Season guide · Phuket · Thailand
Phuket in the cool dry season
November–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Sunshine, lower humidity and calm, clear seas — peak season for beaches, diving and boat trips, with peak prices from mid-December. Expect highs up to 33°C (91°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 25 rainy days across November–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- November–February
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 33°C (91°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 25
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the cool dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 4 | 11.7 h | 5/5 |
| February | 33°C (91°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 | 11.9 h | 5/5 |
| November | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 13 | 11.8 h | 3/5 |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 | 11.7 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 32°C (90°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 25 of the year's roughly 147 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in the cool dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- 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)
- November: Loy Krathong — candlelit floats on lakes and the sea (full moon, usually November)
- November: Laguna Phuket Triathlon (usually November)
- December: King's Cup Regatta sailing in Kata (usually early December)
- December: New Year's Eve fireworks on Patong Beach (31 December)
Make the most of the weather
Religious site · Nakkerd Hill
Big Buddha
A 45-metre white marble Buddha sits on Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata, visible across much of the south.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Rawai
Promthep Cape
Arrive 45 minutes before sunset for a spot on the wall, or walk down the path towards the tip for fewer people.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Viewpoint · Kata and Karon
Karon Viewpoint
On the coast road between Kata Noi and Nai Harn, this roadside viewpoint looks north over the three curved bays of Kata Noi, Kata and Karon in one sweep.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
Nature · Mai Khao and Nai Yang
Sirinat National Park
Visit on the way to or from the airport, and eat grilled seafood under the trees at Nai Yang.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Thalang
Khao Phra Thaeo and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Phuket's last large area of rainforest is protected in Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary, with forest trails and the Bang Pae waterfall.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Day trips in the cool dry season
- Phi Phi Islands (About 1–2 hours by boat) — Limestone cliffs, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay — where swimming is not allowed and which closes for part of each year to let the reef recover — make Phi Phi the classic day trip.
- Phang Nga Bay (About 1 hour to the bay) — Hundreds of limestone towers rise from emerald water, including Khao Phing Kan, known as James Bond Island.
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 cool dry season a good time to visit Phuket?
Yes: December–February are among the best months. Sunshine, lower humidity and calm, clear seas — peak season for beaches, diving and boat trips, with peak prices from mid-December.
+What is the weather like in Phuket in the cool dry season?
Highs of up to 33°C (91°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 25 rainy days over the season.