Fishing Spots ＞ Borneo
1 captains listed · casting available · sea category. A spot in Kudat (Borneo) targeting GT Popping. 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 @gtfishingcharters ›Kudat is a town located in the far north of Sabah, at the northernmost tip of Borneo, the "Tip of Borneo." The gateway is Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), and it is common to access it by car, heading north along the trunk road (Federal Route 1). As public transport is limited, using a rental car or a chartered car/taxi is the practical option.
| From | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) | Via Federal Route 1 (heading north) | Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes | The driving distance is about 180 km. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions. It is convenient to use a rental car or chartered car directly from the airport. |
Coordinates: 6.88, 116.84（Open in Google Maps）
GT Popping
GT popping is best when the sea is calm during the dry season. In the waters of northern Sabah, including off Kudat, it is best to avoid the period around November to February when the northeast monsoon strengthens winds and raises waves, and to choose around March to October (especially the dry season) when sea conditions are stable for offshore fishing and boat activities. Since whether boats can depart depends on sea conditions and the lunar phase, it is most reliable to check with a local charter operator.
○ in season: Mar–Oct
See what else is in season now →
For GT The classic approach is popping/casting a diving pencil or popper across the surface; when fish are shy, jigging a heavy metal jig also works.
Full how-to & tackle on each species page
*Photos are not re-hosted; we link to each social account (R8). Auto-updated with the latest posts.
Kudat has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen classification Af), with little temperature variation throughout the year and hot, humid conditions. The daytime high is about 29-32°C, and the nighttime low is stable at about 24-25°C. The annual average temperature is about 26.8°C. Rainfall is heaviest around December and lowest around April. Light clothing (short sleeves and shorts) is the standard year-round, with protection against sun and rain being key.
| Month | Avg ℃ | High ℃ | Low ℃ | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 29 | 24 | Short sleeves and shorts. Bring rain gear for sudden squalls. | |
| 27 | 30 | 25 | Short sleeves and shorts. Wear a hat and sunscreen for sun protection. | |
| 27 | 31 | 25 | Breathable light clothing. Sun protection. | |
| 28 | 32 | 25 | The hottest period. Light clothing plus frequent hydration. | |
| 28 | 32 | 25 | Light clothing. A hat and sunglasses against the strong sun. | |
| 27 | 31 | 24 | Short sleeves and shorts. Sunburn protection. | |
| 27 | 31 | 24 | Short sleeves and shorts. Sun protection. | |
| 27 | 31 | 24 | Light clothing. Watch out for the sun and stay hydrated. | |
| 27 | 31 | 24 | Short sleeves and shorts. Bring rain gear for sudden squalls. | |
| 27 | 31 | 24 | Light clothing. Carry rain gear as rainfall increases. | |
| 27 | 30 | 24 | Short sleeves and shorts. Rain gear is essential. | |
| 26 | 29 | 24 | The rainiest period. Bring rain gear and quick-drying clothes. |
| Class | Property | Price (approx) | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-end | North Borneo Biostation Resort | From RM120 (walk-in guideline) / from approx. US$40 | A diving-oriented resort near the Tip of Borneo. 20 wooden chalets with air conditioning, memory foam beds, and beach access. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Kudat Golf & Marina Resort | — | The only seaside resort in Kudat with a pool. Equipped with a golf course and marina. The facilities are somewhat old. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Tommy's Place (Tip of Borneo Resort) | RM120-250 | Facing the beach, about a 10-minute walk from the Tip of Borneo. Wooden longhouse twins, new triples, and villas (all rooms with sea views). | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Ria Hotel | RM100-150 (approx. US$30-50) | A representative hotel in Kudat town. Clean and spacious rooms with air conditioning. Conveniently located in the town center, close to seafood restaurants. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Borneotip Beach Lodge | — | A beach lodge in the Tip of Borneo area. Accommodation near the sea. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Tampat Do Aman（チャレット） | From US$22 (cheapest is the longhouse / hut) | About 2.5 km from the beach, set in a 6-acre forest. The fan-cooled wooden chalets have four-poster beds with mosquito nets, private baths, and balconies. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Tampat Do Aman（ロングハウス／little huts） | From around US$22 (charged per person) | Longhouses and huts in the forest. Suited to room-only stays charged per person. For backpackers and budget-conscious travelers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Hotel Greenland | — | A comfortable budget alternative in Kudat town. A shoplot-type hotel recommended for budget travelers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Sedcoエリアのショップロット系バジェットホテル | From around RM85 (lower-end guideline for Kudat town hotels) | Mostly budget lodgings on the 2nd-3rd floors of shops in the Sedco district. For flashpackers, located in the town center. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Name | Cuisine | Budget | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kudat Seafood Restaurant | Chinese-style seafood | — | A representative seafood restaurant in Kudat. A popular spot where you can select from the live tanks and pay by weight. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Restaurant Hock Cheong | Chinese | Reasonable | A Chinese restaurant in town with a good balance of quality and price. Good for value-for-money seekers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Selera Ria | Local / café (attached to Ria Hotel) | — | Slightly higher quality than a typical kopitiam. Serves noodles, rice dishes, coffee, and pastries. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Hainan Kitchen | Local (Hainanese-style) | Reasonable | A clean, fast-food-style restaurant. The laksa is well regarded, with a wide variety of chicken rice. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Restoran Sayang | Malay / Indian-style | Reasonable | Convenient, next to the bus terminal. The roti is good, and biryani is served on Fridays. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Tip Top Restaurant（Kalampunian Beach） | Malay / Western (beach) | Mains RM10-17 | An open, relaxed beachside atmosphere. From nasi dishes to burgers, with cakes and more. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
Nearby spots easy to combine into one trip (straight-line distance). See the map above for locations.