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• Climate & Calendar
  • Monsoon Season

Climate, the seasons and activities on Phuket

Seasons are critical for anyone coming to Phuket to follow a specific activity or sport, for weather conditions control exactly what you can and cannot do. There are only two basic seasons, the dry season and the monsoon season. The normal dry months stretch from November till May, while the monsoon usually lasts from May or June through October. September and October are usually the wettest months of the year, though even during this period the rains are usually broken by off-and-on spells of fine weather.
 

Dry Month activities
The dry months are ideal for virtually all beach activities and watersports, including diving, swimming, sea canoeing, boating, and fishing. At this time of year the waters throughout the Andaman sea are especially calm. The beaches on Phuket’s West coast are at their finest, with the water clear and warm, averaging about 28 degrees Celsius.
Some mountain biking and trekking is organised by tour companies on Phuket, and this can usually be done all year round.

The Windy season – Wind sports
Sports that depend on the wind – sailing & windsurfing – are best from November through February when the Northeast winds blow steadily, but bring little rain. It is during this time – December – that the annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is held.

Monsoon Season & things to do
Sea canoeing and game fishing are also good during the monsoon season. The best sea canoeing is to be had among the scores of islands in the bay of Phang Nga which is well-sheltered from the monsoon winds. Fishing is good during the wetter months since it is then that sailfish gather around neighbouring islands in huge schools and put on dramatic displays of jumping and splashing.
There is limited white-water canoeing in streams north of Phuket, and these run only during the wet months.

Yearly Calendar of Festivals & Events
Festivals.
Phuket’s shares all of the annual festivals of the Thai year, including many with Buddhist traditions. Here are the best-known:
 

Loy Kratong
Annual floating of decorative boat offerings down rivers and streams on the full moon night of November. In Phuket some people use the ocean.

Songkran
This annual water festival takes place during the hottest and driest time of year, April, and sees everyone getting thoroughly soaked. It’s wildest in the north, but Phuket also celebrates.

New Year Celebrations
Thais love celebration, and take the opportunity to enjoy foreign events as well as their own. New Year is the best example of this, with the international New Year on 31st December being as big an event in Thailand as it is in other countries.

Chinese New Year
While this is not an official holiday and all government offices and banks continue working, a large percentage of businesses close at this time since their owners are of Chinese origin. This also gives Thai workers an additional holiday.

We have a great deal of information on all of the Thai Buddhist festivals, and this is coming soon. Here are some of the events:
Visakaha Bucha
 

• Visakaha Bucha
• Macha Bucha
• Khao Pansa
• Ok Pansa

Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival:
By far the island’s most famous annual event, this is a local-grown festival with roots in the superstitions of Phuket’s Chinese migrants. This lasts for ten days each October, and occupies the energies and attention of a large percentage of the island population. Tens of thousands of locals turn strict vegetarians for these ten days, while also abstaining from alcohol, intoxicants and sex during the period. It’s a rite of purification, and those abstaining wear white for the period.

The highlights of this ten-day event are colourful and noisy parades through the town. These are truly amazing events, and to get a feel for them it is best to click onto the Vegetarian Festival pages and look through some of the photos – some of which might horrify as well as amaze you.

Events:
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
This annual regatta held in the waters off Phuket attracts almost 100 yachts and up to 1,000 sailors and family members each year. Begun in 1987, this has become the most prestigious sailing event in Asian waters. It’s serious competition for some, and lots of fun for all. It lasts for one week in early December, coinciding with the Thai King’s birthday.

Phang Nga Bay Regatta
A small regatta that has only began in 1999, this has quickly become so popular that it is certain to become a permanent annual fixture. It is held over three days during the Chinese New Year holidays, in January or February. In 2000, its second year, it attracted almost 30 boats. Routed through the islands between Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, this regatta is not as serious as the King’s Cup, but is great fun in some of the world’s most extravagant sailing scenery.

Phuket International Fishing Tournament
This annual event is held around November, often shortly before the King’ Cup. Anglers come from around the region, and from around the globe for this 3 day event. Teams depart each morning, returning for sunset weigh-ins, usually in Chalong. Sailfish are common in this area, and are the most sought after. All billfish must be photographed and released.

Surfing Competition
Phuket’s first-ever international surfing competition was held off Kata Beach in 1999, and was so successful it was decided to hold another in year 2000. It may well become a permanent fixture of the calendar here.

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