24Β° to 29Β°
Wet & Cool
The coolest month of the year, still deep in the northeast monsoon with heavy rain.
β Heavy rain gearβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
24Β° to 30Β°
Monsoon Eases
Still wet, though rain starts easing from the peak of the northeast monsoon.
β Heavy rain gearπ₯΅ Heat protection
24Β° to 31Β°
Rain Eases Further
Rain continues to ease, with noticeably more sunshine than the months before it.
β Umbrella essentialπ₯΅ Heat protection
24Β° to 32Β°
Best of the Year
One of the driest, sunniest months of the year, as close to a favorable stretch as Sandakan gets.
β Umbrella handyπ₯΅ Heat protection
25Β° to 33Β°
Hottest & Driest
The hottest month of the year and the driest too, with plenty of sunshine.
π₯΅ Heat protectionβ Umbrella handy
24Β° to 33Β°
Turtle Season Begins
Still comparatively dry, and the start of the Turtle Islands' nesting season.
β Umbrella handyπ’ Turtle nesting season
24Β° to 33Β°
Rain Builds
Rain picks back up somewhat, still warm and humid.
β Umbrella essentialπ’ Turtle nesting season
24Β° to 33Β°
Rain Persists
Similar to July, with rain a regular presence.
β Umbrella essentialπ’ Turtle nesting season
24Β° to 33Β°
Rain Persists
Still warm and rainy, the last month of the Turtle Islands' main nesting season.
β Umbrella essentialπ’ Turtle nesting season
24Β° to 32Β°
Monsoon Approaches
Rain increases noticeably as the northeast monsoon begins building.
β Heavy rain gearβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
24Β° to 31Β°
Deep Monsoon
The northeast monsoon settles in hard, with sustained heavy rain.
β Heavy rain gearβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
24Β° to 30Β°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with the northeast monsoon in full force.
β Heavy rain gearβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
β
β
β
peak season, β
β
β decent shoulder months, β
ββ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Sandakan?›
Sandakan's wettest stretch runs roughly from October through February, when the northeast monsoon brings over 300mm of rain in a typical month, with December historically the wettest, averaging around 450mm across 20 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Sandakan?›
April through June is historically Sandakan's least rainy stretch and the best window for a visit, though some rain should still be expected.
What is the least favorable time to visit Sandakan?›
November through January historically brings the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, as the northeast monsoon settles in.
Which month has the most rain in Sandakan?›
December is historically the wettest month, averaging around 450mm of rain across 20 days.
Which month is the driest in Sandakan?›
May is historically the driest month, averaging around 137mm of rain.
How hot does Sandakan get?›
May is historically the hottest month of the year.
What should I pack for Sandakan during the rainy season?›
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around October through February, when the northeast monsoon brings the bulk of the year's rain.
When can I see turtles nesting near Sandakan?›
Roughly June through September, when green turtles come ashore on the nearby Turtle Islands to lay their eggs.
Can I see orangutans near Sandakan?›
Yes. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, just west of the city, cares for orphaned and injured orangutans, with scheduled feeding times.
Is wildlife-watching good near Sandakan?›
Yes. The nearby Kinabatangan River is well known for boat safaris spotting proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and other wildlife along its banks.