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Best time to visit Phuket

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Best time of year to visit Phuket

Phuket is one of the best beach getaways in Asia that offers mellow weather and warm temperature all year round. The best time to visit the Phuket island is from November to April when the famous Freedom Beach, Banana Beach, Kata Beach, and Kamala Beach are at their best. However, do keep in mind that the rainy season runs from May to October, which is the least crowded time on the island. October is an excellent time to see baby gibbons and celebrations dedicated to the end of Buddist Lent—Wan Ok Phansa. Meanwhile, May is the high season for many tropical fruits, like lychee, mango, longan, and famous durian. It's also time to celebrate the major events in the life of Buddha during Visakha Bucha Day.

12 THINGS TO DO IN PHUKET (APRIL 10 - APRIL 19)

Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year)

April 13–April 15 • event

Thai New Year lasts for at least three days, depending on the region, and is one of the most joyful celebrations of the new year worldwide

Elephant Sanctuaries

all year round • nature

An ethical and harmless way to interact with elephants

Kiteboarding

April–October | November–March • activity

Phuket is Thailand's Mecca for kiteboarders with two major seasons

Beach Season

November–May • activity

Enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the most famous beaches of Thailand

Monkey Hill

all year round • nature

One of the tallest hills of Phuket Town is inhibited by herds of macaques

Lychee or Litchi Season

April–May • food

Transplanted from South China, lychee used to be a fruit of the emperors

Surfing

April–October • activity

The low season in Phuket is a great time for surfers

Oysters Harvest in Phuket

November–April • food

If you fancy oysters, have a taste of them in Phuket province!

Sailing

all year round • activity

An excellent way to enjoy nature, stunning island landscapes and to take in some quality time with your friends

Mango Season

March–May • food

In Thai cuisine, mango is a major ingredient, both ripe and unripe. Therefore, aim for its season to get the best taste!

Big Buddha

all year round • activity

The huge white marble statue is visible from everywhere in the south of Phuket

Jackfruit Season

October–May • food

Try one of the largest fruits in the world

26 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Loi Krathong

out of rangeNovember 28, 2023 • event

A beautiful festival to make a wish that will come true

Makha Bucha Day

out of rangeMarch 6, 2023 • event

One of the holiest days for Buddhists, celebrates the day when 1250 disciples of Buddha gathered for his preaching. The holiday includes one of the most spectacular ceremonies in Buddhism

Watching Baby Gibbons

out of rangeOctober • nature

Gibbons were once major population in Thailand, but due to illegal hunting and capturing, the amounts of these cute guys have been falling rapidly

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

out of rangeOctober 13–22, 2023 • event

One of the most notorious festivals in Thailand that does not have that much common with vegetarianism

Patong Carnival

unconfirmedearly November 2023 • event

A huge celebration that opens Phuket's peak season

Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Discover a unique hidden world while visiting Phang Nga Bay

Wan Ok Phansa

out of rangeOctober 29, 2023 • event

The festival that marks the end of the Buddhist lent is full of celebrations and interesting authentic activities

Hungry Ghost Festival

out of rangeAugust 30, 2023 • event

The generally Chinese festival Por Tor that is very important to the ethnic Chinese in Thai features plenty of activities and special food

Visakha Bucha Day

out of rangeMay 5, 2023 • event

The day that marks three most important events in Buddha's life with beautiful ceremonies

Tamarind Season

out of rangeNovember–February • food

Winter is harvest time for this delicious Thai fruit

Phuket Bike Week

out of rangeApril 28–30, 2023 • activity

A week of wild motorbikes roaring all around Phuket

Chinese New Year

out of rangeJanuary 22, 2023 • event

Chinese community is quite big in Thailand, and the holidays associated with the Chinese New Year are widely celebrated

Rose Apple Season

out of rangeMay–June • food

Looking nothing like an apple, the fruit smells like rose when a first bite is taken

Mangosteen Season

out of rangeMay–July • food

Known as the queen of fruit, mangosteen or mangkhut has a delicate texture

Durian Season

out of rangeMay–June • food

Durian may not be the most loved fruit, but it is definitely the king of all fruit!

Phuket Pride

on holdJune 4, 2023 • event

One of the best LGBT festivals in Southeast Asia

Phuket Raceweek

on holdJuly 14–18, 2021 • event

The yacht racing event that is both huge and international while being cosy and friendly gathering

Longan Season

out of rangeMay–July • food

The fruit that was once transported from China has flourished and become one of the most popular in Thailand

Yongchak or Stink Bean Season

out of rangeMay • food

Also known as yongchak, the long twisted bean is smelly in a unique way due to its gas containment

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Wild parties, colorful shows, and amazing fireworks await guests on Patong Beach and in other Phuket locations

Windsurfing

out of rangeNovember–February • activity

Gain thrilling experience while windsurfing in Phuket

Red Turtle Sweet for Hungry Ghost

out of rangeAugust 30, 2023 • food

The festival of Hungry Ghost aims to feed all the hungry ancestors as a way to show them how strong they are respected. Typical gift and taste of the holiday is a red turtle cake

Custard Apple Season

out of rangeJune–August • food

With hard skin that is easy to break with a squeeze and soft flesh inside, the fruit is a total summer delight

Jujube Season

out of rangeOctober–February • food

Pear-shaped and not too big in size, the fruit resembles a yellowish apple with hard skin

Pomelo Season

out of rangeAugust–October • food

Thai pomelo is very famous, especially among the ethnic Chinese

Rambutan Season

out of rangeMay–June • food

One of the most beautiful fruits, rambutan has fluffy skin and juicy flesh

Last updated: Aug 30, 2023

Jan

10.5

Feb

10.5

Mar

10.5

Apr

10.5

May

10.5

Jun

10.5

Jul

10.5

Aug

10.5

Sep

10.5

Oct

10.5

Nov

10.5

Dec

10.5

Phuket weather in January

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

To be sure you won’t need to deal with the slightest risk of rain, you should visit Phuket in January. No more than 30 mm (1.5 in) of precipitation make January one of the driest months on the island calendar. At a random night, a quick shower might burst in Phuket, but it would be rather an exception for January than typical weather. The days are warm and sunny, with lonely clouds passing by rarely. The only time when it could get cloudy is during the night. Also, after sunset, the temperature might drop below 20°C (68°F), which makes January the freshest month.

Phuket weather in February

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The second month of the pure dry season in Phuket is February. It’s even more drained than January, with the humidity lowering to 58%. Since the air is not moist, the heat doesn’t cause discomfort. As a rule, the temperature is around 30°C (86°F), slightly decreasing during the night. The sky remains clear all day round, letting you sunbathe during the day and watch the stars during the night. In the second half of February, closer to the end of the month, the heat becomes more perceptible. The temperature remains the same, but the humidity increases a bit.

Phuket weather in March

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The closer to the rainy season, the more precipitation characterizes the month. In March, you’ve got higher chances of being caught by a sudden shower. It lasts up to several minutes, never turning into a continuous and monotonous drizzle. Afterward, the sun is back, and you may get back to swimming and sunbathing. Though at night, the rains are more prolonged, and you’d better carry a raincoat if you plan to go out for an entire night. The humid air makes the heat feel stronger, and, day-by-day, it gets not that fresh outside.

Phuket weather in April

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

April is the transition month. Hot mornings are the first sign of the rainy season. During the winter, you wake up only to breathe in the chilly, fresh air. But as the monsoon season is approaching, the air gets warmer and more humid, and that’s the most noticeable change. Around noon, you’d better find a shelter to hide from the sun. The days are still sunny, and, most of the time, the sky is cloudless. But occasional rains become more prolonged and intensive. Also, late evenings and nights bring thunderstorms. Even though the weather conditions start deteriorating, it should not intervene with your plans for the beach holiday. The water is usually warm and calm.

Phuket weather in May

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

As scheduled, the southeast monsoons break into Phuket. They bring frequent, intense rains, storms, and unbearable heat. May marks the first climax of the rainy season, with over 290 mm (12 in) of precipitation, which is double of the April amount. It may rain at any time, but the probability varies. Nights leave no chances for dry weather; mornings and evenings have some room for a clear sky; days face the lowest risk of a thunderstorm. Even though the sky is cloudy, visiting a beach makes some sense as the sea is the warmest in May. At the end of the month, the temperature drops a bit, and the conditions become slightly more tolerable.

Phuket weather in June

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

Compared to May, the amount of precipitations lowers, and the first climax of the rainy season is left behind. However, it doesn’t mean that the weather improves. During June, the cloudy sky promises nothing but prolonged, torrential rains, day and night. Also, since May, there’s a risk of tropical cyclones. With this intensity of precipitations, June is not the top time for outdoor activities. Even if you don’t care about the rain and want to take a short swim, you’d better reconsider your intention. Although the water is warm, it might be dangerous: monsoons disturb the sea and make it rough.

Phuket weather in July

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

July is no different from June. The rains are frequent, heavy, and continuous. Most of July, there are no reasons to go out as the only thing you can do outdoors is to get soaking wet. However, by the end of the month, rains calm down a bit. You’re likely to see the sun more often and to spend a day on the beach. The sea still is disturbed by the monsoons. The only acceptable way to get into the water in July is to surf. Though the waves are perilous for a regular swimmer, they are suitable for surfing. When the sky is clear, it’s an excellent time to catch a few waves.

Phuket weather in August

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

After the short break from rains in late July, Phuket again immerses into the rainy season. By mid-August, precipitation becomes more substantial and frequent. Get ready to deal with over 20 rainy days a month. In general, the weather during the wet season swings all the time. Abrupt showers end with three-hour sunshine that transforms into a torrential rain for an entire night. Such conditions are inherent not only to August but to each month in the rainy half of the cycle. Meanwhile, the heat is still unbearable. The air is moist, and you can almost feel how it envelops you.

Phuket weather in September

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The weather swings mark the beginning of the month. By the end of September, the second peak of the wet season starts. The torrential rains seem to be never-ending, lasting for days. You could go to sleep to the ambient sound of the drops falling and wake up in the morning only to hear the same rhythms again. The amount of precipitation reaches 320-400 mm (13-16 in): it’s almost one-fifth of all the yearly quantity. September proves to be the most cloudy month, with only 4 hours of sunshine daily. So, if you’re not a fan of gloomy, hot, and wet weather, September is not the best time for you to come to Phuket.

Phuket weather in October

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

The beginning of the month resembles the weather of September. It is the time when the humidity may reach up to 90%, and the risk of tropical cyclones increases. In the second half of October, the conditions start to improve. It doesn’t mean that the rains are gone. It rather means that the intervals between them are more extended and that the downpours turn into a regular, dull rain. Even though the general state of the weather is more favorable, another risk arises: by the end of the month, typhoons may hit the shore. This phenomenon is inherent mostly to mainland Thailand, but from late October till December, the chances it would hit Phuket are in favor of typhoons.

Phuket weather in November

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

November is the transition period. The first part of the month still schedules regular downpours. But, gradually, the frequency of the rains lowers, while the number of sunshine hours grows. Simultaneously, the sea calms down, and the waves are no longer seductive for experienced surfers. The heat is still perceptible, but the light breeze makes it less tiring and brings some freshness to the air. In such conditions, you can head to the beach and spend a day swimming and sunbathing.

Phuket weather in December

10.5/10 score

Ideal

10° average

average temperatures

10 mm

precipitation

6h 24m

daylight duration

Phuket officially enters the dry season. Occasional rapid showers might break into the night, but they are somewhat of an echo of the previous months. Compared to November, December receives half as much precipitation. At the same time, the humidity lowers, and the temperature becomes more tolerable. The thermometer keeps on pointing to 30°C (86°F), but you won’t feel the heat. And one more pleasant weather bonus is that you can stop worrying about typhoons till October.

Nearby destinations

Angkor Wat and Siem Reap