January in Sandakan: expect compromises
Hardest · 3.6/10January averages 27°C (80°F) and humidity near 87%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
385 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 15 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.6/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
February in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.1/10February averages 27°C (80°F) and humidity near 86%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
236 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.1/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
March: the best month of the year in Sandakan
Best window · 5.1/10Days in March average 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 85% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
126 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.
On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Sandakan at 5.1/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.
Budget for peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
April in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.7/10April averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Monthly rainfall reaches 135 mm — wet for this destination — but about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 4.7/10 here, 2nd of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
May in Sandakan: expect compromises
Hardest · 4.4/10Days in May average 28°C (83°F) and humidity near 85% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
177 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.
That is 4.4/10 on the same scale — 3rd of 12 months, versus 5.1/10 for the best month here.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
June in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.3/10June averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Monthly rainfall reaches 198 mm — wet for this destination — but about 21 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 4.3/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
July in Sandakan — off-season conditions
Hardest · 4.2/10July averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 86%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
259 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 22 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.2/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
August in Sandakan — off-season conditions
Hardest · 4.4/10Days in August average 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 85% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
193 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.
That is 4.4/10 on the same scale — 4th of 12 months, versus 5.1/10 for the best month here.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
September in Sandakan: expect compromises
Hardest · 4.1/10Days in September average 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 84% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
This is the year's wettest stretch at 247 mm, but with about 23 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.
That is 4.1/10 on the same scale — 9th of 12 months, versus 5.1/10 for the best month here.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
October in Sandakan — off-season conditions
Hardest · 4.4/10October averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Monthly rainfall reaches 181 mm — wet for this destination — but about 23 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
It scores 4.4/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
November in Sandakan — off-season conditions
Hardest · 3.6/10November averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
290 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.6/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
December in Sandakan — off-season conditions
Hardest · 3.5/10Days in December average 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 87% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
Expect monsoon-level rainfall at 350 mm: only about 16 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the month, and stretches of heavy rain are normal.
That is 3.5/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 5.1/10 for the best month here.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
If your dates are flexible, March is materially better in Sandakan — 1.6 points higher on the same scale.
