Is It Monsoon in Phi Phi Islands, Thailand? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand JANUARY
27Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Peak season
22Β° to 31Β°
Dry & Sunny
The driest, most comfortable month of the year, with calm seas ideal for reaching Maya Bay.
β˜€οΈ Sunscreen🀿 Good visibility diving
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Peak season
22Β° to 33Β°
Peak Dry Season
Still dry and sunny, with the lowest humidity of the year and excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling.
β˜€οΈ Sunscreen🏝️ Island-hopping weather
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Peak season
23Β° to 33Β°
Hot & Dry
Dry season holds, though the heat is climbing, mornings are the most comfortable time to be out.
πŸ₯΅ Stay hydratedβ˜€οΈ Sunscreen
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Shoulder season
24Β° to 33Β°
Pre-Monsoon Showers
One of the hottest months of the year, with rain showers turning noticeably more frequent as the monsoon approaches.
πŸ₯΅ Heat protectionβ˜” Light rain jacket
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Off-peak season
24Β° to 33Β°
Monsoon's First Peak
The rainy season opens with its first burst of heavy rain, and the sea turns rougher along exposed coasts.
β˜” Umbrella essential🌊 Check sea conditions
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Shoulder season
24Β° to 32Β°
Early Monsoon
Rain is frequent now, though it can still hold decent for days at a stretch between downpours.
β˜” Umbrella handy🦟 Insect repellent
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Shoulder season
24Β° to 31Β°
Steady Rain
Wet season continues, with rain most days and the Andaman Sea prone to swell and stronger currents.
β˜” Umbrella handy🌊 Check sea conditions
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Shoulder season
24Β° to 31Β°
Deep Monsoon
Rain remains frequent, and some years bring torrential downpours this month.
β˜” Heavy rain gear🌊 Rough seas possible
28Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Off-peak season
24Β° to 31Β°
Peak Wet Season
The rainiest month of the year, with the most rain days and rough, unpredictable seas.
β˜” Heavy rain gear⚠️ Boat delays possible
27Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Off-peak season
23Β° to 31Β°
Wettest Stretch
Nearly as wet as September, with frequent heavy downpours and the roughest seas of the year.
β˜” Heavy rain gear⚠️ Boat delays possible
26Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Shoulder season
23Β° to 30Β°
Monsoon Retreats
Rain can still be heavy early in the month as the monsoon withdraws, before conditions dry out toward December.
β˜” Light rain jacket🦟 Insect repellent
27Β°
β˜…β˜…β˜…
Shoulder season
23Β° to 31Β°
Dry Season Returns
Mostly dry and sunny again, though an occasional intense shower can still pass through early in the month.
β˜€οΈ Sunscreenβ˜” Pack a light rain jacket too
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
51 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
74%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
7 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
51 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
74%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
130 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
310 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
7 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
259 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
274 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
259 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
376 mm
20 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
88%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
330 mm
20 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3.5 hrs/day
27% of daylight hours
Humidity
86%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
7 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
231 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
7 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
89 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
β˜…β˜…β˜… peak season, β˜…β˜…β˜† decent shoulder months, β˜…β˜†β˜† true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Mar
The Phi Phi islands at their driest and sunniest, with lower humidity and the calmest seas of the year for reaching Maya Bay and the outlying snorkel spots. It's also the busiest and priciest stretch, book Tonsai and the main beaches well ahead. February and March can turn properly hot, so early risers get the most comfortable hours.
🌀️
Shoulder season: Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec
This tier spans different halves of the year. April sits right before the monsoon, still hot with pre-monsoon showers becoming more frequent, while December can still bring an occasional intense downpour even though it's technically dry season. June through August fall within the monsoon's steadier middle, rain is frequent but conditions can still hold decent for stretches. November, right after the monsoon retreats, can still see heavy rain in its first half before conditions dry out toward December.
β˜”
Off-peak season: May, Sep, Oct
The two wettest peaks of the year: May opens the monsoon with a burst of heavy rain, while September and October bring the heaviest totals and the most rain days of the whole year. Seas turn rough with dangerous currents, and boat trips out to Maya Bay and the smaller islands are more likely to be delayed or cancelled. It's also when hotel prices drop to their lowest point.
Good to know
🚀
No airport, ferry access only
There is no airport on Phi Phi. Ferries run from Krabi (about 1.5 to 2 hours) or Phuket (about 1.5 to 2 hours), landing at Tonsai Pier, the island's main arrival point.
🏝️
Maya Bay has visitor caps now
After years of overtourism damaged the coral, Maya Bay reopened under stricter rules: visitor numbers are limited and swimming directly in the bay is no longer allowed.
🌊
Seas get rough in the summer monsoon
Dangerous currents are more common during the wet season. Check conditions before swimming at exposed beaches, and expect some boat trips to the outer islands to be delayed or cancelled.
πŸ•―οΈ
The islands were rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami
The December 2004 tsunami badly damaged Phi Phi Don. The island has been rebuilt in the years since, and evacuation route signage is still visible around the low-lying parts of Tonsai today.
Top attractions
1
Maya Bay
The turquoise, cliff-ringed bay made famous by the film "The Beach." Visitor numbers are capped and swimming directly in the bay is no longer allowed, part of an ongoing effort to let the coral recover.
2
Phi Phi Viewpoint
A steep 20 to 30 minute climb above Tonsai village, rewarded with a panoramic view over the island's twin bays, best at sunrise or sunset.
3
Monkey Beach
A quick longtail-boat ride from Tonsai, with a resident troop of monkeys on the sand and decent snorkeling just offshore.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in the Phi Phi Islands?
The Phi Phi Islands' monsoon season runs roughly from May through November, with September historically the wettest, averaging around 376mm of rain across 20 days.
What is the best time of year to visit the Phi Phi Islands?
January through March is historically the Phi Phi Islands' driest and sunniest stretch, with lower humidity and the calmest seas of the year for reaching Maya Bay.
What is the least favorable time to visit the Phi Phi Islands?
September and October historically bring the heaviest rain totals and the most rain days of the year, with rougher seas and dangerous currents more common.
Which month has the most rain in the Phi Phi Islands?
September is historically the wettest month, averaging around 376mm of rain across 20 days.
Which month is the driest in the Phi Phi Islands?
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 25mm of rain.
How hot do the Phi Phi Islands get?
April is historically the hottest month of the year.
What should I pack for the Phi Phi Islands during the rainy season?
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around May through November, when the monsoon brings the bulk of the year's rain.
Are there restrictions at Maya Bay?
Yes. After years of overtourism damaged the coral, Maya Bay reopened under stricter rules: visitor numbers are limited and swimming directly in the bay is no longer allowed.
How do I get to the Phi Phi Islands?
There's no airport on Phi Phi. Ferries run from Krabi or Phuket, each about 1.5 to 2 hours, landing at Tonsai Pier, the island's main arrival point.
Did the 2004 tsunami affect Phi Phi?
Yes. The December 2004 tsunami badly damaged Phi Phi Don, though the island has been rebuilt in the years since.