Malaysia Weather in May

Malaysia weather in May is hot as usual, but less rainy with weaker sea winds and insufficient water vapor.

Average temperature: The average temperature in May ranges 25-33°C (77-91°F). Visitors may feel hot but it’s acceptable.

Precipitation: The main type of rainfall in Malaysia in May is thunderstorm, usually concentrated in the late afternoon, and of short duration. Visitors’ trips won’t be significantly affected.

Humidity: 80%-85%.

Malaysia May Weather by Region

West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

May marks the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon season on Malaysia Peninsular’s west coast. The weather is featured by more frequent short thunderstorms in afternoons, while mornings are generally sunny, making it a great time for marine activities and sightseeing. Take the example of Kuala Lumpur, rainfall mainly comes as brief afternoon thunderstorms, typically between 3 pm and 6 pm. Before noon, the sky is often clear, offering ideal conditions for outdoor activities.

Only about 7 days in the month see heavy rain, so there’s no need to worry a lot. Just arrange your trip wisely - plan indoor visits like museums or shopping malls during rainy hours.

City	Average Temperature	Rainfall (mm)	Travel Recommended Index
Kuala Lumpur	24-33 °C (75-91°F)	204
Penang	24-32 °C (75-90°F)	227
Malacca	24-32 °C (75-90°F)	177

East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The climate in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is dry and hot. As the Northeast Monsoon fades and the Southwest Monsoon cannot blow in, the sky stays mostly clear, and rain is rare and short. For example, occasional showers in Redang Island may occur, but usually they come and go away quickly. More importantly, the rain leaves behind cleaner air, deep blue skies, and even more stunning views.

From the rainfall’s point of view and considering the average temperatures between 26-32°C (79-90°F), East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia can be chosen for beach holidays and island hopping.

City	Average Temperature	Rainfall (mm)	Travel Recommended Index
Redang Island	27-31°C (80-88°F)	102
Pulau Perhentian	27-31°C (80-88°F)	99
Pulau Tioman	26-32°C (79-90°F)	180

Sabah & Sarawak (Borneo)

May is the hot period in Sabah, but cooler than many other places in Malaysia, with average maximum temperatures hitting 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). Take the example of Kota Kinabalu, the average temperature ranges from 24-32 °C (75-91°F). The average sunshine hours without cloud cover in Sabah are 8 hours per day, which is the longest compared with that of other months. Therefore Sabah is suitable for outdoor activities.

Sarawak also experiences high temperatures. For example, the average maximum temperature can reach 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) in Kuching, and 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) in Miri. However, Sarawak has shorter sunshine hours. For example, its capital Kuching has an average of 5.2 hours of sunshine per day. Due to this, sensible temperature may be lower than the actual.

City	Average Temperature	Rainfall (mm)	Travel Recommended Index
Kota Kinabalu	24-31°C (75-88°F)	214
Kuching	24-33°C (75-90°F)	242
Semporna	26-31°C (79-88°F)	219

Highland Areas

Due to high altitudes, highland areas are the coolest places in Malaysia in May, so many tourists come here to enjoy cool holiday.

District	Average Temperature	Rainfall (mm)	Travel Recommended Index
Cameron Highlands	16-23°C (61-73°F)	136

What to Wear

Clothes and Shoes

T-shirts and shorts are advised in the hot weather of Malaysia in May. If you plan to visit Cameron Highlands, bring long pants and a light jacket for the cool weather. For rainforest walks, long pants are also recommended to protect you from scratches or insects’ bite, as well as comfortable walking shoes, and while slippers or sandals are ideal for beach days.

Accessories

With high humidity and high heat, a quick-dry towel is helpful to wipe away sweat or water. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunhats and sunscreen to protect against the strong sunshine. A raincoat or an umbrella should also be handy for sudden showers. If you plan to do some marine activities, remember to take a swimsuit, a snorkel, and other items you might use. An insect repellent is necessary for rainforest exploration.

Where to Go & What to Do

1. Malacca

Why Malacca, a place influenced by Southwest Monsoon? Because rainfall the monsoon brings in is mostly brief showers with limited impact on your visits. Besides, the total rainfall in Malacca is less than other cities on the west coast such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Also, May is a quieter month before the peak tourist season of June to August comes.

You can explore the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, exhibiting the grandeur of a Peranakan mansion from a century ago. Afterword, you can cool off with some traditional desserts at Peranakan Place. In the evening, it’s advisable to take a leisurely stroll along Jonker Street and feel the lively atmosphere of the Night Market.

Malaysia Street Scene with People

2. Kaamatan Festival/Harvest Festival

Held on the 30th and 31st of May in 2026, the Kaamatan Festival is Sabah’s most important cultural celebration. One of the highlights is the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, hosted in Penampang. Contestants from all over Sabah gather to showcase their traditional costumes and heritages.

Besides, there are “Sumazau” dance performances, “Sugandoi” singing competitions and other events. Rice wine is a kind of traditional drink for the Kaamatan Festival, made by aboriginal people. If you are lucky, you can watch their special rituals when they drink it.

3. Cameron Highlands

Compared with other lowland areas with hot weather, Cameron Highlands is cooler and refreshing, with the temperature of 16-23°C (61-73°F), making it a perfect place to escape the high heat and enjoy the outdoor activities. Here, you can:

Visit the BOH Tea Plantation – Walk through scenic tea fields, overlook the whole tea garden, and enjoy a cup of local tea.
Hike the Mossy Forest or Gunung Siku – Explore misty trials filled with unique plants such as pitcher plants, and encounter the rare Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, if you are lucky.
Explore Flora Park – Great for photography and relaxing walks.

Malaysia Tropical Fruit

4. East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

It’s the dry season in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, ensuring enough sunny moments to visit beautiful islands like Redang Island and Pulau Perhentian.

Redang Island is known for its powdery white sand and turquoise sea. As the sun sets, visitors can go to beach bars and restaurants to enjoy relaxing and lively nightlife.

For a quieter escape, Pulau Perhentian offers peaceful beaches and lush rainforests. You can watch baby turtles hatching at Turtle Sanctuary Beach or go jungle trekking to experience the beauty of the rainforest.