Occupying a large part of the peninsula forming the northern headland of Darvel Bay, it is located 48 kilometres east of Lahad Datu.

in the centre of the Dent Peninsula, north-east of Lahad Datu town, south of the lower reaches of the Segama River and north of the Silabukan Protection Forest Reserve.

Tabin has been declared a wildlife reserve primarily on account of the large number of animals inhabiting its forests, some of which are highly endangered.

In 1998, the Malaysian government privatised ecotourism programmes for Tabin and over the last few years increasing numbers of tourists have been coming to the reserve.

Among activities permitted in the reserve are jungle trekking, wildlife viewing, photography and filming.