Along with Bangkok, Phuket is undoubtedly one of the exceptional holiday destinations in Thailand. Known as the largest island in this Southeast Asian country, Phuket has been established as a place to be because of its spectacular attractions, great weather, and friendly locals. However, like other places around the globe, Phuket is more comfortable and accommodating to visitors during some periods of the year.
Without mincing words, the best time to go to Phuket is around November to April. As noted by US News, the weather is often perfect for a wide range of activities and attractions are usually open during this period. Since this period is believed to be the best time to visit Phuket, you should expect to see numerous other tourists in this island city during these months.
Although it is generally agreed that November to April is the best period to visit Phuket, you are bound to face certain challenges during the time. Nevertheless, these challenges don’t necessarily affect the overall experience that you will have when visiting the city of Phuket. In this article, we will consider the reasons to go to Phuket during this period as well as the issues you may need to deal with.
Monthly breakdown of the climatic conditions of Phuket
Before explaining the best time to go to Phuket, it is important to shed more light on the climatic conditions of Phuket throughout the year. After checking the information on Thomas Cook and a few other reliable websites, here is the breakdown of climatic conditions in this island city:
- November, December, January, and February
This period is considered the coolest and most comfortable season on the island. It is winter in Thailand with temperatures ranging from 23 to 29°C. The rains have just stopped, but the climatic conditions are still not warm. People can move around during this period without worrying about rain or scorching sun. Since it is quite comfortable, the majority of visitors troop into Phuket during this season to enjoy its amazing attractions.
Many tourists can spend a good part of their day at the awesome beaches in the city without worrying about any unfavorable weather. Also, you can enjoy lots of watersports during this period.
- March, April, May, and June
March to June is the summer in Phuket. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that these months are the hottest periods in the city. The temperature can range from anything between 30 to 40°C. In addition, humidity levels are usually rising at this time. Visiting Phuket during this period is amazing as the weather is relatively comfortable for most individuals.
- July, August, September, and October
July to October is the monsoon in Phuket. The temperature varies from about 26 to 34°C. The climatic condition is often humid during this time. When compared to the other periods, the monsoon is the cheapest time to go to Phuket.
Why November to April is the best period to visit Phuket
As shown above, the period between November to April falls within winter and summer in Phuket. Therefore, the weather conditions are not the same throughout the time, but each month offers some benefits that make it worthwhile for people to visit Phuket. Below, we will highlight some of the reasons why this period is the best time to go to Phuket.
- It is the high season
The period between November to March is regarded as the high season in Phuket. By the beginning of November, many tourists will start coming into the city, but December usually witnesses the highest number of visitors. This time is drier and sunnier than other periods of the year; hence, it tends to be more suitable for tourists. The skies are blue and the seas are calmer to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Since it is the high season, all of the attractions in Phuket are open to visitors. Therefore, this is the best time to see discover everything that this beautiful Thai island has to offer.
Also, because of the good weather, tourists can spend lots of hours outside without experiencing too much fatigue. As a result of this, this period makes it easier for visitors to take part in various activities in Phuket without spending too many days in the city.
- It is the best time to visit the beach
Another reason why November to April is the best time to go to Phuket is that the beaches are awesome during this period. Generally, from December to March, the weather is most favorable to the beaches. Rains don’t fall often, but the sun shines a lot of times. Therefore, you can bask around the beaches during this period without any hassle.
In November and April, visitors are scanty but the weather is good. Therefore, the whole period is exceptional for anyone that wants to enjoy the beaches in Phuket.
- It is the perfect time for diving
Do you love diving? If yes, you should make sure that you visit Phuket around November to April. Basically, this period has the best visibility in the city; hence, you don’t have to worry about your vision as you go diving during these months. Also, you can ride a boat to the diving sites in Phuket without dealing with any difficulties. Similarly, most of the diving sites are comfortable for divers during this period.
However, from May to October, there are more suspended particles in the atmosphere as the sea gets more warmth. Except you are an experienced diver, you will not be able to dive in most diving sites on the island. Only the diving sites in Racha Noi and Racha Yai are good for divers during the low season.
- It is the right time to explore Bangla Road
If you have never explored Bangla Road, your visit to Phuket is not complete. It is one of the best and most astounding attractions on the island. Although Bangla Road appears like a regular road during the day, it becomes magical at night, especially from 9 pm till dawn. The road becomes a famous scene for a wide range of parties. After dark, you will start hearing loud music and seeing tons of neon lights with lots of Thai girls and cheap drinks littering the whole place.
It is noteworthy that the road is closed at night so that parties can take over completely. Apart from the parties, several other side attractions are always available on Bangla Road to create an entertaining ambiance for every visitor. You should note that Bangla Road is open for entertainment every night, but the nights from November to April are the most entertaining and enjoyable.
- It is the best time to go to Phang Nga Bay
As long as visiting Phang Nga Bay is concerned, December and January are the best months to visit. This is because this period has calmer seas, blue skies, fewer rainfalls, and lower humidity. Although the temperatures can be slightly hot, they are comfortable enough for travelers to take a trip around Phang Nga Bay. You will likely come across several other tourists during your visit to this bay, but your overall experience will be worthwhile.
- It is the time for lots of festivals
Phuket is the island of numerous parties and festivals. So, if you visit this island without experiencing any of its festivals, you are missing out on a lot of things. Notably, the majority of the festivals in Phuket take place at the beginning of a new year.
For instance, the Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival usually takes place in March and goes on for more than two weeks. This festival welcomes several individuals from different parts of the country and is also open to tourists. Also, numerous cultural events and a Buddhist ordination ceremony are held during the festival. In addition, a mini-marathon, bicycle racing, takraw, tug o’ war, and other sporting activities are parts of the festival.
March is also the month that the Phuket Zoo often hosts National Thai Elephant Day. Notably, New Year Eve is celebrated annually in an elaborate manner in December. While Thailand doesn’t have lots of Christians, Christmas is still celebrated to an extent in Phuket and many other topmost tourist destinations in the country. There are other relatively popular festivals held from November to April in Phuket.
- It is the perfect time for nightlife
Are you looking forward to enjoying the nightlife on the astonishing island of Phuket? If yes, you should make sure you visit the city from November to April. Since there are lots of visitors in the city during this period, the nightlife is usually at its peak. Many tourists will be available to enjoy the nightlife; hence, the nightclubs, bars, etc. invest more in improving the quality of their service. Besides, the weather allows entertainment to take place 24/7; therefore, it is the perfect time for nightclubs, bars, restaurants, etc. to give their customers the best services.
Because many people are exploring the nightlife during this period, the nights are usually safer. Unlike other seasons, you don’t have to worry about your safety as walk in the nights in Phuket, especially from December to March.
You can get a more detailed breakdown of the pros of visiting Phuket between November and April on the Phuket Holiday Guide.
Challenges you may face when visiting Phuket between November and April
Although there is no doubt that November to April is the best time to visit Phuket, you should understand that you will likely face some challenges during this period. These challenges are explained below:
- Busier months and traffic congestions
As noted above, most visitors come to Phuket between November and April. According to Trip Savvy, they are the busier months as you will come across lots of other individuals on the island. While this is a good thing for commercial reasons, traffic congestions are usually an issue for most people. The roads are usually busy, and you may need to spend more time before getting to your destination.
However, if you can stay close to the major attractions in Phuket, you may not have any problems with the traffic congestions associated with the busier months of the year.
- High cost of various things
Since lots of people will be available in Phuket between November and April, the demand for various products and services will be high. So, it is not strange that the prices of almost everything will increase significantly during these busier months. The cost of accommodation will increase sharply, especially in January. Also, the airfare will be higher than normal. Besides, most high-quality accommodation and airfare will be quickly booked by other individuals. So, you may struggle with getting quality services during the peak period of visiting Phuket.
But you can deal with this by using Booking.com, Hotels.com, and other booking platforms to book accommodation or airfare some months before the peak season. This ensures that you can get great services at relatively affordable costs.
If you intend to shop in Thailand during your visit, you should be ready to pay more when visiting from November to April. Notably, you will find most items you want as almost all shops will be open during these months. Nevertheless, the prices of the items are usually exorbitant.
If you can visit Phuket between May and October, you can get an exceptional discount on different products. Additionally, the Amazing Grand Sale of Thailand usually takes place during the off-peak season. Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy all these things if you visit around November to April.
- Less friendly services
Because the staffs of hotels, drivers, sellers, etc. are getting lots of customers from November to April, they tend to be less friendly to customers during the period. Although this does not necessarily affect the quality of the services you will get from them, it may affect your overall experience of the island of Phuket.
In a nutshell, the best time to visit Phuket is from November to April. This period offers numerous amazing things, but it also comes with a few challenges.
