10 Best Places to Visit in Miri, Sarawak

Miri, located north-east of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo has one of the most beautiful beaches in Sarawak. It is the second largest city of Sarawak and home to the first oil well in Malaysia (Canada Hill). Miri used to be a small fishery village before the discovery of oil in 1910 by the Shell Company.

Piasau Boat Club

Miri is also well known for its caves and national parks such as Gua Niah, the world’s largest cave entrance and also Gunung Mulu National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Getting around Miri city is not difficult as the city is small and transportation is easy to find. However if you are interested to venture out of the city, it would be much easier to rent a car or join a tour. Want to know more about our trip to Miri? Check out our post VISIT MIRI IN 3 DAYS – BEST LOCAL GUIDE

Visit Miri In 3 Days – Best Local Guide

So getting that out of the way, let’s find out what are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Miri?

1. Get the best view of Miri city : Canada Hill

This is the first place we recommend visitors coming here for the first time to check out. Canada Hill sits on a limestone ridge offering panoramic views of Miri city. Also located here is the “Grand Old Lady”, the first oil well discovered by Shell company.

Panoramic view of Miri city – Sarawak

There is a Petroleum Museum here for those interested in the history of the oil discovery in Canada Hill. In our opinion, the best time to come here is during the sunrise or sunset, to get the best view.

Miri’s first oil well – Canada Hill, Sarawak

2. Explore the local hotspot, Coco Cabana

When you are at Miri, make sure to check out Coco Cabana which is located at Marina Bay (5 minutes drive or 20 minutes walk to get here from the city centre). Coco Cabana has a jetty on one side, a seahorse light house and a multi purpose hall on the other side.

Marina Bay Jetty – Miri, Sarawak

The iconic Seahorse Lighthouse in Miri – Sarawak

There are also vendors at Coco Cabana selling snacks and drinks in case you get hungry. Besides that, the Coco Cabana also hosts major events such as the Borneo Jazz festival, Asia Food Festival, Wave Carnival, Miri Country Music Fest and so on. So make sure to check out their website if you intend to join any of the festivals.

Enjoying the coconut shake and ice-cream – Miri, Sarawak

The multipurpose hall – Coco Cabana, Miri – Sarawak

3. Relax at Beach Republic

Beach Republic is a recreation club for families to relax and hang out. It is a slightly further drive from the city centre (15 minutes) and located at Luak Bay.

Beach Republic (Image credit: foursquare)

(Image credit: foursquare)

The facilities here are also good and they do offer an amazing view of the beach. Just another 6 minutes drive from Beach Republic is Luak Beach, a picnic hotspot for locals here. You can check it out if you want, but in our opinion visiting Beach Republic is sufficient as they have more activities to do here.

Riding on the ATV – Beach Republic, Miri, Sarawak

4. Explore Tusan Beach

Tusan Beach, located 1 hour from Miri is well known for its white sandy beaches and rock formations. The view from the clifftop is simply beautiful especially during sunset. This beach doesn’t get as much recognition compared to the other beaches like Brighton Beach/Tanjung Lobang or Lutong Beach probably because it is further out from Miri city.

Entrance to the beach – Tusan Beach, Miri, Sarawak

Sunset view – Tusan Beach, Miri, Sarawak

Sadly, in February 2020 the famous rock formation at Tusan Beach has collapsed due to heavy downpour. It is disappointing knowing that we won’t be able to see the rock formation, however you can still enjoy the peaceful ambience here. Nevertheless, Tusan Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Miri and definitely worth checking out if you have the time.

Photo with the famous rock formation before its collapse – Tusan Beach, Miri

Rock formation – Tusan Beach, Miri, Sarawak

Enjoying Tusan Beach Ice-cream – Miri, Sarawak

5. Visit Lambir Hills National Park

Calling all nature lovers! Make sure to include Lambir Hills National Park when you are in Miri. Located just 40 minutes from Miri, this national park hosts over 1,050 different species of trees and 1,200 different species of insects.

Lambir Hills National Park – Miri, Sarawak

You can choose to go on an easy 15 minutes stroll or take up the challenge and hike up the 5 hours trek to the Pancur Waterfall. The national park also provides accommodation and a camp site for those who want to spend more time here.

Lambir Hills National Park – Miri, Sarawak (Image credit: STB)

Bird watching (Image credit: Cat city holidays)

(Image credit: Sarawak Tourism Board)

6. Step into one of largest cave entrance in the world: Gua Niah

Gua Niah or Niah Caves is home to one of the world’s largest cave entrance (Great Cave) and covers an area 3,183 hectares of limestone hill and rainforest. It is a prehistoric site used as human settlement from more than 40,000 years ago.

Niah National Park entrance – Miri, Sarawak

The boardwalk trail across river – Niah National Park, Sarawak

Exploring Niah National Park, Miri – Sarawak

It takes approximately 2 hours to drive from Miri city, so it is advisable to start your journey early if you plan to do a day trip here. For those who would like to spend more time exploring the park, accommodation is also provided at the Niah National Park.

Passage into the unknown – Niah Caves/Gua Niah – Miri, Sarawak

The Great Cave/Gua Niah – Miri, Sarawak

Niah Caves/Gua Niah – Miri, Sarawak

7. Cool off at Giam Klimau (Borneo’s Hidden Gem)

To get to Giam Klimau, you will have to drive another hour from the Niah National Park. Why did we call it “Borneo’s Hidden Gem” ? Well, not many people know about this place (even the locals have never heard of it). Hidden somewhere in the oil palm plantations is Giam Klimau waterfall.

Giam Klimau – Miri, Sarawak

You will have to drive through the oil palm plantations for at least half an hour to reach the waterfall itself. When you finally arrive here, you will be greeted with a stunning view of Borneo’s hidden gem ! The Giam Klimau waterfall has a curtain-type waterfall (the only one in Borneo) and was recently discovered a few years ago by the plantation company.

Not fully explored – Giam Klimau, Miri, Sarawak

8. Discover Mulu National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Saving the best for last, the Mulu National Park began its story 40 million years ago under the sea. What’s even more intriguing is that the sandstone peak of Mulu was formed 60 million years ago! Mulu National Park is the biggest national park in Sarawak, covering a massive 85,000 hectares.

Mulu National Park Accomodation (Image credit: Mulu National Park)

Pinnacles (Image credit: Mulu National Park)

Mulu cave (Image credit: Sarawak Tourism Board)

Mulu is located in a remote location, deep in the jungles of Borneo and can only be reached by flight. Maswings is the only operator flying to Mulu from either Kota Kinabalu, Miri or Kuching. Visitors coming here usually stay over at the national park or the Marriott Hotel for a few days to fully explore the area. Among all the places that we have chosen in this post, the Mulu National Park is definitely at the top of the list in the places you must visit in Miri.

UNESCO Heritage Site

9. Visit Piasau Boat Club

Located just 15 minutes away from miri is Piasau Boat Club, Borneo’s premier sports club. Here, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset view while the kids have a blast at the playground just beside the club.

For those looking for something more adventurous, you can try out the water sports here such as diving, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, powerboat, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Entrance fees (non members)

RM 10 – adult (17 years and above
Rm 5 – children (12 -16 years old)
Free – children under 12

Club operating hours

Daily from 8am -9pm

10. Take a stroll at Miri Public Park/Taman Awam Miri

Being one of the most popular parks in Miri, is Taman Awam Miri which consists of various jogging trails, botanical gardens and playground.

Miri Public Park/Taman Awam Miri entrance

For those feeling adventurous, you can also explore the wooden suspension bridge which offers a bird’s eye view of the surrounding park.

Miri Public Park/Taman Awam Miri suspension bridge

Have any experience or tips on travelling to Miri? Or are you planning a trip soon? Let us know and share your thoughts and questions in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!

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