Beyond the vast jungle, Borneo is also home to pristine beaches and beautiful islands for the perfect coastal getaway. If you’re looking to escape the urban landscapes and enjoy a leisure time under the sun with sand on your feet, then the beaches in Borneo would be a great destination.

Read our ultimate Borneo guide for the best beaches in Sabah, Sarawak, and Indonesian Borneo to explore!

Read More: Borneo Travel Guide: Everything Malaysians Should Know Before Visiting Sabah & Sarawak

We will guide you to the best beach recommendations in both Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo. Here are the top 6 beaches in Borneo:

Tanjung Aru Beach in Kota Kinabalu is one of Sabah’s most treasured coastal escapes. Located just 6 to 7 kilometers south of Kota Kinabalu City Centre and about a 10-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, it offers easy and free access to the best sunset views.

The beach's long stretch of soft sand makes it perfect for a relaxing walk while enjoying the fresh sea breeze. After the sun sets, the area surrounding Tanjung Aru Beach comes alive with food stalls and casual eateries serving local favourites, in the lively atmosphere by the waterfront.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park offers crystal-clear tropical islands and rich coral reefs, with a location just 15 to 20 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu. The park includes five distinct islands—Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug—each offering sandy beaches, jungle trails, and calm water.

Beyond swimming and sunbathing, visitors can go island hopping, try scuba diving/snorkeling, or ride the Coral Flyer zip-line connected between Gaya and Sapi islands. Larger islands like Gaya feature thick rainforests where you can spot monitor lizards, hornbills, and proboscis monkeys with a local guide.

There are admission fees and ferry tickets to purchase to get to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, such as:

1. Sabah Parks Conservation/Entrance Fees:

2. Standard Jetty Transfers (from Jesselton Point/South Jetty):

3. Guided Island-Hopping & Tour Packages:

Pre-booked or online operator packages (via travel platforms like Traveloka, or local agencies) range from RM60 to RM400.

Damai Beach uniquely combines a tropical seaside escape with Borneo's raw rainforests, wildlife, and local culture just 35 km from Kuching. Located right next to Sarawak Cultural Village, visitors can explore traditional Borneo architecture and cultures (like Iban longhouses).

The golden sand beach sits directly at the foot of the lush, mist-covered Mount Santubong, where visitors can easily hike the trails of Mount Santubong National Park or spot local wildlife like silvered leaf monkeys and hornbills.

The calm, shallow waters in Damai Beach are great for swimming and kayaking, and you can take boat cruises to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins (known locally as Empesut) or visit green turtles on Satang Island.

Pantai Tanjung Batu in Bintulu, Sarawak faces the South China Sea, making it a popular spot to watch the sun go down. The 44.9-acre public park area features walking paths, rest shelters, and playgrounds. 

Tanjung Batu Beach is a popular recreational and picnic spot for locals and visitors, equipped with food stalls, offering local snacks and drinks, including fresh coconut juice and satay. Requires no entrance fee, making it an affordable beach getaway in Sarawak. 

Maratua Island is a must-visit beach paradise in Borneo because it offers an untouched, postcard-perfect tropical escape that rivals the Maldives. Maratua is globally famous for its massive sea turtle population, where you can easily spot giant green sea turtles swimming right under the overwater resort jetties or grazing close to the shallow beach reefs.

Maratua Island features a continuous coastline of powdery white-sand beaches, mangrove fringes, and a long curved lagoon. Sitting in the Coral Triangle, Maratua boasts the third-highest marine biodiversity in the world, allowing visitors to swim among vibrant coral reefs, massive schools of barracudas, manta rays, and harmless reef sharks.

Read More: Maratua Island: A Remote Paradise Worth the Journey   

Kemala Beach is located in the heart of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. It offers a rare, accessible getaway where you can step off a busy city street and directly onto the sand within minutes. Facing the Makassar Strait, it is one of the premier spots in the city to watch the sunset, with an entrance fee as low as IDR5,000 to Rp10,000 per person (around RM1.5-2.5/person)

The beach is famous for its laid-back, resort-like atmosphere. With its soft white sand, swaying coconut trees, and seaside restaurants, often cited as "a slice of Bali" in the coast of Borneo. The beach also offers thrilling watersports, such as; jet skis, banana boats, and a flying fox. Afterward, you can enjoy fresh young coconuts and local Balikpapan seafood right on the shore.

Book a stay in one of these beachfront hotels to enjoy the best of a Borneo beach right outside your door:

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Kota Kinabalu offers a prime location close to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), close to the city center. The resort sits directly adjacent to the coastal area, with parts of the public beach and local waterfront located roughly 230 meters away. Book your 5-star stay at the resort, starting from RM858/night.

The 90-acre Damai Beach Resort sits along Teluk Bandung facing the South China Sea, nestled right against the slopes of the majestic Mount Santubong and the world's oldest tropical rainforest. Guests can enjoy outdoor swimming pools as well as a private beach area to watch the sunset. Chalet King can be booked starting from RM297/night.

Pratasaba Resort is a cozy and homey tropical escape right on a vibrant house reef with budget-friendly comfort in Maratua Island. The resort faces prime west-facing vantage points known for some of the best sunset views on Maratua Island. The relaxed and humble room for two available to book starting from RM274/night.

Read More: Miri Beach: What It's Actually Like Before You Go

Whether to catch the sunset in Tanjung Aru Beach or go island hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, you can also cross the border to enjoy the pristine water while diving in Maratua Island. The best beaches in Borneo are always here to welcome you to enjoy a glimpse of paradise by the ocean. 

Plan your beach adventure in Borneo and let Traveloka, the number one all-in-one Travel App in Southeast Asia, handle the rest. Book your flights, hotels, and attractions in one place, enjoy the Best Price Guarantee, for the ultimate fun times at the beach.