Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah on Borneo, is the gateway to Mount Kinabalu and some of Malaysia's best diving. Its waterfront has a lively strip of bars where climbers, divers and expats gather for sundowners and live sport.

Beer is noticeably cheaper in Sabah than in Peninsular Malaysia, and a handful of pubs offer a familiar British or Irish atmosphere by the sea.