The best time to visit Malaysia depends on whether you’re planning to visit the east or west coast. Read on to learn about the best time to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling, hitting the beaches and sightseeing from coast to coast.
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
If you’re traveling to the east coast, visit between April and September to steer clear of the wet season and heavy rains. Peak tourism happens in June, July and August, so travel in April or May to avoid long lines and crowds.
If you’re headed to the west coast, the lowlands or the highlands, November to March offers the perfect pairing of dry weather and off-peak prices.
Best time to visit Malaysia for activities
Sightseeing. November to March is best because it typically gets the smallest amount of rain. In Kuala Lumpur, we recommend visiting the Petronas Twin Towers as well as the nearby Batu Caves.
Beaches. You can enjoy the beach all year round in Malaysia, though rain showers are pretty common. The best and driest time to visit the beach — or stay in an overwater bungalow — varies, depending on what part of the country you’re in. Aim for March to September on the east coast, and from November to August in the west.
Snorkeling and diving. The majority of the best dive and snorkeling spots are located on the eastern peninsula, making the best time of year to visit between April and September. Monsoon season hits from October to March, making the water murky and visibility unclear. For diving and snorkeling on the west coast, you should plan a visit between November and August.
Honeymoon. Honeymoons are ideal at resorts on the east coast. March to mid-May and September will give you the best weather, lower prices and fewer crowds — plus minimal rain.
Cheapest time to visit Malaysia
The cheapest time to fly to Malaysia from the US is April or May, with flights costing an average of $687 roundtrip, according to Skyscanner. You should also be able to find good deals on hotels during April and May, since summer tourist traffic doesn’t usually pick up until June.
Weather
Malaysia has consistent hot and humid weather year round. The west coast experiences its wet season from April to October, but thundershowers are usually brief and provide a relief from the humidity. The east coast’s rainy season is from November to February and has heavier rainfall. Most beaches and accommodations are closed until March.
Temperatures are consistent all year round. Expect 70°F to 90°F on the coast and slightly cooler in the highlands, about 59°F to 77°F. Shoulder-season months November and March are ideal for travel deals and smaller crowds.
Take a look at the average monthly temps and rainfall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capitol city, before packing your bags.
Average monthly temps in Kuala Lumpur
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
High
90° F
91° F
92° F
92° F
92° F
91° F
90° F
90° F
90° F
90° F
89° F
89° F
Low
73° F
74° F
75° F
75° F
76° F
75° F
74° F
74° F
74° F
74° F
74° F
74° F
Rain
11 days
9 days
12 days
13 days
11 days
7 days
9 days
8 days
11 days
13 days
16 days
13 days
Average yearly temperatures sourced from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in February 2021.
Events and holidays in Malaysia
No matter the season, you can take part in Malaysian festivities by scheduling your trip around a holiday or other cultural event.
Winter
Dragon Boat Festival
Hungry Ghost Festival
UNICEF Borneo Marathon
Vesak Day Parade
Borneo Cultural Festival
Spring
KL International Jazz and Arts Festival
Cooler Lumpur Festival
Borneo International Kite Festival
Malaysia Fashion Week
Penang Bridge International Marathon
Summer
Resolution Run
Chinese New Year
Lantern Festival
Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival
Fall
Malaysia Day
MyBalloonFiesta
Songkran Water Festival
Sabah International Fishing Tournament
Penang International Food Festival
Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition
Best time to visit Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand
Singapore and Malaysia have similar weather all year round. It’s usually best to avoid the heavier rainy season in Singapore by traveling in November, February and March. That way, you can skip crowds around Christmas, New Year’s and Chinese New Year.
Weather in Thailand tends to fluctuate more throughout the year than in Malaysia and Singapore. That said, the best time to visit this trio of South Asian nations is still from November to March. April brings extreme heat and humidity, as well as the start of the rainy season.
November to March is peak tourist season, but crowds tend to dwindle as spring nears. So choose March for that sweet spot between lower prices, fewer tourists and gorgeous weather.
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, though it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated travelers as of April 2021. It recommends that you delay travel if you are not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.
When traveling, follow safety measures that include wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing your hands. If you are diagnosed with, have symptoms of or are waiting for COVID-19 test results — or are otherwise at risk of illness — do not attend gatherings or travel for 14 days.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
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