Malaysia is a country that you can travel to almost all year round. In any season, you can find a place for a comfortable stay. The country is divided into a continental western part and an insular eastern part. East Malaysia occupies the northern half of the island of Borneo (Kalimantan) and the islands along it. Two coasts, west and east, are separated by the South China Sea. The rainy seasons have no clear time boundaries and are distributed so that the high season occurs in turn on each of the coasts. It is convenient for tourists who can navigate when and where it is better to relax in Malaysia.
Types of tourist seasons
The interchangeability of seasons in the east and west of the country creates a versatile high season. In addition, there are places where you can come at any time. There is always a pleasant climate in the Cameron Mountains - in the daytime around +25 degrees, at night not lower than + 12 ° С. Fans of ecological tourism come here, as well as those who want to take a break from the heat. Equally flat weather, without rains and winds, is characteristic of Malacca. You can come to the city on an excursion at any time, fleeing both from the heat and from the rain.
High season on the west coast
The period from November to March is considered the best for relaxing in the famous Malay resorts - Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor. These islands, different in terms of tourist infrastructure, are located along the western coast.
The beaches with the purest white sand, clear water, the beauty of the seascapes and the famous Malay ecology - all this is Langkawi and Pangkor. The former is more comfortable for guests, but both are ideal for a beach holiday.
You can visit these islands during the rainy season, because the showers in western Malaysia are short-lived and alternate with sunny weather. Only for divers it is the high season that matters, because rain and wind deprive the water of the necessary transparency.
Low season on the west coast
It comes in April, but it is not as pronounced as in the east. This time is preferable for shopping and excursions that you do not want to do during the beach season. There is a lot to see in Malaysia.
In the capital, Kuala Lumpur, an umbrella is needed almost all year long, but there are no long rains either. Great weather for exploring the many attractions, museums, gardens and local shops.
Penang Island, with an extensive hotel base, shopping centers and discos, is not well suited for a beach holiday, but is attractive for educational tourism. The capital of the state of Penang, Georgetown, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2008. The city of extraordinary beauty is full of architectural, historical and religious monuments, temples of all denominations and interesting museums.
Diving season
Among divers, Malaysia is famous for the wealth of the underwater world and the high level of certified diving centers. Divers of all skill levels are guaranteed breathtaking underwater landscapes and a variety of marine life. Hammerhead fish, sea igloo, butterfly fish, barracuda, monkfish and other, no less outlandish, inhabitants of the depths can be seen in the Malay ecosystem. In total, over three thousand species of fish live in it.
On the west coast, the period from December to May is considered the best for diving, on the east - from March to October. The most attractive Malay islands for diving are:
- Tioman, one of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia;
- Sipadan, small uninhabited, with beautiful beaches;
- Redang, where you can see over 500 species of coral;
- Layang-Layang with the famous underwater "forest of gorgons";
- Labuan, off the coast of which four sunken ships can be seen;
- Payar with underwater coral gardens;
- Tengol, its bay is protected from waves all year round;
- Mantananani is suitable for experienced divers due to its strong current;
- Perhentian with exceptionally clear water;
- Kapas with the Berakit reef, where boulders are entangled in thickets of coral.
High season on the east coast
Many islands covered with virgin forests, surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of beaches with cozy coves - this is the east coast from March to October. Moreover, the sand on different beaches of different colors - from white to black. The archipelagos are home to national nature reserves, as well as sailing, water skiing, diving and surfing centers.
But from November to February, the northeastern monsoon hits the islands of eastern Malaysia, which is accompanied by the typhoon season. These places receive much more moisture than the west coast. Long rains cause floods, the sea is rough. Therefore, most hotels close at the end of the high season.
The exception is Borneo, it is protected from the winds by the Coral Islands. Seasonal rains come mainly at night. You can relax on the island all year round, except for the so-called “red strait” season. Microorganisms begin to multiply abundantly in the water, which is why the sea "turns red". You cannot swim, but you can always find places on the neighboring islands.
Climate in Malaysia
The climate is equatorial practically throughout the country, in mountainous regions it is subequatorial. This means high humidity and high temperatures all year round. Seasonal fluctuations are negligible. However, hot and cold periods are still conditionally distinguished.
The period from early November to January is considered cool in the country. For Europeans, this means a relatively comfortable temperature slightly below +30 degrees. The coolest place is the mountains of Kinabalu with the surrounding area. The minimum temperature in this area was fixed at + 8 ° С. For Malaysia, this is the "pole of cold".
Winter in Malaysia
The calendar winter in the tropics is, of course, a very conventional concept. It is sunny and quiet in the west at this time. Rains are unlikely.
Temperature indicators for December, January and February are almost the same. The warmest, + 28 ° С, water temperature, the air heats up to + 32-33 ° С during the day. Only at night the temperature drops to a comfortable 22-23 degrees. The West Coast will be the best vacation spot in the winter. During the winter months, the east coast is watered with rain, often with wind, and storms.
Spring in Malaysia
Dividing the Malaysian climate into seasons is difficult. Temperature fluctuations are insignificant, only the water becomes even warmer.
In March, daytime temperatures rise by one or two divisions, with sunset the air cools down by no more than 10 degrees. The water near the coast warms up to + 30 ° С.
In the west of the country, April marks the beginning of the rainy season. At this time, the maximum amount of precipitation falls.
With the onset of May, the water temperature reaches a maximum value of + 33 ° C and is compared with the air temperature.
Summer in Malaysia
In terms of temperature values, June can be considered a continuation of May. In the western regions, the rainy season "comes to naught", light precipitation is usually possible at night. The weather is clear in the eastern territories. On the islands, after the rains, tropical vegetation is blooming and blooming in full force.
July is ideal for diving enthusiasts: there is no wind or precipitation, the water becomes completely transparent, you can explore the seabed, underwater caves and grottoes. Malay July is known throughout the world as the month of the flower festival. It passes through all the cities of the country and demonstrates the whole variety of tropical flora.
August, with its humid and sultry heat, is considered the low season. Only young people, who are attracted by the reduced price of rest, can withstand 100% humidity. Interestingly, despite the proximity to the equator, in Malaysia, the heat is rarely more than + 40-41 ° C.
Autumn in Malaysia
September continues the low season with hot and sunny weather. Very warm sea water does not save and refreshes. At this time, it is worth planning a trip to the mountains …
Monsoons begin in October. These seasonal winds bring rain to the east and south of the country. The temperature does not drop, so we are not talking about warm clothes, but an umbrella or raincoat is required. The number of clear days is decreasing, but the rains are not prolonged, the rest will not spoil. And even freshen the air a little. In November, it is still windy in the east, the temperature of both water and air decreases slightly - to an acceptable 28-29 degrees.
In early November, the country, where Indians are the third largest ethnic group, celebrates the Indian New Year - bright and noisy, with fairs, parades and costumed processions.
