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The Kudat peninsula, and Kudat town, is located about 190 kilometers northeast of Kota Kinabalu (kk). The name of the area comes from the local word for a kind of scrub grass ("kudad"), which was the answer given when British sailors asked the locals for the name of the place.
There are a few options available for traveling into the area. If you're coming from KK airport, renting a car and self-driving from KK is a good option for travel. Be advised that there are few self-driving options available for rent once reaching Kudat town. Drive time is 3h except if you are leaving kk in afternoon rush hour 4-7pm or entering KK in early morning rush hour 07-09am.
Going N from KK the easiest route is up Jalan Tuaran from Karamunsing - follow signs for Tuaran. Then signs for Kota Belud, Once you go through Tengilan and over the mountain there is a Petronas Petrol station on the left. THIS IS THE LAST PETROL BEFORE KUDAT. At the Kota Belud roundabout - The town is straight on and the bypass 1st left. To avoid Kota Belud take the bypass. At the end of the bypass there is a roundabout with no signs, turn left to kudat and right to Kota Belud.
Your own car means you can make a road trip from the journey, - stop at any village market Tamparuli, Tuaran, or Kota Belud Market. Then nicest way is to drive over the mountain to the Kota Marudi Turning (2h from KK, 1h from Kota Belud). Optional stops at the fruit, flowers and plants stalls on the way across the mountain, stop for food at the shops at the turning and then stop at the bee village, the Gong village or the Bead village or any markets in Matunggung or Sekuati. With your own car you can also stay at any of the many homestays along the road - Please book beforehand.
There is currently an air-conditioned VIP coach that leaves KK for Kudat daily at 9 am from the bus depot across from Dreamtel, and returns from Kudat at 2 pm. Advantage - slightly cheaper than taxi and carries large bags easily. However, it doesn't always go. There is also a non-air conditioned bus that leaves KK at 8 am and from Kudat at 1:30 pm. Each bus takes around 4 hours to reach its destination. The other public transport option is the long distance taxi's - 100m south of Dreamtel opposite the shell station. These are aircon, take 9 or 11 people and go when they are full so the wait is variable, short at beginning or end of the day: Long wait at lunchtime. The cost is rm25 (2014) per seat. if you have large bags and these need to go on a seat then you will have to pay for the seat. They will drop you at any location in Kudat - hotels etc but they finally stop at the terminal next to the Ria Hotel in the middle of town.
Any of the public transport options make it difficult to see Kudat on a day trip from KK, so unless you are self-driving or on a tour, plan on staying the night.
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There is only one car rental service for self-drive in Kudat town (Melinsung Car Rental, +60 13-898 0997), but you must book your car at least two days in advance, as they tend to be in high demand. Call for rates and to have a car delivered. Otherwise, you can travel around the area by taxi or with a tour agent. Vans and independent taxis are stationed near the bus depot in Kampung Air. Vans can take between 7-8 passengers at RM20.00 - RM25.00 per pax return, while independent taxis take up to 4 passengers and charge RM150.00 - RM240.00 for a return trip to Simpang Mengayau (Tip of Borneo).
At Simpang Mengayau, cars and motorcycles are available for rent from Howard at Tampat Do Aman guesthouse.
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There are many things to see and explore in the area, though they are all quite spread out from each other. This makes it easiest to self-drive in this area, but tours or daily rate taxis can also be arranged. If self-driving, take your time and stop at the many deserted beaches along the way.
*See traditional bee farming techniques and get a taste of rainforest honey, then take some home for a reasonable price. Rubber tapping is also done on site, as is the harvesting of traditional medicinal herbs, which can also be bought as a medicine.
*This single village produces gongs, an important Rungus instrument, for the district and beyond. The Sultan of Brunei buys his gongs from here! Watch gong makers at work, try your hand at making or playing one yourself, and take home a handmade gong as a souvenir.
*Traditionally, the Rungus people live in longhouses built on stilts, but the shift to modern living has meant that the sight of such longhouses is getting more rare. The longhouse at Kg. Bavanggazo has been constructed entirely of traditional materials but with added modern comforts like toilets and showers. Here, you can get a taste of real Rungus living through their food, daily rituals and music on a day trip or overnight stay. The later will need prior arrangements.
*Means "lingering junction" in Malay, as it's the meeting point of the Sulu and South China seas. This is the northernmost point of the third largest island in the world. Come for the beautiful sunset, stay for the wide sandy beach of Pantai Kalampunian the next day.
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In existence since the early 1900s, this 18-hole, 6080-meter golf course is situated in the heart of Kudat town. Water hazards and buildings pose an interesting challenge. Has a driving range opposite the Marina Resort.
*Most beaches in Kudat are decent snorkeling spots, with easy water access around rocks that play host to a variety of fish, nudibranches, and other species.
*Most places at the Tip of Borneo have bikes, surf boards, canoes, snorkels etc to rent. The roads are empty and there are beautiful empty beaches on both east and west sides. Tempat do Aman on the beach has a map of places to go.
* There are just few places to arrange diving trips, mostly all of them around Kudat town area, such as Tommy's place at the Tip of Borneo takes visitor dive trips for the day or North Borneo Biostation resort which also provide dive trips to the surrounding islands. Another good option is Tropical research and conservation centre ( [url=http://tracc-borneo.org]TRACC[/url]) takes snorkelling or diving volunteers for 2-12 weeks who are planting coral and trying to conserve the coral reefs.
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The local tamu is a good opportunity to interact with locals and experience daily life. The tamu in Kudat is known for its locally grown vegetables, dried fish, tropical fruits and edible seaweed. Locally-made Rungus handicrafts are also available.
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Tip of Borneo Resort started business on 1st February 2011. Twin Room - RM150.00, Triple Room - RM180.00, include breakfast [http://www.tipofborneoresort.com]
* Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort 30RM per person [http://tampatdoaman.com]
* North Borneo Biostation Resort RM200 per night. [http://www.borneobiostation.com]
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Be warned the Petrol stations in town close Early (Petron at 6pm Petronas closes at 8pm) AND there is no petrol before Kota Belud - 2H drive (100+ km) - If you plan to leave Kudat early or late then you need to get petrol well in advance. For safety and in case of emergency it is always woth keeping the fuel tank 1/2 full.
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