May to September is the dry season on the east coast — calm seas, good swimming, and reliable kayaking. This is also turtle season at Chendor (June to September), making it the best overall window for a visit. November to March brings the northeast monsoon: the sea is rougher, the beach less inviting for swimming, but the surf is good enough for windsurfing and surfing. The peak of the monsoon in December and January can mean days of heavy rain, so avoid those months if beach time is the priority. Chinese New Year and Malaysian school holidays bring more domestic visitors and fill up the smaller guesthouses — book ahead during those periods.