Tanjung Aru Beach - A couple of people standing on top of a beach
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Tanjung Aru Beach

4.3
·13k reviews·Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Famous for its breathtaking sunsets, Tanjung Aru Beach offers a vibrant night market and shallow waters, making it a popular local and tourist spot.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, late afternoon

Fewer crowds, better sunset views

CrowdMedium
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Tanjung Aru Beach - A couple of people standing on top of a beach

Tanjung Aru Beach

Best Time

Weekdays, late afternoon

Fewer crowds, better sunset views

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Famous for its breathtaking sunsets, Tanjung Aru Beach offers a vibrant night market and shallow waters, making it a popular local and tourist spot.

4.3
(13k reviews)

"Best spot to enjoy the sunset in Kota Kinabalu, still giving us the best sunset after all these years."

Vertical photo
TIP

🌅 Arrive Early for Sunset

Secure a prime spot for the spectacular sunset; it gets crowded quickly!

💸 Budget for Food

Food stalls are plentiful but can be pricey; consider this for your budget.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 13,973 reviews

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Iconic Sunset

The Iconic Sunset

Tanjung Aru Beach

Witness the sky ablaze with color as the sun dips below the horizon. A truly unforgettable spectacle.

TikTok+1
Vibrant Night Market

Vibrant Night Market

Near the beach entrance

Explore a lively market with diverse food options and local crafts. Great for a casual evening bite.

Reddit
Shallow Waters

Shallow Waters

Tanjung Aru Beach

Enjoy a long, leisurely walk in the shallow, calm waters before they deepen. Perfect for families.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Sunset Spectacle & Crowds

Tanjung Aru Beach is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, drawing large crowds, especially in the evening. Arrive early to secure a good spot and consider visiting on weekdays to potentially avoid the peak weekend rush. TikTok+1

Food Stalls & Amenities

The beach features numerous food stalls offering local delicacies, but some reviewers found prices a bit high. Be aware that some facilities might be under reconstruction, though the food market is usually accessible. TikTokReddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays, late afternoon
Why
Fewer crowds, better sunset views
Crowd
Medium
When
Evenings
Why
Vibrant atmosphere & food stalls
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍Tg. Aru Sabah #onthisday #tanjungarubeach #fyp #foryou #sunsetlover #sunset #Love #healing #fypシ #fypシ゚viral🖤tiktok #kotakinabalu #sabah #view
@wnerwani_
524.6K likes • 7.6M views

🌅 Arrive Early for Sunset

Secure a prime spot for the spectacular sunset; it gets crowded quickly! TikTokReddit+1

💸 Budget for Food

Food stalls are plentiful but can be pricey; consider this for your budget. Reddit

#tanjungarubeach #tanjungaru #kotakinabalu #sunset
@qdzxv
101.3K likes • 838.7K views
Crazy people recording crazy sunset in the world.🌅 #fyp #tanjungarubeach #kotakinabalu #sabah #sunset #sunsetlover #fypシ゚viral
@yesnotmine
69.4K likes • 567.9K views

🚶‍♀️ Explore Beyond the Entrance

Don't crowd the entrance; walk further along the beach for more space. Reddit

🚗 Parking Safety

Be mindful of your belongings when parking, especially in less crowded areas. Reddit

Pujma Shawarma 📍Pujma Shawarma, Tanjung Aru First Beach ⏰1PM-10PM Daily #sabahfoodie #foodie #kotakinabalu #sabah #malaysia
@sabahfoodie
68.7K likes • 1.2M views

Tips

from all over the internet

🌅 Arrive Early for Sunset

Secure a prime spot for the spectacular sunset; it gets crowded quickly! TikTokReddit+1

💸 Budget for Food

Food stalls are plentiful but can be pricey; consider this for your budget. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore Beyond the Entrance

Don't crowd the entrance; walk further along the beach for more space. Reddit

🚗 Parking Safety

Be mindful of your belongings when parking, especially in less crowded areas. Reddit

🌊 Watersports Fun

Try parasailing for a unique sunset view from above! TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.3
(13k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Tanjung Aru Beach is celebrated for its stunning, world-class sunsets that draw significant crowds each evening. Visitors enjoy the vibrant night market and the shallow, swimmable waters, though some find food prices a bit high and note potential facility maintenance. The beach offers a lively atmosphere and beautiful natural scenery.

"Beautiful Beach, surprisingly empty during the day (maybe it was too hot), but very crowded before sunset.
Also the night market next to the beach was very nice.
The water is not deep for a long while, so you can walk with your feet in the water for a long time before reaching a deep point."

Andrea

"We just returned from Makukan island and decided to come here to watch the sunset and it was spectacular!
This beach was filled with so many people it was really hard to get photos about having people being in the photo !

We walked around the markets bought a few jerseys for my nephews we also decided to have a bite to eat the place was a bit expensive considering obviously where it is !

We wanted to sit at a table and if we wanted to sit at the table to watch the sunset we have to pay money to rent the table which I thought was a little bit too much !

We decided to sit on the side because we were not gonna be there for too long !

We had a long day at the island so we wanted to just stay here and watch the sunset and go back to our hotel !

I would recommend to go here instead of the island if you’re not much of an island hopper but this place was quite busy very busy the waves were high there a lot of surfers it was really a good vibe !

Highly recommended here so make sure you Follow Fauzia to watch the videos that we have uploaded the full content on our YouTube channel and our TikTok !! You can find us on our Instagram and Facebook page to watch our stories and reels!
🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺"

Follow Fauzia

"Best spot to enjoy the sunset in Kota Kinabalu.
Was first time here in year 2005. After all these years, still giving us the best sunset .

Now seeing more and more visitors... Good, but need to have a more organized traffic control.

Also need to educate everyone about civic and the need to care for the place..."

yw c

What People Like

Spectacular sunsets
Vibrant night market
Shallow waters for swimming

What People Dislike

Crowded during sunset
Food prices can be high
Occasional facility closures

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Tanjung Aru Beach is easily accessible from Kota Kinabalu city center. You can take a taxi or a ride-sharing service, which should take about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. Local buses also serve the area. TikTok

Yes, there is parking available at Tanjung Aru Beach, particularly near the food stalls and the main entrance. However, it can get very busy during sunset hours, so arriving early is recommended. Reddit

Local buses frequently run from the city center towards Tanjung Aru Beach, making it a budget-friendly option. Check with local transport providers for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.

Tanjung Aru Beach is quite close to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, usually a short 5-10 minute drive by taxi or ride-sharing service. This makes it a convenient stop if you have some time before or after your flight.

For a nostalgic experience, consider the historic Sabah State Railway which has a station at Tanjung Aru, offering scenic rides to Papar. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Tanjung Aru Beach is a public beach and does not have an entrance fee. You can enjoy the sunset and the beach freely. TikTok

Tanjung Aru Beach is open 24 hours a day, but it is most popular and vibrant in the late afternoon and evening for sunset viewing and the night market. TikTok

No advance booking is required for general access to the beach. However, if you plan to rent a table to watch the sunset, some areas might have rental fees. Reddit

While generally open, there might be temporary closures or restrictions on certain facilities due to ongoing maintenance or events. Always check local advisories if possible. Reddit

Yes, you are generally allowed to bring your own food and drinks to Tanjung Aru Beach. However, it's always good practice to clean up after yourself and dispose of trash properly.

📸 📸 Photography

The golden hour just before sunset is absolutely magical for photography. The sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors, creating stunning backdrops. TikTok+1

While the entire beach offers great sunset views, moving away from the main gathering points can yield more unique shots without as many people in the frame. Reddit

It's ideal for landscape photography, especially capturing sunsets. It's also great for portraits with the dramatic sky as a backdrop, and capturing the lively atmosphere of the night market. TikTok

Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check with local authorities or the relevant tourism board for any restrictions on drone operation before flying. TikTok

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive sky and beach. A telephoto lens can be useful for isolating details or capturing distant surfers. Don't forget a tripod for low-light sunset shots. TikTok

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

You'll find a variety of local Malaysian dishes, seafood, and snacks at the numerous food stalls. Pujima Shawarma is a popular spot mentioned for its offerings. TikTok

Some visitors have noted that prices at the food stalls can be a bit on the higher side, especially considering the location. Reddit

While there are many stalls, Pujima Shawarma is highlighted for its food. It's best to explore the various stalls to find what suits your taste and budget. TikTok

You can likely find some vegetarian options, such as vegetable dishes or fruit, but dedicated vegan options might be limited. It's best to ask the vendors directly about ingredients. TikTok

The food stalls typically operate from around 1 PM until late at night, with peak hours coinciding with sunset and into the evening. TikTok

🎫 🌊 Onsite Experience

Besides enjoying the sunset, you can swim in the shallow waters, relax on the sand, explore the night market, and try watersports like parasailing. TikTokReddit

Yes, the shallow waters make it safe for children to play. The beach also offers a lively atmosphere with food stalls and space to run around. Reddit

While generally safe, there have been some unusual reports of crocodiles in the water, though unconfirmed. It's always wise to be aware of your surroundings and heed any local warnings. Reddit

Find a comfortable spot on the sand or consider renting a table (if available and within budget) to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking sunset views. Reddit

Yes, swimming is possible, especially in the shallow areas. However, be mindful of the waves and any potential currents, particularly if you venture further out. Reddit

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