May is the start of Borneo’s peak season and a great time to visit with dry weather to look forward to (mostly!). There are no school holidays at this time, or higher rates. Walking and trekking in Sabah are excellent at this time of year and although there can still be rainfall at any time; it is less likely. The beaches are glorious in May as well, with the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island and Sipidan being bathed in sunshine and sprinkled with powder-white sands. 

In Sarawak, trekking is still excellent so you can combine it with Sabah to explore more of what Borneo has to offer as a whole. You can also go to Damai beach in Sarawak, but with rainfall slightly higher than in April at an average of 240mm, we would still go with the beaches of Sabah instead.

May is the end of the whale shark season off the coast of Sabah, if you don’t head out now, wait till March next year for a glimpse of these magical creatures.