Thailand Guide

Best time to visit Phuket

Phuket is known for an Andaman dry window from November to April, when boats and west-coast swims are reliable. May to October can still be cheap, but Phi Phi desks cancel often and refunds get messy.

Back to Phuket
Nov to AprBoat cancels May-OctAndaman window
Best time to visit Phuket
Photo: Jpatokal (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Dry seaNovember to April
WetMay to October; boats cancel
Smart Bus100 THB in any month
Gulf flipSamui January to September
Search stays on Trip.com Check live 2026 rates and free-cancellation options. Book tickets on Klook Book tickets, tours, or transfers ahead for peak dates.

The Andaman calendar is the rule, and November to April is why most first trips land HKT. May to October is green-season rates, west-coast chop, and cancelled Phi Phi boats, and the Smart Bus is still 100 THB. A west-coast car is still 45 to 90 minutes.

Do not combine a Phuket rain week with an island day you cannot move. If your dates are July, open when to go and look at the Gulf. Pair this page with monsoon notes.

Month notes

  • Nov to Feb: Dry, booked, cooler nights. Lock the west-coast room early.
  • Mar to Apr: Still swimmable. Hotter. Songkran week is water, not temples.
  • May to Oct: Rooms drop. Boats cancel. Surf can close Kata for toddlers.

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Southeast Asia TravelGuide Network

Compare Across Southeast Asia: Thailand Islands vs. Vietnam Coast

Weighing a Thai island week against Vietnam’s coast, or combining both? Compare water clarity, dry-season months, and five-star beachfront value.

Gulf of Thailand Sister Island

Phu Quoc Island

Shares the exact November to April calm-water window as Phuket and Koh Kood, with sunset beach clubs and luxury pool villas.

Explore Phu Quoc on Vietnam Guide →Central Coast Beach & Heritage

Da Nang & My Khe Beach

Best February to August (matching Koh Samui): broad sandy beaches, Son Tra Peninsula resorts, and 35 minutes to Hoi An.

Explore Da Nang on Vietnam Guide →Remote Archipelago & Diving

Con Dao & Nha Trang Bays

For Koh Tao and Koh Lanta fans seeking protected coral reefs, quiet coves, and hideaway luxury at Six Senses Con Dao.

Explore Con Dao on Vietnam Guide →
Search flights Bangkok to Da Nang BKK to DAD 1h 40m nonstop

Common questions

Is August a bad Phuket month?
It is a bad boat month. Rooms still work. Do not treat a Maya Bay day as guaranteed.
Can you visit in November?
Yes. It is the start of the useful sea. Book the west-coast hotel before you book the boat.