Malaysia in May

April through October sees many downpours in and around Kuala Lumpur and Malacca during its rainy season, which for many provides welcome relief to the sometimes stifling humidity, as does Malacca’s sea breeze which brings the temperatures down by 1 or 2 degrees. Located at an altitude of 1,500m above sea level, the highlands have a distinctly different climate to the rest of Malaysia. Temperatures average a very pleasant 22 °C (72 °F) in the daytime and a relatively cool 15 °C (59 °f) at night, a rare occasion where a sweater might be needed in Malaysia. The climate is ideal for the growing of flowers, fruit and tea, and the highland’s atmosphere is a far cry from bustling Kuala Lumpur. Many see this time as a chance to duck between the showers and walk the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s highest resort, taking in strawberry and honey bee farms, or meals at delightful Tudor-style inns.

At the same time, this is the wet season on the Western Coast, with monsoons during April through May, and again in October through November. On the island of Penang the wettest month is October, which sees 170 mm of rain, though temperatures remain hot between 24 and 32 °C (75-90 °F). Rainforest treks and sea-crossings are sometimes affected during the rainy season, but the heavy downpours generally only last a couple of hours (usually in mid to late afternoon). It is considered the best timeto spot wildlife on the Malay Peninsula in places like Taman Negara, with April through July the best for bird watching, though August to September is the best time to see the many hornbills around Temenggor Lake in Perak in the country’s north.

While on the East Coast, it is now the dry season, when the diving hotspots of Tioman Island and the white sand beaches of the exclusive Perhentian Islands (particularly Rawa, Serengeh and Tokong Burun ) come to life when waters are at their clearest and temperatures regularly top 30 °C (86 °F), offering perfect destinations for hitting the pristine beaches. The Perhentians are home to the ultra-rare green and hawksbill turtles and a rich array of marine life and tropical fish, a scuba diver’s dream.