This page contains tips to choose the best time to visit Malaysia. Malaysia has many festivals and holidays because of multiple religions and cultures. In addition, Malaysians will take their family on holiday during the festive season and school holidays. Therefore, the influx of local tourists, to some extent, affects your itinerary.
However, one common mistake by tourists is they focus on the weather condition as their primary reference to choose the best time for a holiday without considering other elements such as festivals and school holidays that affect their travel cost and vacation experience.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Malaysia?
Malaysia naturally receives a lot of sunlight throughout the day. However, thick cloud cover can reduce sunlight. Rarely thick clouds do not cover Malaysia except in the dry season. On average, Malaysia receives 6 hours of sunlight a day. The average daily temperature throughout Malaysia is between 21˚C to 32˚C. Typically, Malaysia’s climate is influenced by winds blowing from the Indian Ocean (Southwest Monsoon Winds -May to September) and the South China Sea (Northeast Monsoon Winds -November to March). The annual rainfall is between 2000mm to 2500mm. Malaysia’s monsoon season started in November till the end of February.
To pick the best time to visit Malaysia, we use Malaysia’s public holidays as a guide. To give a better picture, I break the calendar by month. Tourists can travel to Malaysia at any time, but in specific situations such as during major festivals, it might affect tourist activity and traveling time.
January 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Jan-23 | Sunday | New Year | National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 02-Jan-23 | Monday | New Year | National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 14-Jan-23 | Saturday | YDPB Negeri Sembilan's Birthday | Negeri Sembilan |
| 22-Jan-23 | Sunday | Chinese New Year | Nationwide |
| 23-Jan-23 | Monday | Chiness New Year | Nationwide |
| 24-Jan-23 | Tuesday | Chiness New Year | Nationanwide except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu |
For tourists who plan to travel to Malaysia in January 2023, Malaysia will celebrate the Chinese New Year from the 22nd until the 24th of January 2023. Usually, a major festival such as Chinese New Year comes with a long school holiday. Therefore, parents take this opportunity to extend their leave until 29th January. Thus, the first and second week of January is the best time to visit Malaysia.
We categorize from 20th January to 29th January 2023 as super peak season
- Most Malaysian will take this opportunity to travel back to their hometown or have a vacation with a family.
- Most highways in Malaysia will be congested. If you plan to have a day trip, you need to start early to prevent getting stuck in a massive jammed.
- The super peak season rate for Hotel and airlines
- The restaurant and attractions will be overcrowded.
How to Overcome
- The best solution is to reschedule your itinerary or do this.
- Book your Hotel and Airlines ticket early.
- You need to engage a good Malaysia private tours guide if you plan to make a day trip from Kuala Lumpur. They will advise the ideal time to start the tour.
- Focus the activity on Kuala Lumpur city and the surrounding area.
February 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Feb-23 | Wednesday | Federal Territory Day | Kuala Lumpur, Labuan & Putrajaya |
| 04-Feb-23 | Saturday | Thaipusam | Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya & Selangor |
| 18-Feb-23 | Saturday | Israk and Mikraj | Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis & Terengganu |
| 19-Feb-23 | Sunday | Israk and Mikraj | Kedah & Terengganu |
Year End School Holiday for 2022
| Start | End | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-Feb-23 | 12-Mar-23 | Year end school holiday | Nationwide |
Events in February
- Thaipusam festival on Saturday 4th February 2023. It is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur to experience the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves. So please do it before Saturday 4th February or after 5th February because the police will close all roads heading to Batu Caves during the chariot parade.
- Malaysia’s year-end school holiday from 18th February to 12th March 2023. Hotel rates and Airlines ticket prices might be slightly higher than average. Tourists who are planning to make a day trip to Cameron Highlands need to start early to avoid crowded and traffic jam.
Weather Conditions in February
Malaysia is towards to end of the monsoon season. Unfortunately, most islands situated in the South Chinese Sea, such as Tioman Island, Perhentian Island and Sipadan Island, are not ready to accept any booking. An alternative tourist can visit Langkawi Island, Pangkor and Penang.
March 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04-Mar-23 | Saturday | Installation of Sultan Terengganu | Terengganu only |
| 23-Mar-23 | Thursday | Awal Ramadan | Johor, Kedah & Melaka |
| 23-Mar-23 | Thursday | Sultan of Johor's Birthday | Johor only |
Events in March
- The year-end school holiday will end by 12th March 2023. After school reopens, all of the attractions in Malaysia will be quiet.
- Ramadan (fasting month for Muslims) starts on 23rd April. All Malaysian Muslims will be busy preparing for the Eid al-Fitri festival during the fasting month.
Starting from the second week of March is the best time to visit Malaysia, especially for honeymooners and shoestring tourists. By the middle of March, most of the islands in Malaysia had already reopened for operation.
Weather Conditions in March
The monsoon transition phase usually occurs from March to May. During the transition period, heavy rain and strong winds at short intervals in the early afternoon and evening.
April 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07-Apr-23 | Friday | Good Friday | Sabah & Sarawak only |
| 08-Apr-23 | Saturday | Nuzul Quran | National except Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah & Sarawak |
| 09-Apr-23 | Sunday | Nuzul Quran | Kelantan & Terengganu |
| 15-Apr-23 | Saturday | Declaration of Melaka as a Historical City | Melaka only |
| 22-Apr-23 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr | Nationwide |
| 23-Apr-23 | Sunday | Nationwide | |
| 24-Apr-23 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr | Nationwide |
| 26-Apr-23 | Wednesday | Sultan of Terengganu's Birthday | Terengganu only |
Events in April 2023
Eid al-Fitr festival starts on 21st April until 24th April 2023. Eid al-Fitr festival is the most significant and most prolonged festival in Malaysia.
So from 19st April to 28th April 2023, we expect a massive movement of Muslim people traveling heading to hometowns, for non-muslim will take the opportunity during the extended holiday to bring their family for a vacation causing significant traffic congestion on all highways.
Starting from April until October is the best time to visit the beach in Malaysia
Due to the high demand for public transportation such as buses, trains and airlines, most public transportation tickets sold out a month before the festival. Therefore, tourists planning to travel to Malaysia in April need to book their tickets and Hotels at least six months early.
Weather Conditions in April
Malaysia is still in the monsoon transition phase. Hot and sunny in the morning, with thunderstorms in the evening.
May 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01-May-23 | Monday | Labour Day | Nationwide |
| 04-May-23 | Thursday | Wesak Day | Nationwide |
| 17-May-23 | Wednesday | Raja Perlis Birthday | Perlis only |
| 22-May-23 | Monday | Hari Hol Pahang | Pahang only |
| 30-May-23 | Tuesday | Harvest Festival | Labuan & Sabah only |
| 31-May-23 | Wednesday | Harvest Festival | Labuan & Sabah only |
Events in May 2023
May is the best time to visit Malaysia because labor day on the 1st of May it not affect any travel time or Hotel rates.
Weather Conditions in May
Hot and sunny most of the time, it is expected to receive rain at an average level.
Jun 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Jun-23 | Thursday | Gawai Day | Sarawak only |
| 02-Jun-23 | Friday | Gawai Day | Sarawak only |
| 05-Jun-23 | Monday | Agong's Birthday | Nationwide |
| 18-Jun-23 | Sunday | Sultan of Kedah's Birthday | Kedah only |
| 28-Jun-23 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha | Nationwide |
| 29-Jun-23 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha | Nationwide |
Events in Jun
- Agong’s Birthday on Monday the 5th of June might affect tourist attractions. However, three-day weekends Saturday, Sunday and Monday, are the best opportunities for Malaysians to visit tourist attractions in Malaysia.
- Eid al-Adha festival on the 28th and 29th of June is another major festival for Muslim people. Expected the highway and tourist attractions in Malaysia will be busy from the 27th of June until the end of the month. During the Eid al-Adha festival, we expected high demand for hotels and transportation.
Please take note that Jun, July and August is also a summer holiday in Europe. Therefore, we expect many tourists from Europe will visit Malaysia during the summer holiday. If tourists plan to climb month Kinabalu or visit the island in Malaysia, I advise placing your booking early because they have limited places.
Jun, July and August are also the best best time of year to visit Malaysia because the Malaysia fruit season has already started.
Weather condition in June 2023
Hot and sunny most of the time, it is expected to receive rain at an average level.
July 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07-Jul-23 | Friday | Georgetown World Heritage City Day | Penang only |
| 08-Jul-23 | Saturday | Penang Governor's Birthday | Penang only |
| 19-Jul-23 | Wednesday | Islamic New Year | Nationwide |
| 22-Jul-23 | Saturday | Sarawak Day | Sarawak only |
| 30-Jul-23 | Sunday | Sultan of Pahang's Birthday | Pahang only |
Events in July
July is considered a quiet month. Malaysia only has one public holiday, Islamic New Year, which falls on Wednesday, not affecting any tourist attractions. Therefore, July 2023 is considered the best time to visit Malaysia.
Please take note that Jun, July and August are also summer holidays in Europe. Therefore, we expect many tourists from Europe will visit Malaysia during the summer holiday. If tourists plan to climb month Kinabalu or visit the island in Malaysia, I advise placing your booking early because they have limited places.
Weather condition in July 2023
Hot and sunny most of the time, it is expected to receive rain at an average level. Therefore, July 2023 is considered the best time to visit Malaysia weather wise.
August 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-Aug-23 | Thursday | Melaka Governor's Birthday | Malaka only |
| 31-Aug-23 | Saturday | Malaysia National Day | Nationwide |
Events in August
Malaysia’s national holiday falls on Saturday 31st August 2023. National public holiday does not affect any tourist attractions in Malaysia because it is like a typical weekend. So enjoy your holiday in Malaysia. Month of August is the best time to visit Malaysia but it also towrds to end of summer holiday in Europe. From my experiance, in the month of August many tourist from Italy and Spain traveling to Malaysia.
Weather condition in August 2023
Hot and sunny most of the time, it is expected to receive rain at an average level.
September 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Sep-23 | Saturday | Malaysia Day | Nationwide |
| 17-Sep-23 | Sunday | Malaysia Day | Kelantan & Terengganu only |
| 27-Sep-23 | Wednesday | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Nationwide |
Events in September
Malaysia Day, which falls on a Saturday, does not affect hotel rental rates and airfare.
Weather condition in September 2023
Hot and sunny most of the time, it is expected to receive rain at slightly above average levels
October 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07-Oct-23 | Saturday | Sabah Governor's Birthday | Sabah only |
| 14-Oct-23 | Saturday | Sarawak Governor's Birthday | Sarawak only |
Events in October
Another quiet month in Malaysia. No major public holiday, another the best time to visit Malaysia.
Weather condition in October 2023
Malaysia is in the phase of the monsoon season. Therefore, tourists planning to visit the island or beach in Borneo or East Coast Malaysia are advised to contact their local operator.
November 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03-Nov-23 | Saturday | Sultan of Perak's Birthday | Perak only |
| 11-Nov-23 | Saturday | Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday | Kelantan only |
| 12-Nov-23 | Monday | Deepavali | Nationwide |
Events in November
Malaysian Hindus will celebrate the Devali festival on 12th November 2023. The date falls on Monday. It is another long weekend where Malaysians will travel to their hometown or take a short holiday to Malaysia’s famous tourist attractions.
Weather condition in November 2023
Officially Malaysia is in monsoon season, and all the islands and beaches situated in the South Chines Sea have temporarily shut.
December 2023
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Dec-23 | Monday | Sultan of Selangor's Birthday | Selangor only |
| 24-Dec-23 | Sunday | Christmas Eve | Sabah only |
| 25-Dec-23 | Monday | Christmas | Nationwide |
Events in December
December is considered the busy month in the Malaysian tourism industry. Besides the five-week year-end school holiday, most companies in Malaysia require their workers to clear all their current annual leave balance before the new year starts. Therefore, in December, Hotel imposed a super peak and shoulder peak rate. Therefore, please book your Hotel a few months early.
Weather condition in December 2023
Not suitable to visit the East Coast and North region of Malaysia due to heavy rain. West and Central part have a minimum effect. Please get in touch with the local operator.
Best Time to Visit Malaysia FAQ
Conclusion
After reading this article, I believe tourists should be able to pick the best time to visit Malaysia according to your availability.