MY · Sarawak · 1.72°N 110.47°E

bako national park

Boat in for proboscis monkeys, sea stacks and bearded pigs on the beach.

Best time
The drier months from about March to October are best. During the north-east monsoon, roughly November to February, seas get rough and boats can be cancelled.
How long
A day trip, or 2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kuching (about 1 hour 45 minutes). From Kuching it's about 45 minutes by car or bus to Kampung Bako, then a 20-minute boat ride to the park.
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MY · Sarawakbako national park1.72°N 110.47°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Boat in for proboscis monkeys, sea stacks and bearded pigs on the beach.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBako National ParkMY, Sarawak
KLbako national park
≈ 988 km from KL, as the crow flies
Padang scrub at Bako National Park, with Nepenthes rafflesiana and N. gracilis climbing on shrub plant in foreground.

Photo: Mgiganteus1 at English Wikipedia · Public domain

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Sarawak's oldest national park sits on a small peninsula near Kuching, and you can only get there by boat. Sandstone cliffs, sea stacks and sandy coves frame a network of trails, and wildlife is easy to see: proboscis monkeys in the trees, bearded pigs on the beach and macaques everywhere.

Things to do

  1. Telok Pandan Kecil trailA popular walk over the clifftops to a sandy cove, with a sea stack in view on the way.Map ↗
  2. Telok Paku trailA short trail where proboscis monkeys are often seen in the late afternoon.Map ↗
  3. Lintang trailA longer loop up onto the plateau for pitcher plants and changing forest.Map ↗
  4. Night walkA guided walk after dark for frogs, snakes, insects and sleeping birds.Map ↗
  5. Sea stacks by boatAsk your boatman to pass the sea stacks and arches. The famous cobra-head stack collapsed in 2024, but plenty remain.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Macaques snatch food and plastic bags. Keep bags zipped and never feed them.
  • Boat times depend on the tide. Agree your pick-up time with the boatman before he leaves you.
  • Estuarine crocodiles live in the area, so take the no-swimming signs seriously.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.