Transboundary haze from peatland and forest fires in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) has worsened significantly in Sarawak over the past week. As of 11 August 2026, 11 areas across western Sarawak were recording Unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, up from five areas just two days earlier.
The most severely affected areas are Serian and Tebedu, both of which crossed the API 200 threshold into the “Very Unhealthy” band. Kuching, the state capital and the main arrival point for most visitors, recorded readings around API 166 — formally “Unhealthy” — as of mid-week. Smoke is most concentrated during morning hours before afternoon winds offer some relief.
How Long Is This Likely to Last?
The transboundary haze season in Sarawak typically runs from August to October, driven by the southwest monsoon, which carries smoke from Kalimantan fires northward and westward across the South China Sea. Conditions depend on rainfall in Indonesian Borneo: a wet spell reduces fire activity quickly; continued dry weather can push the season into November.
Malaysia’s Department of Environment has indicated it does not expect a significant improvement before late September unless rainfall increases in Kalimantan.
Practical Advice for Visitors
If you are travelling to Kuching or Sarawak this month, the key advice is:
- Check API levels daily before planning outdoor activities. Malaysia’s official myAQI app and the DOE public portal (aqicn.org) both show real-time readings for monitoring stations across Sarawak.
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity on days when the API at your location exceeds 100. Visits to Bako National Park, Gunung Gading, and other national park sites should be timed for lower-API days.
- Carry an FFP2 or N95 mask — surgical masks offer limited protection against PM2.5 particulates, which are the main health concern during haze episodes.
- Children, older travellers, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions should take particular care and consider delaying visits to the most affected areas.
Is It Worth Postponing?
The haze primarily affects outdoor experiences. Indoor activities in Kuching — the Sarawak Museum, Chinatown, the waterfront restaurants — remain perfectly accessible and pleasant. Wildlife experiences at rainforest lodges, however, involve outdoor walks and are more affected.
If you are visiting Sarawak primarily for orangutan rehabilitation centres or remote longhouse stays, monitoring the API in the week before your arrival and building flexibility into your itinerary is the most practical approach. September and October may see similar or worse conditions before the northeast monsoon improves the picture. For general timing advice, our best time to visit Malaysia guide covers the haze season in detail. Given the potential for itinerary disruption, travel insurance for Malaysia is worth having in place before you travel.