Dec → Feb
30 to 32°
nights 23 to 24°
- 23 rainy days · 246 mm
- 9 h of sun
- sea 30°
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
In short: April to September for the east coast and its islands (Perhentian, Redang, Tioman), sheltered from the north-east monsoon; January and February for Langkawi and Penang, at their driest on the north-west coast. June and July are the best compromise for a full tour: Kuala Lumpur gets about 200 mm a month against 377 mm in December.
- East coast islands: From April to September: outside the north-east monsoon, which brings its heaviest rain to Perhentian, Redang and Tioman from November to January.
- Langkawi and Penang: In January and February, the driest months in the north-west of the peninsula; June and July form a second lull, while October and November are the wettest.
- Kuala Lumpur and Malacca: All year round at 30 to 32 °C in Kuala Lumpur; February is the least rainy month there (138 mm) and December the wettest (377 mm).
- Borneo wildlife: On the north-east coast of Sabah (Sepilok, Kinabatangan), April is the driest month and January the rainiest, in the height of the north-east monsoon.
Best avoided: November to January: the north-east monsoon brings its heaviest rain to the east coast and its islands, and Kuala Lumpur gets 352 mm in November and 377 mm in December.
Sources: met.gov.my, diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Jan30°fair
- Feb32°fair
- Mar32°fair
- Apr31°recommended
- May31°recommended
- Jun31°recommended
- Jul31°recommended
- Aug31°recommended
- Sep31°recommended
- Oct31°fair
- Nov30°not recommended
- Dec30°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Malaysia, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 23° | 8.9 h | 222 mm | 23 d | 30° | |
| February | 32° | 24° | 10 h | 138 mm | 18 d | 30° | |
| March | 32° | 24° | 10 h | 229 mm | 25 d | 31° | |
| April | 31° | 24° | 9.3 h | 262 mm | 28 d | 32° | ✓ |
| May | 31° | 25° | 8.9 h | 271 mm | 26 d | 33° | ✓ |
| June | 31° | 24° | 9.3 h | 208 mm | 24 d | 32° | ✓ |
| July | 31° | 24° | 9.6 h | 191 mm | 20 d | 31° | ✓ |
| August | 31° | 24° | 9.1 h | 288 mm | 27 d | 32° | ✓ |
| September | 31° | 24° | 8.9 h | 283 mm | 25 d | 32° | ✓ |
| October | 31° | 24° | 8.7 h | 243 mm | 23 d | 32° | |
| November | 30° | 24° | 7.5 h | 352 mm | 29 d | 32° | |
| December | 30° | 24° | 8.2 h | 377 mm | 28 d | 31° |
The four seasons in Malaysia, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Mar → May
31 to 32°
nights 24 to 25°
- 26 rainy days · 254 mm
- 9.4 h of sun
- sea 32°
Jun → Aug
31°
nights 24°
- 24 rainy days · 229 mm
- 9.3 h of sun
- sea 32°
Sep → Nov
30 to 31°
nights 24°
- 26 rainy days · 293 mm
- 8.4 h of sun
- sea 32°
Book early for April to September
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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What to do in Malaysia, month by month
EventsThaipusamJanuary to FebruaryChinese New YearJanuary to FebruaryGawai DayakJuneRainforest World Music FestivalJune to JulyDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Beach & swimming: good conditions all twelve months.
Diving & snorkelling: good conditions all twelve months.
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Malaysia, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- January to FebruaryThaipusam big crowds
Tamil pilgrims climb the steps of Batu Caves with kavadi and pots of milk, from night until broad daylight.
- January to FebruaryChinese New Year big crowds
Red lanterns in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, lion dances, and many shops closed for a good week.
- JuneGawai Dayak
Sarawak celebrates the end of the rice harvest: tuak in the longhouses, ngajat dances and trips home to the village.
- June to JulyRainforest World Music Festival
Three days of concerts and workshops at the Sarawak Cultural Village, at the foot of Mount Santubong.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Malaysia, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · |
| 🇲🇾 Borneo | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · |
| 🇲🇾 Langkawi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ |
| 🇲🇾 Penang | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Fair30°23° at night
- 222 mm · 23 d
- 8.9 h
- sea 30°
Busy, without the crush
February
Fair32°24° at night
- 138 mm · 18 d
- 10 h
- sea 30°
Busy, without the crush
March
Fair32°24° at night
- 229 mm · 25 d
- 10 h
- sea 31°
Low season, lower prices
April
Recommended31°24° at night
- 262 mm · 28 d
- 9.3 h
- sea 32°
Busy, without the crush
May
Recommended31°25° at night
- 271 mm · 26 d
- 8.9 h
- sea 33°
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended31°24° at night
- 208 mm · 24 d
- 9.3 h
- sea 32°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended31°24° at night
- 191 mm · 20 d
- 9.6 h
- sea 31°
High season, book early
August
Recommended31°24° at night
- 288 mm · 27 d
- 9.1 h
- sea 32°
High season, book early
September
Recommended31°24° at night
- 283 mm · 25 d
- 8.9 h
- sea 32°
Busy, without the crush
October
Fair31°24° at night
- 243 mm · 23 d
- 8.7 h
- sea 32°
Low season, lower prices
November
Not recommended30°24° at night
- 352 mm · 29 d
- 7.5 h
- sea 32°
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended30°24° at night
- 377 mm · 28 d
- 8.2 h
- sea 31°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 30 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Frequent rain: 222 mm over 23 days. Expect 8.9 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
February. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 138 mm over 18 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
March. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 229 mm over 25 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 262 mm over 28 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 31 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 271 mm over 26 days. Expect 8.9 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 33 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
June. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 208 mm over 24 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
July. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 191 mm over 20 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
August. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 288 mm over 27 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.1 h a day on average. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
September. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 283 mm over 25 days. Expect 8.9 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
October. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 243 mm over 23 days. Expect 8.7 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. 30 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. A very wet month, 352 mm of rain over 29 days. Expect 7.5 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. 30 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. A very wet month, 377 mm of rain over 28 days. Expect 8.2 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
April to September for the east coast and its islands (Perhentian, Redang, Tioman), sheltered from the north-east monsoon; January and February for Langkawi and Penang, at their driest on the north-west coast. June and July are the best compromise for a full tour: Kuala Lumpur gets about 200 mm a month against 377 mm in December.
Which month should you avoid in Malaysia?
November to January: the north-east monsoon brings its heaviest rain to the east coast and its islands, and Kuala Lumpur gets 352 mm in November and 377 mm in December.
What is the hottest month in Malaysia?
February, with 32 °C on average in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur).
What is the coldest month in Malaysia?
January, with 30 °C at best during the day and 23 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur).
What is the driest month in Malaysia?
February: 138 mm over 18 days of rain, against 377 mm in December, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Malaysia?
February, with 10 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Malaysia?
The water never drops below 22 °C: from 30 to 33 °C depending on the month (warmest in May), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Sepilok, Sabah, Borneo).
Plan this trip
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