Tawau, formerly Tawao, is a city of 370,000 inhabitants, located in eastern Malaysia, on the north-east of the island of
, in the federal state of Sabah, and at 4 degrees north latitude. We are on the coast of the Semporna peninsula, overlooking the Celebes Sea, a short distance from the border with the Indonesian part of Borneo (Kalimantan).
, which often occurs in the form of thunderstorms, is abundant, however, it does not reach 2,000 millimeters (78 inches) per year. In fact, we are in the least rainy area of Malaysia, since this stretch of coast, exposed to the southwest, is sheltered from the northeast monsoon, which brings abundant rains from November to February on the northern side of Borneo.
are high and stable. On the hottest days, the temperature can reach 34 °C (93 °F) all year round, and occasionally 35 °C (95 °F).
The humidity typical of the equator increases the feeling of discomfort.
At night it is never cold. In recent decades, the temperature has never dropped below 20 °C (68 °F).
The best time to visit Tawau is from January to April, as it is the least rainy of the year. However, it should be noted that there is not a big difference between the different months, and that there may be variations from one year to another.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.1 °C, with a minimum of
23.1 °C and a maximum of
31.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
143.2 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.3 °C, with a minimum of
23.1 °C and a maximum of
31.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
106 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.6 °C, with a minimum of
23.3 °C and a maximum of
31.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
126.6 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
6.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.8 °C, with a minimum of
23.7 °C and a maximum of
31.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
123.4 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
May, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.8 °C, with a minimum of
23.9 °C and a maximum of
31.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
164 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.5 °C, with a minimum of
23.6 °C and a maximum of
31.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
174.9 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.2 °C, with a minimum of
23.3 °C and a maximum of
31.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
192.1 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.2 °C, with a minimum of
23.3 °C and a maximum of
31.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
209.6 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.4 °C, with a minimum of
23.3 °C and a maximum of
31.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
135.4 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.6 °C, with a minimum of
23.4 °C and a maximum of
31.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
169.8 mm, distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
5.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
November is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.6 °C, with a minimum of
23.5 °C and a maximum of
31.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
172.1 mm, distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
4.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
29.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
December is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.4 °C, with a minimum of
23.4 °C and a maximum of
31.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
213.5 mm, distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
4.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
28.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.