MY · Sarawak · 2.76°N 114.06°E

bakun lake

A floating-house stay, fishing and boat rides on Sarawak's huge dam lake, 4 hours from Bintulu.

Best time
March to September is drier, which helps on the long road in. It rains all year, and the water level changes where boats can land.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Bintulu (about 2 hours), then it's about 4 hours by road to the Bakun jetty, much of it on the long inland road. From the jetty, the boat to a floating house takes 30–40 minutes. Hosts usually arrange the whole transfer.
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MY · Sarawakbakun lake2.76°N 114.06°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A floating-house stay, fishing and boat rides on Sarawak's huge dam lake, 4 hours from Bintulu.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBakun LakeMY, Sarawak
KLbakun lake
≈ 1,374 km from KL, as the crow flies

The Bakun Dam flooded a stretch of the Balui valley about the size of Singapore, leaving a lake of forested ridges and quiet inlets in the heart of Sarawak. Few people make it here. Those who do stay in a floating house, fish with their hosts and visit the longhouses at Sungai Asap, where the valley's Kayan and Kenyah communities were resettled.

Makan

  1. Ikan baongCatfish from the lake, grilled or steamed by your hosts.Map ↗
  2. Ayam pansuhChicken cooked in bamboo, if your hosts make it.Map ↗
  3. MidinCrunchy jungle fern, stir-fried, with the rice and fish.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. A floating-house nightSleep on the water and wake to mist over the lake.Map ↗
  2. FishingTry for ikan baong, a river catfish, and with luck semah, with your hosts.Map ↗
  3. Boat tripsCruise the inlets to picnic spots, a waterfall and quiet stretches of forest.Map ↗
  4. Sungai Asap longhousesThe resettled longhouses near the jetty, some of which take homestay guests.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book the transfer, boat, stay and meals together with your host. There's nothing to buy once you're on the water.
  • The dam itself is a restricted area. The trip is about the lake, not a dam tour.
  • Wear the life jacket. The lake hides drowned trees.

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