Best Time to Visit Phuket: Everything you need to know including what to do, weather, visas, and more

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, boasting wonderful beaches, a vibrant party scene, tranquil temples and a historic old town. There’s no shortage of things to do in Phuket - but what’s the best time to travel to Phuket to get a good balance of price, weather and value?

This guide looks at the best month to visit Phuket, plus what to do in Phuket year round, to give you some ideas. We’ll also introduce Wise, a handy travel companion to help your money go further.

Table of contents
When is the best time to visit Phuket What to do in Phuket Best month to visit Phuket Planning a trip to Phuket Visiting Phuket soon? Prepare Thai baht (THB) for your holiday with Wise

When is the best time to visit Phuket

The best time to travel to Phuket is in February. You’re coming out of the very peak months, bringing down prices and crowds - and Phuket has several festivals which occur around this time, bringing the place to life.

That said, there’s not one single best time to visit Phuket. There’s something to do year round on this vibrant island - here are some ideas based on the Phuket temperature and weather.

Peak season for sunshine: December - January

Phuket’s peak season is generally December and January, coinciding with some of the best weather, and the festive season. Phuket has lovely beachside resorts which go all out for Christmas and New Year, making this a memorable place to be - and the beaches are at their absolute best. Crowding can be an issue in some places, and prices are pretty much the highest you’ll find.

Shoulder season for great pricing: February - May

Phuket is blessed with an amazing climate which means you can easily get some wonderful weather without breaking the bank at peak times. In shoulder season you’ll still find very little rainfall, but the crowds dissipate and the costs are more reasonable. Look out for festivals in this period which add an extra dimension - Lunar New Year, and Songkran which brings street water fights, cooling in the increasing heat of April.

Low season for an adventure: June - August

The shoulder season sees temperatures climb, but it gets slightly less hot during this low season period, with increasing rainfall. You can’t necessarily guarantee beach weather all day every day - but the good news is that Phuket has plenty of other things to do, from shopping and partying, to visiting temples and museums.

Wet season for peace and relaxation: September - November

The rainy season sees Phuket far quieter, and prices at their lowest. While the rain can be tricky to navigate, it’s not usually all day - so renting a villa and relaxing indoors during the rain and exploring when the weather breaks can be a low cost option to snag a great deal.

👆Click here to discover the temperature and what to do month on month in Phuket

What to do in Phuket

If you’re wondering what to do in Phuket you’re in luck. There’s plenty of choice, and as it’s a popular tourist destination there are many organised tours and travel services to get you from place to place. Here are a few ideas:

Hit the beach

One of the key reasons people head to Phuket, the beaches are plentiful, and there’s something for everyone. Whether you choose to kick back and relax, or engage in some water sports, you'll be spoilt for choice. If you're after the sand, sand and everything in between, here's some inspiration:

• Patong Beach: Known for vibrant nightlife and water sports, with plenty of activities on and off the water

• Kata Beach: Relaxed beach area with calm waters ideal for families, and stunning sunsets

• Freedom Beach: A tranquil and picturesque hidden gem in Karon with crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling

Visit Old Phuket Town

Old Phuket Town is a little gem with quiet backstreets, old architecture and various festivals happening all through the year. Expect colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings - and plenty of places to shop, eat and stop for coffee if it’s too hot, or if you get caught in a shower.

Hop on a boat trip

Phuket’s main attractions aren’t all on land. Choose to go island hopping, or visit an island that's less crowded for some peace and serenity. Whatever you choose, a boat ride out won't cost much. Get on a boat to explore nearby attractions like:

• Phi Phi Islands: With crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs, and iconic spots like Maya Bay from the movie The Beach

• Phang Nga Bay: Sail through limestone karsts and emerald-green waters - some tours also let you kayak through sea caves

• Coral Island (Koh Hae): 20 minute boat ride from Phuket, wth snorkeling opportunities, parasailing and great sunsets

Dive and snorkel

If you’re in Phuket during the long dry months, diving and snorkeling makes an excellent idea, with options from the beach, from the boat and for experienced and new beginners alike. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Ao Sane Beach: At the southern tip of Phuket, you can snorkel directly from the shore in beautiful waters

• Similan Islands: Vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, a boat ride from Phuket perfect for snorkeling or diving

• Koh Racha Yai: A short boat ride from Phuket, with abundant coral gardens and colorful fish

Eat like a king

You can’t talk about Thailand without mentioning the food. Thai cuisine is iconic, so you’re not going to struggle to find amazing food, no matter what you love to eat. From beach side bars and quick bites, to high end resorts, there are options to cater to everyone.

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Best month to visit Phuket

So - the best month to visit Phuket might depend on what you want from the experience. Let’s look at Phuket weather month by month, with some ideas of Phuket places to visit all year round.

Month	Weather and temperature	What to do
January	Very little rain - average temperatures around 27 degrees celsius	Peak season - hit the beaches to tan and take a dip Good sea conditions for snorkelling or diving
February	Very little rain - average temperatures increasing to 28 degrees celsius, starting to feel hotter	Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year is celebrated in Thailand as well - expect celebrations, unique decor, and crowds Phuket Old Town Festival brings the main town to life
March	Very little rain - average temperatures increase again	Hop on a boat tour to close by islands like Phi Phi The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary¹ is described as the most ethical elephant attraction on the island - ideal for nature lovers
April	Usually one of the hottest months, average temperatures around 30, but some days are over 40 degrees celsius Some showers	Songkran - Thai New Year - is 13th April, a colourful festival that’s huge fun Get out of the heat and enjoy a Thai massage in a local spa
May	Mixed weather, still very hot but now including showers amongst the sunshine	Visakha Bucha, also known elsewhere as Vesak Day is one of the most important days in the Buddhist religion - bringing alms giving, parades and an alcohol ban From now the sea around Phuket can be too rough to enter safely
June	Mixed weather, including showers but still some sunshine Temperatures start to drop a little making it more pleasant feeling	If you have a good day for it, try a visit to the Big Buddha on the Nakkerd Hills Or take in a cabaret - Simon Cabaret in Patong² is a well liked option
July	Mixed weather, with increasing showers - temperatures settle at an average of about 28 degrees celsius	For something unusual head to Chalong Bay rum distillery³ for daily tours, cocktail workshops and a restaurant The rain starts to make the jungles and waterfalls come to life - try visiting Bang Pae Waterfall or Sirinat National Park
August	Mixed weather, with increasing showers - temperatures settle at an average of about 28 degrees celsius	Excellent time to visit Phuket Old Town, where you can always duck into a cafe for shelter when you need to Try out Patong for beaches with raucous bars, and options for shopping if it rains
September	Peak of the rainy season, still very warm and humid	Low season means lower prices and a quieter island Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicks off in September or October, for 9 days of vegetarian food and unusual religious rituals
October	Peak of the rainy season, still very warm and humid	Take a Thai cooking class if the weather is bad, so you can recreate the amazing cuisine at home A boat tour to Phang Nga Bay can work even if the weather isn’t great, as the area is sheltered from much of the wind
November	Peak of the rainy season, but the frequency of showers decreases as the month goes on Temperatures are coming down, hitting 27 degrees on average	Sea conditions usually return to good for snorkelling and diving from here Take some time to visit any of the island’s Buddhist temples - they’re all interesting in different ways and you can often get a blessing from a monk
December	Rains are dropping off significantly	December 5th is a holiday to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great - look out for yellow flags everywhere New Year Celebrations happen throughout Phuket’s resorts

Planning a trip to Phuket

Before you pack your bags, let’s walk through a few more practical thoughts on visiting Phuket.

Phuket Visa Requirements

Phuket is in Thailand, so you’ll need to check whether or not you need a tourist visa for entry based on your country of citizenship. Some countries have visa waivers which mean short term tourists can enter with no visa required. However, this doesn’t apply to everyone - so do check the Thai government e-visa website⁴ which has a handy tool allowing you to enter your nationality and details of your trip, to generate information about what visa may be appropriate.

🌎 If you need a visa to travel to Thailand, check out our in-depth Thailand visa guides if you're from:

🇲🇾 Malaysia	🇮🇳 India	🇨🇭 Switzerland

Flights to Phuket

Phuket international airport⁵ is well served for buses, taxis and car hire options, so once you arrive you’ll be able to make your way to your final destination easily enough. If you’re not flying directly to Phuket you may find you’re routed via Bangkok, with a short connection flight of under 1.5 hours to Phuket.

Visiting Phuket soon? Prepare Thai Baht (THB) for your holiday with Wise

Whether it’s island hopping or kicking back on the most serene beaches, Phuket is an absolute paradise. Manage the costs of your visit to Phuket, with a Wise account and card, to hold and exchange THB alongside your home currency, and to spend with a Wise card as you travel. Wise accounts can hold and exchange currencies, with mid-market exchange rates and low fees from 0.33%⁶. Avoid foreign transaction fees and keep control of your budget, with just your phone, with an intuitive app and easy in person, online and mobile payments.

Exchange THB at your desired rate before and during your trip

Add money to your Wise account from your bank, or using a card, and exchange to THB in advance to lock in your exchange rate and fix your budget. Or simply let the card convert for you at the point of payment or withdrawal. In either case you get the mid-market exchange rate and the lowest possible Wise fee, which can start from 0.33%.

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Withdraw cash from Phuket ATMs at no additional fees

Order a Wise card to link to your account, and make some ATM withdrawals every month with the exchange rate you see on Google, low conversion fee, and no ATM fee⁷. You’ll get a fixed free withdrawal allowance every month before the low Wise fees begin, making this a simple and cheap way to get cash when you need it.

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Pay seamlessly with virtual and physical Wise cards

Tap and pay in person, make Chip and PIN payments, and add your card to a wallet like Apple Pay for easy spending in Thailand and countries around the world. Easy.

Phuket is a great destination, with things to do year round. This guide gives you some inspiration to plan your trip at the best time to visit Phuket for your perfect itinerary - plus, with Wise you can make your money go further once you're there.

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Sources:

1. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
2. Simon Cabaret
3. Chalong Bay rum distillery
4. Thai government visa information
5. Phuket international airport
6. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
7. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks