Our verdict
The best time to visit Kota Kinabalu is June
The very hottest temperatures in Kota Kinabalu get to around 32℃ (89℉) in the height of summer. The average low temperatures in winter float around 25℃ (76℉), while the coldest it gets down to is about 23℃ (73℉).
If you’re keen to work on your tan in Kota Kinabalu, you’re most likely get the longest days between sun-up and sun-down around March. The wet season in Kota Kinabalu falls around May, so if you prefer the dryer weather, you should look to visit in February instead.
Find out everything you need to know about when to visit Kota Kinabalu below, including detailed information about the weather and tools to help you find the best prices and book your trip.
Quick links: Fast facts / Seasons / Average temperatures / Monthly climate / FAQs / Map
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Kota Kinabalu seasons
Before you continue, it’s important to know when the seasons are in Kota Kinabalu as they might be different to yours depending on where in the world you’re travelling from. Kota Kinabalu is in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons fall during these months:
Season | Months |
---|---|
Summer | June to August |
Autumn/fall | September to November |
Winter | December to February |
Spring | March to May |
Average temperatures in Kota Kinabalu
If the temperature is a big factor for you to help you decide when to visit, the chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Kota Kinabalu for each month side-by-side so you can easily see the difference in weather throughout the year. To see the temperatures in both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), hover or tap the shaded boxes on the graph.
Kota Kinabalu climate by month
If you already have a rough idea about which months you might want to travel, the section below shows a detailed breakdown of the climate in Kota Kinabalu for each month so you can see if it all suits your wants and needs. Scroll down, or use the quick menu below to jump to your preferred month.
Jump to:
Kota Kinabalu in January
- Average temperature: 26℃ (80℉)
- Average high temperature: 28℃ (82℉)
- Average low temperature: 25℃ (77℉)
- Average humidity: 79%
- Average sunny days: 9 days
- Average rainfall: 78mm (3") over 21 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in January, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in February
- Average temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
- Average high temperature: 28℃ (82℉)
- Average low temperature: 25℃ (76℉)
- Average humidity: 78%
- Average sunny days: 7 days
- Average rainfall: 52mm (2") over 19 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in February, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in March
- Average temperature: 27℃ (80℉)
- Average high temperature: 28℃ (83℉)
- Average low temperature: 25℃ (77℉)
- Average humidity: 79%
- Average sunny days: 5 days
- Average rainfall: 65mm (3") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in March, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in April
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (78℉)
- Average humidity: 78%
- Average sunny days: 3 days
- Average rainfall: 87mm (3") over 25 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in April, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in May
- Average temperature: 28℃ (82℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (85℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 3 days
- Average rainfall: 116mm (5") over 26 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in May, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in June
- Average temperature: 28℃ (82℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (85℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
- Average humidity: 74%
- Average sunny days: 4 days
- Average rainfall: 97mm (4") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in June, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in July
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (78℉)
- Average humidity: 74%
- Average sunny days: 5 days
- Average rainfall: 87mm (3") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in July, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in August
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
- Average humidity: 74%
- Average sunny days: 4 days
- Average rainfall: 78mm (3") over 24 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in August, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in September
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (78℉)
- Average humidity: 74%
- Average sunny days: 4 days
- Average rainfall: 62mm (2") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in September, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
Kota Kinabalu in October
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
- Average humidity: 75%
- Average sunny days: 6 days
- Average rainfall: 83mm (3") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in October, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in November
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (84℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (79℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 6 days
- Average rainfall: 73mm (3") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in November, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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Kota Kinabalu in December
- Average temperature: 27℃ (81℉)
- Average high temperature: 29℃ (83℉)
- Average low temperature: 26℃ (78℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 10 days
- Average rainfall: 75mm (3") over 19 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Kota Kinabalu in December, make sure you pack t-shirts and light clothing.
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