Borneo happens to be the 3rd largest island in the entire world. It’s located in Southeast Asia. Borneo is home to a lot of diverse wildlife and numerous types of gorgeous landscapes. You’ll find rugged mountains and lush rainforests. However, it delivers even more beyond the mainland. You can experience even greater diversity among its smaller islets which makes it a must-see for anyone.

Below, you will learn about the top 10 reasons you need to visit Borneo and why you should be adding it to your bucket list right away.

The Beaches

One of the best things about Borneo is the beaches. It has some of the most spectacular beaches in Malaysia. Regardless of what you are looking for, you can find a beach that delivers exactly what you need. Whether you embrace snorkelling or you want a place to relax, you can find something for yourself.

Tanjung Aru offers golden sands that feature beautiful palm trees. There are even close-by BBQ facilities that you can use to have a delicious lunch. Hawaii Beach is located just 15 minutes away from Miri which makes it the ideal getaway location for someone that is looking to relax after browsing the city.

Kinabatangan River

If you are looking to experience a lot of the wildlife the island has to offer, you can always take a cruise along this river. The river will show you all kinds of lizards, elephants, and more. Anyone that loves birds will be happy to know that you can find a range of species along the way.

Kingfishers and bright green Hose’s broadbill are only a few of the different species you can find along the cruise. You can find river tours available that will enable you to get the best and most authentic experience. You won’t experience a dull moment when you are sailing on this incredible river which happens to be Malaysia’s 2nd longest.

Conservation Centers

Unfortunately, Borneo is no different than a lot of other places. Deforestation is one of the major threats to the wildlife on the island. You’ll find that forest fires are plentiful and illegal logging occurs daily. With that being said, conservation centres are popping up that are helping the cause.

They are dedicated to helping protect Borneo’s natural wildlife. You can easily make a difference yourself by volunteering at one of the centres. You can volunteer at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Sanctuary. If you want to make a real difference and have a unique experience, volunteering is the way to go.

Mount Kinabalu

This is one of the highest mountains found in Malaysia. If you are a mountain enthusiast, it’s a can’t-miss spot. Anyone that is a mountain enthusiast will find that it offers plenty of a challenge. It will take as much as 2 to 9 days to reach the peak depending on which route you choose. You can choose from complete-day treks and half-day treks. If you don’t want to climb Kinabalu, you can easily opt for spending some time in the surrounding national park. You can visit the beautiful Botanical Garden or even visit the Poring Hot Springs.

Do Some Island Hopping

Once you’ve finished and explored the mainland, you can move on over to the stunning islands it has to offer. You can take a day trip from Kota Kinabalu to the collection of 5 different islands that they have. You will find some to be developed and some nearly uninhabited. The smallest of them all is Mamutik. It’s got some of the most beautiful and untouched beaches you will find anywhere. By joining Kota Kinabalu diving course, you can have the best diving experience and enjoy the beauty under the sea.

While Manukan Island is certainly one of the most popular, it’s not something you want to miss out on. The island has some of the best and most luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches, and one of the lushest jungles you’ll find almost anywhere.