MY · Sabah · 5.35°N 115.74°E

beaufort

White-water rafting on the Padas and proboscis monkeys out in Klias.

Best time
Any time of year, though heavy rain can make the river too high to raft. The year-end months are wettest.
How long
1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Kinabalu (about 2.5 hours), then drive about 1.5 hours south. Most rafting and Klias trips are sold as packages with transport from KK.
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MY · Sabahbeaufort5.35°N 115.74°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,White-water rafting on the Padas and proboscis monkeys out in Klias.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBeaufortMY, Sabah
KLbeaufort
≈ 1,577 km from KL, as the crow flies
Beaufort (Sabah): Main Road

Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Beaufort is a river town about 90 km south of Kota Kinabalu, with shophouses raised high above the road to escape the Padas River's floods. It's the jumping-off point for white-water rafting on the Padas and for river cruises in the Klias wetlands to see proboscis monkeys and fireflies.

Makan

  1. Beaufort meeFried egg noodles with plenty of greens and meat, a Sabah favourite named after the town.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Padas raftingProper white water through the Padas gorge, one of Sabah's best-known rafting trips.Map ↗
  2. Klias river cruiseLate-afternoon boat trips through the wetlands to spot proboscis monkeys, then fireflies after dark.Map ↗
  3. The old townWalk past the raised shophouses built for the floods.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Padas rafting is much rougher than Kiulu, with age and fitness limits, so go with a licensed operator.
  • Bring insect repellent for the Klias evening cruises.

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