Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Asia
Borneo in September
Crowds thin, turtle nesting continues, and conditions remain decent in most places.
The straight answer
September is a good month to visit Borneo. Crowds thin, turtle nesting continues, and conditions remain decent in most places.
- Weather
- Highs near 88F (31C), rain slowly increasing
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What September is like in Borneo
September is still good, with highs near 88F (31C), and rain slowly increases. Crowds thin, turtle nesting continues, and conditions remain decent in most places. Prices ease.
This month suits families traveling outside school holidays and budget-minded wildlife lovers. For the driest weather, choose April to August. The Turtle Islands still have nesting turtles, and overnight spaces are a little easier to get than in July and August. Book Danum Valley and Kinabatangan lodges a few weeks ahead, and pack a rain jacket for the longer afternoon showers that start to build late in the month.
Make the most of September
What is especially good about Borneo this month.
Turtle season continues
Nesting is still active on the Turtle Islands.
Thinner crowds
Lodges and permits are easier to book.
Kinabalu permits
Easier to get than in July and August.
What to pack for September
- Rain jacket
- Leech socks
- Quick-dry clothing
- Binoculars
Our timing tip
Book a Kinabatangan cruise for dawn, when wildlife is most active.
Book Borneo for September.
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- Hotels for September
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in BorneoOpens a hotel search for Borneo in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in BorneoWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in BorneoTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Borneo for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in September
Turtle nesting season
Peaks roughly July to October
Green and hawksbill turtles nest nightly on the Turtle Islands, where overnight visitor numbers are strictly limited.
Things to do in Borneo
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Feeding times draw the most visitors. The adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is worth the extra hour.
Kinabatangan River
Dawn and dusk boat cruises for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and sometimes pygmy elephants. Drier months are best.
Mount Kinabalu
Climbs require a permit, a licensed guide, and an overnight at Laban Rata. Permits are limited and book out months ahead for midyear.
Danum Valley
Primary rainforest with some of the best wild orangutan and gibbon viewing in Borneo. Lodges are limited, so book early.
Gunung Mulu National Park
Huge caves, the Pinnacles limestone spires, and a bat exodus at dusk. Reached by small plane from Miri or Kota Kinabalu.
Sipadan and Semporna
World-class diving with daily permit limits. April through December usually brings the best visibility.
Beat the crowds
- Travel in April, May, or September instead of July and August. The weather is similar and lodges and permits are easier to secure.
- Book Kinabalu permits and Kinabatangan and Danum Valley lodges early; they are the real bottleneck, not crowds on the trail.
- At Sepilok, arrive for the morning opening rather than feeding time to avoid the tour bus rush.
- For Sipadan, pick a dive operator with guaranteed permit days; other days you dive nearby Mabul and Kapalai, which are excellent in their own right.
Know before you go
- Mount Kinabalu climbs require a permit, a licensed guide, and accommodation at Laban Rata; trails can close temporarily after heavy rain or rockfall.
- Sipadan access is limited to a fixed number of divers per day, allocated through licensed dive operators.
- Turtle Islands Park allows only a small number of overnight visitors, so the few spaces sell out early in nesting season.
- During the heaviest monsoon rains (December to February), river levels rise, some jungle trails close, and boat trips can be cancelled.
Borneo in September, quick answers
Is September a good time to visit Borneo?
September is a good month to visit Borneo. Crowds thin, turtle nesting continues, and conditions remain decent in most places.
What is the weather like in Borneo in September?
Highs near 88F (31C), rain slowly increasing.
Is Borneo crowded in September?
Crowds in Borneo are moderate in September; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Borneo in September?
Turtle nesting season (peaks roughly july to october).
Keep planning Borneo.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in September
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