MY · Sabah · 4.44°N 118.62°E

bukit tengkorak

A 3,000-year-old pottery-making site on the rim of an old volcano, with views over Semporna.

Best time
Any time of year. The drier months, roughly March to September, make the stairs easier. Climb early before the heat, or late afternoon for the light.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tawau (about 2 hours 45 minutes), then drive about 1–1.5 hours to Semporna. The site is about 10 km south of town on Jalan Tampi-Tampi, 15–20 minutes by car.
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MY · Sabahbukit tengkorak4.44°N 118.62°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A 3,000-year-old pottery-making site on the rim of an old volcano, with views over Semporna.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBukit TengkorakMY, Sabah
KLbukit tengkorak
≈ 1,884 km from KL, as the crow flies

Bukit Tengkorak, Skull Hill, sits on the rim of an extinct volcano 10 km south of Semporna. About 3,000 years ago it was one of the biggest pottery-making sites in Southeast Asia, and broken pottery still litters the slopes. There's a small museum at the foot, and stairs lead to the top for views over the coast and islands.

Makan

  1. Seafood over the waterBack in Semporna, the restaurants on stilts by the jetty cook the day's catch.Map ↗
  2. Kopi and rotiA kopitiam breakfast in town before the climb.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The museumPottery, stone tools and obsidian from the digs, some of it carried here from far across the seas.Map ↗
  2. The climbStairs lead up to the crater rim. Take it slowly in the heat.Map ↗
  3. The viewFrom the top, look out over the Semporna coast and the islands offshore.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Register at the museum before you head up the hill.
  • Leave every pottery shard where it lies. The whole hill is a protected site.
  • Wear shoes with grip and carry water.

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