What to Expect During the Wet Season in Phuket
The rainy season in Phuket, also known as the monsoon, wet season or low season, is when the island experiences rainfall and occasional storms. This season typically lasts from May to October. During the rainy season, Phuket transforms into a lush and green paradise. The island’s landscapes become vibrant and colourful, offering a fresh landscape that visitors won’t be able to appreciate in the high season. Read more about Phuket weather.
Pros and Cons of the Rainy Season in Phuket
Pros:
- Fewer tourists: Quieter, more relaxed atmosphere on beaches and at attractions.
- Lower prices: Discounted rates on hotels, tours, and dining.
- Lush landscapes: Vibrant greenery and refreshed scenery.
- Ideal for surfing: Waves are stronger, attracting surfers and water sports enthusiasts.
- Cooler sunsets: Dramatic cloud formations create stunning sunset backgrounds.
Cons:
- Unpredictable weather: Occasional storms and days of heavy rain are possible.
- Rough seas: Swimming can be risky; red flags often indicate dangerous conditions.
- Limited beach days: Clear, sunny days may be less frequent than in the high season.
What’s Good during the Rainy Season
Unlike the dry season when Phuket is bustling with tourists, the rainy season sees fewer visitors. This means you can enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful vacation. Hotels and attractions often offer lower prices, making it a budget-friendly time to visit.
While the sun may not shine as often during the rainy season, Phuket’s beaches remain stunning. The waves might be a bit stronger, making it ideal for surfers and water sports enthusiasts. It’s also a great time to watch the rain gently fall over the ocean, creating a soothing ambience.
The island is greener, and the overall atmosphere is quieter. The beaches are peaceful and beautiful, and even Patong Beach is surprisingly attractive!
The roads are less congested and most of all, all hotels are cheaper! This is great if you travel on a budget, or this is your chance to experience one of the many luxury hotels in Phuket at a decent price.
The temperature is always warm, even at night or when it rains, and you will never need to carry any warm clothes. You can bring an umbrella and a light raincoat, but even these items are extremely easy to buy in Phuket.
Low season is a great time to learn surfing and kite surfing! The waves are not big, but there are surf shops in Kata Beach where you can learn.
Sunsets are fantastic because it is a lot more impressive when heavy clouds capture the last rays of the sun and create a magical red background for your sunset photos.
What’s Not
The sea may be rough on some days of the wet season, and you should absolutely respect the red flags. The undertow is very powerful and will take you away from the beach faster than you think, even if you consider yourself a good swimmer. There are a few beaches where you can still swim in the rainy season when the main beaches are rough, but even there, you need to be careful on the bad days.
Booking the right hotel for the low season
If relaxing by the water and swimming is really part of your holiday dream, we recommend booking a hotel with a great swimming pool, or even better: a private pool villa! The ultimate choice is a hotel with a great pool right on the beach! This way, you can enjoy the beach on clear days and just hang out by the pool when the sea is rough.
What You Should Know about the Wet Season
Contrary to what many people think, it doesn’t rain every day during the rainy season in Phuket. There are fantastic days when you will be able to enjoy the beach and get a suntan. However, there can be ‘unlucky weeks’ when rain can fall a lot more and even flood the streets. Unfortunately (and people always ask us about it), there is no way to predict when these happen. Even weather forecasts get it wrong all the time!
Summary
The rainy season in Phuket brings refreshing rain and lush greenery to the island. With fewer tourists and discounted prices, it offers a more tranquil and budget-friendly vacation opportunity. Embrace the beauty of Phuket in its full bloom during this time and be prepared to enjoy the unique charm of the island’s rainy season.
Rainy Season Weather – Month by Month
More About the Weather in Phuket
