Kota KinabaluPhoto: Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SA 3.0Malaysia · Asia
Best time to visit Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu on Borneo is the base for islands, rainforest and Southeast Asia's highest mountain. Hot and humid all year, a little drier February to April.
Climate decision
Best travel months for Kota Kinabalu
Top recommendation
Next highest scores
Historical monthly averages, not a weather forecast. Individual days and years can differ substantially.
Latest 5-year values 2021–2025
Average of the five most recent complete years compared with the 1991–2025 climate average.
January · Wet days
26.8 days/month
1991–2025: 18.7 days/month
+8.1 days/month · higher
January · Monthly precipitation
324.6 mm/month
1991–2025: 190.7 mm/month
+133.9 mm/month · higher
May · Sea temperature
30.5 °C
1991–2025: 30.1 °C
+0.4 °C · similar
May: 19/155 days at or above 30 °C; highest single value 30.9 °C.
Five-year historical sample, not a weather forecast or long-term climate trend. Individual hot days can be far above the monthly mean.
Annual profile · Rainfall rhythm
Kota Kinabalu: rainfall separates the travel months
The driest and wettest months are 13.9 rainy days apart. Average daily highs vary by 1.7 °C, so both signals matter when choosing a month.
What matters
A warmer month is not automatically the most reliable. Read the drier windows alongside sunshine, sea temperature and the activity you have in mind.
Fewest rainy days
February · 12.3
Most rainy days
October · 26.2
Most sunshine
April · 7.4 h
Warmest sea
June · 30.2 °C
Month by month
Overall suitability per month. Tap a month for details.
All climate figures compared
The table is the complete accessible data view; the charts below highlight selected patterns.
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rainy days (est.) | Rain mm | Sun h/day (est.) | Humidity % | Wind m/s | Sea °C | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27 | 22 | 19 | 191 | 5.4 | 87 | 1.7 | 28 | 64 |
| February | 27 | 22 | 12 | 110 | 6.3 | 87 | 1.7 | 27 | 75 |
| March | 28 | 22 | 14 | 113 | 7.1 | 85 | 1.5 | 28 | 71 |
| April | 29 | 23 | 17 | 142 | 7.4 | 83 | 1.3 | 29 | 61 |
| May | 28 | 24 | 21 | 205 | 6.9 | 84 | 1.3 | 30 | 57 |
| June | 27 | 23 | 22 | 250 | 6.4 | 85 | 1.4 | 30 | 58 |
| July | 27 | 23 | 21 | 260 | 6.3 | 85 | 1.5 | 30 | 59 |
| August | 27 | 23 | 23 | 265 | 6.5 | 85 | 1.5 | 30 | 58 |
| September | 27 | 23 | 24 | 280 | 6.4 | 86 | 1.5 | 30 | 59 |
| October | 27 | 23 | 26 | 358 | 5.9 | 87 | 1.6 | 30 | 58 |
| November | 27 | 23 | 26 | 287 | 5.6 | 87 | 1.5 | 29 | 58 |
| December | 27 | 23 | 24 | 276 | 5.2 | 87 | 1.6 | 29 | 59 |
Climate through the year
Compare temperature, rainy days, sunshine and, for coastal destinations, sea temperature month by month.
Find a place to stay
Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu
Compare available stays, prices and cancellation terms for Kota Kinabalu on Booking.com.
Booking.comFind places to stayAffiliate link: there is no extra cost to you.
Useful next decisions
More comparisons
Similar destinations
The number is the overall climate score, not a similarity score.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
The strongest climate months are January, February, March, April. Values are historical averages, not a forecast.
Which month has the highest average daily maximum temperature in Kota Kinabalu?
The average daily maximum temperature in Kota Kinabalu is highest in April at around 29 °C.
When is the sea warmest at Kota Kinabalu?
In June, at around 30 °C.