Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Kota Kinabalu is very-high
Kota Kinabalu Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 32° / 25°
- Rainfall
- 130mm · 9 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Kota Kinabalu in May averages a high of 32°C and low of 25°C with 130mm of rain over about 9 days. Hot tropical.
May is very-high for Kota Kinabalu.
Korean Golden Week + Kaamatan Harvest Festival. Hotels surge.
Travel score
Kota Kinabalu May Weather Stats
Avg High
32°C
Avg Low
25°C
Rainy Days
9
130mm total
Sunshine
8h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
moderate
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 25
Sea Temp
29°C
swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
9 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
36°C
Nighttime
27°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Kaamatan Harvest Festival
- Korean Golden Week
- Drier than monsoon
Cons
- Korean Golden Week hotels surge
May Events & Festivals
- Korean Golden Week
- Kaamatan Harvest Festival (mid-May)
Kota Kinabalu in May — Full Picture
Korean Golden Week + Kaamatan Harvest Festival. Hotels surge.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Hot tropical.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current31.7°C
24.7°C
8/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
31°C
24°C
9.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
24°C
13.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
30.3°C
24°C
11.3/mo
Kota Kinabalu Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30° | 24° | 13d·180mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| February (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·130mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 31° | 24° | 7d·90mm | 8h | 78% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| April (Best) | 32° | 25° | 8d·100mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 32° | 25° | 9d·130mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·130mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| July (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·120mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 31° | 24° | 10d·150mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 31° | 24° | 12d·200mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·280mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·280mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 24° | 12d·200mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Kota Kinabalu May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu in May is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Kota Kinabalu in May?
Kota Kinabalu May averages a high of 32°C and a low of 25°C.
Does it rain much in Kota Kinabalu in May?
Kota Kinabalu May averages 130mm of rainfall over about 9 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kota Kinabalu in May?
Hot tropical.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kota Kinabalu in May?
Kota Kinabalu May sunrise is 06:10 and sunset is 18:30, with 12h 20min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kota Kinabalu in May?
Kota Kinabalu May air quality (AQI) averages 30, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kota Kinabalu in May?
In May, Kota Kinabalu is great for Kaamatan Harvest Festival, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Mt Kinabalu.
Is May peak season in Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu May crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Kota Kinabalu
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to Kota Kinabalu?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.