Things to Do in Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu

Explore Waterfront - Maritime bustle with a tourist-friendly polish - the smell of grilled seafood and sea breeze, punctuated by the gentle slap of waves against restaurant pontoons.

Explore Activities

Discover Waterfront

KK's Waterfront district is the kind of place where the city's maritime soul actually reveals itself, stretched along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens with the South China Sea lapping at its edges. You'll find yourself walking past a curious mix of gleaming shopping complexes, weathered fish markets, and floating restaurants where the smell of grilled stingray mingles with salt air. It's touristy, sure, but it's touristy for good reason - this is where locals still come to eat, shop, and catch the evening breeze after work. The boardwalk tends to come alive around sunset when families emerge for their evening constitutional and the floating seafood restaurants start firing up their woks. Interestingly, for all its development, you can still glimpse KK's fishing village roots in the early morning hours when the trawlers return and vendors hawk their catch from plastic tubs on the pier. It's a decent indication of how Sabah manages to balance progress with tradition, though obviously the balance tips more toward the former here than in the kampungs outside town.

Why Visit Waterfront?

🏙️

Atmosphere

Maritime bustle with a tourist-friendly polish - the smell of grilled seafood and sea breeze, punctuated by the gentle slap of waves against restaurant pontoons.

💰

Price Level

🛡️

Safety

excellent

Perfect For

Waterfront is ideal for these types of travelers

First-time visitors

Families

Foodies

Sunset seekers

Top Attractions in Waterfront

Don't miss these Waterfront highlights

Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal

The jumping-off point for island-hopping adventures, where speedboats bob like restless dolphins waiting to whisk you to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The terminal itself buzzes with anticipation as day-trippers clutch snorkeling gear and sunscreen.

Tip: Book your island tour the evening before directly with operators here - you'll save RM20-30 per person compared to hotel bookings

KK Waterfront Boardwalk

A surprisingly pleasant 2km stretch where joggers, families, and couples converge as the sun sets behind Mount Kinabalu's silhouette. The wooden planks creak gently underfoot as you pass street food vendors and buskers tuning their guitars.

Tip: Start your walk from Centre Point and head north around 6pm - you'll catch the golden hour light hitting the floating restaurants

Filipino Market

A sensory overload of dried seahorses, hand-woven textiles, and carved wooden masks that might make purists cringe but actually offers some genuine Sabahan crafts if you know where to look. The pearl vendors can be persistent, but the batik selection is genuinely impressive.

Tip: Head to the back stalls away from the entrance for better prices and less touristy items - look for the elderly Bajau women selling traditional beadwork

Floating Seafood Restaurants

Ramshackle pontoon restaurants where you'll point at swimming fish in netted enclosures before they're transformed into chili crab or butter prawns. The gentle rocking motion and sound of water lapping below creates an unexpectedly romantic atmosphere despite the plastic chairs.

Tip: Choose restaurants with the most local families - Sim Sim Water Village locals know their seafood, and prices tend to be more honest

Sutera Harbour Marina

Where sleek yachts from across Southeast Asia dock alongside local fishing boats, creating an interesting study in contrasts. The marina walk offers some of KK's best mountain views, especially when the afternoon light hits Kinabalu's peaks.

Tip: Visit the marina around 4pm when the yacht crews are most active - you might catch stories from sailors who've island-hopped across Borneo

Book Waterfront Tours →

Where to Eat in Waterfront

Taste the best of Waterfront's culinary scene

Ocean Seafood Village

Floating seafood restaurant

Specialty: Chili mud crab (RM35-45 per crab) and butter prawns with crispy cereal coating

Kedai Kopi Fatt Kee

Traditional coffee shop

Specialty: Ngiu chap (beef noodle soup, RM8) and surprisingly good laksa Sarawak

Night Market Food Court

Street food collection

Specialty: Grilled stingray with sambal (RM12-15) and fresh coconut water straight from the shell

Salut Restaurant

Modern Malaysian fusion

Specialty: Sabahan wild boar rendang (RM28) when available, though they're coy about advertising it

Restoran Sederhana

Indonesian halal

Specialty: Ayam penyet (RM12) with sambal that'll clear your sinuses in the best possible way

Waterfront After Dark

Experience the nightlife scene

Shamrock Irish Bar

Expat hangout with decent Guinness and football on multiple screens, though the crowd tends to be more oil workers than backpackers

Loud, boozy, predominantly male

Upperstar

Rooftop bar with genuine panoramic views and craft cocktails that actually taste like someone cared about making them

Sophisticated, couples, sunset drinks

Bed Lounge Bar

Trendy spot where KK's young professionals come to see and be seen, with house music and overpriced but well-made drinks

Stylish locals, weekend party crowd

Getting Around Waterfront

The Waterfront is entirely walkable, though the humidity might convince you otherwise by midday. City buses (RM1) run along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens every 15-20 minutes, connecting you to Centre Point and the main bus terminal. Grab cars are reliable here and cost RM8-12 to most parts of central KK. Worth noting that the boardwalk gets quite dark after 10pm, so you'll want to stick to the main road for evening walks.

Where to Stay in Waterfront

Recommended accommodations in the area

The Magellan Sutera Resort

Luxury

RM350-500

Private beach, multiple pools

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Mid-range

RM180-280

Central location, mountain views

Jesselton Hotel

Budget

RM80-120

Walking distance to ferry terminal

Gaya Centre Hotel