Wak Kiman Campsite, Labuan — Sunrise on the Beach at the Edge of Borneo

The Vibe

Fair warning before you plan your trip — as of August 2024, there were reports of the campsite being closed or at least unattended. One visitor showed up and found the place completely empty. So before you ferry over to Labuan specifically for this, call ahead first. The number listed is 019-871 9110. Don't just show up and hope for the best.

That said, if it is open — or when it reopens — this place has something genuinely special going for it. It sits along the beach in Tanjung Kubung, on the southern end of Labuan island. The kind of spot where you wake up, unzip your tent, and the South China Sea is right there in front of you. On a clear morning, you can supposedly spot Mount Kinabalu across the water from the campsite. Sabah in the background, sun rising over the sea — that's the kind of view that makes you feel like you made the right call coming here.

The crowd here is mostly families and locals who know about it. It's not a famous campsite by Peninsular Malaysia standards, but for people in Sabah and Labuan, it's a casual weekend escape. Low-key, no big crowds. The kind of place where kids run on the sand and adults just sit and stare at the horizon.

Getting There

Labuan is a Federal Territory — a small island off the coast of Sabah. You get there either by ferry from Menumbok or Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, or by flying into Labuan Airport which has connections from KL and KK. The campsite is in Tanjung Kubung, which is on the southern tip of the island. From Labuan town centre, it's roughly a 15-20 minute drive. Grab a Grab (yes, Grab operates in Labuan) or rent a car — public transport on the island is limited.

Tanjung Kubung is a small coastal area, so once you're heading in the right direction the beach will be obvious. Use the Google Maps link to pin the exact location before you go — the area isn't heavily signposted. Road surface should be fine for a regular car; no 4WD needed.

What to Expect

This is a beachfront campsite. Flat ground, sandy area near the shore, open sky. None of the jungle trekking or river crossing business you'd get at mainland campsites. You pitch your tent, you listen to the waves, you watch the sun come up. That's the whole experience — and honestly, that's enough.

The highlight everyone talks about is sunrise. Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned it. Wake up early, face east, and on a clear day you might just catch Mount Kinabalu silhouetted against the morning sky across the water. That's a rare view you won't get from most campsites in Malaysia. It's the kind of thing you'll photograph badly and remember forever.

This suits families and casual campers well. There's no tough terrain, no long hike in. You drive up, set up camp near the beach, and that's it. If you're looking for a beginner-friendly beach camp with a genuinely stunning natural backdrop, Wak Kiman ticks those boxes — when it's open. Bring your own everything though. Don't expect resort-level infrastructure. If you're camping overnight with the family, a TAHAN Panthera Inflatable Sleeping Pad will save you from a sore back on the uneven sandy ground — it's 10cm thick with a built-in foot pump and integrated pillow, which is exactly what you want when you're sleeping steps from the beach.

Facilities

Toilets

There are toilets but they're reportedly a bit far from the camping area. Be mentally prepared for a walk, especially in the middle of the night.

Electricity

No electricity mentioned by any reviewer. Assume none. Bring a powerbank or a lantern — the TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern is rechargeable and doubles as a powerbank, which is useful when there's no power source in sight.

Water

Not mentioned by reviewers. Safe assumption is no piped water on site. Bring your own drinking water.

Parking

Not specifically mentioned but given the location, you should be able to park near the campsite. No details on capacity.

What Campers Are Saying

The most common thing people mention is the view — specifically sunrise. Multiple reviewers rated it five stars almost entirely because of the morning scenery. One camper called it a "sunrise view campsite" outright, which is about as direct a recommendation as you'll get.

Nazri, who brought his family here, said you can see Mount Kinabalu from the site when the weather cooperates. He called it a great family camping spot. That Kinabalu view across the sea is genuinely rare — most people only see that mountain from the interior of Sabah, not from a beach in Labuan. Worth the trip just for that.

Pamila gave it five stars but flagged that the toilets are a bit far. It's worth knowing going in — it's not a deal-breaker but it's the kind of thing that catches you off guard at 3am.

The one cloud hanging over everything is that August 2024 visit by Vincent, who found the place empty and suspected it was closed. He still noted the beach was nice. That tracks — even if the campsite operations are on pause, the location itself is beautiful. But again, call before you go.

TAHAN Tip

If you're coming specifically for the Mount Kinabalu sunrise view, give yourself the best chance of seeing it — camp during the dry season (March to October roughly) and check the weather forecast for both Labuan and Sabah the night before. The mountain disappears completely behind clouds when it's overcast. Also, wake up before 6am. The light changes fast and the clearest views tend to be right at first light before the haze builds. Set your alarm, put your coffee on, and face east.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Tip of Borneo Campsite — another epic Borneo coastal camp with dramatic sea views and an unforgettable location at the northernmost tip of Sabah.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Campsite — island camping just off Kota Kinabalu with clear water and easy access, perfect if you're already in the Sabah region.