Exploring the Wild Sarawak Coast: Bako, Irrawaddy Dolphins & Borneo Beaches
- Martin Hesp
- May 31, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
When most people picture Malaysian Borneo, they imagine dense inland jungles, mist-shrouded mountain peaks, and deep river valleys. Yet the wild coastline of Sarawak—where ancient primary rainforest crashes directly into the South China Sea—offers one of the most diverse and thrilling coastal landscapes in South East Asia.
Stretching from the mangrove-choked estuaries around the Santubong Peninsula to the dramatic sandstone headlands of Bako National Park, this coastal fringe is a haven for rare wildlife. Here, elusive Irrawaddy dolphins pop up in silty river mouths, endangered proboscis monkeys swing through mangrove canopies above the tide, and sea stacks carved by millennia of wave action guard hidden, golden coves.
Here is my journey along the wild, watery edge of South-West Sarawak...
Coastal Highlights & Wildlife Overview Box
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Location: South-West Coast of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (accessible from Kuching).
Key Coastal Reserves: Bako National Park, Kuching Wetlands National Park, Santubong Peninsula.
Signature Wildlife: Rare Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, saltwater crocodiles, mudskippers, and oriental pied hornbills.
Best Time to Visit: April to September (dry season with calm seas for boat transfers).
Access: Local wooden boat transfers from Kampung Bako or river cruise launches from Kuching estuaries.
It was incredibly hot and humid, but I loved the easy sensuous fragrance of Sarawak.
However, I didn’t jump into the sea once - it was cram full of jelly-fish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Section)
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Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting the Sarawak Coast
How do you reach Bako National Park on the Sarawak coast?
Bako National Park is only accessible by water. Visitors take a 45-minute drive from Kuching to Kampung Bako, followed by a scenic 20-minute ride on a local wooden boat across the estuary to the park headquarters at Telok Assam.
Where can you spot Irrawaddy dolphins in Sarawak?
Irrawaddy dolphins are frequently spotted in the shallow, mangrove-rich coastal estuaries around Kuching Wetlands National Park and the mouth of the Santubong River, roughly 30 kilometers north of Kuching city.
What makes the coastal landscape of Sarawak unique?
The Sarawak coast features a rare combination of ecosystems: extensive mangrove swamps, peat swamp forests, and dramatic sandstone cliffs with secluded beaches. It is one of the few places where you can observe wild proboscis monkeys right along the sea edge.
What is the best time of year for coastal boat trips in Sarawak?
The best period is between April and September during the dry season, when sea conditions are calm and boat operators can easily navigate the estuaries and coastal headlands around Bako and Santubong.
"Exploring more of Malaysian Borneo? Read my feature on the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, or check out my complete South East Asia travel archive."
