Safe to go Cherating (M'sia) between Xmas & NewYear?

My gf and I are planning a trip to Malaysia. I'm aware that there is a monsoon season during the year-end hitting the east coasts of West Malaysia. What about the east coasts of East Malaysia? Is it affected too, for places like Sipadan?

More importantly, I've found another nice beach, Cherating...and would like to know if it is also affected by the monsoon? Thanks for all your comments =)

Yes, I'm very sure its safe 'Peace"...

Every year Terengganu will hold a International Boat race in conjunction with the monsoon season. Really cool to watch all these international racers racing against each other.
... for Pulau Sipadan, I dont think the monsoon season will affect that island, but its better u stay off snokerling.

hmmm~... Cherating. Good choice!

Welcome to Malaysia, have a great stay here! =)

It all the safe place to go even, on the monsoon season!
nothing to worried about the monsoon!

The tide is a bit rough, if is not ranning is ok. been there once during year end. try advoid island

The northeast monsoon is the major rainy season in the country. Monsoon weather systems which develop in conjunction with cold air outbreaks from Siberia produce heavy rains which often cause severe floods along the east coast states of Kelantan, Trengganu, Pahang and East Johore in Peninsular Malaysia, and in the state of Sarawak in East Malaysia.

The southwest monsoon is comparatively drier throughout the country except for the state of Sabah in East Malaysia. During this season, most states experience monthly rainfall minimum (typically 100 - 150 mm). This is attributed to relatively stable atmospheric conditions in the equatorial region. In particular, the dry condition in Peninsular Malaysia is accentuated by the rain shadow effect of the Sumatran mountain range. Sabah is relatively wetter (exceeding 200 mm) due to the tail effect of typhoons which frequently traverse the Philippine islands in their journey across the South China Sea and beyond.

During the intermonsoon periods, winds are light and variable. Morning skies are often clear and this favours thunderstorm development in the afternoon. In the west coast states of Peninsular Malaysia, thunderstorms contribute to a mean monthly rainfall maximum in each of the two transition periods.

Please check with weather and meteorlogical dept. for advise and warnings. It will also published in the newspapers and broadcast over the radio and tv.

However on the brighter side not everyday has heavy rainfall...

You made a right choice in selecting Cherating as your destination.


Cherating is located about 45minutes drive from Kuantan. Once a popular beach with hippies and backpackers, Cherating's thunder has somewhat been taken by the islands that have opened up to tourism in recent years such as Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Redang and Pulau Lang Tengah. But when it comes to public holidays and festive seasons ~ all the resorts, hotels, motels and apartments along the famous Cherating stretch are booked up way in advance. Catering to the local holiday makers during these occasions and also the extreme sports enthusiasts during the high waves of the monsoon season (November until February), Cherating is by no means a has-been holiday town. The backpacker huts, bars and pubs remain in business - although not as crowded as it was before in the 80's but many expatriates gravitate towards the area during long weekends of partying or just to chill out.

There have been a fair number of big resorts sprouting up over the decade that have taken up good stretches of the beach but there remains nice, clean stretched where the surfing community swirls up a pretty good time...

i live in Kuantan, been going to cherating since i was a baby. rare death case happens in cherating during monsoon season. usually death cases of drowning happens in teluk chempedak because the wind there is stronger. better not to try swimming when the red flag is up. every year, they'll be surfing competition in cherating. nice place to go. but it is safe. most days will be gloomy if u go during monsoon season. sometimes non-stop rain for like 3 to 4 days.

i love going to cherating though!!

You better be worry about the crimes rather than monsoon season in Malaysia.