Season guide · Phuket · Thailand
Phuket in the hot season
March–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Very hot and still mostly dry, with excellent sea conditions and Songkran water fights in mid-April. Expect highs up to 34°C (93°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 13 rainy days across March–April. March is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–April
- Temperatures
- 25°C (77°F) to 34°C (93°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 13
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the hot season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 34°C (93°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 4 | 12.1 h | 4/5 |
| April | 34°C (93°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 9 | 12.3 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 34°C (93°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 13 of the year's roughly 147 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the hot season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Songkran — Thai New Year water festival, liveliest in Patong (13–15 April)
Make the most of the weather
Viewpoint · Kata and Karon
Karon Viewpoint
Stop here on the way to Promthep Cape; mornings usually have the clearest light.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
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Nature · Mai Khao and Nai Yang
Sirinat National Park
This coastal park protects Phuket's north-west shore, including Nai Yang beach, Mai Khao beach and an offshore coral reef.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Thalang
Khao Phra Thaeo and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Listen for gibbon calls in the early morning; donations to the project are welcome.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Paklok
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
An ethical sanctuary in the island's north-east, home to elderly elephants retired from logging and tourism work.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
Religious site · Nakkerd Hill
Big Buddha
Cover shoulders and knees (sarongs are lent at the entrance) and visit late afternoon for softer light over the bays.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
Day trips in the hot season
- 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.
- Similan Islands (About 3 hours including road transfer and speedboat) — A protected national-park archipelago famous for granite boulders, white sand and some of Thailand's best diving and snorkelling.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot season a good time to visit Phuket?
Yes: March is among the best months. Very hot and still mostly dry, with excellent sea conditions and Songkran water fights in mid-April.
+What is the weather like in Phuket in the hot season?
Highs of up to 34°C (93°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 13 rainy days over the season.