Phuket Weather by Month
What will the weather be like in Phuket in November?”, “Is it already cold in May?”, “Can you swim in July?”. Questions about the weather in Phuket are among the most popular.
The island has clearly defined high and low seasons. In short, the high season (November to February) means sunshine, warm and calm sea, and moderate rainfall. The low season (May to October) is characterized by more frequent rains, wind, and waves. There is also a “transition period” (March to April) — the driest and hottest time before the rainy season begins.
Here’s a detailed look at what kind of weather is typical in Phuket for each month of the year. But keep in mind: the climate is changing, and the weather can be unpredictable — no forecast can be 100% certain.
January
Arguably the best month to visit Phuket. It’s the very peak of the high season, and the island welcomes many tourists.
Air temperatures are comfortable: warm but not oppressively hot. On average, it ranges from +24°C at night to +32°C during the day.
Rain is rare and usually falls at night. Monthly rainfall is typically between 40 and 80 mm.
January is rarely overcast — mostly sunny with some scattered clouds.
The sea is calm, and the water is clear across all beaches, with an average temperature of around +28.6°C.
Downsides: January is one of the most expensive months in Phuket. Demand for accommodation and tours goes up, and so do the prices. So traveling to Phuket on a budget in January might be tricky.
February
February, true to its nature, is typically hot and dry. Average temperatures range from +25°C at night to +32°C during the day, and can occasionally reach up to +35°C.
This month is considered one of the driest — on average, it rains only a couple of times, usually at night. Total rainfall is usually around 30 mm.
The sun shines constantly, with occasional scattered clouds, but you can still get a tan even under the clouds.
The sea is calm, with no waves, and it’s perfect for swimming on any beach. The average water temperature is +28.9°C.
Just like January, February is quite expensive and crowded with tourists.
March
Here comes the heat! March is one of the hottest months of the year. Average temperatures range from +26.3°C at night to +32.5°C during the day, and can go even higher.
There are only about 8 rainy days on average, and if it does rain, it’s likely to be in the evening or at night. Monthly rainfall is around 70–140 mm.
There’s plenty of sunshine in March, with mostly clear skies. Overcast days are rare — maybe just 2 or 3.
The sea remains calm and very warm. The average water temperature is about +30°C.
Tourist numbers start to decrease in March, which means rental prices begin to drop too.
April
Another hot month in Phuket. Daytime temperatures hover around +32.4°C, and nights stay warm at around +26°C. Sunscreen and hats are must-haves in April.
There are around 10 rainy days in the month, with total rainfall of about 138.2 mm. Toward the end of April, showers become more frequent, but they’re usually brief.
There are roughly 23 sunny days, and about 5 days with partly cloudy skies.
The sea remains calm and even warmer — the water temperature stays around +30.1°C.
May
May marks the transition from the dry season to the wet one. Daytime air temperatures often exceed 31°C, and on hotter days, can reach up to 38°C.
The sea remains warm — not very refreshing — with a temperature around 30°C.
The beginning of the month is usually dry and sunny. Around mid-May, the monsoons arrive, bringing clouds and rain. On average, there are about 12 overcast days; the rest are sunny or partly cloudy.
Rain tends to fall at night in May, but sudden downpours can also happen during the day, often accompanied by gusty winds.
The sea on the west coast can become rough. For safer swimming, you can head to the Panwa coast, Ao Yon Beach, Tri Trang, or Coral Island nearby.
Overall, the scorching heat starts to ease in May, making the air feel more comfortable. Another plus: accommodation prices drop and the beaches are less crowded.
June
June is fully part of the rainy season, or low season. Many people imagine wading through knee-deep water, but that’s mostly a stereotype. However, hotel prices do drop, as does the number of tourists on the beaches.
The weather becomes slightly cooler and more comfortable. Air temperatures hover around 30°C, and can drop to 27°C during rain.
There are about 12 overcast days in June; the rest are either partly cloudy or sunny. On average, it rains about half the days of the month. Rain showers often come suddenly and end just as quickly.
The sea becomes very rough, and swimming is often prohibited in many places. Still, Phuket has some beaches that remain wave-free even in the low season. Water temperatures stay between 28°C and 30°C.
July
July is the peak of the low season. There are quite a few overcast days and tropical rains, but it’s always warm, and nature bursts into lush green colors.
The average daytime temperature is 30.2°C, and at night it’s around 27.8°C. Sea temperature averages 29.6°C.
On average, July has about 14 overcast days, 12 partly cloudy days, and 5 sunny ones. The scenery might not match the perfect Instagram photos, but it offers a new kind of beauty — watching the sea from a peaceful, uncrowded beach.
There are around 15 rainy days in July, so it’s better to come for at least two weeks to catch sunny days and enjoy the tropical rains. Rain can last for 2–4 days straight, with only brief breaks.
Most major beaches have waves and strong rip currents. Swimming is sometimes possible at Panwa, Nai Yang, and the cape at the southern end of Patong — these areas often have calmer beaches.
August
The low season continues, and the weather becomes more unpredictable.
About 16 days in August are rainy, usually with heavy tropical downpours.
Average temperatures are around 31°C during the day and 25°C at night. August is also often breezy, which brings a bit of relief from the heat.
There are typically 14 overcast days, 11 partly cloudy, and only about 5 sunny days.
Sea temperature is around 29°C, but due to large waves and rip currents, swimming is unsafe at most major beaches.
September
September is one of the three rainiest months on the island, with around 19 days of rain. In early September, it can rain for half a day at a time, while toward the end of the month, showers tend to be shorter.
Air temperature usually ranges from 31°C during the day to 25°C at night.
Most days are cloudy, but this doesn’t mean you can’t sunbathe. On the plus side, exploring and going on excursions becomes more pleasant without the intense heat.
The sea remains warm (about 29°C) but is still rough. Red flags are often placed on beaches, indicating swimming is not allowed — be sure to pay attention to them.
October
The last month of the rainy season.
Rain is still frequent: it may rain daily or every other day, although there are also some clear days. October sees about 20 rainy days on average.
Daytime temperatures are around 31°C, and about 24°C at night — definitely not cold.
Most days in October are overcast or partly cloudy.
The sea remains warm, averaging 28.5°C. Wind speed and direction start to change, and on some days the sea becomes calmer.
November
Rainfall decreases, and November brings weather more suited to beach holidays. The low season comes to an end.
At the beginning of the month, there may still be some heavy rain. In the second half, it’s mostly dry.
Air temperatures are stable: early November sees 27°C to 32°C during the day, and around 25°C at night. By mid-November, daytime temperatures increase by 2–3 degrees, and nights become warmer. By the end of the month, the heat can reach up to 32°C.
November isn’t the sunniest month. Early on, the sky is often partly cloudy, but by mid- to late November, clear days become more frequent.
The sea becomes calm again, making all parts of the island — including the west coast — suitable for swimming.
December
December is one of the best months to visit Phuket. The high season begins. The rain stops, the waves die down, and consistent sunny weather sets in.
Rain can still occur, but rarely and mostly at night. Total rainfall for the month is around 70 mm — about 8–9 rainy days.
Air temperatures range from 24°C at night to 32°C during the day.
The number of sunny and partly cloudy days is about the same, while overcast weather is rare.
The sea is warm and free of seaweed (which often washes up during the rainy season), the water is clean, and the temperature reaches up to 28°C. Most importantly, waves calm down on all beaches, making swimming safe everywhere.
Cloudy skies in December often mislead tourists into skipping sunscreen — don’t make that mistake! The Thai sun burns even through clouds, and sunburn can happen in just minutes. Always use SPF and enjoy your holiday!
Remember: there’s no such thing as bad weather in nature! Even in the low season, Phuket offers plenty to do — visit museums, temples, go on excursions, go shopping, enjoy water parks, and other indoor activities. Phuket is beautiful year-round!
