24° to 29°
Wet & Cool
The coolest month of the year, still deep in the northeast monsoon with heavy rain.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
24° to 30°
Monsoon Eases
Still wet, though rain starts easing from the peak of the northeast monsoon.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
24° to 31°
Rain Eases Further
Rain continues to ease, with noticeably more sunshine than the months before it.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
24° to 32°
Best of the Year
One of the driest, sunniest months of the year, as close to a favorable stretch as Sandakan gets.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
25° to 33°
Hottest & Driest
The hottest month of the year and the driest too, with plenty of sunshine.
🥵 Heat protection☔ Umbrella handy
24° to 33°
Turtle Season Begins
Still comparatively dry, and the start of the Turtle Islands' nesting season.
☔ Umbrella handy🐢 Turtle nesting season
24° to 33°
Rain Builds
Rain picks back up somewhat, still warm and humid.
☔ Umbrella essential🐢 Turtle nesting season
24° to 33°
Rain Persists
Similar to July, with rain a regular presence.
☔ Umbrella essential🐢 Turtle nesting season
24° to 33°
Rain Persists
Still warm and rainy, the last month of the Turtle Islands' main nesting season.
☔ Umbrella essential🐢 Turtle nesting season
24° to 32°
Monsoon Approaches
Rain increases noticeably as the northeast monsoon begins building.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
24° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
The northeast monsoon settles in hard, with sustained heavy rain.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
24° to 30°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with the northeast monsoon in full force.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ 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.