Fishing Spots ＞ Borneo
Snakehead (toman)/Barramundi (siakap)/Jigging/Prawn(udang galah)
4 captains listed · freshwater category. A spot in Kuching (Borneo) targeting Snakehead (toman)/Barramundi (siakap)/Jigging/Prawn(udang galah). Check the tide, captains and recent catches, then contact them directly via public social accounts. Access, climate and lodging are in the details below.
Book / contact the captain directly @asrul_botsewa_gta ›The gateway is Kuching International Airport (KCH). Many international flights to Sarawak State on Malaysian Borneo connect via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Singapore (SIN). There are many direct flights from KUL/SIN to KCH, taking about 90 minutes. The airport is about 10 km from the city center (Kuching Waterfront), about 20 minutes by car; the Santubong/Damai area, known for toman/siakap fishing and resorts, is about 24 miles away (about 40-50 minutes). Taxis or Grab (ride-hailing) are convenient from the airport.
| From | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | Direct flight to KCH (AirAsia/Batik Air/Firefly/Malaysia Airlines) | About 90 min | KUL-KCH is the most frequently served route out of Kuching (about 159 flights per week on average). |
| Singapore (SIN) | Direct flight to KCH (AirAsia/Scoot) | About 90 min | AirAsia and Scoot are low-cost carriers. Checked baggage and seat selection are charged separately. |
| Kuching International Airport (KCH) | Taxi/Grab to the city center (Waterfront) | About 20-30 min | Distance about 10 km. Taxi fare roughly RM30-90. 50% surcharge from 0:00 to 6:00. |
| Kuching International Airport (KCH) | Taxi/Grab to the Santubong/Damai area | About 40-50 min | Distance about 24 miles. Fare roughly RM40-70. |
Coordinates: 1.55, 110.34（Open in Google Maps）
Snakehead (toman)/Barramundi (siakap)/Jigging/Prawn(udang galah)
The best fishing season in Malaysian Borneo (Sabah/Sarawak) is generally the dry season from April to September. May to July in particular is considered good for siakap (barramundi) and jigging targets such as trevally, tuna, and snapper. Toman (giant snakehead) is tied to the monsoon flood cycle and spawning, with large fish moving into the shallows when rising water submerges the grassy banks. Toman fishing is best in the early morning and around dusk to twilight, and overcast or rainy conditions can produce good catches all day. The northeast monsoon (November to February) can bring heavy rain lasting several days along the Sarawak coast, making some days unsuitable for offshore fishing.
◎ peak: May–Jul · ○ in season: Apr–Sep
See what else is in season now →
Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo has two draws: the offshore South China Sea reefs and the estuaries. In brackish water such as the Santubong and Batang Salak rivers you cast for toman (snakehead) and fish for udang galah (giant freshwater prawn), while offshore you jig and troll for grouper, snapper, GT and barracuda. Fishing centers on early morning and dusk, with fishing villages like Kampung Buntal serving as launch points.
Full how-to & tackle on each species page：Snakehead (toman) Barramundi Prawn
*Photos are not re-hosted; we link to each social account (R8). Auto-updated with the latest posts.
Kuching is one of the rainiest areas in Malaysia, with annual rainfall of about 4,000 mm and rain on about 247 days a year. No month sees monthly rainfall below 160 mm, and November to February, during the northeast monsoon, is the rainiest, sometimes exceeding 400 mm a month. The relatively drier period is June to August, but even then about 200 mm falls per month. Temperatures stay high and stable year-round, with lows around 24C and highs of 29-32C.
| Month | Avg ℃ | High ℃ | Low ℃ | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 24 | Hot and humid year-round. Summer clothing plus rain gear is essential. Peak rainy period due to the northeast monsoon. | ||
| 30 | 24 | Summer clothing plus rain gear. Rather rainy. | ||
| 31 | 24 | Summer clothing plus rain gear. Rain gradually eases. | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer clothing. Strong sunshine; wear a hat and sun protection. | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer clothing. A hot period; stay well hydrated. | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer clothing. A relatively dry period, but carry rain gear. | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer clothing. The least rainfall of the year. | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer clothing. A relatively dry period. Take sun protection. | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer clothing plus rain gear. Watch for increasing squalls. | ||
| 31 | 24 | Summer clothing plus rain gear. Rainfall starts to increase. | ||
| 31 | 24 | Summer clothing plus rain gear essential. Rainfall increases as the northeast monsoon sets in. | ||
| 30 | 24 | Summer clothing plus rain gear essential. Peak rainy period; bring waterproof gear. |
| Class | Property | Price (approx) | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-end | Hilton Kuching | — | Five-star hotel on the Sarawak River. Right in front of the Waterfront, within walking distance of Tua Pek Kong. Two pools, fitness center, and executive lounge. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Pullman Kuching | — | Five-star hotel on a city hilltop. 389 renovated rooms with a choice of river or city views. Outdoor heated pool and several restaurant bars. Within walking distance of the Riverside complex. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Riverside Majestic Hotel (Puteri Wing) | — | Upscale city-center hotel with panoramic views of the Sarawak River. Close to major attractions, well located with the adjoining Plaza Merdeka. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Imperial Hotel Kuching | — | Four-star business-class hotel in the city center. About 5 minutes by car from the airport and about 10 minutes to the CBD. Comfortable rooms and facilities at a reasonable price. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Citadines Uplands Kuching | — | Four-star apartment hotel in the Uplands area. With a kitchenette, suited to families and long stays. The Spring Shopping Mall is right in front. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Imperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching | — | Three-star boutique hotel facing the Waterfront. Its riverside location is convenient for sightseeing. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Singgahsana Lodge | — | Located between the old town and the new town. Two minutes' walk from the Waterfront, diagonally opposite the Tua Pek Kong temple. An award-winning guesthouse with 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, and bicycle rental. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Threehouse Bed & Breakfast | — | A backpacker B&B in Kuching. An affordable place to stay around the city center and Waterfront. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Loft Waterfront Hotel | — | A reasonably priced hotel around the Waterfront. Conveniently located as a sightseeing base. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Name | Cuisine | Budget | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chong Choon Cafe | Local noodles and coffee shop | — | Famous for Sarawak laksa, rated the best locally. Serves Sarawak specialties such as kolo mee and kaya toast. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Top Spot Food Court | Seafood (rooftop food court) | — | A popular spot to enjoy seafood while overlooking the Sarawak River Waterfront. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Kim Joo | Kolo mee (coffee shop) | — | A long-established shop run by three generations. Its kolo mee, said to be among the best in Kuching, is the specialty. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Song Corner Coffee Shop | Mee kampua | About RM5 per bowl | A renowned kampua noodle shop popular with locals. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Lau Ya Keng Foodcourt | Local hawker stalls (food court) | — | A go-to spot for springy kolo mee, satay, and rich kueh chap. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Commons at Kuching Old Courthouse | Food court (complex) | — | A food complex inside the old courthouse. Many Kuching specialties such as kampua noodles, fried radish cake, and oyster omelette. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Lepau Restaurant | Dayak Iban cuisine | — | A popular restaurant for indigenous Dayak Iban cuisine. A calm atmosphere, good for dinner. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
* A “seasonal posting trend” based on public social posts we track (15 accounts, period 2022-10–2026-07, 75 posts). Not actual catch statistics—posting frequency ≠ real catch; treat as a reference indicator with biases (popular-account skew, etc.). Sources are the linked posts.
* Auto-extracted from tracked public accounts (tag-matched, high-confidence only). These are links to the original posts, not re-hosted media. Please verify content/species at the source. Removal requests via contact.
Nearby spots easy to combine into one trip (straight-line distance). See the map above for locations.