When to visit Malaysia

Best time to visit Malaysia

Malaysia’s setting just north of the equator provides a year-round tropical climate. No matter when you plan your visit you’ll find average temperature fairly static, hovering between 80-90F most days. An equatorial climate also means frequent rainfall: dramatic thunderstorms are common, but usually last for under an hour, with the sun breaking through and drying up and puddles within minutes.

There is no high or low season as such, but when you travel will influence the places that you visit. November through to March is the ideal time for the west coast, and with all Malaysia’s best known travel destinations on this side of the peninsula its these months which tend to see the highest numbers of international visitors.

The east coast destinations on the other hand are ideal from June through to October. While the east coast is less developed in terms of tourism infrastructure, it does boast a small selection of outstanding island retreats, and its seasonality pairs well with Borneo and Indonesia providing the enticing prospect of adventurous family holidays or action-packed honeymoons.

April and May are the inter-monsoonal months of change. At this time neither west nor east coast is in season, nor completely off limits. There will be occasional showers but tourist activity dips significantly with accommodation rates at their lowest and tourist crowds the thinnest of the year. If you’re careful about where you visit this can be a highly advantageous time of year to visit.