Season by season
Cool & dry season
From November to February skies are clear, humidity is lower and the sea is calm and blue. Every boat trip runs, visibility for diving is at its best and the Similans are open. It is also the most crowded and expensive time, peaking from Christmas to Chinese New Year.
Hot season
March and April are hot, dry and humid, with flat seas and excellent underwater visibility — a good time for the Similans and for whale-shark hopes further north. Songkran in mid-April is lively in Patong and the Old Town.
Rainy season & sea conditions
The south-west monsoon runs from about May to October, bringing bursts of heavy rain, wind and swell on the west coast. Surfing takes over from swimming; Phang Nga Bay remains calm. September and October are usually the wettest months.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C | 24°C | 35 mm | Very busy |
| February | 33°C | 24°C | 25 mm | Very busy |
| March | 33°C | 25°C | 70 mm | Very busy |
| April | 33°C | 25°C | 150 mm | Busy |
| May | 32°C | 25°C | 290 mm | Quiet |
| June | 32°C | 25°C | 260 mm | Quiet |
| July | 31°C | 25°C | 260 mm | Busy |
| August | 31°C | 25°C | 290 mm | Busy |
| September | 31°C | 24°C | 380 mm | Quiet |
| October | 31°C | 24°C | 320 mm | Quiet |
| November | 31°C | 24°C | 180 mm | Busy |
| December | 31°C | 24°C | 70 mm | Very busy |
Temperatures and rainfall are approximate long-term averages for the nearest weather station; individual years vary, and mountain areas are cooler than the figures shown.
Festivals & events
- January–February: Chinese New Year and the Old Town Festival, with street food and performances.
- April: Songkran, Thai New Year, 13–15 April.
- May–October: Surf season, with competitions usually held at Kata and Kalim.
- September–October: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival: nine days of processions, firecrackers and ritual at the Chinese shrines.
- November: Loy Krathong, and the start of the Similan season.
- December: The King’s Cup Regatta off Kata Beach.
Our advice
For diving, snorkelling and guaranteed boat days, come from December to April. For surfing, quieter beaches and lower prices, June to August usually brings a workable mix of sun and showers. If the Andaman is at its wettest, in September and October, consider the Gulf islands instead — our seasons guide explains the difference.
