Pantai Payang: Sabah's Best Beach You've Never Heard Of! 🌊🌴

#kotakinabalutrip **First Impressions:** I stumbled upon **Pantai Payang** by accident while road-tripping through Sabah - and oh my, what a happy accident it was! This **hidden crescent of golden sand** near Kota Belud is the kind of place where: - The only footprints in the sand are yours (and maybe some crab friends 🦀) - The water is so clear you can count the pebbles beneath your toes - The palm trees lean so dramatically they look straight out of a Bounty ad **The "Wow" Moment:** At low tide, the sea pulls back to reveal: ✨ **Natural tidal pools** perfect for a lazy float ✨ **Smooth sandstone formations** that glow orange at sunset ✨ **Secret sandbars** that appear like magic (watch the tides though!) **Unexpected Encounter:** A local fisherman offered to take us to his **floating fish farm** just offshore where we: - Fed **frenzied milkfish** that jumped like popcorn - Held **baby lobsters** (they tickle!) - Drank coconut water straight from the shell while bobbing on the waves **Must-Try Food:** The nearby stall does **ikan bakar** (grilled fish) that will ruin all other fish for you: 🐟 Freshly caught mackerel with smoky sambal 🌶️ Spicy grilled squid that makes your nose run (in the best way) 🍚 Coconut rice steamed in banana leaves **Perfect Day Timeline:** 🕘 **9AM** - Arrive as fishermen head out (golden morning light!) 🕙 **10AM** - Beachcombing for shells and sea glass 🕛 **12PM** - Swim in the tidal pools 🕒 **3PM** - Fish farm visit (bring small change for tips) 🕠 **5:30PM** - Sunset picnic on the sandbars 🕖 **7PM** - Ikan bakar feast under the stars **Pro Tips:** 1) Come **weekdays** - you might get the whole beach to yourself 2) Bring **water shoes** - those tidal rocks can be slippery! 3) Pack out **all trash** - let's keep this gem pristine **Verdict:** 12/10 - the kind of place you want to tell everyone about... but also keep secret forever. **Who else has found hidden beach gems in Sabah? Spill your secrets below! 👇** *(P.S. If you find the rumored "blue tears" bioluminescence here, DM me - I'll be there in 5 minutes!)* 💙🌌