Month by month
| Month | Afternoon | Sea | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.1 °C | 28.7 °C | 29 days | Unfavourable season |
| February | 28.1 °C | 28.5 °C | 23 days | Unfavourable season |
| March | 28.9 °C | 29.3 °C | 24 days | Unfavourable season |
| April | 29.9 °C | 30 °C | 25 days | Unfavourable season |
| May | 30.3 °C | 30.3 °C | 28 days | Unfavourable season |
| June | 29.9 °C | 30.2 °C | 28 days | Unfavourable season |
| July | 30.1 °C | 29.9 °C | 26 days | Unfavourable season |
| August | 30.2 °C | 30.1 °C | 27 days | Unfavourable season |
| September | 30.1 °C | 30.2 °C | 26 days | Unfavourable season |
| October | 29.7 °C | 30 °C | 28 days | Unfavourable season |
| November | 29 °C | 29.9 °C | 29 days | Unfavourable season |
| December | 28.6 °C | 29.2 °C | 28 days | Unfavourable season |
Nearby in December
Before you go
Three things to check once you have picked your dates.
Entry
No visa needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passport valid for at least 6 months. Submit the arrival card online before you travel (airlines may ask for it at check-in); passport must be undamaged with no pages missing.
For a British passport, per the UK Foreign Office on 19 March 2026. Rules change: check before booking.
Safety
Near an area advised against
Sandakan is outside the areas concerned, but right next to them. Areas concerned: islands and dive sites off eastern Sabah, from Sandakan to Tawau (Borneo); the mainland is not covered.
Official advice updated 19 March 2026
Health
Vaccines · typhoid recommended for most travellers; hepatitis A and hepatitis B if you are not already vaccinated; Japanese encephalitis depending on activities and areas visited. Routine vaccines up to date (measles in particular).
Yellow fever · No yellow fever locally, vaccine not recommended. Certificate required only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Malaria · Present. Areas: Zoonotic transmission of P. knowlesi malaria occurs in rural, forested areas No malaria transmission in other areas, including Kuala Lumpur (the capital), in Penang State, on Penang Island, or in George Town (capital of Penang State). Preventive medication recommended: In rural, forested areas: atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine — prescribed before departure.
Mosquitoes · dengue and Zika reported: protect yourself from bites.
Per the CDC (page reviewed 25 August 2026); see a travel clinic a few weeks before departure.
Beau Fixe is not a safety or health authority. These notes summarise dated public texts and link to their source: France Diplomatie (Licence Ouverte 2.0), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gov.uk, Open Government Licence v3.0), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Source: CDC). Only the competent authorities are authoritative.
FAQ
Can you swim in Sandakan in December?
The sea averages 29.2°C in December — yes, pleasant swimming.
How hot is Sandakan in December?
Expect 28.6°C in the afternoon and 24.5°C at night, averaged over the last 10 years.
Does it rain a lot in Sandakan in December?
Around 28 days with rain (≥ 1 mm) in the month — 92% of days.