Season guide · Koh Phangan · Thailand
Koh Phangan in the rainy season
October–December: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: joestump https://www.flickr.com/photos/joestump/, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Heavy rain and wind peaking in November, with rough seas and occasional ferry cancellations; crowds return for Christmas and New Year. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 53 rainy days across October–December.
Key facts
- Months
- October–December
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 53
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the rainy season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 19 | 11.9 h | 2/5 |
| November | 29°C (84°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 | 11.7 h | 2/5 |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 14 | 11.6 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 53 of the year's roughly 145 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the rainy season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- November: Loy Krathong — floating candle offerings on the full moon (usually November)
- December: New Year's Eve parties in Haad Rin (31 December)
Good choices for the rainy season
Experience · Ban Tai and Ban Khai
Wat Pho herbal sauna
Bring a sarong and towel and go in the late afternoon; take short sessions in the steam room and drink water between them.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Day trips in the rainy season
- Sail Rock dive site (About 45–60 minutes by dive boat) — A pinnacle of rock rising from the sea between Phangan and Koh Tao, one of the Gulf of Thailand's best-known dive sites, with a vertical chimney swim-through and large schools of fish.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park (About 1.5–2 hours by boat) — An archipelago of around 40 limestone islands west of Phangan with kayaking, snorkelling and a steep climb to a viewpoint over the emerald lagoon on Koh Mae Ko.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the rainy season a good time to visit Koh Phangan?
It is a trade-off: Heavy rain and wind peaking in November, with rough seas and occasional ferry cancellations; crowds return for Christmas and New Year. The best months overall are February–April and July–August.
+What is the weather like in Koh Phangan in the rainy season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 53 rainy days over the season.