Plan for the Andaman coast
Driest month
February
24.0 mm mean rainfall
Warmest mean high
March
34.4 °C by day
Wettest rainfall total
September
350.4 mm mean rainfall
Most rain days
October
22.7 measured days
The quick answer
Choose December to March for the strongest statistical chance of dry beach and boat days. February is the driest month in the official 1991-2020 station normals. April is hot and transitional; September has the highest rainfall total, October the most measured rain days, and November is a changeable bridge back towards drier weather.
Driest starting point
December-March
Hottest transition
March-April
Most flexibility
May-November
Official climate normals
These figures are averages from TMD station Phuket 48564 for 1991-2020. Rainfall is the monthly total; a measurable rain day does not automatically mean an all-day washout.
| Month | Mean high | Mean low | Rainfall | Rain days | Travel outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33.0 °C | 25.0 °C | 49.9 mm | 5.6 | Dry-season rhythm |
| February | 34.0 °C | 25.4 °C | 24.0 mm | 3.4 | Driest month |
| March | 34.4 °C | 25.9 °C | 80.7 mm | 7.5 | Dry and hot |
| April | 34.2 °C | 26.3 °C | 135.1 mm | 11.7 | Hot transition |
| May | 33.2 °C | 26.1 °C | 236.9 mm | 18.9 | Greener season begins |
| June | 32.6 °C | 25.8 °C | 249.4 mm | 18.6 | Green and changeable |
| July | 32.3 °C | 25.6 °C | 240.2 mm | 19.1 | Flexible coast days |
| August | 32.2 °C | 25.6 °C | 308.7 mm | 19.5 | Frequent showers |
| September | 31.8 °C | 25.1 °C | 350.4 mm | 21.7 | Highest rainfall |
| October | 31.8 °C | 24.9 °C | 336.0 mm | 22.7 | Most rain days |
| November | 32.1 °C | 25.2 °C | 178.2 mm | 15.9 | Drying transition |
| December | 32.1 °C | 25.0 °C | 82.0 mm | 10.3 | Dry season returns |
One intense tropical shower can contribute many millimetres. The total does not say that every hour or every day in that month will be wet.
TMD counts a day with measurable rainfall as a rain day. It can contain dry usable hours, but that statistic never guarantees a brief shower.
Wind, swell, thunderstorms and local beach flags can stop swimming or a boat route even when a weather app shows sunshine.
Choose the season deliberately
These months have the strongest dry-season signal. February is the driest month, while March has the highest mean daytime maximum.
Best for: Beaches, island trips and a first visit centred on the west coast.
Trade-off: This is also the popular period. Secure the stay that matters and still retain a weather fallback for every boat day.
April is hot. Rainfall and humidity rise into May, so active mornings and movable boat plans become more useful.
Best for: Heat-tolerant travellers who can exchange days and avoid a rigid checklist.
Trade-off: The west coast becomes more changeable and rougher sea conditions become more likely.
Phuket is lush and often quieter, but showers, wind and swell require a flexible schedule. September and October carry the strongest wet-season signal in the station normals.
Best for: A slower trip with meaningful town, food, wellness and inland alternatives.
Trade-off: Never swim against a red flag. Let current marine conditions overrule a prepaid-looking itinerary.
Do not reduce a season to one icon
A shower does not automatically erase a day, but persistent rain and rough water do occur. Put the boat trip early, use safe beach flags as a hard boundary and make Old Town, food, wellness and temples worthwhile rather than emergency filler.
Different trips need different months
December-March
The driest months provide the best statistical starting point. Check current wind and sea state before Phi Phi, Phang Nga or a smaller-island departure.
May, June or November
Transition periods can bring more room choice. Compare cancellation and location before treating a lower displayed rate as the better stay.
June-October
The island is lush and often less crowded. Build a trip that remains worthwhile when a swimming or boat window closes.
November-April
Drier months more often bring broad visibility, while changing cloud and post-shower light can add atmosphere in the shoulder period.
Pack with purpose
Phuket packing listLight, breathable clothing — Add a modest layer for temples, boat wind and strong air conditioning.
Compact rain poncho — Small enough for a day bag when a tropical shower arrives.
Check the current poncho price on AmazonSun hat and covering layer — UV exposure remains relevant through thin cloud and on the water.
Insect repellent — Useful around vegetation and at dusk; follow the product directions.
Check current insect-repellent options on AmazonWaterproof drybag — Separates a phone, camera and dry clothing from spray on a boat day.
Check the current drybag price on AmazonQuick-dry towel — Compact for beach days and easier to reuse after a shower.
Check the current travel-towel price on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. You pay nothing extra; availability and delivery vary by country.
Complete Thailand packing listKeep the plan flexible
Plan A
Use the calmest verified sea window for the main beach or boat day and place it early enough to move.
Plan B
Combine heritage streets, a museum, local food and sheltered stops while shorter showers pass.
Plan C
Wat Chalong, a cooking class or a spa gives a genuinely wet day its own purpose.
Book smart: Put the most important boat day early in the stay and keep two substantial land alternatives. Prefer change and cancellation terms that still work when conditions deteriorate.
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DFS People Also Ask
February is the driest month in the TMD 1991-2020 station normals, with 24.0 mm mean rainfall and 3.4 measured rain days. December to March is the broader dry-season choice. The best month still depends on heat tolerance, crowd preference and whether boat conditions are central to the trip.
The wetter Andaman period runs broadly from May through October, with November acting as a transition. Rainfall, wind and swell become more relevant, so a useful plan needs movable boat days and meaningful land alternatives.
September has the highest mean rainfall total at TMD station Phuket: 350.4 mm. October has a slightly lower total of 336.0 mm but the highest mean number of measured rain days at 22.7.
February is the driest month in the official 1991-2020 station normals, averaging 24.0 mm of rainfall. That is a climate average, not a guarantee for one set of holiday dates.
Not necessarily. A rain day can contain dry hours, and tropical showers may be short. Persistent rain also occurs, however, and rough sea conditions can outlast a shower. Avoid any promise that rain will always pass quickly.
November is a transition month. Mean rainfall drops to 178.2 mm from the higher September and October totals, but 15.9 rain days still signal variability. It can work well when hotel and activity terms allow plans to move.
December usually marks the return of the drier travel period. The station normals show 82.0 mm rainfall and 10.3 rain days. It is a useful beach-and-island month, while current wind, waves and warnings still decide individual departures.
October has the highest mean rain-day count and the second-highest rainfall total, so a weather-dependent trip carries more risk. That does not make travel impossible; it means rigid island hopping, non-flexible bookings and a beach-only plan are poor fits.
Mosquitoes are present in a tropical environment, especially around vegetation, standing water and dusk. Use practical bite prevention such as appropriate clothing and repellent, and seek current professional health advice for personal medical questions.
There is no universal worst month. Travellers who need predictable swimming and boat conditions take the largest statistical weather risk in September and October. Travellers who value quieter surroundings and can exchange days may still prefer part of the green season.
Verder plannen
Choose the right coast, group the island by geography and build a realistic route.
Lees de gids
Compare beaches, Old Town, temples, viewpoints and weather-aware day trips.
Lees de gids
Compare areas by beach access, evenings, airport time and island crossings.
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Bronnen & methode
We do not generate a long-range weather forecast. The table uses official climate normals; for the coming days, use the current Thai Meteorological Department forecast.
Thai Meteorological Department
Authoritative monthly temperature, rainfall and rain-day normals for station 48564.
Thai Meteorological Department
Official current forecast; climate normals are not a forecast.
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Official destination and beach-safety context.
Kuoni
Current UK-English competitor and month-intent structure reviewed through DFS.
Phuket101
Local editorial month structure reviewed through DFS; TMD controls the numeric table.
Climates to Travel
Comparative climate interpretation reviewed through DFS.
Let us know how we can improve this travel guide.
Complete your route
A good itinerary connects what you want to see with where you stay and the season in which you travel. Start with the best things to do in Phuket, compare it with the best hotels in Phuket and use our practical Thailand travel guides to align the practical details.
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