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Atlas/asia/Deep field file

Signal verified · updated 2026-09-03

Borneo

Third-largest island in the world (~23 million people), shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei; ancient rainforests, orangutans and Mount Kinabalu.

0.000° N114.000° E
site access marine
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), Sabah
Mount Kinabalu
Gunung Mulu National Park
Sepilok Orangutan Centre
Formation
ancient continental core with central highlands; dense equatorial rainforest, peat swamps and mangroves
Population
23.1M
Water
Pacific Ocean
Access
moderate

Every required movement

The passage
to Borneo.

Fly to Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Kuching (KCH) or Balikpapan (BPN); overland from Brunei into Sabah/Sarawak; Pelni and regional ferries serve Kalimantan ports.

  1. 01
    Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), Sabah

    Nearest recorded air access

    Schedule or condition may change · verify
  2. 02
    Water crossing

    Pelni ships to Kalimantan ports (Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Pontianak); Labuan-Brunei-Sabah ferries; Tawau-Nunukan cross-border boats.

    Schedule or condition may change · verify
  3. 03
    Entry check

    Indonesia/Malaysia/Brunei visa-exemption for many nationalities; interior permits needed for some remote areas.

    Schedule or condition may change · verify

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What the chart cannot hold

What becomes visible when you follow orangutans beyond the familiar map?

One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with rainforests over 130 million years old, alongside oil, gas and palm-oil economies and the planned Indonesian capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Trade entrepot from the 6th century; Brunei Sultanate and Kutai, Sambas and Banjarmasin sultanates; Dutch south and British/Brooke north from the 1800s; Japanese occupation 1942-1945; Indonesian Kalimantan since 1945/1949, Sabah/Sarawak in Malaysia since 1963, Brunei independent 1984.

Field ledger

The useful
details.

Coordinates
0.00° N · 114.00° E
Sovereignty
Indonesia / Malaysia / Brunei · part of country
Nearest mainland
Malay Peninsula across the South China Sea (~600 km); closest to Palawan, Philippines (~150 km)
Best recorded window
March-October (relatively drier).
Permits / entry
Indonesia/Malaysia/Brunei visa-exemption for many nationalities; interior permits needed for some remote areas.
Languages
Indonesian, Malay, Dayak languages, Banjarese, English, Mandarin

Community intelligence

Notes from
the crossing.

Share firsthand conditions, access changes, respectful observations, or a question for someone who has been.

No traveler has left a public note here yet.

The empty ledger is part of the mystery—and an invitation to be useful.

Travel information changes quickly. This field file was last revised 2026-09-03. Confirm all transport and permit details before booking.

Official source