Month guide · Phuket · Thailand
Phuket in December
What December is really like in Phuket: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lerdsuwa, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Phuket. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 11.7 hours of daylight. Dry season settles in, with calm water and busy beaches; Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Phuket: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with November (31°C (88°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:32
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:12
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Late monsoon (August–October). The wettest period, with long rainy spells and boat cancellations, but very quiet beaches and the Vegetarian Festival.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- King's Cup Regatta sailing in Kata (usually early December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks on Patong Beach (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · Chalong
Wat Chalong
Phuket's largest and most visited Buddhist temple honours two monks who helped settle a 19th-century tin miners' rebellion.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Nature · Paklok
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Choose a morning visit, when the elephants are most active and the heat is lower.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
Aquarium · Phuket Town
Aquaria Phuket
A large modern aquarium inside the Central Phuket Floresta mall, with underwater tunnels, rays, sharks and themed zones, close to the main road between Phuket Town and the airport.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Theme park · Kathu
Andamanda Phuket
Arrive at opening on a weekday and bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Phuket.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 24°C and 6 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Phuket?
One of the best months to visit Phuket, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January–March. Compare every month.
Phuket in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Phuket?
It is one of the best months to visit Phuket. Dry season settles in, with calm water and busy beaches; Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks.
+How warm is Phuket in December?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phuket in December?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.