January in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.6/10January averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 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 sunny days 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.
Expect mid-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.
February in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.1/10February averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 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 sunny days 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.
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.
March in Sandakan — the year's strongest window
Best window · 5.1/10March averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 126 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 24 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
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.
Expect 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) with humidity around 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 135 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 25 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 4.7/10 here, 2nd of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
May in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.4/10May averages 28°C (83°F) with humidity around 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 177 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 25 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 4.4/10 here, 3rd of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
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) with humidity around 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 198 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 21 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 4.3/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
July in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.2/10July averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 86%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
259 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 22 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.2/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
August in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.4/10August averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 193 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 24 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 4.4/10 here, 4th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
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 — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.1/10September averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
247 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 23 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.1/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect 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 — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.4/10October averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 181 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 23 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 4.4/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
November in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.6/10November averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 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 sunny days 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.
Expect 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.
December in Sandakan — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.5/10December averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 87%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
350 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 16 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.5/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 5.1/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-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.
