Kelambu Beach

Kelambu is on the north-west coast of Sabah on the road up to Kudat, and its shape is what makes it: a bar of sand runs out from the shore to a small forested island, so the beach has water on both sides of the same strip and you can stand on sand with sea to the left and sea to the right. That formation, a tombolo, is uncommon and gives the place its character - two bays, different wind and wave conditions on either side, and the island at the end to walk to at low tide. The sand is pale and the water is clear by Sabah mainland standards. Facilities are minimal - a car park, some shelters and huts, occasional stalls - and there is no accommodation on the beach itself, so it is a day trip.

What to look for

• A sand tombolo - the bar running out to the island with sea on both sides.
• Two bays at once - different conditions on either side of the same strip.
• A forested island - walkable at the end of the sand at low tide.
• Clear water and pale sand - better than most of the Sabah mainland coast.

When to go

March to October; low tide to walk the bar. Half a day.

Practical notes

Facilities are minimal - bring water and food. There is no accommodation on the beach. Currents run between the two sides of the bar; take care swimming there. A car is essential.

Nearby

Kudat, the Tip of Borneo and the Rungus longhouses are all close.