Bad weather ruins vacations. That’s why you should know the variations in climate in Thailand so that you can decide on the best time to visit Phuket.
When booking a vacation, especially one to a tropical climate, you want to make sure you’re traveling at the best possible time of the year. Weather in these areas can vary dramatically from month to month. Make sure to do your research, or you might spend all your hard-earned vacation days indoors!
Phuket, sometimes called Koh Phuket, is the biggest of all the islands off the coast of Thailand. It’s also one of the country’s most popular destinations for tourists, and tens of thousands from all over the world visit every year. It’s not hard to understand why. The island’s stunning palm trees, lush jungles, warm climate, and location in the crystalline Andaman Sea are all excellent reasons to visit. There are also lots to do, with markets, water sports, parties, and excursions to some of the area’s other islands all within your reach.
What is the Best Time to Visit Phuket?
Like many places in the area, Phuket’s climate changes depending on the time of year, and the island has distinctive ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons. What’s the best time to visit Phuket?
If it’s cool weather you’re looking for, the cold-but-dry season in Phuket runs from November to February. This is generally the ‘best’ weather you’re likely to get (and it’s winter in many western climes), so these months are incredibly popular with tourists. You can expect towns and beaches to be very busy and for your flights to cost a little more! It’s worth it, though, as the increased tourism means there are tons of things to do for people traveling at this time, and it’s the perfect time for water sports. We should mention at this point that ‘cool’ doesn’t mean it isn’t hot. Phuket is around 30 degrees Celsius all year round, and even at night, it rarely falls below around 24 degrees Celsius. It’s hot, so make sure you have air conditioning!
Moving into March, until around mid-May, is the hottest time of year, as the island prepares for monsoon season. Temperatures are usually in the mid-30s, so it’s really warm, and the humidity only gets more intense as the wet season approaches. If you don’t mind that, though, it’s still a great time to travel. April is the Thai New Year.
Monsoon season hits in May and runs until October. If it’s a good value travel deal you’re looking for, these few months are the best time to travel to Phuket. It’s also a lot less crowded than it is at other times of the year. However, it’s incredibly humid, and it does rain a lot – anywhere between 19 and 23 days of every month, though the area doesn’t usually get consecutive days of continuous heavy rainfall, and the sunshine-filled days in-between are beautiful.
During monsoon season, rains are swept up from the Indian Ocean and fall on Phuket. But then, it generally isn’t the rain that proves the biggest issue for tourists. It’s the humidity we mentioned earlier. Combined with really high temperatures, it can be uncomfortable and stick around even late into the night.
Some Activities to Do in Phuket
One of the popular activities to do in Phuket is island hopping. While Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, there are hundreds of smaller islands in close proximity. The most popular, (and the most beautiful) islands to visit are the Koh Phi Phi archipelago. The Phi Phi Islands are around a one-hour boat ride off the shore of Phuket.
There are plenty of different tour options to choose from when it comes down to getting to Koh Phi Phi, although the best tours are private! It’s always best to opt for a private boat tour over a group trip, group trips leaving from Phuket are notorious for having overcrowded boats – and often feel ‘rushed’. Not the best experience, on your hard-earned holidays!
Other options to reach these luscious islands involve taking a two-hour ferry ride or chartering a private speedboat, (if you have a big enough group to warrant that). Choosing a private speedboat offers more flexibility in where you can visit. For example, Khai Island has beautiful beaches, and if found in a remote location jetting out of the Andaman Sea on the journey between Phuket & Koh Phi Phi!
There is so much to do and see on Koh Phi Phi, but the best places are only reachable by boat. Koh Phi Phi is a remote island and boats some of the best snorkeling sites in all of south-east Asia!
Now that you know the best time to visit Phuket it is time to start booking your tickets.
