DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Tanjung Aru

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°8
Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
ℹ️

Practical info — Tanjung Aru

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

Tanjung Aru is the most popular beach in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It is famous for its namesake Casuarina trees and fine white sand. The main draw is the daily sunset, which paints the sky in lively hues of orange, red, and purple, often cited as one of the best in the world. The beach is divided into three sections, with the first beach being the most active, featuring numerous food stalls and activities. Located right next to the airport and only 15 minutes from the city center, it is highly accessible. The best time to visit is in the late afternoon, just before sunset. Culinary highlights include fresh fruit juices and grilled seafood snacks found at the stalls in Prince Philip Park. It is a first-rate spot for a leisurely evening stroll, a family picnic, or simply soaking in the tropical coastal atmosphere of Borneo.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb–Apr.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C242425252525252525252525
Rain mm19898123138218263260239272356282270

Geography

Population
78,340 (2021)
Coordinates
5.94278, 116.04889

Facts

  • Famous for having one of the world's best sunsets
  • Named after the Casuarina trees (Aru) lining the shore
  • Divided into three distinct beach sections
  • Only 15 minutes from downtown Kota Kinabalu
  • Located very close to the international airport
  • Home to the beautifully manicured Prince Philip Park
  • Renowned for fresh fruit juices and local food stalls
  • Best time to visit: Late afternoon (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Kota KinabaluKota Kinabalu3 km · NWExplore →
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine ParkTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park4 km · SWExplore →
Tunku Abdul Rahman National ParkTunku Abdul Rahman National Park6 km · SWExplore →
MenggatalMenggatal13 km · NExplore →
Papar CoastPapar Coast17 km · SEExplore →
Tambunan ValleyTambunan Valley38 km · NExplore →
Mount TrusmadiMount Trusmadi55 km · NExplore →
Kinabalu ParkKinabalu Park55 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Tanjung Aru (8)

Statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle🏺 historical

This commemorative statue in Tanjung Aru honors the educational legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle within the local community.

Stone boardwalk sunset viewpoint🌿 nature

A beautifully paved stone boardwalk that serves as an idyllic platform for capturing the famously lively sunsets over the ocean.

Tanjung Aru Beach🎡 recreation

Tanjung Aru Beach is an expansive stretch of coastline deeply loved for its food stalls and spectacular evening sunsets.

🆓

Calvary Charismatic Church📍 landmark

Located in the heart of Tanjung Aru, this charismatic Christian church is a lively center for contemporary worship and community support.

Stella Maris Catholic Church📍 landmark

Stella Maris Catholic Church features distinctive regional architecture and serves as a vital parish for the coastal Tanjung Aru community.

Gurdwara Sikh Temple📍 landmark

Established in 1924, this historic Sikh Gurdwara stands as a spiritual and cultural anchor for the local Sikh population in Tanjung Aru.

Pasar Sembang Kota Kinabalu🎭 culture

Famous for its lively atmosphere, Pasar Sembang is a bustling marketplace well-suited for casual socializing while browsing various local goods.

Kepayan Square🎭 culture

Kepayan Square is a commercial plaza featuring a variety of shops and eateries that cater to both residents and visitors in the area.

Frequently asked questions

Tanjung Aru: where is it located?
Tanjung Aru is located in Malaysia.
Tanjung Aru: what is there to see?
Highlights include Statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle, Stone boardwalk sunset viewpoint, Tanjung Aru Beach.
Tanjung Aru: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Apr.
Tanjung Aru: why is it worth visiting?
Tanjung Aru is the most popular beach in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Asia
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Asia
More places in Malaysia →

Nearby cities

Kota Kinabalu — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Kota Kinabalu
The capital of Sabah state, near Mount Kinabalu.
Sandakan — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Sandakan
A city in Sabah, known for its orangutan rehabilitation center.
Tawau — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Tawau
A city in southeastern Sabah, a center for cocoa and palm oil production.
Lahad Datu — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Lahad Datu
A town in Sabah, a center for the palm oil industry.
Semporna — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Semporna
The gateway to world-renowned diving sites and home to the Sea Gypsies (Bajau Laut).
Kundasang — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Kundasang
A picturesque highland town in Sabah at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, known for its cool climate.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
A group of five idyllic islands just off Kota Kinabalu, ideal for water sports and relaxation.
Menggatal — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Menggatal
A suburb of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, combining tradition with modern education and coastal proximity.
🗺️
Bangau
A picturesque village in northern Sabah, near the 'Tip of Borneo', featuring stunning beaches.
Mabul Island — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Mabul Island
A paradise for macro divers and a picturesque fishing village off the coast of Sabah.

History & landmarks

Sipadan Island — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Sipadan Island
Malaysia's only oceanic island, rising from an extinct volcanic cone.

Nature

Papar Coast — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Papar Coast
A coastal region in Sabah, known for its long sandy beaches and sunsets over the South China Sea.
Kinabatangan River — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Kinabatangan River
The second longest river in Malaysia, its banks showcasing one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Southeast Asia.

More places

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
A marine park of five islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, offering popular beaches and diving spots.
Tambunan Valley — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Tambunan Valley
A fertile valley surrounded by the Crocker Range, considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Sabah.
🗺️
Mount Trusmadi
The second highest mountain in Malaysia after Mount Kinabalu, known for its rich and unique flora, including endemic pitcher plant species.
Kinabalu Park — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Kinabalu Park
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounding Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest mountain, and featuring exceptional botanical diversity.
Kinabalu Park — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Kinabalu Park
Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to an immense biological diversity of plants from the Himalayas, China, and Australia.
Mount Kinabalu — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Mount Kinabalu
The highest mountain in Malaysia and the Malay Archipelago.
Mamut Copper Mine — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Mamut Copper Mine
A former large open-pit copper mine in Sabah, near Kinabalu National Park.
Danum Valley Conservation Area — Tanjung Aru (Malaysia)
Danum Valley Conservation Area
A relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest area in Sabah, considered one of the best protected rainforest areas in the world.