Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Asia
Borneo in June
Gawai Dayak on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak, and the Rainforest World Music Festival often lands around midyear. Good wildlife viewing.
The straight answer
June is one of the best months of the year to visit Borneo. Gawai Dayak on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak, and the Rainforest World Music Festival often lands around midyear. Good wildlife viewing.
- Weather
- Highs near 90F (32C), mostly dry with short storms
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What June is like in Borneo
June is mostly dry, with highs near 90F (32C) and short storms. Gawai Dayak on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak brings longhouse feasts, music, and dancing, and some businesses close. The Rainforest World Music Festival often lands around midyear near Kuching. Wildlife viewing is good.
This month suits families, music lovers, and wildlife watchers. Book early, as July and August get busier. For turtle nesting, come July to October. Businesses in Sarawak may close for Gawai on June 1 and 2, and domestic transport fills up, so plan travel days around it. Families will find the Sepilok, sun bear, and river cruise loop at its best.
Make the most of June
What is especially good about Borneo this month.
Gawai Dayak
Sarawak's Dayak harvest festival, with feasts and dancing in the longhouses.
Rainforest World Music Festival
Global and indigenous musicians at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, often in June or July.
Good wildlife viewing
Dry conditions make Danum Valley and the Kinabatangan excellent.
What to pack for June
- Light, breathable clothes
- Rain jacket
- Leech socks
- Binoculars
Our timing tip
Book Kuching hotels early if the Rainforest World Music Festival falls during your dates.
Book Borneo for June.
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- Hotels for June
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in BorneoOpens a hotel search for Borneo in June, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in BorneoWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in BorneoTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Borneo for June. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in June
Gawai Dayak
June 1 and 2 every year
Sarawak's Dayak harvest festival. Longhouses celebrate with feasts, music, and dancing; some businesses close.
Rainforest World Music Festival
Midyear, usually June or July, varies by year
Held at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, with global and indigenous musicians. Hotels in Kuching book up.
Things to do in Borneo
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Feeding times draw the most visitors. The adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is worth the extra hour.
Kinabatangan River
Dawn and dusk boat cruises for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and sometimes pygmy elephants. Drier months are best.
Mount Kinabalu
Climbs require a permit, a licensed guide, and an overnight at Laban Rata. Permits are limited and book out months ahead for midyear.
Danum Valley
Primary rainforest with some of the best wild orangutan and gibbon viewing in Borneo. Lodges are limited, so book early.
Gunung Mulu National Park
Huge caves, the Pinnacles limestone spires, and a bat exodus at dusk. Reached by small plane from Miri or Kota Kinabalu.
Sipadan and Semporna
World-class diving with daily permit limits. April through December usually brings the best visibility.
Beat the crowds
- Travel in April, May, or September instead of July and August. The weather is similar and lodges and permits are easier to secure.
- Book Kinabalu permits and Kinabatangan and Danum Valley lodges early; they are the real bottleneck, not crowds on the trail.
- At Sepilok, arrive for the morning opening rather than feeding time to avoid the tour bus rush.
- For Sipadan, pick a dive operator with guaranteed permit days; other days you dive nearby Mabul and Kapalai, which are excellent in their own right.
Know before you go
- Mount Kinabalu climbs require a permit, a licensed guide, and accommodation at Laban Rata; trails can close temporarily after heavy rain or rockfall.
- Sipadan access is limited to a fixed number of divers per day, allocated through licensed dive operators.
- Turtle Islands Park allows only a small number of overnight visitors, so the few spaces sell out early in nesting season.
- During the heaviest monsoon rains (December to February), river levels rise, some jungle trails close, and boat trips can be cancelled.
Borneo in June, quick answers
Is June a good time to visit Borneo?
June is one of the best months of the year to visit Borneo. Gawai Dayak on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak, and the Rainforest World Music Festival often lands around midyear. Good wildlife viewing.
What is the weather like in Borneo in June?
Highs near 90F (32C), mostly dry with short storms.
Is Borneo crowded in June?
Crowds in Borneo are moderate in June; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Borneo in June?
Gawai Dayak (june 1 and 2 every year); Rainforest World Music Festival (midyear, usually june or july, varies by year).
Keep planning Borneo.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in June
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