Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site

We recommend visiting this environmental site, where you can learn a great deal of information about the local fauna, flora, and its ecology. You can volunteer here, too, by helping to collect the trash that was washed away here. We would like to thank our fantastic guide, a student from Kota Kinabalu University, who spent extra time with us.

A beautiful place with a lot of birds and biodiversity, just next to the city center. I would highly recommend if you like nature ! 🪶

I have to preface this by saying I actually didn’t pay to enter—but only because I waited at the counter for quite some time and no one was there to attend to me. So, I just went in anyway. Even after I finished walking around and returned to the counter, there was still no one there. The place is nice enough—not sure what more you’d expect from a mangrove forest. Some parts are unkempt, though: the signs look moldy and worn, and trash (bottles, worn sandals, plastic bags) was scattered around the forest—probably brought in by flooding. Even the boardwalks felt sketchy, like they could give way at any moment. There’s an observation deck as well, but the trees have overgrown it, so you can't really see much from the top. Fortunately, I did see a few birds, but most were probably scared off by visitors. The forest is also surrounded by housing areas, a golf range, and a sports centre, so it’s not particularly inviting for birds or other wildlife. You are likely to find tree climbing crabs everywhere in the forest though. The whole walk likely takes about an hour—or more if you’re stopping to watch birds and the like. You might want to bring binoculars, as some of the birds are deeper in the forest and hard to spot with the naked eye. I think you can also walk into the swamp if you have the proper gear? Not too sure about it though.

Underrated attraction. If you want to see mangrove forest right at the heart of KK, this is the place to go. You don't even need to go far There is an abundance of wildlife inside the mangrove forest but birds are quite limited, Maybe it is just the wrong timing The ticket price is RM10 for Malaysian (Adult)

Kota Kinabalu Wetland is a peaceful and serene escape into nature, offering a refreshing break from the city's hustle and bustle. The lush mangroves and natural surroundings provide a calming environment, making it a great spot for those who love to reconnect with nature. While the place could benefit from further improvements to enhance its facilities and overall visitor experience, its charm lies in its simplicity and untouched beauty. The boardwalks and trails allow you to explore the wetland at your own pace, giving you a chance to spot birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. For nature enthusiasts and anyone seeking tranquility, this is definitely a place worth visiting in Kota Kinabalu. With a bit of care and development, it has the potential to become an even more amazing destination for eco-tourism.

After reading several reviews mentioning the scattered rubbish, I was initially hesitant to visit. While there is some litter, it’s not overwhelming. A few of the boardwalk planks do need replacing, but this shouldn't deter you from exploring. This place is a hidden gem where you can easily spend an hour observing crabs and various birds. Although there's a visitor center, I didn't spend much time there. It's a great escape from the city.

If you've been in more mangroves over the world, it would surprise you that this one costs money. The entrance fee is very expensive, 20 RM for foreigners (it's ridiculous that this parks has different prices for tourists and locals) and 15 RM for children. I could accept this costs if you'd feel you are helping to maintain this part of the mangrove. But the path is terribly maintained and there's a lot of plastic in the mangrove. I understand they do their best to filter the garbage out of the river coming from the illegal housing. But there's still so much rubbish in the mangrove itself that I don't understand why a staffmember wouldn't remove it. Especially with tourists paying that much. It's also weird to read about how to take care of the environment, but they don't remove the trash here. Also, you have to rent binoculars or rubber boots! This should be included in the high entrance fee if someone wishes to use them. So, the mangrove was very disappointing. Not because of the mangrove forest itself, because it's exactly like a mangrove should be. But because of the rubbish, bad condition of the boardwalk and the high fee. So, it's absolutely not worth your money. It would have been fine for no fee at all or a lower fee like the locals.

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site is a picturesque mangrove park that is a green oasis in the heart of the city. It is a place of great ecological importance, full of diverse fauna and flora, including over 90 species of birds and rare mangrove plants. Walking along the wooden walkways allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this ecosystem and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Problem with cleanliness Unfortunately, despite its charm, the park is struggling with the problem of pollution. Rubbish, which is brought by the sea during high tides, often remains in the park and is not regularly cleaned. This means that a place that could be a real paradise for nature lovers loses some of its charm. Is it worth visiting? Despite these inconveniences, the park is still a pleasant escape from the heat and hustle and bustle of the city. A walk among the mangroves provides a moment of respite and allows you to appreciate the uniqueness of this ecosystem. If you are a nature lover and want to see the last remaining mangrove patch in Kota Kinabalu, it is worth taking the time to visit this place. However, it is good to be prepared to see trash and be aware that the park needs more care to keep it clean.