Surfing in Sabah

Surf season: 
Most or all surfing only can be found on the west coast of Sabah. Obviously it comes all from the bigger south china sea. From Late May till September we get the southwest monsoon. Occasional big storms pass by and we get waves between 1ft - 5ft (looking from the back of the wave). Tanjung Aru is one of the easiest spots to surf especially if you are a beginner. The swells, if its really good, it can go up to 5ft but that's rare. Most of the time it's 1- 3 ft when its surf-able. Many times though the waves can be disappointing, so if you in KK and you want to try Tg aru don't expect too much.

The waves gets bigger if you travel further up north like towards Karambunai up to Kudat. From November up March the wind changes to the Northwest Monsoon, and the swells starts coming in more frequently, but size varies alot from 1 feet to 4 foot. During this time most of the swells will be hitting Nexus and further up north to kudat. KK area will be protected by the Islands and coral reefs, so they wont be much.

     

Kudat lots of secret spot

  
Where to Surf:

During the southwest monsoon and the occasional typhoon that hits KK, most of the local surfers will head down to Tanjung Aru Beach after work. Its only 15 mins drive from downtown. 

As most of the local surfers know the 2nd best and nearest place to surf will be in Karambunai in front of Nexus Resort. Its located in a bay area so during certain months this place is kicking accompanied by its clear water. You can get some really good long left breaks at South Point  which creates a point break. Most part of this area is live corals and gradually becomes sandy bottom as you get closer to the beach. It can create waves for beginners to advance, depending on the wave height and tide.Currents here can be strong. Karambunai is located in a bay area.

The problem about Nexus is you can only surf there if you are an in house guest and there's only 1 resort there and rooms you can expect to pay between RM450 and above depending on the season. 

But if you got a group of 4 and if you want to save $ just share a room because most of the rooms are big. So if you decide to stay in Nexus resort you can just take a taxi from airport direct to Nexus and yes taxis in KK are expensive and dont use meters, cost is maybe rm70.00 per way for 30 mins traveling time.

Another way is we get a group of surfers to share a boat and head up the coast to nexus. Boat charter will cost about rm500 per day. It takes about 25 min by boat from the KK jetty. So it depends on your budget whether you rather stay at Nexus or KK.

For me Kudat is one of the best surf spot in Sabah. It has good left and right point break and beach breaks. The wave there is fast. The only problem is distance. It takes 3 hour drive from K.K to Kudat. Most beaches are open to everyone its just that some really potential breaks and beaches are not accessible due to the privatization and commercialism of lands in this area. 

Tommys, Simpang Mengayau

Sidi a local villager offers Homestay accommodation in their local Longhouses which is situated right in front of the beach. But the accommodation is very basic, but you get to live with the family and feel and experience the Rungus culture. Recently beach huts are available for rent situated just in front of the beach.  Personally I find the Rungus people very friendly people and they offer you a very warm hospitality. Those who would like a more comfortable stay can opt for Tommy Place, Tip Chalet and a few others that offer lodging which is just a long the stretch of Simpang Mengayau beach.

Sikuati

About 30min drive from Simpang Mengayau is a small Village called Sikuati. Another 15 mins drive in to a smaller village you get to a point named Samuil's Point. Beach break with a point by the cliff. You can swim out from the beach or jump from the rocks, depending on tide and wave height. When big swells comes in surfs become irregular and close out in sections.

Tuaran and Kota Belud are mostly long open beaches. Here sometimes there's some good beach breaks. Currents here is strong and it very difficult to stay at one spot.  Im sure theres a good points elsewhere yet to be discovered but some are inaccessible by road. One more thing, watch out for the dungs on these beaches. While your'e ripping out there, you see a number of buffalo's and horses frolicking on the beach.

 





  


South China sea is tiny compared to the Indian or pacific ocean, so dont expect much. But if the surf is good, most of the time you'll have all the waves by yourself. The surfing community in Sabah is small, almost everyone knows each other. Currently there's a few places you can rent a surfboard, but anyway its still always better to  bring your own. So whether your a surfer who happens to be on holiday or on business in Sabah and if you happen to have a board on you, why not check out the local scene, atleast you can put it up on your surf map, Surf'd here!

How  I got started well, I started bodyboarding in about 1990 and switch to surfing about 1998 after I went to Bali and got my own board. Most of my bodyboard buddies left the scene and back then I didn't see or hear any surfers around so I stopped. I only started to really surf again when I met Charles and Kanesh which was in 2005. 

 

Getting There

Tip of Borneo @ Simpang mengayau ( Local name) 25mins from Kudat town

Public transport
Take a Mini Bas from Bandaran Berjaya, opposite Padang Merdeka. Cost RM30 to Kudat town. Take a taxi about rm50 from kudat town to Simpang Mengayau.

For private charter please email me at borneosurfer@gmail.com or whatsapp +60128271662.
Private surf charter or Surf lessons available for min 2 person & above.