Phuket Weather by Month: The Best Time to Visit

Phuket’s climate has three broad stretches: a drier season from about November to February, a hot stretch from March to April, and a wet season that begins in May and runs to October, when the southwest monsoon brings most of the year’s rain. For sunshine, calmer seas and easy island trips, December to March is usually the best window, and the other months work well if you plan around the weather. The monthly figures in this guide are Phuket climate averages for 1991-2020, so any single year can differ.

Key Takeaways

Dry Season (November – February): The best weather for beaches and island hopping. Average highs are about 32-34°C and lows about 23°C, and January and February get the least rain (about 35-40mm a month). November is a transition month and still averages about 195mm of rain.
Hot Season into the First Rains (March – May): March has the highest average daytime highs (about 34°C) and April is the warmest month overall. Rain builds through April (about 125mm), and by May the wet season is under way (about 295mm). Songkran is celebrated on 13-15 April.
Wet & Green Season (May – October, heaviest rain June – October): Rain falls on 17-19 days a month on average. September (about 325mm) and October (about 315mm) are the wettest months. West-coast seas are rougher from May to October, and visitor numbers are generally lower than in the peak months.
Similan Islands Closure: The Similan and Surin Islands close for the monsoon season, from mid-May to mid-October (from 16 May in recent years). Check the exact dates before you plan a trip there.
Booking Ahead: Demand is highest around December and January, so book accommodation and popular tours early for those dates. Booking online with us is simple from your phone.

Phuket Weather by Month: The Dry High Season (November – February)
Phuket Weather by Month: The Hot Season into the First Rains (March – May)
Phuket Weather in April: Heat, Songkran and the Last Weeks of the Similan Season
Phuket Weather by Month: The Wet & Green Low Season (Heaviest Rain June – October)
Planning Your Phuket Trip: When to Book
Phuket Weather by Month: Seasonal Overview & Planning Ahead
Backup Plans for Unexpected Phuket Weather
Frequently Asked Questions
References

Phuket Weather by Month: The Dry High Season (November – February)

This is when Phuket suits a classic beach holiday best, and why many travelers call it the best time to visit Phuket. From December to February you get the least rain of the year (roughly 35-80mm a month), 6.5 to 7.5 hours of sunshine a day, daytime highs of about 32-34°C and nights around 23°C. West-coast seas are generally calmer than in the wet season.

November: A transition month. The rain is easing after the wet season but is still frequent, at about 195mm over roughly 14 rainy days on average, compared with about 315mm in October. Sea conditions typically improve as the monsoon retreats, though the weather can still be mixed.
December & January: Among the driest and most settled months. December averages about 80mm of rain over roughly 8 rainy days, and January about 35mm over 4. Good for beach days, snorkeling and diving. The Similan Islands are open from mid-October to mid-May, so this is prime time for a full-day Similan Islands trip.
February: The dry run continues, with about 40mm of rain over roughly 3 rainy days and highs near 34°C, a little warmer than January. Still a good month for water activities and for exploring the island.

What to Do: This is the easiest season for island hopping. Browse our island tours, including the Phi Phi Islands, James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay, Coral Island and Raya Yai Island. Snorkelers and divers get their most settled conditions of the year.

Who it Suits: First-time visitors, families with young children, couples and anyone who wants the most reliable beach weather.

Packing Essentials: Light, breathable clothing, swimsuits, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen and a camera.

Ready to plan your island days? Check out our range of Phuket tours and activities. Remember, booking online with us is simple from your phone, and we accept all major credit cards. Booking ahead also helps you secure your preferred date, especially during the high season.

Phuket Weather by Month: The Hot Season into the First Rains (March – May)

The dry season fades into heat before the monsoon arrives. Average daytime highs stay around 34°C in March and April, and rain builds through April into May.

March: The highest average daytime highs of the year, at about 34°C, with about 75mm of rain over roughly 6 rainy days and about 6.5 hours of sunshine a day. Early mornings are best for outdoor activities.
April: Hot and humid, and on average the warmest month overall, with about 125mm of rain over roughly 15 rainy days. It is also Songkran month. See Phuket weather in April below.
May: The wet season is under way, with about 295mm of rain over roughly 19 rainy days and highs near 33°C. The Similan and Surin Islands close for the season in mid-May (from 16 May in recent years), so plan any diving trip there before then.

What to Do: Start early for sightseeing or a swim, and browse our island tours for a day on the water. When the heat builds, air-conditioned venues such as Central Festival Phuket, Jungceylon or the Phuket Aquarium give you a break, and a Thai massage, a Thai cooking class or a batik workshop are other ways to spend the hottest hours.

Who it Suits: Heat lovers, cultural travelers and visitors who want to be in Phuket for Songkran.

Packing Essentials: Very light, breathable, quick-drying clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, comfortable sandals and an umbrella for May’s showers. Drink plenty of water. Light insect repellent can be useful as humidity rises.

Phuket Weather in April: Heat, Songkran and the Last Weeks of the Similan Season

April is hot and humid rather than wet. Averages for 1991-2020 are a daytime high of about 34°C (93°F), a night-time low of about 24°C (75°F), roughly 6 hours of sunshine a day and a sea temperature of about 30°C (86°F). Rainfall rises from about 75mm in March to about 125mm across roughly 15 rainy days. The real wet season arrives in May, at about 295mm.

Heat is the main thing to plan around. Do sightseeing such as Big Buddha or Chalong Temple in the morning, spend the hottest hours in the sea, a pool or an air-conditioned venue, and use high-SPF sunscreen. Island trips normally continue in April, but conditions can change as the monsoon approaches in mid-May, so check the sea forecast with your operator.

Songkran, the Thai New Year, is officially celebrated on 13-15 April, and water-splashing takes over streets and beaches across Thailand. Expect to get wet if you are outdoors, and keep your phone and documents in a waterproof pouch. See our guide to the best places to join a Songkran water fight in Phuket. If you plan to ride a scooter around Songkran, read our scooter safety checklist first.

The Similan and Surin Islands stay open in April. Their season runs from mid-October to mid-May, so April is one of the last chances to visit before the closure. After Songkran, visitor numbers generally start to fall toward the low season, but hotel rates and availability vary by date, so compare a few dates before you book.

Phuket Weather by Month: The Wet & Green Low Season (Heaviest Rain June – October)

Rain is frequent, on 17 to 19 days a month on average, and sunshine drops to roughly 3.5-5 hours a day. It is also the “green season”, with lush landscapes and visitor numbers that are generally lower than in the peak months. Rain often falls in heavy showers, and some days are wet from morning to night.

June – August: About 215-265mm of rain a month over 17-19 rainy days on average. West-coast beaches such as Patong, Kata and Mai Khao face the open sea and are more exposed to strong waves and rip currents between May and October. A red flag means no swimming. Sheltered bays and the east coast are usually calmer, but check conditions locally. Inland waterfalls and forest are at their greenest.
September: Generally the wettest month, at about 325mm of rain over roughly 19 rainy days and only about 3.5 hours of sunshine a day. Sea conditions on the west coast can be rough.
October: Still very wet, at about 315mm over roughly 19 rainy days, almost as much as September. The rain eases noticeably only in November. The Similan and Surin Islands reopen in mid-October, and sea conditions vary from week to week.

What to Do: Focus on inland and city activities. Consider an ATV tour when conditions allow, or a Phuket City Tour for temples, markets and Old Phuket Town, which works in most weather. Boat trips to sheltered Phang Nga Bay can sometimes still run when open-sea trips are cancelled, but itineraries can change or be cancelled for weather, so confirm before you book.

Who it Suits: Travelers who prefer a quieter trip, nature lovers, photographers and repeat visitors who want to see the island a different way. It is a poor choice if beach swimming is your priority.

Packing Essentials: Lightweight, quick-drying clothes, a sturdy umbrella, a waterproof dry bag for electronics and valuables, insect repellent, and shoes that can handle wet conditions.

Planning Your Phuket Trip: When to Book

Knowing Phuket’s seasonal rhythms allows for smarter planning, whether you are chasing sunshine or a quieter trip.

When to Book Accommodations and Tours

Demand is highest around December and January, so book accommodation and essential tours well in advance for those dates. From April to October you have more flexibility, but booking popular full-day tours a few weeks out is still a good idea so you get your preferred date.

Booking a Phi Phi Islands trip or any other adventure directly through our website is quick and easy from your mobile device. We accept all major credit cards, providing a hassle-free booking experience.

Phuket Weather by Month: Seasonal Overview & Planning Ahead

Here is a quick reference for Phuket’s climate throughout the year, using one set of averages (1991-2020).

Month	Avg. High / Low (°C)	Avg. Rainfall (mm)	Rainy Days	Sea Temp. (°C)	West-Coast Sea	Good For
Nov	32.0 / 23.3	195	14	29.0	Varies, improving	Beaches, early island trips
Dec	31.9 / 22.9	80	8	28.6	Generally calmer	Diving, snorkeling, classic beach holiday
Jan	32.7 / 22.7	35	4	28.3	Generally calmer	Similan diving season, island tours, beaches
Feb	33.9 / 22.9	40	3	28.7	Generally calmer	Similan diving season, water sports
Mar	34.3 / 23.5	75	6	29.3	Generally calmer	Early-morning sightseeing, island tours
Apr	34.0 / 24.1	125	15	30.0	Generally calmer, changing by May	Songkran, swimming, last weeks of the Similan season
May	32.8 / 24.3	295	19	30.2	Rougher, check flags	Inland sights, spas, city tour
Jun	32.3 / 24.2	265	19	29.9	Rougher, check flags	Waterfalls, green scenery, cultural sites
Jul	31.9 / 24.3	215	17	29.6	Rougher, check flags	Cultural sites, cooking classes
Aug	31.6 / 24.3	245	17	29.4	Rougher, check flags	Inland activities, indoor options
Sep	31.4 / 23.8	325	19	29.2	Rougher, check flags	Museums, spas, local life
Oct	31.5 / 23.5	315	19	29.0	Rougher, check flags	Quieter travel, sheltered east coast

Temperatures, rainfall, rainy days and sea temperatures are 1991-2020 averages from Climates to Travel. Individual years can be much wetter or drier than the average. The west-coast sea column is a general guide only, so check flags and forecasts on the day.

Backup Plans for Unexpected Phuket Weather

Even with the best planning, tropical weather can be unpredictable. If the skies open up or the seas get too rough for your planned island trip, Phuket has plenty to offer:

Embrace Indoor Options: Use rainy days for a relaxing Thai massage or spa treatment, a Thai cooking class or a batik workshop. The Phuket Aquarium and large malls such as Central Festival Phuket and Jungceylon are also useful when it pours. Check opening hours before you go.
Explore Phuket Town: Old Phuket Town is easy to wander even in a light drizzle. See our guide to the Old Phuket Town walking street, or join a Phuket City Tour.
Focus on the East Coast & Phang Nga Bay: If west coast beaches are too rough, consider activities on the calmer east coast. Trips to Phang Nga Bay can sometimes still run in wetter months because the bay is sheltered, but always check with your tour operator for real-time conditions.
Take Care on the Roads: Wet roads make riding a scooter riskier. Read our scooter safety checklist before you ride.
Be Flexible: Keep an eye on the local weather forecast and be ready to swap a beach day for an inland excursion or an island trip for a cultural experience. Weather-related cancellation and rebooking policies differ by operator and tour, so check them before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Phuket?

The best months for ideal weather are usually December to March. Those months bring the least rain and the most sunshine, and west-coast seas are generally calmer, which suits beach days and island hopping. November and April are transition months with more rain, and the wet season runs from May to October.

When is the rainy season in Phuket?

Phuket’s rainy season, driven by the southwest monsoon, runs from May to October. Expect rain on most days, often in heavy showers with some sunshine in between, though some days are wet from morning to night. September is the wettest month on average (about 325mm), with October close behind (about 315mm).

Is Phuket still good during the monsoon season?

It can be, if you plan around the weather. The monsoon season, also known as the “green season,” brings fewer visitors and lush, green landscapes. Rain is frequent, and west-coast beaches have rougher seas and rip currents, so swimming can be unsafe when red flags are up. It suits travelers who prefer a quieter trip, nature lovers, and anyone who focuses on inland activities, city sightseeing and sheltered bays.

What are the hottest months in Phuket?

March and April are the hottest months, with average daytime highs of about 34°C (93°F). April has the highest average temperature overall, and humidity is high at about 73-76%.

What is the weather like in Phuket in April?

April is hot and humid, with average highs of about 34°C (93°F), lows of about 24°C (75°F) and a sea temperature of about 30°C (86°F). Rainfall averages about 125mm over roughly 15 rainy days, which works out as showers rather than all-day downpours, although individual days can be much wetter. Songkran is celebrated on 13-15 April, and the Similan and Surin Islands stay open until mid-May.

When are Similan Islands open?

The Similan and Surin Islands are open to visitors from mid-October to mid-May each year. They close for the monsoon season from mid-May to mid-October (from 16 May in recent years), so the Department of National Parks can let nature recover and avoid dangerous weather. Exact dates are announced each year, so check before you book.

Are hotel prices cheaper in the low season?

Often, but it varies. Demand is highest around December and January, and rates outside the peak months are frequently lower, but they depend on the hotel, the week and the year. Compare a few dates and check the cancellation terms before you book.

What activities are best during the wet season?

During the wet season, good options include inland activities such as an ATV tour when conditions allow, visiting cultural sites and museums, cooking classes and spa treatments, exploring Old Phuket Town, or trips to sheltered areas like Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island), which can be changed or cancelled in bad weather.

Do I need to book tours in advance?

In the busiest months, especially December and January, it is wise to book popular tours and accommodation well in advance. In the low season you have more flexibility, but booking a few weeks ahead still helps you get your preferred dates.