Fall in Phuket feels like a blend of warm days, sticky humidity, and frequent rain showers that slowly ease up as winter approaches. Daytime highs usually sit around 87°F (31°C), and nights dip to about 77°F (25°C), so expect muggy air almost every day. Rain pours hardest in September and early October, but November often feels more balanced, with fewer storms and clearer skies.
This time marks the monsoon transition. You’ll notice shifting winds and shorter days as fall moves along. Rain tends to come down in bursts, then leaves behind calm stretches. The sea keeps warm at about 84°F (29°C), so you can swim even if the sky looks a bit unsettled.
Thinking about a trip? It helps to know how the weather changes month by month, how much rain to expect, and when the sun might peek through. If you time things right and pack well, fall in Phuket can feel quieter and still give you plenty of chances to enjoy the island.
Overview of Fall Weather in Phuket
Fall in Phuket means steady warmth, high humidity, and rain that slowly lets up by season’s end. You’ll feel the tropics—there’s not much difference between day and night, and the sky shifts from cloudy in September to clearer by late November.
Typical Temperature Range
During fall, daily high temperatures in Phuket usually hover around 87°F (31°C). Temperatures rarely drop below 83°F (28°C) or climb past 92°F (33°C).
Nights stay warm, with lows near 77°F (25°C). You won’t need any cool-weather clothes.
The sea stays at about 84°F (29°C), so swimming feels good all season. Phuket doesn’t see wild temperature swings, so the climate feels pretty steady.
For comparison:
- Hottest period: early March, up to 92°F (33°C)
- Coolest period: mid-January, around 75–89°F (24–32°C)
This consistency means you can plan outdoor stuff without worrying about cold snaps.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
Phuket’s humidity stays high in the fall, with dew points near 75°F (24°C). The air feels muggy almost all the time.
Even at night, the air doesn’t dry out, so it feels sticky around the clock.
You won’t get much relief from the heat. Light, breathable clothes are a must, and honestly, air conditioning is the only way to feel truly comfortable indoors.
This level of humidity is just part of life on a tropical island. If you’re sensitive to heavy moisture, you might want to slow your pace or find some shade and AC now and then.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Rain hits hard at the start of fall, with September averaging over 11 inches (280 mm). October stays wet, but by November, rainfall drops to about 5 inches (125 mm).
Showers usually come in short bursts, but sometimes storms stick around a bit longer.
Cloud cover shifts too. Early September brings overcast skies about 90% of the time, but by late November, that drops to 75%. So, more sunshine shows up as fall rolls on.
Winds blow mainly from the west in September and October, then switch to the east in November. Speeds average 7–9 mph (11–14 km/h), which helps a little but doesn’t really cool things down. All these changes mark the shift toward Phuket’s drier, cooler season.
Monthly Breakdown: September, October, and November
During fall, Phuket gets heavy rainfall, changing humidity, and shifting sea conditions. You’ll spot clear differences from September through November, which can shape your outdoor plans, beach safety, and even travel costs.
September Weather Highlights
September is just soaked. Rain falls often and sometimes for hours at a stretch. You’ll feel high humidity and see little sunshine, with clouds hanging around most days.
Daytime temperatures stick around 27–29°C (81–84°F), and nights rarely dip below 24°C (75°F). The sea gets rough, and strong currents make swimming risky at many beaches.
If you visit in September, get ready for 95–100% humidity and rainfall totals that usually top 400 mm. Boat trips to nearby islands sometimes get disrupted.
On the plus side, hotels drop their rates and tourists thin out. Indoor activities like cooking classes, spa time, or cultural tours start to look a lot more appealing.
October Weather Highlights
October keeps the monsoon going, but the rain eases up a bit compared to September. Showers are still common, mostly in the afternoons or evenings. Thunderstorms can pop up, but you’ll see more breaks of sun.
Temperatures stay about the same, averaging 27–30°C (81–86°F) during the day. Nights are humid, with lows around 24–25°C (75–77°F). The sea is still choppy, and red flags on beaches appear often.
Rainfall averages 300–350 mm, which is less than September but still pretty wet. Flooding can happen in low spots, so allow extra time for getting around.
Tourism stays slow, so attractions are less crowded. With a bit of luck and planning, you might catch some clear mornings before the rain rolls in.
November Weather Highlights
November signals the move from wet season to dry. Rainfall drops sharply, averaging 150–200 mm, and you’ll spot longer sunny stretches.
Daytime highs hit 28–31°C (82–88°F), and nights cool a bit to around 23–24°C (73–75°F). Humidity drops, so being outside feels a lot nicer.
The sea calms down, and swimming becomes safer as currents weaken. Boat tours and diving trips get back on schedule, too.
Tourist numbers start climbing, and hotel prices go up. If you want decent weather without big crowds, early November might be your sweet spot.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Phuket gets some of its heaviest rain during fall. September and October bring frequent showers, while November starts to dry out. Rain usually comes in short, intense bursts, which can mess with outdoor plans but also keeps the island green and lush.
Average Monthly Rainfall
Rainfall in Phuket during fall is about as high as it gets all year. September averages around 318 mm, making it the wettest month. October isn’t far behind at about 300 mm, and November drops to roughly 180 mm as the monsoon backs off.
This matches the southwest monsoon’s peak before it fades away. Rain falls in heavy downpours, not gentle sprinkles. These storms can last from half an hour to a few hours, but they usually clear up quickly and leave the air a bit cooler.
Just to give you an idea:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 318 | 23 |
| October | 301 | 25 |
| November | 180 | 16 |
You can see how rain slowly lets up as fall goes on.
Wet Days and Thunderstorms
Expect lots of wet days in September and October. Rain falls on more than two-thirds of the days, though it rarely lasts all day. Most often, you’ll get short, heavy showers in the afternoon or evening.
Thunderstorms show up a lot, especially in September. They bring heavy rain, strong winds, and sometimes lightning. Storms might ruin beach plans, but they don’t usually stick around long. The sea gets rough, so swimming isn’t always safe.
By November, rainy days drop to about half the month. Thunderstorms aren’t as common, though you’ll still get the occasional quick shower. This drop in stormy weather means travel conditions start to improve.
Transition to Drier Season
By late November, rain really starts to ease up. Fewer rainy days and weaker storms make the weather more predictable.
The southwest monsoon winds down. Winds shift, seas calm, and you get more sunshine. Temperatures stay warm, but with less rain, planning outdoor stuff gets easier.
If you visit now, you’ll probably run into fewer sudden downpours. Beaches become safer for swimming, and boat tours get back to normal. Late November feels like a much better time for travelers than September or October.
Sunshine, Daylight, and Cloud Cover
Phuket’s fall means shorter daylight hours, lots of cloud cover, and shifting sunrise and sunset times. You’ll notice changes in brightness and visibility, which can affect your beach plans or outdoor adventures.
Hours of Daylight
Daylight in Phuket shrinks as fall goes on. Early September gives you about 12 hours and 16 minutes of light. By late November, you’re down to around 11 hours and 42 minutes.
The change is steady, with daylight dropping by about 34 minutes over the season. Each week, you lose roughly 2 to 3 minutes of sun.
If you love long beach days or outdoor tours, September gives you the most daylight. By late November, your days feel a bit shorter.
| Month | Approx. Daylight Hours |
|---|---|
| Early Sept | 12 hrs 16 mins |
| Late Oct | 11 hrs 55 mins |
| Late Nov | 11 hrs 42 mins |
Cloud Cover Patterns
Clouds are a big deal in Phuket’s fall weather. Skies stay cloudy or overcast, especially in September. At the start of fall, the sky is overcast 91% of the time. By November, that drops to about 77%.
November brings clearer skies, but cloudy days still outnumber sunny ones. The clearest day usually falls near the end of November, when you might get clear or partly cloudy skies about 23% of the time.
So, don’t expect a lot of blue-sky days like in the dry season, but things do get better as the monsoon fades. If you want to plan outdoor activities, just know September and October are wetter and cloudier than November.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset times in Phuket shift gradually through fall. Mid-October brings the earliest sunrise at about 6:13 AM. By late November, sunrise is around 6:23 AM, just 10 minutes later.
Sunsets change more. Early September sunsets are around 6:34 PM. By mid-November, the sun sets at about 6:03 PM.
Evenings get shorter as fall goes on. If you’re into sunsets on the beach, September gives you the latest ones, while November sunsets come earlier.
| Date Range | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Early September | 6:18 AM | 6:34 PM |
| Mid-October | 6:13 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Late November | 6:23 AM | 6:03 PM |
Travel Considerations for Fall Visitors
Fall in Phuket brings warm temperatures, high humidity, and rain that slowly tapers off toward winter. Your experience really depends on when you visit, how you work around the weather, and which activities you pick.
Best Time to Visit Phuket in Fall
Early fall, especially September, brings the heaviest rains of the season. You might see over 11 inches of rain in just a month, and the sky often stays gray.
Beach days get tricky, but you can still enjoy Phuket’s indoor cultural sites or maybe treat yourself at a spa.
By late October and November, rainfall drops to about 4–5 inches per month. You’ll notice more sunshine, and the sea starts to settle down.
This time feels a lot better for swimming, snorkeling, and boat tours, since the weather usually cooperates.
If you’re hoping to catch lower prices while the weather improves, late October through November is your best window. Temperatures stay pretty steady, with highs near 87°F (31°C) and lows around 77°F (25°C).
You’ll get warm days and nights, so don’t expect much of a chill at any point.
Crowds and Travel Costs
Fewer tourists show up in Phuket during September and October, mostly because of the rain and rough seas. Hotels, flights, and tours often drop their prices, so you can snag deals and enjoy quieter beaches.
Some water activities might not run, though, if the sea gets too wild.
As November rolls in, more travelers arrive. The drier weather kicks off the high season, and that means prices climb and attractions get busier.
Resorts and popular beaches like Patong and Kata start to fill up again.
If you’re okay with some rain and want to save money, early fall is a sweet spot. But if you’d rather have reliable weather and don’t mind paying a bit more, late fall works better.
Recommended Activities
In September and early October, it’s smarter to focus on indoor or sheltered experiences. Try a cooking class, visit a temple, wander through a museum, or check out a wellness retreat.
Shopping at local markets can be a cozy way to pass a rainy afternoon too.
By late October and November, outdoor activities get more reliable. You can go snorkeling, join island-hopping tours, or just hang out on the beach without worrying so much about storms.
Surfing’s pretty popular in early fall, especially when the waves pick up.
Water temperatures hover around 84°F (29°C) all year, so you can swim whenever conditions are safe. Always check local advisories before heading out for boat trips or ocean adventures, especially in the wetter months.
Packing Tips and Local Advice
Phuket’s fall months bring sticky humidity, frequent rain, and warm temps day and night. You’ll want clothes that keep you cool but also protect you from sudden downpours and damp air.
Essential Clothing for Fall
Daytime highs usually sit around 31–32 °C (88–90 °F), and the air can feel pretty muggy. Go for breathable cotton or linen shirts, shorts, and dresses.
Skip heavy fabrics—they just trap heat and take forever to dry if you get caught in the rain.
A light rain jacket or compact umbrella comes in handy since showers can show up fast, especially in September and October. Sandals or flip-flops work for the beach, but you’ll want closed-toe shoes for wet streets or slippery paths.
For temple visits, you’ll need modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. A thin scarf or shawl works as a quick cover-up.
At night, mosquitoes get more active, so lightweight long sleeves and pants help keep bites at bay without making you overheat.
Pack at least two swimsuits since the sea stays warm, but drying anything can take a while in humid air. A quick-dry towel’s also handy if you’re planning beach trips on rainy days.
Weather-Related Travel Tips
Rain just pours down in the fall, especially in September. You might see over 300 mm of rain in just a few weeks.
Some roads flood quickly, and then the water disappears just as fast. Toss your electronics and documents in waterproof bags, just in case.
I always keep my smaller stuff in zip-sealed pouches—it’s a lifesaver when everything gets damp.
The beaches? Well, the surf gets rough and there are rip currents from the southwest monsoon.
Before you swim, check the local red flag warnings.
If you’re into surfing, this season brings great waves. But if you’re just looking to splash around, you’ll want to be extra careful.
Humidity often hovers around 75–80%.
It’s easy to forget to hydrate, so bring a refillable water bottle. Maybe throw in some electrolyte packets if you’re outside for hours.
Storms sometimes knock out the power.
A small flashlight or headlamp comes in handy, especially if you’re staying away from the main tourist spots.
Getting a taxi or ride takes longer when it’s pouring.
Give yourself extra time if you’re heading to the airport or catching a ferry—no one wants to miss a connection because of the rain.