When to go
Phuket is hot all year: monthly mean temperatures sit between 27.6 and 29.6 °C by Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) normals. The seasons are set by rain and swell, not temperature. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings downpours and swell to the west-coast beaches that face the Andaman Sea.
| Month | Rain, mm (TMD) | Rain days | Hotel occupancy 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49.9 | 5.6 | 86.4% |
| February | 24.0 | 3.4 | 82.1% |
| March | 80.7 | 7.5 | 79.4% |
| April | 135.1 | 11.7 | 81.8% |
| May | 236.9 | 18.9 | 74.0% |
| June | 249.4 | 18.6 | 66.8% |
| July | 240.2 | 19.1 | 70.7% |
| August | 308.7 | 19.5 | 68.9% |
| September | 350.4 | 21.7 | 65.8% |
| October | 336.0 | 22.7 | 77.6% |
| November | 178.2 | 15.9 | 78.6% |
| December | 82.0 | 10.3 | 84.1% |
Rain and rain days: TMD 1991-2020 normals, Phuket town station; a rain day is any day with 0.1 mm or more, so short showers count. Hotel occupancy: Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 2025. For the pros and cons of the wet months, see our Phuket low season guide.
Beaches and areas
Phuket is large: about 49 by 21 km, according to the province. Your area decides whether you walk to the beach or drive to it, and how long the trip to the airport in the north takes.
| Area | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Patong | nightlife, bars and restaurants on the doorstep |
| Karon | a long beach and a resort without Patong’s noise |
| Kata | swimming, surfing in the swell season, families |
| Kamala | a calmer resort between Patong and the north |
| Surin and Bang Tao | hotels and villas on the west coast north of Kamala |
| Layan and Mai Khao | the quiet north, closer to the airport |
| Nai Harn and Rawai | the quiet south, boats to the islands; strong waves at Nai Harn from May to October |
| Chalong | the pier for island tours, inland living |
| Phuket Town | Old Town, markets, local food |
What the municipalities say: Rawai Beach is muddy and rocky and not for swimming, swimming at Nai Harn is not advised from May to October because of the waves, Ya Nui is a small quiet bay, and Kata Noi has no bars or clubs. Beaches with less swell in the rainy season are in our list of calm beaches in Phuket.
What to see
- Big Buddha. A white Buddha statue on a hill in the south of the island, with views over southern Phuket
- Phuket Old Town. Sino-Portuguese shophouses, markets and cafes
- Promthep Cape. Phuket’s southernmost point, with a sunset viewpoint and a lighthouse, about 2 km from Rawai Beach (Rawai Municipality)
- Beaches of different areas. Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and Ya Nui are worth a day’s tour by taxi or rental car
Island trips and tours
Dozens of islands surround Phuket, from Coral Island 15 minutes away by boat to the Similans an hour and a half from a mainland pier. Marine parks charge foreigners THB 300-500 (DNP fee table), and the Similans close from 16 May to 14 October.
- Guide to Phuket tours: every trip in one table with distance, season and who should skip it
- Islands around Phuket: which are national parks, fees and closures
- Popular trips: Phi Phi and Maya Bay, James Bond Island, Similan Islands
Practical tips
- Flights and the airport. Phuket Airport (HKT) is in the north of the island and handled 17.5 million passengers in 2025 (AOT). Getting to your hotel and what the terminals offer: Phuket Airport
- Taxis and Grab. Fares, apps and how not to overpay: taxis in Phuket
- Water safety. A red flag on the beach means no swimming because of currents: red flags and rip currents
- Arrival. The digital arrival card and how to avoid copycat sites: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Related: Phuket areas, living and property; Phuket weather by month.
dry seasonrainy season. Data: What the weather is like in Phuket each month, Climate normal 1991-2020, Phuket station (WMO 48 564), 07°53' N, 98°24' E
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Phuket?
For the sea and island trips, December to April. TMD climate normals (Phuket station, 1991-2020) put the driest months in January, February and March, with 24-81 mm of rain, and the wettest in September and October, with 336-350 mm. The temperature barely changes through the year: monthly means are 27.6-29.6 °C.
Is Phuket worth visiting in the rainy season?
It can be, if you accept showers and swell on the west-coast beaches. In September 2025 hotel occupancy was 66% against 86% in January (Ministry of Tourism and Sports), so it is quieter. The trade-offs: the Similan Islands are closed from 16 May to 14 October, and swimming on open beaches is dangerous when the red flag is up.
Where should I stay in Phuket for a quiet holiday?
In the south or the north, away from Patong. Rawai Municipality describes Ya Nui as a small, quiet bay, and Karon Municipality notes that Kata Noi beach has no bars or clubs. In the north, Mai Khao and Layan are quieter. We list beaches with less swell separately.
What can I see in Phuket on my own?
Big Buddha, Phuket Old Town, Promthep Cape in the far south (the island's southernmost point, with a sunset viewpoint and a lighthouse, according to Rawai Municipality) and the beaches of different areas. A taxi or a rental car is enough. For the islands, a tour or a chartered boat from Chalong or Rawai is easier.
How busy is Phuket at Christmas and New Year?
It is the peak: hotel occupancy was 84% in December 2025 and 86% in January (Ministry of Tourism and Sports). Book accommodation and Similan trips early. December is dry: TMD normals give 82 mm of rain and about 10 rain days, usually short showers.
Sources
- Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand. Tourism statistics by province, 2025
- TMD. Climatological Data of Thailand for 30 Year Period (1991-2020), Phuket station
- AOT. Annual Report 2025 (Phuket Airport statistics)
- Phuket Province. General information (Thai)
- DNP. National park entrance fees for individuals (dataset, CSV)
- DNP. Mu Ko Similan National Park (Thai)
- Rawai Municipality. Ya Nui Beach (Thai)
- Rawai Municipality. Nai Harn Beach (Thai)
- Rawai Municipality. Promthep Cape (Thai)
- Karon Municipality. Kata Noi Beach (Thai)
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