Season guide · Langkawi · Malaysia
Langkawi in the early monsoon
May–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Showers most days but often short, full waterfalls and green forest; Malaysian and Gulf holiday visitors keep it fairly busy. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 69 rainy days across May–August.
Key facts
- Months
- May–August
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 69
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the early monsoon
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 32°C (90°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 17 | 12.4 h | 2/5 |
| June | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 16 | 12.5 h | 3/5 |
| July | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 17 | 12.5 h | 3/5 |
| August | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 19 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 32°C (90°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 69 of the year's roughly 169 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the early monsoon
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- May: LIMA — Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (usually May in odd-numbered years)
- August: National Day — Merdeka public holiday (31 August)
Good choices for the early monsoon
Aquarium · Pantai Cenang
Underwater World Langkawi
An aquarium at the beach on Pantai Cenang with a walk-through tunnel tank, penguins, freshwater rainforest fish and a touch pool.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · Kampung Mawat
Mahsuri's Tomb (Makam Mahsuri)
Combine it with lunch at a local warung on the road to Padang Matsirat.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Kilim
Galeria Perdana
A museum of thousands of state gifts presented to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, from Formula One cars and porcelain to portraits and weapons.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- History
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Pantai Cenang
Laman Padi
Go early in the morning or late afternoon, when egrets and other birds feed in the paddies.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- History
Day trips in the early monsoon
- Pulau Payar Marine Park (About 45–60 minutes by boat) — A protected group of small islands south of Langkawi with coral gardens, reef fish and juvenile blacktip reef sharks in the shallows.
- Penang (About 3 hours each way by ferry) — George Town's UNESCO-listed old quarter of shophouses, clan houses and hawker food is a long day trip from Langkawi, so most travellers continue there or stay a night.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the early monsoon a good time to visit Langkawi?
It is a trade-off: Showers most days but often short, full waterfalls and green forest; Malaysian and Gulf holiday visitors keep it fairly busy. The best months overall are December–March.
+What is the weather like in Langkawi in the early monsoon?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 69 rainy days over the season.