Khao Lak weather by month

When to go to Khao Lak

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. September is the wettest month (379 mm, about 27 rainy days) and February the driest (43 mm). The sea is warmest in April at 29.9°C and coolest in January at 28.4°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Phuket International Airport (HKT, 56 km from Ban Khao Lak) takes roughly 13 h 6 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Bangkok.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Khao Lak between 1991 and 2020 reached 40.4°C on 2 April 2009; the coldest fell to 18.7°C on 5 February 2020. In March one day in ten tops 33.5°C and about 82% of days pass 30°C; in September one night in ten drops to 23.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2020 with 787 mm, against a October average of 365 mm.

January to March: the best balance of warmth and sunshine

Choose February if keeping rain disruption down is your priority. January is close behind, with slightly cooler days and a little more frequent rain, making it another good choice for spending time outside. March stays hot but brings 15 rain days, so it is less dependable for dry weather than either January or February. Across this period, average sunshine holds at 5 hours a day: expect some cloud rather than uninterrupted blue skies. Light, breathable clothing suits the daytime heat, and shade breaks are sensible around midday. The sea averages 28°C to 29°C, so water temperature is unlikely to put you off a swim.

April to October: warm weather, but rain shapes the holiday

April marks a clear shift towards wetter weather, with 22 rain days despite daytime temperatures of 31°C. By May, rain is frequent and sunshine drops to 2 hours a day, making this a less suitable period for a sunshine-led trip. June is slightly less rainy than May, but July and August still bring frequent wet days and limited sunshine. September has the greatest rainfall and just 1 hour of sunshine daily; October has the most rain days, at 29. These months suit travellers who can change plans around the weather rather than rely on long dry spells. Daytime heat eases towards September and October, but it never turns cool. Pack quick-drying clothes and rain protection, and leave room in your plans for time indoors.

November and December: improving, with December the better bet

November remains a wet choice, with 23 rain days and limited sunshine, so do not assume the weather has settled simply because the wettest months have passed. December offers a clearer improvement: rain days fall to 14 and sunshine rises to 4 hours a day. It is a reasonable option if you want warm weather towards the end of the year, though January and February offer a better chance of fewer wet days. Both November and December average 29°C by day, with warm nights too. Bring light clothing and something waterproof rather than planning for a cool seasonal change.