Phuket weather by month

When to go to Phuket

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. October is the wettest month (298 mm, about 28 rainy days) and February the driest (22 mm). The sea is warmest in April at 30.2°C and coolest in January at 28.3°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Phuket International Airport (HKT, 26 km from Phuket) 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 Phuket between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.6°C on 14 March 2019; the coldest fell to 20.9°C on 4 January 2019. In March one day in ten tops 31.9°C and about 33% of days pass 30°C; in October one night in ten drops to 24.0°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 2000 with 568 mm, against a November average of 185 mm.

January to March: the best stretch for outdoor plans

January and February suit travellers who want to spend much of the day outside without rain regularly reshaping their plans. January averages 7 rainy days, while February is drier and has the most sunshine. March remains a good option, but its 11 rainy days make it less dependable for dry weather. Daytime averages reach 30°C in March, so leave room for shade and breaks at midday rather than planning constant activity. Nights stay warm throughout this stretch, making light clothing more useful than heavy layers. The sea is warm too, although water temperature alone should not determine where or when you swim.

April to October: warm weather with a substantial rain trade-off

April marks a clear shift towards wetter weather, with 18 rainy days alongside daytime temperatures of 30°C. It suits travellers who value warmth but can rearrange outdoor plans. May brings more frequent rain, and June offers only a modest easing rather than a dry break. July and August stay warm, but sunshine is limited; September remains similarly wet. October is the hardest month for a trip centred on dry outdoor time, averaging 28 rainy days. Across May to October, sunshine averages 2 hours daily, so do not choose this period expecting long sunny days. Pack light clothes, rain protection and something to keep belongings dry. The sea stays warm, but that is not a promise of suitable swimming conditions.

November and December: improving, but not yet the driest weather

November is still a wet choice, with 21 rainy days, so it is better suited to flexible plans than a holiday built around sunshine. December offers a more useful improvement: rain becomes less frequent, at 12 days, and sunshine rises to 3 hours daily. That makes December a reasonable alternative if January or February does not fit your plans, provided you accept a greater chance of rain. Both months average 28°C by day and 25°C at night, so there is no cool-weather season to pack for. Keep clothing light and breathable, with rain protection still part of your daily kit.