Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Cruise Port

Kota Kinabalu

State capital city and district capital in Sabah, Malaysia.

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Overview

Kota Kinabalu is a cruise port in Malaysia. It lies on the coast at approximately 5.975, 116.073.

About Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu, colloquially referred to as KK, is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu District as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies to its west and Mount Kinabalu, which gave the city its name, is located to its east. Kota Kinabalu has a population of 452,058 according to the 2010 census; when the adjacent Penampang and Tuaran districts are included, the metro area has a combined population of 628,725. The 2020 Census revealed an increase in the municipal population to 500,421, while the wider area including the Penampang and Putatan districts had a population of 731,406.

Overview text adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA license.

Planning a cruise visit

A detailed cruise guide for Kota Kinabalu — how to reach the centre from the cruise terminal, what to see on a port day, shopping and local tips — is being added. In the meantime, use the quick facts and map link above to start planning, and always confirm terminal and transport details with your cruise line and the local port authority before you travel.

Around Kota Kinabalu

Panoramic view of Kota Kinabalu City
Panoramic view of Kota Kinabalu City
Bird's Eye View Of Wawasan, Kota Kinabalu
Bird's Eye View Of Wawasan, Kota Kinabalu
Coconut trees Kota Kinabalu
Coconut trees Kota Kinabalu
KotaKinabalu Sabah CityMosque-00
KotaKinabalu Sabah CityMosque-00

Weather & best time to visit

Typically warmest around 30°C in Apr and coolest around 28°C in Jan (average daytime highs).

Jan
28°
23°
Feb
28°
23°
Mar
29°
23°
Apr
30°
24°
May
30°
25°
Jun
30°
25°
Jul
30°
24°
Aug
30°
25°
Sep
29°
24°
Oct
29°
24°
Nov
29°
24°
Dec
29°
24°

Average daily high / low in °C. Source: Open-Meteo.

Where to stay

Staying near Kota Kinabalu the night before or after your cruise makes embarkation easier. Browse hotels near the port →

Cruise season & schedules

Which ships call at Kota Kinabalu, and when, changes by season. Check the latest arrivals and departures before you plan. See current cruise schedules →