Best time to visit Malaysia

Malaysia is hot and humid all year (about 30–33°C in the lowlands, cooler in the Cameron Highlands and Kinabalu Park), and two monsoons decide where to go. The northeast monsoon (roughly Nov–Feb) brings heavy rain to the east coast and Borneo and closes most Perhentian and Tioman resorts, while the west coast, Penang and Langkawi are at their driest Dec–Mar. Short inter-monsoon storms are common in Apr–May and Oct–Nov. Match your travel month to a region below.

Seasons in Malaysia

North-east monsoon, Nov–Mar: The west coast, Penang and Langkawi are dry from December; the east-coast islands are closed and Borneo is wet. In season: Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca.
Inter-monsoon, Apr, Oct: Hot, with afternoon thunderstorms on the west coast. East-coast seas calm in April and start building late in October. In season: Langkawi, Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.
South-west monsoon, May–Sep: Fairly dry across most of the country: Perhentian, Tioman and Borneo are at their best. Haze is possible in August–September. In season: Ipoh, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Peak, shoulder and off season in Malaysia

Peak season, Dec–Feb, Jul: West coast and Langkawi in their dry season with Chinese New Year crowds; July is peak for the east-coast islands and Kinabalu permits.
Shoulder season, Mar–Jun, Aug–Sep: Good weather somewhere in the country and fewer crowds; Hari Raya and school holidays raise prices for a few days.
Off season, Oct–Nov: Inter-monsoon storms and the east-coast closures, with low prices on the west coast.

Malaysia in January

North-east monsoon · Peak season

Dry season on the west coast, Penang and Langkawi; northeast monsoon on the east coast (most Perhentian and Tioman resorts closed) and heavy rain in Borneo. Thaipusam at Batu Caves falls in late January or early February.

In season: Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca.

Malaysia in February

North-east monsoon · Peak season

West coast and Langkawi dry and busy; Chinese New Year (late January or February) fills Penang, Malacca and Ipoh and raises prices. East coast still closed; Borneo rains easing. Ramadan begins in February in 2026 and 2027.

In season: Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca.

Malaysia in March

North-east monsoon · Shoulder season

Last reliably dry month on the west coast and one of the best for Langkawi; east-coast islands reopen through the month. Hari Raya Aidilfitri ends Ramadan around March in 2026 and 2027, with busy roads and some closures; the date moves about 11 days earlier each year.

In season: Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Tioman Island, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in April

Inter-monsoon · Shoulder season

Hot with afternoon thunderstorms on the west coast (inter-monsoon); east-coast seas calm and clear. Borneo drying out — a good month for Kinabalu climbs and Sepilok.

In season: Langkawi, Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in May

South-west monsoon · Shoulder season

Perhentian, Tioman and Borneo in good shape; showery afternoons on the west coast. Kaamatan harvest festival in Sabah at the end of the month.

In season: Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in June

South-west monsoon · Shoulder season

The southwest monsoon is fairly dry on the west coast; east-coast islands and Borneo at their best. Gawai Dayak in Sarawak on 1 June; Kuching's Rainforest World Music Festival is usually held in June.

In season: Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in July

South-west monsoon · Peak season

Peak season for the east-coast islands and Borneo; book Perhentian rooms and Kinabalu permits early. West coast mostly dry between showers.

In season: Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in August

South-west monsoon · Shoulder season

Good across most of the country; National Day on 31 August. Smoke haze from regional fires sometimes affects the west coast in Aug–Sep.

In season: Ipoh, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in September

South-west monsoon · Shoulder season

Last reliable month for Perhentian, Tioman and Borneo; Malaysia Day holiday on 16 September. Haze is possible on the west coast.

In season: Tioman Island, Perhentian Islands, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park & Kundasang, Sandakan & Sepilok.

Malaysia in October

Inter-monsoon · Off season

Inter-monsoon thunderstorms on the west coast, Penang and Langkawi; east-coast resorts start closing late in the month as seas build. Deepavali falls in October or November.

In season: Tioman Island.

Malaysia in November

North-east monsoon · Off season

Northeast monsoon sets in: east-coast islands mostly closed and Borneo wet. Showery in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi; low-season prices on the west coast.

Malaysia in December

North-east monsoon · Peak season

West coast, Penang and Langkawi drying out — busy and higher priced around Christmas and New Year. East coast closed and flood-prone; Borneo at its wettest.

In season: Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca.