Best Time to Visit Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu.
Kota Kinabalu does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (May, 28.1°C / 82.6°F) and driest (March, 80 mm / 3.1 in) months. The drier stretch runs through July–August and December–April; the wetter half falls in May–June and September–November. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 26.7°C / 80.1°F in January to 28.1°C / 82.6°F in May, with rainfall from 80 mm / 3.1 in (March) to 330 mm / 13 in (October). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Kota Kinabalu's climate is broadly tropical. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 27.4°C81.3°F | 80 mm3.1″ | Tropical |
| February | 26.8°C80.2°F | 92 mm3.6″ | Tropical |
| April | 28°C82.4°F | 144 mm5.7″ | Tropical |
No month at Kota Kinabalu matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on March (driest, ~80 mm / 3.1 in) and May (warmest, 28.1°C / 82.6°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Malaysia's national average.
When is the rainy season in Kota Kinabalu?
The rainy season at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah runs through May–June and September–November, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 270 mm / 10.6 in. The wettest single month is October (330 mm / 13 in).
What is the driest month in Kota Kinabalu?
The driest month in Kota Kinabalu is March, averaging about 80 mm / 3.1 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 27.4°C / 81.3°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Kota Kinabalu?
The least comfortable months for travel to Kota Kinabalu — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, June, October, November, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 330 mm / 13 in in October, and the coldest month averages 26.7°C / 80.1°F.
Is Kota Kinabalu climate different from Malaysia overall?
Yes, usually. Our Kota Kinabalu figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Malaysia figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Kota Kinabalu specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.