Best time to visit · Phuket · Thailand
The best time to visit Phuket
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Myinternationalwikipedia, CC0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Phuket is December to March, when the north-east monsoon brings dry, sunny weather and calm, clear seas for swimming and island trips. November and April are good shoulder months. From May to October, the south-west monsoon brings rain, rough seas and red-flag beach days on the west coast, but much lower prices; September is usually the wettest month.
Key facts
- Best months
- December–March
- Shoulder season
- April and November
- Warmest month
- March (avg high 34°C (93°F))
- Coldest month
- September (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Rainiest month
- September (~21 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–June and September–October
Seasons
Phuket is hot and tropical year-round, with highs of about 31–34°C. The dry north-east monsoon from about November to April brings calm seas and sunshine; the south-west monsoon from May to October brings heavy showers, rough seas on the west coast and frequent red-flag days at the beaches.
November–February
Cool dry season
Sunshine, lower humidity and calm, clear seas — peak season for beaches, diving and boat trips, with peak prices from mid-December.
March–April
Hot season
Very hot and still mostly dry, with excellent sea conditions and Songkran water fights in mid-April.
May–July
Early monsoon
Frequent but often short showers, rough west-coast surf and strong currents; hotel prices fall sharply.
August–October
Late monsoon
The wettest period, with long rainy spells and boat cancellations, but very quiet beaches and the Vegetarian Festival.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C | 24°C | 4 | 28°C | 11.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 33°C | 24°C | 2 | 28°C | 11.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| March | 34°C | 25°C | 4 | 29°C | 12.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 34°C | 25°C | 9 | 30°C | 12.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 33°C | 25°C | 18 | 30°C | 12.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 32°C | 25°C | 17 | 29°C | 12.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 32°C | 25°C | 17 | 29°C | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 32°C | 25°C | 17 | 29°C | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 31°C | 24°C | 21 | 29°C | 12.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 31°C | 24°C | 19 | 29°C | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 31°C | 24°C | 13 | 29°C | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 31°C | 24°C | 6 | 28°C | 11.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Chinese New Year celebrations and the Old Phuket Town Festival (January or February) |
| February | Chinese New Year in Phuket Town's shrines and old town (January or February) |
| April | Songkran — Thai New Year water festival, liveliest in Patong (13–15 April) |
| June | Phuket Marathon (usually June) |
| August | Por Tor (Hungry Ghost) Festival at Chinese shrines in Phuket Town (seventh lunar month, August or September) |
| September | Phuket Vegetarian Festival — processions and rituals at Chinese shrines (ninth lunar month, September or October) |
| October | Phuket Vegetarian Festival (often October) |
| November | Loy Krathong — candlelit floats on lakes and the sea (full moon, usually November); Laguna Phuket Triathlon (usually November) |
| December | King's Cup Regatta sailing in Kata (usually early December); New Year's Eve fireworks on Patong Beach (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–June and September–October, and the sights are quietest in May–June and September–October. Many visitors avoid September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Cool dry season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Hot season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Early monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Late monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Phuket?
The best time to visit Phuket is December to March, when the north-east monsoon brings dry, sunny weather and calm, clear seas for swimming and island trips. November and April are good shoulder months. From May to October, the south-west monsoon brings rain, rough seas and red-flag beach days on the west coast, but much lower prices; September is usually the wettest month.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Phuket?
Usually in May–June and September–October. The south-west monsoon begins; showers are frequent and the west-coast surf picks up, but hotel prices drop sharply.
+What is the rainiest month in Phuket?
September, with about 21 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Phuket get?
The warmest month, March, averages highs of 34°C (93°F) and lows of 25°C (77°F).