Phuket travel guide — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Phutket, Thailand

James Bond Island

One of the landmarks of Thai tourism. Also known as Koh Ta-pu (‘Nail Island), the first tourists come to this place through their role in the James Bond’s movie “The Man With the Golden Gun”’. The highlight of the entire area around the island is rocky peaks really spectacular.

Enjoying cuisine

Why can you skip these delectable dishes when visiting Phuket? From grilled seafood right on the beach, the sophisticated Japanese dishes or spicy Thai dishes are available here. Additionally, you can also taste the dishes which imported from neighboring countries such as Chinese noodles, Fujian or unfamiliar Muslim Halal foods.

Cycling around the Koh Yao Noi island

Instead of coming to the beaches, you can spend your short time for looking at Koh Yao Noi on the saddle. Get ready to flip through lush fields, majestic churches, bustling fishing villages or simply through lush green forests. Certainly, this journey will bring you a great feeling of relaxation.

Experience Flying Hanuman

Try to become Tarzan swing with lines of Flying Hanuman. With multiple levels and dedicated guidance, you will be spoiled for gliding in the air and record the most wonderful memories. And all, experience the feeling of conquering all the limits of the self.

Swimming in “paradise” beach

The reason why this place is so called that because it possesses the clear waters and long sandy beaches, fine white. This makes an appearance to those who have to have to say, “beautiful paradise”. Beach also has the most beautiful view in Patong beach area with full services such as scuba diving, boating and exploring vibrant coral reef in clear blue water.

Surfing in Kalim Beach

Located to the north of Patong, but not own dazzling beauty as Paradise, Kalim Beach is a paradise for people who love surfing. If you’re a keen surf or want to experience the feeling of “riding wind waves”, the Kalim is a place where you definitely have to check-in.

Relaxing in the spa

It seems unreasonable to come into the spa in a beach, but if you want to get a wonderful vacation, nothing is worth more than coming to the resort in Karon. With spa systems and Thai spa virtuosity technical ensure you will forget all worries.

Relaxing in Patong Beach

Patong is one of most beautiful seas in Phuket and can say that is the most beautiful in Thailand. When coming here, you can enjoy yourself in the waves, or surf the jet ski to explore the ocean. Or at sunset, you can run the road to conquer and see the island on colorful paragliders.

Coming to Karon Beach

Can not “monumental” and famous as Patong, Karon beautiful in a gentler way. You can come here to visit and shopping at Karon or enjoy seafood and the most delicious dishes in the sea. Or you can also visit Karon Viewpoint for trekking and sightseeing forests views in harmony with the sea.

There are just a few places and noticeable activities of Phuket. You can also discover for interesting areas here. Finally, according to the travel experience livingnomads.com, the best we should choose the time from November to March. Since this time the weather is usually not too hot nor rain, it is very convenient for enjoying the sea air and enjoys the sights. Also around June and July, as well as a relatively good time, because this time has fewer tourists but also hotter weather.

Further information

Phuket climate and weather

With a tropical climate, the weather in Phuket broadly varies between warm, cool and rainy. It never really gets too cold. The high tourist season is from November to February when it’s cool and dry, after which it remains quite hot until May. Monsoon season begins mid-May and goes on till October.

If you’re travelling to Phuket it’s good to know what you’re in for, weather-wise, before you pack your bags and make your plans. But one thing’s certain: you’ll be comfiest in beachwear and flip-flops no matter what time of year you arrive. Rain or shine, Phuket is hot!

Though temperatures vary little from month to month, there are three distinct seasons within the tropical monsoon climate of Phuket: dry, hot and rainy.

In November, the monsoon winds shift and begin to flow in from the northeast, bringing cooler (though far from cool) temperatures that continue through February. It’s also the driest, sunniest time of year and Phuket’s peak season for visitors. Expect to find calmer seas, blue skies, and more crowded beaches during these months. Accommodation prices will also be at their peak, especially from mid-December to mid-January.

March, April and May are Phuket’s hottest months and the days can get uncomfortably hot and sticky. Coinciding with the Thai school holidays, this is when many locals get out of town or flock to the shopping centres to escape the blazing weather. If visiting Phuket during these months, it’s well worth shelling out more for an air-conditioned hotel room or a resort with a pool. Rain showers come and go and generally don’t hang around for too long.

From June through August, relief from the heat comes with the southwest monsoon winds, which bring more cooling rains. The rainfall during these months usually comes in short bursts, so there are still plenty of sunny days to enjoy.

With fewer people around and sometimes significant discounts on offer at many Phuket hotels and guesthouses, July and August can be great months to visit, especially for those on a budget. Photographers love to be here during these months, too, since the island is greener and fresher, the light more varied and interesting, and the skies livelier – Phang Nga Bay looks especially misty and mystical then.

For September and October, be sure to bring your umbrella since these are Phuket’s wettest months. It really buckets down at times, sometimes turning roads into rivers. Getting around can get damp and dicey, especially by motorbike. If you’re visiting Phuket during these months, bring some books or a well-apped iPad and plan for some days inside.

If you find yourself in Phuket during a spell of heavy rain, it might be a good time to take that Thai cooking course, visit indoor sights like the Phuket Aquarium or book a massage session. If travelling with children, try seeking out a resort with a kids’ club to keep the wee ones busy if it’s too stormy for the beach. Or if you’re keen to avoid rain at all costs, you might want to check out the weather in Samui and the Gulf Coast islands before booking your flight to Thailand, where the dry and wet seasons fall on different months.

In the past, many Phuket hotels, restaurants and shops shuttered their doors during the rainy months, but this is no longer the case: Phuket has emerged as a year-round destination. That said, it’s certainly not safe to swim year-round. Through the so-called green season, strong waves and hidden riptides can quickly turn a day at the beach into tragedy.

Here’s a monthly break up of Phuket’s climatic conditions so you can plan when to go:

November to February: This is the coolest season in Phuket after the rains are over. With the best weather, naturally, this is also the busiest time with most tourists planning their trips around this period. The temperature varies around 23°C and 30°C. While December is the coolest month in Phuket, February is the driest. This is the perfect time to spend the day relaxing on one of the gorgeous beaches in Phuket and enjoying water sports in the calm sea. You can then party it out till the wee hours of the morning at one of the many nightclubs.

March to mid-May: These are considered as the hottest months in Phuket just before monsoon hits the island. The temperatures vary in the mid-thirties, with humidity levels steadily on the rise. One of the good reasons to visit Phuket in April is to witness the Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year, when people sprinkle water on each other!

Mid-May to October: Monsoon season in Phuket lasts from May to October. Average temperature during monsoons is 28°C-29°C. While the weather is at its humid best, the prices are at an all-time low, making this one of the cheapest seasons to plan a trip. Apart from being cost effective, it’s also a peaceful time to visit because it’s not as crowded as the high season. The wettest months are May, September and October, but it’s rare that the island would get continuous days of heavy rainfall.

Rainfall: The driest months are January through March, with 30-40 millimetres of rain on average. The months of May through October have average rainfall of 200mm, peaking in September at 400mm.

Best time to visit Phuket

• Best Time for Good Weather: December to March
• Best Time for Diving: November to April
• Best Time for Surfing: April to November
• Best Time for Sightseeing: December to March
• Best Time for Honeymoon: December to April
• Best Time for Nightlife: December and January
• Best Time for Saving Money: September and October

Accommodation

You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for the Phuket accommodations, Phuket hotels, Phuket hotels on the beach, Phuket hostels, Phuket hostels near beach, Best hostel in Phuket, backpacker hostels in Phuket, hostels in Phuket town, balcony hostel Phuket, bed hostel Phuket, Phuket activities, cheap places to stay in Phuket on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Phuket you can refer to

• (All Areas Inclusive) Private Phuket International Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket by Thai Rhythm
• Private Transfers for Phuket City and Surrounding Attractions
• Private Krabi (KBV) or Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Krabi, Phuket, and More
• Private City Transfers between Phuket and Nearby Cities
• Shared Phuket International Airport (HKT) Transfer from Phuket
• Shared Van Transfer from Phuket International Airport (HKT) to Phuket
• Phuket City Sightseeing Day Tour
• Phuket Custom Full Day Tour
• Phuket Adventure Day Tour
• Phuket City Introduction Half Day Tour
• Phuket Custom Tour: Racha Island, Phi Phi Island, Phuket Fantasea, Dolphin Show, and More
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G Portable WiFi for Thailand from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you finding more top things to do in Phuket: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.