Want to Visit Phuket? Here is the best time travel guidance

Phuket, with its tropical climate pattern, broadly varies between warm, cool and rainy. It never really gets too cold. 

The coolest season and hence the best time to visit Phuket is between November and February. The temperature at this time varies at a more ambient 23°C to 30°C and is drier with the monsoon having got over. It’s a great time to lounge and relax on the beach and enjoy some water sports too.

Conversely the summer months which extend from March to mid-May can be extremely hot and are hence definitely not the best time to visit the city. This is even more so if you would like to go out and explore or spend time on the beach. 

The monsoon season in Phuket which extends from May to October is also a good time to visit, if you’re ready to bear some rainfall. It’s not often that the island receives continuous heavy rainfall making travel quite bearable. Lower costs and less crowds add to the attraction. 

Phuket During March – June 

Temperature: 30 – 40 degrees

Phuket’s hottest time is between March and May, when temperatures soar as high as 40 degrees. Called the Hot season, it is clearly not the best time for a pleasant holiday. The average temperature stays in the mid 30s for the entire season, though the months of May and June get a few showers which offer some respite from the intense heat. The first half of May, generally, enjoys better weather and is hence considered by many as amongst the best times to be in Phuket. 

Significance: This is when the Thai New Year, Songkran, takes place and the country embarks on friendly water fights over three days. It’s quite likely you could be a target if visiting then. There is also in mid-April Phuket Bike Week, the biggest motorcycle event in Asia which includes amongst others a big bike exhibition, “Ride for Peace” bike parade, custom bike and tattoo contests, live music and entertainment and Miss Phuket Bike Week pageant. The Phuket Gay Pride & Festival is also held in April and brings forth seven days of festivities.

Why you should visit now: Aside from the festivities the April to November period is seen to be the best season for surfing. Besides, there is also the hugely popular “Amazing Grand Sale” commences in June and sees large crowds.  For shopaholics June is the best month to visit Phuket. The city has a wide range of shopping outlets which have on offer an incredible variety of goods for sale. 

Know before you visit:  

In such extreme heat, the best suggestion is to stay indoors for a large amount of time. If you wish to sightsee, some things you could do include visiting temples and entertainment complexes.

With lesser crowds visiting the tariffs on rooms as well as other services tends to be much less, and you can strike some good deals.

Tips: 

If you are planning to step out, try doing so early in the mornings or late evenings when the weather is much cooler. A car rental would also be a good idea if going some distances. Ensure you have ample amount of sunscreen which is a critical part of any travel to Phuket. 

Also pack lightweight clothing with natural fabrics like cotton. Long, lightweight pants and long-sleeved linen or cotton shirts can help greatly towards keeping the mosquitoes away. Further ensure you intake enough fluids and have booked an air-conditioned room – the cooling is very welcome after being out in the heat. 

Phuket During July – October

Temperature: 26 – 34 degrees

This is the rainy season also generally called the low season and not seen to be the best time to visit Phuket. For a large part of July and August though the heavy rains are accompanied by sunshine and a cool breeze making it a lot more pleasant. September tends to be the rainiest month though and is not a suggested time to visit. 

Significance: Festivities and celebrations form a large part of the Phuket resident’s life. During the relatively pleasant month of July the Phuket Race Week an international-standard yacht race is held over four days in the middle of July on the east coast of Phuket.  It includes a variety of activities and four regatta parties. There is also the Hungry Ghost Festival in August which is when food offering ceremonies are organised at home to make merit, as well as to distribute food and other necessities to those in need. These events can be experienced at any of the Chinese Shrines.

Why you should visit now: The early part of this season – July and August can really be quite a nice time to visit given the relatively less oppressive heat and cooler breeze.  September and October because of the heavy rains experiences less tourists but may actually be a great time to get some good discounts and space.

Shopping is another attractive reason to visit. Phuket is a great location for shopping all year round. Particularly though from mid-June to mid-August you get to enjoy even greater discounts than normal during the country’s “Amazing Grand Sale” which is when around 15,000 participating merchants and service providers offer discounts that range from 10 to 80 percent.

Know before you visit: 

If you’re traveling in September and October, you may be restricted indoors and not get to experience the beaches which due to the intense rainfall are not safe or swimmable. Like in summer, when it rains heavily, tourists can enjoy a wide range of indoor activities or just shop and shop.

Tips

With the relatively smaller crowds, you’re likely to get the best deals across travel, lodging and service during this 

Phuket During December – March

Temperature: 23 – 39 degrees

The best season for a good beach holiday is the months from December to March. This is when you’ll get the least amount of rain and the most sun. In November, which immediately follows the rainy season and is before peak season you get to enjoy the best weather.

Significance: 

This is peak tourist season, and the coolest time of the year. It is clearly festive with Christmas and New Year both being celebrated with a great deal of pomp and gusto. There’s a more happening nightlife too.  In early January from the 5th to the 8th, the Phuket International Boat Show is also a well-attended annual affair.  It displays some fantastic collections, including internationally renowned yachts from prestigious shipyards around the world as well as watercraft, marine equipment and a wide range of nautical gadgets.

Why you should visit now: 

This is most definitely the best weather to enjoy Phuket. The beaches are welcoming and there is revelry in the air. The crowds may be a little hindrance, but you could be out for almost all 24 hours with only fatigue drawing you back. There are also several activities of interest you could partake of.

It is the best time of the year to visit Bangla Road and Phang Nga Phuket’s top attractions. Bangla Road would be particularly of interest. During the day, it looks like any other road, but after dark, it slowly transforms into a complete party zone. After sunset, the road is closed to traffic and the action begins, with a number of side roads that serve as entertainment complexes rather than actual roads. Phang Nga Bay with its sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water is also definitely worth visiting. The best way to enjoy this spectacular scenery would be to take a long boat trip which passes by all the sites and stops at some of the beaches too.  

In March is the Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival which one of the most important festivals in Phuket and is held over two weeks. It features many cultural and sports events including bicycle racing, tug o’ war, a mini-marathon and takraw besides a Buddhist ordination ceremony.  In the same month Phuket also celebrates National Thai Elephant Day, which is when the Phuket Zoo, treats their elephants to huge banquets of fruit and sugar cane.

Know before you visit: 

In this season, particularly from the second half of December onwards, it gets extremely crowded in Phuket. You’d do well to get a seat at a restaurant or pub in time.