Walking underwater at Sepanggar Island, immersing yourself in the culture of the tribes at Mari Mari Cultural Village, visiting Borneo to see proboscis monkeys, getting a fish massage at Tagal Luanti, admiring giant wildflowers, and crossing the Kiulu Falls… these are just some of the captivating experiences you can have when you set foot in the “land under the winds” in Sabah state, Malaysia.

Known as the "Land Under the Winds," the Malaysian state of Sabah lies beneath the East Asian typhoon belt, boasting a mild climate ideal for a tropical paradise vacation. Sabah is blessed with diverse ecosystems, a unique culture with over 30 indigenous ethnic groups, beautiful beaches, and varied cuisine.

Join Travellive's reporter as we explore the unmissable experiences of visiting Sabah, Malaysia!

Located more than 120 km from Kota Kinabalu, Tagal Luanti sits on the Ranau plateau, where the Moroli River flows. The riverbank is home to a unique fish massage service, operating since 2007. Unlike other fish massages around the world where visitors immerse their feet in a pool, here visitors wade directly into the river while thousands of fish surround and nibble at their feet.

The massage fish in the Moroli River are mahseer carp, native to Southeast Asia. These small fish, only about 2-4 cm long, are known for their ability to remove dead skin and stimulate blood circulation. Initially, it might feel a bit ticklish, but most people find the experience enjoyable and relaxing.

The Moroli River, which flows through Tagal Luanti, is not very deep, allowing visitors to comfortably wade through it. Some deeper sections are cordoned off with ropes to restrict visitors from entering. Visitors must also remove their shoes before entering the water.

Crystal-clear waters, long stretches of white sand, diverse marine life, vibrant seascapes, and numerous water sports activities are what attract tourists to Sepanggar Island. Just a 20-minute boat ride from the center of Kota Kinabalu, visitors can easily reach this island and experience its many delights.

Underwater walking is a popular tourist activity on Sepanggar Island, Malaysia. Visitors are equipped with helmets and oxygen tanks (weighing up to 35 kg) to breathe, walking along the seabed at a depth of approximately 10 meters and observing colorful coral reefs and marine life. Additionally, protective footwear is provided to shield against dangerous sea creatures.

This experience lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. During the tour, a guide will take photos and videos to capture the moment and lead you on a walk along the seabed to observe and even touch a variety of colorful marine life. The waters around Sepanggar Island are very clear and blue, making it an ideal location for swimming and snorkeling.

Besides walking underwater, tourists can also hike through the rainforest, ride jet skis, camp, and kayak along the coast to enjoy panoramic views of the island and the surrounding sea.

Whitewater rafting in Kiulu is a fantastic way to get a close look at Malaysia's majestic natural beauty and experience the thrill and adventure of adventure.

The Kiulu River is approximately 50 km long, flowing through tropical forests and hills. The river features numerous rapids of varying difficulty levels, from level 1 to level 5, suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers.

At first, many people might think that rafting across the rapids on the Kiulu River is a thrill, but in reality, it's a very safe and gentle activity. Visitors can experience paddling along a 7-kilometer stretch of the river in about two and a half hours. During that time, you can stop to admire the scenery, swim, and navigate through sections of rapids with strong currents, providing a thrilling yet adventurous experience.

To see this unique flower in Sabah state, visitors can go to the Kokob Rafflesia private conservation garden in the Ranau plateau, about 120 km from the city center of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Rafflesia, also known as the corpse flower, is a unique parasitic plant found in the tropical forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. This flower is famous for its enormous size and distinctive foul odor, reaching up to 1.2 meters in diameter and weighing around 10 kg. Rafflesia has neither leaves nor a stem. Due to its enormous size and unique appearance, Rafflesia is nicknamed the "king of flowers".

There are approximately 30 species of Rafflesia flowers worldwide. Sabah, Malaysia, has the largest number of Rafflesia species, with 9 recorded. The life cycle from bud to full bloom ranges from 7 to 13 months, and the flower wilts within just 5 days. From the first to the fourth day, there is no odor, but from the fifth day onwards, a foul smell emerges, followed by decay, attracting insects and inadvertently assisting in pollination. Afterward, the flower wilts to begin a new cycle.

With its exotic and unique beauty, the Rafflesia flower is a rare species that any visitor to Sabah, Malaysia, would wish to see at least once. This flower also appears on the Malaysian 10 Ringgit banknote. Although it blooms for only a brief moment, the Rafflesia offers an impressive and surprising experience, inspiring a passion for exploring wild nature.

Mari Mari Cultural Village is located in a remote forest in Kiosom, about 20 km from Kota Kinabalu city, Sabah state, Malaysia. It attracts many tourists from around the world who come to explore its recreation of the life and customs of indigenous Borneo tribes, including the Murut, Bajau, Lundayeh, Rungus, and Dusun. Among them, the Murut tribe is famous for its headhunting tradition.

One of the most attractive features of the Mari Mari Cultural Village for tourists is the recreation of the daily life and culture of the tribes. Visitors can tour traditional longhouses, watch cultural performances, learn how to make fire and brew rice wine, enjoy local specialties, and make handicrafts. The indigenous people here are very friendly and open, readily sharing their culture and traditions with visitors.

Drifting along the Kawa Kawa River in Malaysia, tourists can admire the world's longest-nosed monkey in a riverine area with sprawling mangrove forests. Known as an endemic animal of Borneo (the world's third largest island, dividing the territories of Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia), the proboscis monkey is one of the world's most unique primate species.

The proboscis monkey has a large, long, drooping nose and a pot belly. They live in troops in mangrove forests, including the area around the Kawa Kawa River in Malaysia. They are considered one of the largest monkey species in Asia. Males weigh 16–35 kg, while females are considerably smaller. Thanks to their enormous noses, these monkeys can emit loud calls and howls that can be heard dozens of kilometers away. The long nose is also a key feature that helps males attract mates during the breeding season.

To see the proboscis monkeys up close, visitors can travel by boat along the Kawa Kawa River, about 70 km from Kota Kinabalu city. To photograph these animals from high in the trees, visitors should prepare equipment with long-focal-length lenses.

At each stretch of the river where monkeys are spotted, the boat driver will slow down and stop close to the shore for about 15 minutes to allow tourists to observe and capture the moment. Note that tourists should not be too noisy as this may scare the monkeys away. Along the Kawa Kawa River, in addition to long-nosed monkeys, tourists can also enjoy observing other types of wildlife.

As night falls, visitors can travel to the Nanamon River to see fireflies. In the tranquil darkness, boats will take visitors searching for fireflies along the Nanamon River. Tens of thousands of fireflies, like twinkling stars, cover the riverbanks. The boatman will use a small lamp with a soft orange light to attract the fireflies. The individual lights move in the light, creating a shimmering, magical scene.