Sandakan, formerly Elopura, is a city of 440,000 inhabitants, located in eastern Malaysia, on the north-east coast of the island of
, overlooking the Sulu Sea, in the federal state of Sabah, and at almost 6 degrees north latitude.
, including the Turtle Islands and Lankayan, where in addition to the coral reef, you can admire the green turtles, which come to lay their eggs (generally, from June to September). West of Sandakan, instead, we find the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.
, which often come in the form of thunderstorms, are abundant, amounting to 3,200 millimeters (125 inches) per year. The rainiest period, with more than 300 mm (12 in) per month, is from October to February, when the northeast monsoon blows. Although there is no real dry season, the rains decrease from April to June. However, it depends on the year: during La Niña years, like in 2011, it can rain a lot even in this last period.
are high and stable throughout the year, however, they are a little lower from December to February and a little higher from April to September. During the latter period, the temperature can sometimes reach 36 °C (97 °F). The humidity typical of the equator increases the feeling of discomfort.
At night it is never cold. In recent decades, the temperature has never dropped below 20 °C (68 °F).
The best time to visit Sandakan is from April to June, as it is the one with the least rainfall.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27 °C, with a minimum of
24.3 °C and a maximum of
29.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
444 mm, distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.1 °C, with a minimum of
24.3 °C and a maximum of
29.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
312.6 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
27.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.6 °C, with a minimum of
24.4 °C and a maximum of
30.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
229.4 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28.2 °C, with a minimum of
24.7 °C and a maximum of
31.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
23 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
144.3 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
May, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28.8 °C, with a minimum of
24.9 °C and a maximum of
32.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
23 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
138.4 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
7.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28.6 °C, with a minimum of
24.5 °C and a maximum of
32.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
180 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
6.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28.4 °C, with a minimum of
24.2 °C and a maximum of
32.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
209.3 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
6.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28.4 °C, with a minimum of
24.2 °C and a maximum of
32.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
237.8 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
6.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28.3 °C, with a minimum of
24.1 °C and a maximum of
32.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
246.5 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
6.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
28 °C, with a minimum of
24.2 °C and a maximum of
31.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
305.5 mm, distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
6.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
November is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.6 °C, with a minimum of
24.3 °C and a maximum of
30.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
23 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
323.6 mm, distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
7.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
December is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.3 °C, with a minimum of
24.4 °C and a maximum of
30.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
449 mm, distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
8.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.