MY · Sabah · 6.98°N 116.72°E

kelambu beach

A sandbar you can walk across at low tide to a little wooded island, near the Tip of Borneo.

Best time
February to April is usually driest; the year-end months bring more wind and rain. Time your visit for low tide if you want to walk across.
How long
Half a day, with the Tip of Borneo
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Kinabalu (about 2 hours 35 minutes), then drive about 3 hours north to Kudat via Tuaran and Kota Belud. Kelambu is about 31 km north-west of Kudat town, roughly 40 minutes on the road to the Tip of Borneo. There's no public transport, so drive.
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MY · Sabahkelambu beach6.98°N 116.72°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A sandbar you can walk across at low tide to a little wooded island, near the Tip of Borneo.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKelambu BeachMY, Sabah
KLkelambu beach
≈ 1,718 km from KL, as the crow flies

A quiet beach on the Kudat peninsula where a 200-metre sandbar joins the shore to little Kelambu Island. At low tide you can walk out to the island in about five minutes; at high tide the sea covers the sandbar. It's about 8 km before the Tip of Borneo, so most people stop on the way.

Makan

  1. Seafood in KudatFish, prawns and squid at the town's seafood restaurants.Map ↗
  2. Tuaran meeStop in Tuaran on the drive up from KK for its springy fried egg noodles.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Walk to Kelambu IslandCross the sandbar at low tide, and head back before the tide turns.Map ↗
  2. Both sides of the sandbarWarmer, calmer-looking water on the bay side and open sea on the other.Map ↗
  3. Tip of BorneoBorneo's northernmost point is about 8 km up the road. Go for sunset.Map ↗
  4. Glowing planktonOn dark, moonless nights the shallows can light up. There are no lights, so bring a torch and go with friends.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Check a tide table. The sandbar floods at high tide, and you don't want to be stuck on the island.
  • Rip currents make it unsafe for swimming. Paddle near the shore only.
  • There are only a few shelters and barbecue pits. Bring food and water, and take your rubbish home.

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