WHAT TO DO IN PHUKET

With its abundance of beaches, forests and parks, a rich culture and history and fabulous dining and night-life options, Phuket will leave you spoiled for choice.

Considered one of the top 10 scuba diving destinations, the Andaman Sea with its spectacular reefs and rock formations is just waiting to be explored. Or how about a lazy day spent snorkelling the crystal clear waters which are teeming with colourful marine life? Adrenalin junkies will enjoy zipping through the air above the jungle or experiencing the thrills and spills of a water park. Elephant trekking is another popular activity on Phuket and offers a different way of getting close to nature. Or if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground then why not dust up on some local history at one of the Island’s fascinating museums.

If you’re feeling exhausted by all this activity how about relaxing those aching limbs with a spot of pampering. Most Thai hotels offer traditional Thai massage in state-of-the-art spa centres and complemented by delicious healthy food you’ll be in the perfect frame of mind and body for a spot of retail therapy. The Jungceylong Shopping Complex boasts over 200 stores as well as a cinema and bowling alley and is the perfect place to dodge the rain! Finally, as the sun starts to set, get ready to party. Patong is where it’s all happening and you’ll find the largest clubs, craziest bars and steamy shows located along the lively Bangla road.

What’s The Weather Like?

Phuket enjoys a tropical monsoonal climate with temperatures that are warm all the year round. The two hottest periods of the year fall between April-May and September-October with temperatures ranging between 27C and 36C. However these latter two months are also the wettest thanks to the arrival of the southwest monsoon. June, July and August are favoured by the locals since there is plenty of sunshine and temperatures ranging between 20C and 33C interspersed with brief cooling showers of rain. It’s also less busy and not as expensive.

From December to March the light breezes of the NE Monsoon lower the humidity levels and temperatures range between 24C to 32C which makes this the most popular time to visit Phuket.

The Dreaded Rain? 

The low season between September and October is definitely a time for umbrellas. However even though the rain may cause some disruption it’s relatively short-lived since Phuket rarely sees more than a couple of consecutive days of rain and even at this time of the year there are plenty of long bouts of sunshine to be enjoyed.

What’s the weather like?

Thailand’s climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year, when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, and brings with it the rainy season, which continues intermittently until the end of October.

From November to the end of February the climate is much less trying with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand.

The dreaded rain?

The average rainfall in May – October is usually above the 150mm mark with September being the most drizzly with an average of 319mm. November to March is quite dry with less rainfall in December.