Best time to visit · Langkawi · Malaysia
The best time to visit Langkawi
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best time to visit Langkawi is December to March, when the weather is dry, the sea is calm and boat trips run reliably. April and November are good shoulder months with lower prices. September and October are the wettest, with rough seas that can cancel island-hopping and snorkelling trips.
Key facts
- Best months
- December–March
- Shoulder season
- April and November
- Warmest month
- March (avg high 34°C (93°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Rainiest month
- September (~22 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May and September–October
Seasons
Langkawi is hot and humid all year, with highs around 31–34°C. The driest, sunniest months are December to March; the southwest monsoon brings frequent heavy showers from about May, peaking in September and October, when seas can be rough.
December–February
Dry season
Sunny, calm and clear, with the best conditions for beaches, snorkelling and the cable car, and the highest prices around Christmas and Chinese New Year.
March–April
Hot season
The hottest weeks, still mostly dry in March, with afternoon thunderstorms building in April.
May–August
Early monsoon
Showers most days but often short, full waterfalls and green forest; Malaysian and Gulf holiday visitors keep it fairly busy.
September–November
Late monsoon
The wettest stretch, with rough seas in September and October; quiet and lower-priced, improving through November.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C | 23°C | 5 | 28°C | 11.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 33°C | 23°C | 5 | 29°C | 11.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 34°C | 24°C | 9 | 29°C | 12.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 33°C | 25°C | 14 | 30°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 32°C | 25°C | 17 | 30°C | 12.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 32°C | 24°C | 16 | 30°C | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 31°C | 24°C | 17 | 29°C | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 31°C | 24°C | 19 | 29°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 31°C | 24°C | 22 | 29°C | 12.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 31°C | 24°C | 21 | 29°C | 12 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 31°C | 24°C | 15 | 29°C | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 31°C | 23°C | 9 | 28°C | 11.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Chinese New Year — family holidays fill hotels (late January or February) |
| February | Chinese New Year (some years) |
| May | LIMA — Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (usually May in odd-numbered years) |
| August | National Day — Merdeka public holiday (31 August) |
| December | Malaysian school holidays (usually December); New Year's Eve on Pantai Cenang |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May and September–October, and the sights are quietest in May and September–October. Many visitors avoid September–October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Dry season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Hot season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Early monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Late monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Langkawi?
The best time to visit Langkawi is December to March, when the weather is dry, the sea is calm and boat trips run reliably. April and November are good shoulder months with lower prices. September and October are the wettest, with rough seas that can cancel island-hopping and snorkelling trips.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Langkawi?
Usually in May and September–October. The monsoon season begins; expect showers most days but plenty of sun between them, and lower hotel rates.
+What is the rainiest month in Langkawi?
September, with about 22 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Langkawi get?
The warmest month, March, averages highs of 34°C (93°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).