Malaysia Weather in August

Overview

1. Malaysia experiences dry climate in August, and the temperatures are not extremely high in most areas.

2. The region may be shrouded in haze sometimes in August.

3. August is the peak tourist season in Malaysia.

Hot in Day, Cool at Night

Malaysia Night View

In August, the average temperature in Malaysia ranges from 23-31°C (73-88 °F). The maximum temperature of the day can reach 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) or even higher, when you will feel hot; try not to go out at 12:00 - 14:00, the hottest time of the day. After the sunset, the temperature drops and also thanks to the sea breeze, the weather is cooler, making visitors feel better.

Rainfall

Although in the dry season, Malaysia experiences a certain amount of rainfall due to its tropical rainforest climate. For instance, Kuala Lumpur receives around 156mm of rainfall on average in August, Penang 255mm and Malacca 189mm. The good point is that the main type of rainfall is the thunderstorm. It often happens in the late afternoon and lasts for 2-3 hours. Visitors can still have a good time if the trip is wisely planned. In addition, the rain has some “contributions”: after the rain, the temperature drops around two degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit), and the air is fresher.

Humidity: 78%-85%

Although Malaysia in August is relatively dry, this “dry” is in comparison with other months. Malaysia, as a tropical country, experiences hot and rainy weather throughout the year. Even in months with relatively low rainfall, the air humidity is still high compared with many other places in the world.

In these hot and humid climatic conditions, visitors tend to be sweaty, and their clothes will become sticky. Therefore, it’s advisable to pack several sets of clothes to change.

Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours

In August, the daytime is about 12.1 hours long, averaging around 7:08 to 19:27. In this case, visitors can take their time to visit Malaysia in no hurry. Despite the occasional rain, the sunshine hours in Malaysia are still significant. For example, Kuala Lumpur’s average sunlight hours are about 6.1 hours daily. Lots of sunshine makes for good light and allows for beautiful photos. But don’t forget sun protection.

Special Climate Phenomenon in August: Haze

Every August, farmers from Indonesia, Malaysia’s neighboring country, burn woods and obtain the burning ash as nutrients for the next year’s crops, which is an ancient form of agriculture. Coupled with the fact that August is the dry season, the smoke haze from the burning also blows into Malaysia, leading to bad air quality.

Costs/ Crowds

August is considered as the peak tourist season because of the summer vacation in many countries, including China, South Korea and Japan. Popular hotels may be booked out early, and the flight tickets might be expensive, so you need to prepare very early if you decide to visit Malaysia in August of 2025.

Packing List for Visiting Malaysia in August

Clothes

Visitors should pack several thin and breathable T-shirts and shorts. The temperature might be a little cool at night when a light jacket might be needed. Girls can also prepare a stylish dress if you want to take impressive photos on the beach.

Shoes

A pair of comfortable sneakers is advisable for trekking. Wearing slippers or sandals is a good idea when you go city sightseeing, so you don’t have to worry about getting your shoes dirty when it rains.

Accessories

Sun protection is significant, so pack your sunscreen, sunglasses and hats.

What to Do in Malaysia in August

Celebration of National Day

Malaysia’s National Day falls on August 31st, 2025, with the main celebration held at Dataran Putrajaya, about 40 km (25 miles) from Kuala Lumpur. On this special day, tourists can witness the spectacular Royal Air Force parachute show and enjoy the vibrant parade of floats.

After the ceremony, visitors can return to Kuala Lumpur and hop on the KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour bus to appreciate the city’s remarkable nightscape. For the best view of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers at night, head to a stylish sky bar- sip on a cocktail while capturing the perfect photo with the towers as your backdrop.

City View in Kuala Lumpur

Semporna

August is the peak travel season in Semporna, thanks to plenty of sunny days and comfortable temperatures. While it can be sunny, the weather is pleasantly warm rather than hot. The only drawback is the cost may be a little higher.

The most popular island-hopping route includes Mataking Island, Pom Pom Island, and Timba Timba Island.

Mataking is perfect for deep diving. It has high visibility underwater, so that you can have a clear look at the underwater world. Pom Pom Island is a dream location for photos. Timba Timba Island is known for its stunning sandbar that stretches out into the sea; the excellent underwater visibility makes it an ideal time for a tropical getaway, too.

Crystal Clear Water

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu in August experiences relatively less rainfall compared with other months, with the average precipitation of 270 mm and 10 rainy days. After the rain, the sky tends to be clear and more beautiful. Therefore, it’s a good month to visit Kota Kinabalu.

Visitors are recommended to admire the stunning sunset view at Tanjung Aru Beach, with rows of palm trees and jatropha trees, white soft sand and crystal-clear water. Besides, visitors can go trekking in Taman Negara Kinabalu with a lively ecosystem and various species of plants, such as oak trees, golden phlox, and hogweed.

Poring Hot Spring offers several open-air baths, where visitors might feel refreshed after soaking. If you are lucky, you can spot the world’s largest Rafflesia flower in this area.

Stunning Sunset View

Weather of Major Malaysia Cities in August

City	Temp.	Rainfall (mm)	Humi- dity (%)	Tourism Appeal
Kuala Lumpur	23-32°C (73-90°F)	156	78
Penang	24-31°C (75-88°F)	255	81
Malacca	24-31°C (75-88°F)	189	83
Semporna	24-32°C (75-90°F)	95	81
Sandakan	24-32°C (75-90°F)	224	81
Kota Kinabalu	24-32°C (75-90°F)	270	80
Kuching	23-32°C (73-90°F)	230	83
Cameron Highlands	15-22°C (59-72°F)	230	83