Pesta Gong Matunggong, a festival built around gong music. Dates change each year, so check locally before planning around it.

Stop at the Gombizau honey bee farm

Gombizau is a short stop that works well on the drive between Kota Kinabalu and Kudat.

The farm works with stingless bees, and a short tour explains how the honey is collected. You can taste a few varieties and buy a jar to take home.

Relax at Kelambu Beach, Bak-Bak and Kalampunian

Kudat’s beaches are a big draw, mostly because you often have them to yourself.

Kelambu Beach is known for clear water and, at low tide, a sandbar that lets you walk out toward a small island. Bak-Bak Beach is easy to reach from town and has shallow turquoise water. Kalampunian Beach sits close to the Tip of Borneo, so it pairs well with a sunset visit.

There are no big resorts or beach clubs here. Bring your own snacks and water, and check the tide before you go.

For a wider comparison of northern and west coast beaches, read our guide to the best beaches in Sabah.

Walk through Kudat town

Give the town itself an hour or two. The fish market near the port is busy in the morning, the produce market is close by, and the esplanade along Marudu Bay is a pleasant place to watch fishing boats come in.

The small ferry terminal here also connects to Banggi Island, the largest island in Malaysia, for travelers who want to go further.

What to eat in Kudat

Seafood is the obvious choice. Fish, prawns and squid come in from the local boats, and simple seafood restaurants around town serve them grilled, steamed or fried.

Kudat’s Chinese community also shaped the local food scene, so you will find coffee shops serving noodles, kopi and traditional breakfasts.

If you stay at a Rungus longhouse, ask about local dishes cooked with bamboo and forest greens. A small glass of lihing, the traditional Rungus rice wine, is often offered at cultural evenings.

Where to stay in Kudat

Accommodation in Kudat is mostly small and locally run. You will find guesthouses and budget hotels in town, beach villas near Kelambu and the Tip of Borneo, and the Kudat Golf and Marina Resort for a more resort style stay.

For something different, book a night at a Rungus longhouse such as Bavanggazo or the Maranjak Longhouse Lodge. Advance booking is a good idea, especially in school holidays.

Staying at least one night is worth it. It lets you catch the sunset at the Tip of Borneo without racing back to Kota Kinabalu in the dark.

Best time to visit Kudat

The drier months, roughly March to September, are the most comfortable for beaches, sunsets and road travel.

From around November to February the northeast monsoon brings more rain and rougher seas to the north coast. The villages and longhouses can still be visited, but beach days are less reliable.

Wherever you go, pack sun protection, light clothing and a rain jacket. Showers can appear quickly even in the drier months.

A simple Kudat itinerary

One day trip from Kota Kinabalu. Leave early and stop at Gombizau for the honey farm. Continue to Sumangkap for the gongs, then to Bavanggazo for lunch and a longhouse visit. Reach the Tip of Borneo in the late afternoon, then stop at Kelambu Beach if time allows before the long drive back.

It works, but it makes for a full day with a lot of road.

Two days, one night. Do the same route at a slower pace. Stay overnight near the Tip or at a Rungus longhouse, watch the sunset, and spend the second morning at Kelambu or Bak-Bak before heading home.

Three days. Add Kudat town, the marine scenery around the peninsula, and a slower pace through the Kota Belud and Kota Marudu area on the way.

Practical tips for visiting Kudat

• Fuel up before leaving Kota Belud or Kota Marudu, since stations thin out near the peninsula.
• Carry some cash, because smaller shops, village stalls and craft sellers may not take cards.
• Dress modestly in villages and remove your shoes before entering a longhouse.
• Take a little of your own trash out with you, particularly at the beaches and the Tip of Borneo.

Planning your Kudat trip

Kudat rewards people who are happy to take their time. The road is long, but the quiet beaches, the Rungus culture and the sunset at the top of Borneo make it a good addition to a Sabah trip.

If you would rather not spend the day driving, City MPV Travel and Tours is a licensed tour operator in Kota Kinabalu that runs private MPV transfers and day trips across Sabah. A private vehicle with a driver lets you handle the distance comfortably and stop where you like.