Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Kota Kinabalu
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Driest month of the year with only 150 mm (5.9 inches) of rainfall spread across 10 days - you'll get mostly short afternoon showers rather than all-day rain, making it ideal for planning outdoor activities in the mornings
- Calm seas and excellent visibility for diving and island hopping - the northeast monsoon has typically eased by February, giving you 15-20 m (50-65 ft) underwater visibility around Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
- Chinese New Year period brings incredible street food markets and cultural celebrations throughout KK, particularly around Gaya Street and the Filipino Market - the energy is genuinely electric and you'll see the city at its most festive
- School holidays have ended by mid-February in Malaysia, meaning fewer domestic tourists at major attractions like Mount Kinabalu base and the Tip of Borneo - you'll find accommodation prices drop 20-30% compared to January
Considerations
- First two weeks of February overlap with Chinese New Year celebrations, which means some family-run restaurants and smaller businesses close for 3-5 days, and hotel prices spike 40-60% during the actual CNY dates - book early or plan around it
- Heat and humidity combination can be intense for hiking - that 70% humidity makes the 30°C (86°F) feel more like 35°C (95°F) on exposed trails, particularly between 11am-3pm when UV index hits 8
- Occasional haze from agricultural burning in Borneo's interior can reduce visibility for mountain views - it's unpredictable but tends to happen in drier years, potentially affecting those iconic Mount Kinabalu photo opportunities
Best Activities in February
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park Island Hopping
February offers the calmest seas you'll get all year for visiting the five islands just 3-8 km (1.9-5 miles) offshore. Water visibility reaches 15-20 m (50-65 ft), and the coral reefs around Manukan and Mamutik islands are genuinely spectacular right now. The combination of minimal rain and calm conditions means boat transfers are smooth - important if anyone in your group gets seasick. You'll typically spend 6-7 hours island hopping with snorkeling stops at 2-3 islands. The marine life is active in February's warmer waters, and you'll likely spot green turtles, clownfish, and schools of parrotfish without needing to dive deep.
Mount Kinabalu Day Hikes and Botanical Trails
You won't summit in a day trip, but February's drier weather makes the lower elevation trails around Kinabalu Park headquarters absolutely worth the 90 km (56 mile) drive from KK. The Silau-Silau Trail and Liwagu Trail offer 2-4 hour hikes through cloud forest at 1,500-1,800 m (4,920-5,905 ft) elevation where temperatures drop to a comfortable 18-22°C (64-72°F). Morning mist usually clears by 9am in February, giving you those postcard views of the mountain's granite peaks. The botanical diversity here is ridiculous - you'll see pitcher plants, orchids, and if you're lucky, the Rafflesia bloom. Start early though, because afternoon clouds roll in around 2pm and obscure the views.
Proboscis Monkey River Cruises in Klias Wetlands
February's drier conditions mean lower water levels in the mangrove rivers, which actually concentrates wildlife along the remaining waterways - you'll see more monkeys per trip than in wetter months. The Klias Wetlands, about 120 km (75 miles) southwest of KK, host the largest proboscis monkey populations accessible from the city. These bizarre-looking primates with their enormous noses gather in riverside trees during late afternoon feeding times, typically between 4pm-6pm. You'll also spot silver leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and if you're fortunate, crocodiles basking on mudbanks. The evening portion includes firefly viewing after dark - February's clearer skies make this particularly magical as thousands of synchronized fireflies light up the mangroves.
Kota Kinabalu City Heritage Walking Routes
February's relatively lower humidity makes urban walking actually pleasant in early morning hours before 10am. The heritage district around Gaya Street, Atkinson Clock Tower, and the old colonial buildings tells KK's story from WWII bombing to modern development. Sunday mornings bring the famous Gaya Street Fair with 300+ vendors selling everything from traditional kuih cakes to handicrafts - it's touristy but genuinely worth experiencing. The waterfront esplanade offers sunset walks with Mount Kinabalu views on clear evenings, and the Filipino Market operates daily for fresh seafood and local produce. You'll cover about 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles) exploring the compact city center, with plenty of kedai kopi stops for local coffee and roti.
Kundasang Vegetable Farm and Hot Springs Day Trips
The cooler highland climate around Kundasang, 90 km (56 miles) from KK at 1,400 m (4,593 ft) elevation, offers genuine relief from coastal humidity. February is harvest season for strawberries, passion fruit, and Chinese cabbage - many farms allow pick-your-own experiences for RM 20-30 per basket. The Poring Hot Springs, another 20 km (12 miles) beyond Kundasang, provide natural sulfur baths at 40-60°C (104-140°F) surrounded by rainforest. The canopy walkway here reaches 40 m (131 ft) above ground and offers a different perspective on lowland dipterocarp forest. Combined with Kundasang's flower farms and Mount Kinabalu viewpoints, you're looking at a full 8-10 hour day trip that showcases Sabah's agricultural heartland.
Sabah Cuisine Food Trail Experiences
February coincides with Chinese New Year preparations, meaning special festive foods appear at markets and restaurants throughout the month. Traditional Sabahan cuisine blends Kadazan-Dusun, Chinese, and Filipino influences - you'll find hinava raw fish salad, ngiu chap beef noodle soup, and tuaran mee that exists nowhere else in Malaysia. The night markets at Segama Complex and Kompleks Asia City operate 5pm-midnight daily with 50+ stalls each, offering dishes for RM 5-15. Seafood restaurants along the waterfront serve incredibly fresh catches - try butter prawns and steamed fish that were swimming hours earlier. The combination of festive specialties and everyday Sabahan staples makes February particularly interesting for food-focused travelers.
February Events & Festivals
Chinese New Year Celebrations
KK's significant Chinese population makes CNY the biggest cultural event of the year. Gaya Street and the Filipino Market transform with red lanterns, lion dance performances, and special food stalls selling traditional CNY treats like nian gao sticky rice cake and bak kwa dried meat. Temple visits peak during this period, particularly at Kian Kok Temple and Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple on the hilltop. The energy is genuinely festive, though expect some businesses to close for 3-5 days during the actual holiday dates. Open houses where families welcome visitors are common - locals often invite tourists to experience traditional celebrations.
Tamu Besar Kota Belud
This weekly Sunday market in Kota Belud, 75 km (47 miles) north of KK, operates year-round but February's drier weather makes the drive more pleasant. It's the largest tamu traditional market in Sabah, where Bajau horsemen, Kadazan-Dusun farmers, and other indigenous groups trade livestock, produce, handicrafts, and traditional foods. You'll see water buffalo sales, handwoven baskets, and local delicacies like hinava and pinasakan fish. The market runs 6am-2pm every Sunday, with peak activity between 8am-11am. It's touristy but remains genuinely functional for locals, offering authentic cultural immersion that's hard to find elsewhere.