Kota Kinabalu · Month comparison

February vs March

March ranks #1 overall vs February at #3. Best month overall: 32°C, 95mm rain, and the clearest views of Mount Kinabalu.

Kota Kinabalu February — Mount Kinabalu summit peak rising above surrounding ridgeline

February

#3 of 12 months

Best match

Dry window opens: 120mm, 7h sun, and Mt Kinabalu summit permits accessible.

  • ↑Significant improvement over January — mostly sunny mornings with short afternoon showers
  • ↑Mt Kinabalu permit availability best now before the March–April rush; book 2–3 months ahead
Kota Kinabalu March — Mount Kinabalu panorama under clear blue sky with valley below

March

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Best month overall: 32°C, 95mm rain, and the clearest views of Mount Kinabalu.

  • ↑Driest skies of the year — Mt Kinabalu summit at 4,095m rewards climbers with panoramas across Borneo
  • ↑Marine park islands at their best: clear coral visibility, calm seas, and white sand beaches uncrowded
FactorFebruaryMarch
Weather score
8
9
Value score
7
6
Crowd score
6
6
Events score
5
6
Atmosphere
7
8
Avg high temp31°C32°C
Monthly rain120mm95mm
Daily sunshine7hrs7.5hrs

February trade-offs

  • ↓120mm is still a meaningful amount of rain — afternoon island trips need weather flexibility
  • ↓Some river and jungle trails around Crocker Range remain muddy from January
  • ↓Fewer budget flight deals than the November low season

March trade-offs

  • ↓Mt Kinabalu summit permits book out fast — plan and pay at least 2 months in advance
  • ↓Prices rising from February lows as word spreads about the dry season
  • ↓Humidity still 76% — midday in the city centre is hot even on sunny days
See all 12 months for Kota Kinabalu →February in detail →March in detail →
Scores compare months within Kota Kinabalu. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →