What is the best time to visit Phuket?
Contents
- What is the best time to visit Phuket?
- Phuket Weather in January
- Phuket Weather in February
- Phuket Weather in March
- Phuket Weather in April
- Phuket Weather in May
- Phuket Weather in June
- Phuket Weather in July
- Phuket Weather in August
- Phuket Weather in September
- Phuket Weather in October
- Phuket Weather in November
- Phuket Weather in December
What is Phuket Weather on the month I arrive? A question we get very often, and a very difficult to answer… and this for a couple of reasons.
Even though there is some expected high and low seasons, there are no guaranteed patterns. Each year is unpredictable and each month is more an educated guess based on the previous year than on real knowledge.
Of course, most people know that high season is roughly from December to May and rainy season from June to November, but we recently had beautiful rainy seasons and rather wet high seasons.
Add global warming to the equation, and you get the picture. Anyway, we share the usual patterns as best as we can, together with our notes. We hope these will help!
Phuket Weather in January
High Season
| January Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 36.3 °C |
| Average high | 32.7 °C |
| Average rainfall | 30.3 mm |
| Average rainy days | 4.6 |
| Average humidity | 70 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 7.6 |
January weather in Phuket is what we would call ‘perfect’ probably the best month of the year to visit. Rain showers go from rare to none and temperature is a cool as it can get. Sure, prices are higher, and the island is busy (In recent years beaches are not as packed as they used to be). Sea is quiet and blue, perfect for your holiday photos. Cruising the sea to the nearby islands is usually a smooth ride.
Phuket Weather in February
High Season
| February Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 36.7 °C |
| Average high | 33.6 °C |
| Average rainfall | 23.9 mm |
| Average rainy days | 3.1 |
| Average humidity | 69 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 7.6 |
The weather in Phuket in February is quite similar to January; it’s a bit drier and hotter. Those are the best months to explore the islands around as the sea is in general calm and clear. The 40 beaches of Phuket are usually all clean, the sea blue and pristine (which is not always the case for remote beaches during low season). On the other hand, the most popular beaches get very busy (Patong, Kata, Nai Harn) so going north of Phuket is a good idea.
Phuket Weather in March
High season
| March Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 37.8 °C |
| Average high | 34.0 °C |
| Average rainfall | 73.5 mm |
| Average rainy days | 6.7 |
| Average humidity | 71 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 6.6 |
Phuket weather in March gets hotter, sea and weather remain spotlessly blue. Here too, expect prices to remain high, roads and beaches to be busy. Rain may appear in short (and welcome) showers.
Phuket Weather in April
The hottest month of High season
| April Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 37.8 °C |
| Average high | 33.9 °C |
| Average rainfall | 142.9mm |
| Average rainy days | 11.8 |
| Average humidity | 75 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 6.1 |
April sees temperature reaching some of the highest peaks of the year. If you traveled on a short budget and picked one of the few hostels without air con and just a fan, you better be ready for some hot nights.
April being so hot each year, it is also the occasion to celebrate the famous Songkran festival where people shower each other copiously for several days (and nights). It’s fun for most but if you don’t like getting wet and party wild, consider avoiding the Songkran week (which dates vary each year).
Phuket Weather in May
Last month of high season
| May Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 37.8 °C |
| Average high | 32.8 °C |
| Average rainfall | 259.5mm |
| Average rainy days | 18.8 |
| Average humidity | 79 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 4.9 |
May Weather in Phuket stays in line with April weather, just hotter and drier. Vegetation turns brown, and people have a frequent topic of conversation: It’s hot, isn’t it? Phuket is a small island so you can refresh in the water often. Just remember to protect your skin from the sun and drink water! You might find shopping malls unusually welcoming! (wink-wink). May is when the Similan Islands close for the low season, so if you wanted to visit them, you should check beforehand.
Phuket Weather in June
Start of rainy season
| June Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 35.8 °C |
| Average high | 32.4 °C |
| Average rainfall | 213.3mm |
| Average rainy days | 18.2 |
| Average humidity | 79 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 5.0 |
Phuket in June sees the return of the rains. However, in recent years rainy season arrives later, and later so you might be lucky in June. Seas start to be rough or even dangerous. Respecting the red flags is not a warning to take lightly, and your life could depend on it, no matter how good a swimmer you think you are.
Phuket Weather in July
Rainy Season
| July Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 35.0 °C |
| Average high | 32.0 °C |
| Average rainfall | 258.2 mm |
| Average rainy days | 19.6 |
| Average humidity | 79 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 4.6 |
In July, the weather in Phuket is a bit wetter than in June, but you might get quite a few sunny days. It’s the wet season, so expect some rainy days.
Phuket Weather in August
Rainy Season
| August Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 35.5 °C |
| Average high | 32.0 °C |
| Average rainfall | 286.8 mm |
| Average rainy days | 19 |
| Average humidity | 79 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 4.9 |
August weather in Phuket is not much different from July. On the bright side, the island is more peaceful, fewer traffic jams and beaches are all yours. Sea can be rough so respect the flags and pick a hotel with a nice pool and a spa, and you will have wonderful holidays.
Phuket Weather in September
Wettest month of the year
| September Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 35.0 °C |
| Average high | 31.5 °C |
| Average rainfall | 361.2mm |
| Average rainy days | 22.1 |
| Average humidity | 82 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 3.6 |
The weather in Phuket in September is usually the wettest of the year, and it’s a well-known fact. You can expect more rainy days than sunny ones, but as always, you should get a mix of sun and rain. September is not the best month to travel to Phuket if you want that perfect blue sky and quiet blue ocean, so if you can avoid it, pick another month to be on the safe side.
If you have no choice, there are still some bright sides: the roads are not hectic, and all the attractions and tours are opened normally. At the exception of Similan Islands, all the islands are open, including Phi Phi Island. When it rains, bookmark this page we created to keep you busy: 14 Fun Things to Do in Phuket When it Rains
Phuket Weather in October
Another wettest month
| October Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 35.3 °C |
| Average high | 31.5 °C |
| Average rainfall | 320.1mm |
| Average rainy days | 22.5 |
| Average humidity | 82 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 4.7 |
October weather in Phuket is not much different from the weather in September, again a mix of sun and rain, also not the best month to visit Phuket if you have a choice. To be on the positive side and if you have no choice, this time of the year is the most challenging lucky draw. The rain WILL fall, there is no doubt about it, and as it comes in series of 3, 6 or 9 days as they always say here. Just pray that it is not during your week! On the bright side, the beautiful Similan Islands reopen in October, but seas can still be rough.
Phuket Weather in November
Last month of the low season
| November Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 34.8 °C |
| Average high | 31.7 °C |
| Average rainfall | 177.4mm |
| Average rainy days | 15.4 |
| Average humidity | 79 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 5.8 |
November weather in Phuket usually shows some signs of recovery. Again it often is a mix of sun and rain, but the risk of rain is still quite high. Thailand celebrates the beautiful Loy Krathong in November.
Phuket Weather in December
Peak season
| December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Record high | 34.2 °C |
| Average high | 31.7 °C |
| Average rainfall | 72.4mm |
| Average rainy days | 9.3 |
| Average humidity | 75 % |
| Daily sunshine hours | 6.4 |
In December the weather is usually great unless it’s an unlucky month which tends to happen more often in recent years. Typically, the weather is beautiful: blue sky with tiny clouds and a cool temperature. 24 C is considered ‘cold’ by locals or those who lived here too long. Prices start to switch to high season rate.