When to go · Malaysia
Malaysia, month by month
The best months for Malaysia: Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedWest coast fine; east-coast islands closed; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year may fall here (check).West coast: fine · Langkawi and the north-west: best weather · East coast: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGreatDrier on the west coast and Langkawi; Chinese New Year crowds (lunar, check).West coast: best weather · Langkawi and the north-west: best weather · East coast: fineCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- MarchGreatEast-coast islands reopen; Ramadan/Hari Raya may fall here in 2026 (check).West coast: best weather · Langkawi and the north-west: best weather · East coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodGood for islands both sides; afternoon storms on the west coast.West coast: rainy · Langkawi and the north-west: fine · East coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium
- MayGoodPerhentian and Redang at their best; Borneo drying out.West coast: fine · Langkawi and the north-west: rainy · East coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
- JuneGreatSchool holidays; Kinabalu and Borneo in season; haze possible.West coast: best weather · Langkawi and the north-west: rainy · East coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
- JulyGreatBorneo peak (orangutans, Kinabalu permits sell out); Gulf and Middle East visitors in KL.West coast: best weather · Langkawi and the north-west: rainy · East coast: best weatherCrowds: High
- AugustGoodMerdeka Day 31 Aug; east coast still good; watch haze.West coast: fine · Langkawi and the north-west: rainy · East coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedMalaysia Day 16 Sep; haze risk; Langkawi wet.West coast: fine · Langkawi and the north-west: rainy · East coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberMixedInter-monsoon storms on the west coast; islands close late month.West coast: rainy · Langkawi and the north-west: rainy · East coast: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberMixedMonsoon on the east coast; Deepavali (check); KL wet but workable.West coast: rainy · Langkawi and the north-west: fine · East coast: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedLangkawi good; east coast closed; year-end holidays fill KL and Penang.West coast: fine · Langkawi and the north-west: best weather · East coast: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West coastKuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, Ipoh | OK | Best | Best | Wet | OK | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet | Wet | OK |
| Langkawi and the north-westLangkawi, Kedah, Perlis | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |
| East coastPerhentian, Redang, Tioman, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu | Storm | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Storm | Storm |
| Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak)Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sandakan, Mount Kinabalu | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet | Wet |
| HighlandsCameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill | OK | Best | Best | OK | OK | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet | Wet | OK |