A dramatic coastline of pristine white sand beaches and wild, untouched jungle is surrounded by crystal clear waters inhabited by colourful fish and coral life

Don't tell anyone, but at the Northern most point of Borneo lies a great secret!

Only 200km from Kota Kinabalu lies an untouched paradise which few are lucky to stumble across or hear about from fellow travelers; The Tip of Borneo. The Northern most point of the third largest island in the world is home to 10km of pristine beaches, where you are unlikely to see another soul, and can completely disconnect and unplug from life's distractions.

The beaches here are unlike anything else I've encountered in the Asian-Pacific. The crystal clear colour alone will draw you in, however nothing will prepare you for the warm, almost bath-like temperature of the water. To say that swimming here is tranquil and mesmerizing is an understatement, so I hope that these photos can show what words cannot describe.

A wild Malaysian jungle hugs the coastline, and here, the Rungus people of Sabah can still be seen living in traditional wooden Longhouses. Among them live Howard Stanton, and his Rungus wife, Lorina, who have spent years working together with the local Rungus people, to promote and sponsor the children's access to education, environmental sustainability, and wildlife protection in the area. While constantly active in their community, they have also developed a traditional Rungus guest house, named Tampat Do Aman; "A place of Friends" or "A place of Peace" in the Rungus language.

Experiencing a traditional Rungus Longhouse stay surely is the best way to experience this stunning area, and falling asleep to the quiet sounds of the jungle is so much more than any 5 Star hotel can offer.

As jungles continue to be torn down in favour of development, and travellers spread to all corners of the globe, fewer places like this are left to exist; an overlooked, hidden paradise in nature. Every traveller here seemed to have a similar experience; that they had come for a few days, and extended their stay to weeks, to experience this unique feeling of both being nowhere, and being exactly in the right place.

The Tip of Borneo, and Tampat Do Aman lie 30km North of Kudat town, and can be reached via bus or private transfer from Kota Kinabalu. I highly recommend experiencing a more traditional Rungus lifestyle at Tampat Do Aman, while enjoying the spectacular scenery and beaches of the area.

I am Jess from Australia, and have been travelling the world full time for one and a half years. I travel independently and on a budget, using couchsurfing, hitchhiking, workaway, and camping as means to reduce both cost and my environmental footprint. I love to be outdoors, and all my favourite memories have been out in the forests, mountains, and on beaches with like minded people. I believe that meeting local people and seeing a place for yourself is the only true way to be informed and learn about a country, free from media bias.

Thank you for reading, and please comment or upvote if you enjoyed this 💜