Review: UMS Beach Club — The “Private Resort” You Didn’t Know Existed

So my husband and I decided it was time our now 21-month-old boy saw more of KK's beaches than just Tanjung Aru. Don’t get me wrong, Tanjung Aru is great, but when you’ve been there one too many times, the sand starts to feel like the rice grains that magically reappear on your kitchen floor no matter how many times you sweep. Our contenders for a “new” weekend beach were Karambunai or Likas Bay — until I remembered a place I visited years ago: the ODEC beach inside UMS.

Back then? Let’s just say it was chill but tragic. Quiet, bad phone signal, rubbish layering the shore like baklava, but the water was decent and the view was surprisingly gorgeous compared to Tanjung Aru. No food stalls, no banana boats, just an empty stretch of sea and sand.

Fast-forward to last Saturday — I Googled and nearly dropped my teh o ais. UMS Beach Club had undergone a glow-up. Alive, clean, and looking like an actual holiday spot. Obviously, I had to drag my two boys (the husband and the toddler) there.

🌴 First Impressions

The beach is inside the university campus, so yes — security clearance at the gate. Expect ID checks and questions. To enter is free. Parking? Plenty. Drive until the end where you smell saltwater, then boom: welcome to beach mode.

Picture this: on weekdays, uni students are writing essays that are definitely due tomorrow but outdoors, with sea breeze and revising by the water- campus life, upgraded! On weekends? Parents like us dragging sand-filled diapers back to the car. Balance in the universe.

We decided to head there around 11am — yes, midday, and no, it wasn’t a mistake. We went in with full intention: arrive when it’s bright, do as much as we can, and let the little one soak up new experiences. With plenty of shaded spots under the parasols and trees, we didn’t mind the sun at all. Honestly, it felt just like being at one of the TAR islands between 9am and 4pm — sunny, but comfortably bearable.

And wow. The place looked like a baby Maldives. Thatched parasols with proper lounge chairs lined up neatly, food vendors, clean toilets, swings planted strategically for Instagram reels, and even a giant inflatable water playground bobbing offshore. My son sprinted to the water like he’d been training for this moment his whole toddler life.

🌮 Food & Facilities

I packed lunch just in case (plus a mat and an umbrella — SPF for the skin barrier, not the rain). But turns out, vendors were selling variety of foods (most open a bit later), snacks, and fresh coconuts. Nothing five-course, but clean, well-organised, and definitely “resort vibes” without the staff side-eyeing you like you don’t belong.

UMS Beach Club may be private property, but it’s open to the public (from 9am-8pm) — a nice contrast to the chaos at Tanjung Aru.

🏖️Family Fun Factor

The water was calm and clear, the sand soft, and the beach surprisingly clean — thanks in part to the ongoing eco-projects by UMS students. Their effort really shows; it’s the kind of beach you don’t mind letting your toddler dig, roll, and attempt to eat sand in. Our toddler chased crabs while yelling “Cab! Cab!” at them — cute. He laughed hysterically at waves “chasing” him back to shore — pure gold.

The inflatable water playground looked amazing, but he’s too small for it. Instead, he turned my carefully built sandcastle into rubble within 60 seconds because toddlers are basically Godzilla with nappies.

My husband rented a snorkel and swam about 50m out, spotting corals and clownfish. Later, we tried the watersports (take note: the prices may vary once the promotional period ends).

• Inflatable waterpark – RM25 (kids), RM35 (adults)

• Jetboat – RM70 (15 mins), RM100 (30 mins)

• Banana boat – RM30 (20 mins)

• Kayak – RM35 (20 mins)

• Paddleboard – RM35 (1 hour)

• Water bicycle – RM30 (20 mins)

We chose kayaking with the toddler (brought his life jacket). He sat quietly, sometimes grabbing the paddle, sometimes giggling at the wobbling. I tried the water bicycle — looked easy, but balancing was scarier than I expected. Fun though. They also offer beachside activities like ATV rides, volleyball, and bump balls — so if you’re not into getting wet, you can still roll, race, or smash around on the sand. 🏐🚙⚽️

Best part? The water’s so gentle you don’t have to worry about your kid being flattened by a WWE-style wave. Worst part? Prepare to carry home two kilos of sand hidden in your child’s hair, ears, and possibly nostrils.

We didn’t stay for sunset, but honestly, the daytime alone felt like a 5-star private resort experience — minus the price tag. Way cleaner, way less crowded, and way prettier than expected. I can only imagine how magical the sunsets must be with the parasols, swings, insta-props, and that stretch of clean sand glowing in golden hour. 🌅

⭐ Final Verdict

4.6 out of 5 sandcastles demolished by Godzilla-in-a-diaper.

UMS Beach Club feels like a hidden gem that grew up and went to finishing school. Think: cleaner sands, calmer waters, affordable resort vibes and just enough facilities to make family outings comfortable without losing that “natural beach” charm — all without leaving Kota Kinabalu. Perfect for toddlers, parents, and anyone who wants to feel like they’ve escaped the city without needing a ferry.

Would we recommend it? 100%. Would we go again? Yes — and this time, we might just stick around for that Instagram-worthy sunset.

💭 That said, I’m a little hesitant to even write about this place — mainly because (selfishly) I love the way it is now. My only hope is that it doesn’t go the way of other public beaches: overcrowded, messy, and less organised.

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T4Tots Reviews: Real Parents, Real Talk

Let’s get one thing straight: these are not paid reviews. No shady sponsorships, no “we’ll give you free Milo packets if you say something nice.” Nah. Our reviews come straight from real parents with real kids and real concerns — the kind who will tell you if a place is worth the Grab ride, or if it’s just another “look nice on Instagram, cry in real life” kind of spot. Basically, these reviews are the unfiltered, parent-approved version of the truth. If something’s good, we’ll rave. If something’s bad, well… consider yourself warned. Because at T4Tots, we’re not here to sugarcoat. We’re here to save your weekend, your sanity, and maybe even your bank account.