Kudat is part of Sabah's Kudat region. Like all of Sabah, it has a tropical climate โ warm and humid year-round โ with distinct wet and dry seasons that meaningfully affect your travel experience. In short: Tip of Borneo and Rungus culture.
Best Months to Visit Kudat
The best time to visit Kudat is Feb, Mar, Apr. These months bring drier weather, calmer seas, better road conditions, and optimal visibility for outdoor activities.
Book accommodation in advance, especially around school breaks (late May to early June, late August and December) and long weekends. Rates often rise during peak periods.
Months to Avoid
Try to avoid Oct, Nov if outdoor activities are a priority. This is when Kudat typically sees heavier rainfall โ during the October to November inter-monsoon, when thunderstorms are most frequent โ which can affect road access, river conditions, and sea crossings.
Heavy rain doesn't make Kudat off-limits โ it just means flexibility. Rain often falls in afternoon bursts, leaving mornings clear. Prices drop and crowds thin out. Always check local conditions before travelling to remote areas.
For most visitors, Feb to Apr is the sweet spot in Kudat โ the driest stretch of the year on this side of Sabah, and well clear of the July to September crowds. February and March are the two driest months of the year here.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
- Jan 140mm Shoulder
- Feb 78mm Shoulder
- Mar 93mm Shoulder
- Apr 123mm Quietest month
- May 212mm Quiet
- Jun 284mm Shoulder
- Jul 288mm Peak
- Aug 279mm Peak
- Sep 287mm Peak โ 2nd busiest
- Oct 387mm Quiet
- Nov 283mm Quiet
- Dec 262mm Peak โ busiest
- Best months
- OK
- Wet season
- Visitor crowds
Average monthly rainfall in mm, bar height to scale. Crowd dots rank Sabah-wide visitor arrivals in 2025: three for the busiest months, one for the quietest.
Source: Met Malaysia 1991โ2020 normals (Kota Kinabalu station); Sabah Tourism Board arrivals, 2025
Monthly Conditions in Detail
Tap a month to show or hide its rain, crowds and holidays.
Jan ๐ OK
Weather: Drier than most months at about 140mm. The Northeast Monsoon is running, but it lands on the far side of Sabah โ mornings here are often clear.
Crowd level: Shoulder
Events & notes: New Year's Day on 1 January. Schools reopen after the New Year break (12 January in 2026, 4 January in 2027).
Feb โ Best
Weather: The driest month of the year on this coast โ about 78mm across roughly seven rainy days. The best weather Sabah offers.
Crowd level: Shoulder
Events & notes: Chinese New Year brings family travel and some business closures (17โ18 February in 2026), with a school break around it.
Mar โ Best
Weather: Second driest at about 93mm. Warm, bright and reliable, and the other half of the good window.
Crowd level: Shoulder
Events & notes: Hari Raya Aidilfitri and a school break fell in late March in 2026 (19โ29 March). The Sabah Governor's Birthday holiday is 30 March.
Apr โ Best
Weather: Still dry at about 123mm, and the quietest month of the year for visitors. The best value of the year.
Crowd level: Quietest month
Events & notes: Good Friday is a Sabah public holiday, so Easter makes a long weekend.
May ๐ OK
Weather: Rain picking up to around 212mm as the Southwest Monsoon sets in. Still very usable.
Crowd level: Quiet
Events & notes: Pesta Kaamatan on 30 and 31 May, the biggest cultural event of the Sabah calendar. The mid-year school break starts in late May (23 May in 2026).
Jun ๐ OK
Weather: Wet at about 284mm, though the rain arrives as heavy afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle.
Crowd level: Shoulder
Events & notes: The mid-year school break runs into early June (to 7 June in 2026), then schools go back.
Jul ๐ OK
Weather: One of the wettest months at about 288mm, despite being peak tourist season. Mornings are usually clear.
Crowd level: Peak
Events & notes: One of the busiest months of the year for visitors. Book popular trips early.
Aug ๐ OK
Weather: Wet at about 279mm โ much like July. Bright mornings, heavy afternoons.
Crowd level: Peak
Events & notes: National Day on 31 August, with a one-week school break starting just before it (29 August in 2026). Busy with visitors.
Sep ๐ OK
Weather: Wet at about 287mm, and the second busiest month of the year for visitors. Book ahead.
Crowd level: Peak โ 2nd busiest
Events & notes: Malaysia Day on 16 September. One of the busiest months for visitors.
Oct โ ๏ธ Wet
Weather: The wettest month of the year on this coast โ about 387mm across 18 rainy days, roughly a third more than any other month.
Crowd level: Quiet
Events & notes: Schools are in term and it is one of the quieter months for visitors.
Nov โ ๏ธ Wet
Weather: Still wet at about 283mm.
Crowd level: Quiet
Events & notes: Deepavali (8 November in 2026, with a Monday replacement holiday) makes a long weekend. Otherwise one of the quietest months for visitors.
Dec ๐ OK
Weather: About 262mm, and the busiest month of the year for visitors. Rain eases towards the end of the month.
Crowd level: Peak โ busiest
Events & notes: Year-end school holidays (from 5 December in 2026), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day make this the busiest travel month.
What to Pack for Kudat
If visiting during the dry season (typically FebโApr), pack for heat and sun with a backup for sudden showers:
- Lightweight moisture-wicking shirts and shorts โ it's hot and sunny
- High-SPF sunscreen (SPF50+) and a wide-brim hat or cap
- Reef-safe sunscreen if you're swimming or snorkelling
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- A light packable rain jacket โ even dry season brings surprise showers
- Comfortable walking shoes or trail runners for day hikes
- Reef shoes or water sandals for rocky beaches and snorkel spots
Universal Sabah pack list: Insect repellent (DEET-based for jungle areas), a basic first aid kit, rehydration sachets, and a power bank. Sunscreen is cheaper bought in KK than at tourist spots.
Getting There
Kudat is about 190 km by road from Kota Kinabalu.
- Express bus, LPKP maximum fare RM24.70
Browse accommodation in Kudat on Agoda โ prices drop significantly in the shoulder months โ
We may earn a small commission if you book through this link โ it costs you nothing extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Kudat?
The best time to visit Kudat is Feb, Mar, Apr. These months offer drier weather, clearer skies, and better conditions for outdoor activities. Try to avoid Oct, Nov when possible due to heavier rainfall.
What is the weather like in Kudat during peak season?
Peak visitor season is July to September, and on the west coast those are among the wetter months of the year, not the driest, a common mix-up. The driest months here are February to April. Expect 24 to 33 degrees, high humidity, bright mornings and heavy afternoon downpours, plus higher prices and more crowds.
Can I visit Kudat during the rainy season?
Yes โ Kudat doesn't shut down during the wet season. Rain typically falls in heavy afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings are often clear and usable. The upside: fewer crowds, lower prices, and a quieter experience. The downside: some outdoor activities may be cancelled and remote roads can be affected.
What should I pack for a trip to Kudat?
Pack for heat, sun and sudden showers: light breathable clothes, a light rain jacket, SPF50+ sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable walking shoes. Go to the list