Top 5 Attractions in Bintulu, Sarawak

TLDR

Five attractions carry Bintulu: Similajau National Park 30 km north, Taman Tumbina free zoo, the Bintulu Promenade seafront loop, Assyakirin Mosque in Kidurong and Kampung Jepak Melanau fishing village. Together they make a comfortable 3-day itinerary.

1. Similajau National Park

Similajau National Park is the single strongest reason nature-minded travellers stop in Bintulu. The park stretches across 7,000 hectares of coastal rainforest, sandy beaches and rivers roughly 30 kilometres northeast of town. It is one of the more accessible national parks in Sarawak, which means you can do a worthwhile day trip without the expedition logistics that Mulu or Maliau Basin require.

The usual day plan is a Grab or private taxi out around 7am, park entry at RM20 for foreign adults, then a walk to Turtle Beach along the Main Trail. The trail runs 3.5 kilometres through rainforest then opens onto a long stretch of empty sand. Most visitors see silver-leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques and at least a handful of hornbills. Green turtles nest on Golden Beach further along between June and September. Saltwater crocodiles live in the rivers, so stay out of the water in the Likau and Sebubong.

Book through the Sarawak Forestry Corporation portal if you want an overnight in one of the hostel rooms or chalets, which run RM75 to RM225. For a single day, Grab there and back works fine and costs RM90 to RM120 with wait time included. For more detail on the trails and wildlife read our Similajau National Park guide.

2. Taman Tumbina

Taman Tumbina is the city zoo and botanical park, 4 kilometres from the town centre off Jalan Tun Hussein Onn. Entry has been free since the Bintulu Development Authority took over operations. The collection covers rhinoceros hornbills, sambar deer, Malayan tigers, reticulated pythons, saltwater crocodiles and a butterfly house with 20 to 30 species. Most visitors spend two to three hours working through it, longer with children.

The suspension bridge over the small valley inside the park is the feature kids remember. The botanical garden section holds a decent collection of Sarawak rainforest plants with labels in English and Malay. Arrive at 9am when the animals are most active; by midday the heat pushes most of them into the shade. Our Taman Tumbina guide covers opening hours, accessibility and what to bring.

3. Bintulu Promenade and Pasar Utama

The Bintulu Promenade runs for roughly 3 kilometres along 120 acres of reclaimed seafront between the town centre and the river mouth. It is free, open 24 hours and at its best between 5pm and 9pm when locals come out to walk, cycle and run after the heat of the day. Weekend evenings add a night market at the central plaza with satay stalls, grilled ikan bakar, coconut ice cream and bubble tea for RM3 to RM15 a plate.

Pasar Utama, the main wet market, sits at the town-centre end of the Promenade. The seafood stalls behind the market do RM25 to RM40 plates of grilled tiger prawns, butter crab and steamed fish from 6pm until around 10pm. Combining a Promenade sunset walk with a seafood dinner at Pasar Utama is the most reliable simple evening in Bintulu.

4. Assyakirin Mosque

Assyakirin Mosque sits in the Kidurong industrial quarter about 10 kilometres north of town. The blue onion dome, white facade and reflecting pool make it one of the most photogenic buildings in Sarawak. It is an active community mosque serving the Kidurong Muslim population rather than a tourist attraction, which is part of the appeal. Non-Muslim visitors are welcomed outside prayer times with modest dress and a provided headscarf.

The best light for photos is late afternoon from around 4.30pm to sunset, when the pool reflections are strongest. A Grab from the town centre costs RM10 to RM15 one way and takes 15 to 20 minutes. Combine the visit with Tanjung Kidurong Lighthouse 2 kilometres away, which has a small observation deck open until 6pm. For full visit logistics see the Assyakirin Mosque guide.

5. Kampung Jepak

Kampung Jepak is the traditional Melanau fishing village across the Kemena River from the town centre. The sampan crossing from the jetty behind Pasar Utama costs RM1 each way and takes 5 minutes. Once across you are in a village of stilt houses built over the water, with sago processing still happening in small workshops, fresh fish landed most mornings and a modest village market.

Go early, ideally by 8am when the fishing boats are returning. Two to three hours is enough. Stop at one of the small kopitiams for a sago-based snack and coffee before crossing back. This is the best single window into pre-industrial coastal Sarawak without leaving Bintulu. Keep the RM1 sampan fare and some small notes for stalls since nothing in the village takes card.

Practical Tips for Visiting Bintulu

Most attractions are spread across the town centre, Kidurong and Similajau, so factor Grab costs into your budget at RM5 to RM15 per ride in town and RM45 to RM60 out to Similajau. Download Grab before arrival. Pack light rain gear year round; most afternoons see a short tropical shower even in the dry April to October window. A modest cover up is useful for the mosque and Kampung Jepak.

Bintulu is small enough that a 3-day stay covers all five attractions at a relaxed pace. For orientation before you arrive, our things to do in Bintulu guide sets out a day-by-day plan. For weather timing read the best time to visit breakdown, which runs through each month and the monsoon windows to avoid.

You might also find these useful: Things to Do in Bintulu, Similajau National Park Guide, Taman Tumbina Guide.

See Star Moon Hotel for Yourself

Browse All Photos on Booking.com →

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions