Planning a vacation to Koh Phangan in Thailand?
Great choice. We love Koh Phangan because of the gorgeous beaches, hip and laid back seaside villages, cool cafes, amazing sunset spots and because there is always some event happening. Koh Phangan, in short, is what you expect from tropical paradise.
You’re probably asking yourself when is the best time to visit Koh Phangan? You’re in the right place. In this guide you’ll find out about Koh Phangan weather by month.
The Koh Phangan climate is basically 3 stages of hot as follows: hot, hot+rainy or hot+humid. Pretty much, Koh Phangan climate is hot year round but with some variations.
The best time to visit Koh Phangan is between mid December and end of March. These months have the best weather situation because temperatures are cooler and days are nice and dry.
“By cooler I don’t necessarily mean cool, I just mean slightly lower temperatures”
You can still have an amazing trip if you visit during the other months. In fact many tourists prefer low season in Koh Phangan because of the lower hotel prices and fewer crowds.
This article covers everything you need to know about Koh Phangan weather. By the end you will know exactly what to expect and what is the best months to visit Koh Phangan.
When is the best time to Visit Koh Phangan?
For the best and most enjoyable weather with pleasant temperatures and also calm water conditions with *high tides, the best time to visit Koh Phangan is from mid December to around the end of March.
Temperatures continue to rise from March onwards. And also, from March to July the tide is lower and certain beaches won’t be any good for swimming. But you may also want to consider visiting Koh Phangan around Mid April and be part of Songkran celebrations. Pretty much this is a massive water fight that happens all over Thailand. A good way to cool down during these hotter days.
Tides in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan and the rest of the islands in the Gulf sea of Thailand are affected by daily tides. These tides are usually high until around mid day and slowly go down. Then there’s also the yearly cycle where the tide is overall lower between March and July. This causes certain beaches to be shallow and unsuitable for swimming and also the water is warm. Not great if you want to cool down.
From August until February, the tides are higher creating good swimming conditions for the majority of beaches
When should you not go to Koh Phangan?
October and November are the wettest months in Koh Phangan. These months get the most rainfall. However, most often rain comes in the late afternoon in burst that typically last around 1 hour and quickly clear up to sunny days.
Considering the rainfall rarely ruins entire days, many tourists and travelers prefer these low season months for the low hotel prices along with cheaper scooter rentals and also fewer tourists.
Weather in the Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)
Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf sea on the East Coast of Thailand. It neighbors with the popular diving island Koh Tao to the north and just a 30 minute ferry south is Koh Samui. The trio islands have similar weather patterns with weather being hot year round.
Regardless what time of year to visit Koh Phangan, it is always important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water.
The Koh Phangan weather chart below gives a an overview of the weather in Koh Phangan by month. This chart can also be referenced to if you’re visiting Koh Tao or Koh Samui.
Getting to Koh Phangan can be done via the bus and ferry joint tickets. It’s a hassle free and affordable way to travel from many destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Ao Nang
→Bangkok to Koh Phangan (joint ticket)
→Phuket to Koh Phangan (joint ticket)
→Krabi to Koh Phangan (joint ticket)
Koh Phangan Dry Season & Koh Phangan Rainy Season
The dry season in Koh Phangan is typically from mid December to the end of August. As with any tropical climate it can rain at any time but during these months rain isn’t common.
The wet season, which is also referred to as Monsoon season runs from September to mid December. It rains almost every day during these months. However, most often the rain comes in heavy bursts in the late afternoon which is a similar rainfall pattern in most South East Asian countries.
Koh Phangan in January – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 28℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high
Koh Phangan weather in January is ideal. Wether you plan hitting the beach, exploring the island on a scooter, doing amazing boat tours or land tours, January is one of the best months.
Koh Phangan temperature in January is one of the cooler months of the year. And is also just 1 month past the end of wet season meaning chances of rainfall are low.
There are many great things to do in Koh Phangan in January. One of them is to take advantage of the ideal sea conditions. The calm seas are perfect to visit places like Angthong Marine Park. It’s an archipelago formed by a cluster of small islands covered in jungle and you’ll get to snorkel with colorful marine life and kayak through gorgeous lagoons. It’s one of the best things to do if you’re in Koh Phangan.
Koh Phangan in February – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 28℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high
Weather in Koh Phangan in February follows the same pattern as the previous month.
It can often be more appealing to visit Koh Phangan during February. The main reason is because most tourists visiting for Christmas will have already left and the island will be less busy.
While February is by no means the low season, there tends to be more accommodation on offer. Also places like restaurants and nightlife venues aren’t as busy as the previous month.
Koh Phangan in March – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 30℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high or low
In March temperatures begin to rise and also humidity tends to increase making it feel even hotter. The end of March also marks the end of the cooler.
But don’t worry, you’re on a tropical island surrounded by gorgeous beaches. You can easily cool off at one of the many beaches.
Koh Phangan in April – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 32℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: low
Temperatures gradually increase throughout April. How hot it feels often comes down to the levels of humidity which are always unpredictable. So while April is indeed one of the hottest months, it the humidity that makes the days hot, stuffy and sticky.
April also marks the month of Songkran. This is the Thai new year and what better way to celebrate than a nationwide massive water fight. Come here in April and have fun getting soaked from head to toe.
Koh Phangan in May – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 33℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: low
Weather in Koh Phangan can feel unbearably hot in May. With average temperatures of around 33℃ and humidity levels high, even evening is usually quite warm. It’s important to stay hydrated and if possible don’t spend excessive amounts of time in the open sun especially around mid day.
Koh Phangan in June – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 32℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: low or high
In June temperatures slowly start coming down yet still remain above the 30℃ mark. Humidity levels also begin to drop and compared with the previous month of May which is always the hottest, June offers somewhat of a spite of relief.
June is also when the tide begins to increase and the water level is fuller.
Koh Phangan in July – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 31℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high or low
July in Koh Phangan marks the start of the peak summer months. Temperatures are still high but humidity levels tend to be lower. This is when kids come out of school and families go on vacation.
July can be busy because not only foreign tourists visit but also the locals kids on the island are on vacation and families from other provinces and from Bangkok also come to enjoy their holidays on this tropical island.
Koh Phangan in August – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 30℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high
August weather in Koh Phangan is like the final month of overall sunny days. It’s still a great time to visit because by mid August most families have gone back to prepare for kids back to school. It is usually significantly quieter and thus hotel prices can be cheaper than usual.
The weather is still holding though until the end of August.
Koh Phangan in September – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: Yes/No | Tide: high
Weather in Koh Phangan in September is usually unpredictable. This is the end of the dry season. Overcast days start to roll in and as the month progresses expect more frequent showers.
September can be a good month to snatch up some bargain deals while the weather is still holding up. Personally I love these shoulder months especially watching a thunder storm rolling in from the distance as I sit in a terrace overlooking the ocean.
Koh Phangan in October – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No | Tide: high
October is officially the wet season. However, with tropical climates, rainy season doesn’t mean constant rain, it isn’t the UK with constant drizzles. Thailand weather usually just gets on with it.
In most cases mornings up until the early afternoon it’s nice and sunny. Then clouds start rolling in and throw down a massive downpour usually lasting around 1 hour in the late afternoon. But it tends to clear up rather quickly.
Koh Phangan in November – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No | Tide: high
November is the same as the previous month. This can be a really good time if you want bargain deals. Especially big resorts with super low occupancy like to significantly slash prices. Usually these deals happen last minute though. So searching for deals in November 1 year in advance may result in getting the same prices as any other month.
Koh Phangan in December – When to Visit Koh Phangan
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No/Yes | Tide: high
December is once again the shoulder month and can be unpredictable especially until mid month until the weather in Koh Phangan begins to settle. This can be a great time to visit Koh Phangan if you love the outdoors.
After the rainfall outdoor nature will be at it’s best and temperatures have still not gone up making it perfect if you love hikes. Also, Koh Phangan is home to a few waterfalls. These are usually underwhelming in the dry season with barely any water. But in December they will be at their best.
Koh Phangan Travel Guide
How to get to Koh Phangan?
Getting to Koh Phangan is easy and the best options will be determined depending where you’re coming from and your budget.
Most tourists visiting Koh Phangan come from either Bangkok or from Phuket and Krabi. If you’re coming from either of these destinations the fastest option is to take a direct flight to the nearby island Koh Samui. From there take a 30 minute ferry to Koh Phangan.
A cheaper option that will only be slightly slower is the joint tickets. These tickets combine a bus trip with the ferry. It’s hassle free and quite fast because the bus goes directly to the ferry avoiding any transfers. This saves a lot of time and money.
Where to stay in Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan is a big island with different areas to stay that offer a different atmosphere.
The west coast of Koh Phangan is the most popular. This coast includes the main town of Thongsala along with the hip and cool Sri Thanu known for its retreats, vegan restos and laid back vibe. Further down is Baan Tai which is on the way to Haad Rin.
Below is a breakdown for the various areas and places to stay in Koh Phangan. Along with a few hotel recommendations which are all conveniently located. Or read this guide that covers the best places to stay in Koh Phangan.
Where to stay in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is a large island and there is various areas to stay around the island. While Haad Rin is arguably the most famous area in Koh Phangan because the full moon party is held every month, it is sort away from everything else.
Below is an overview for the 3 best areas to stay on Koh Phangan along with a few hotel suggestions for any budget.
Sri Thanu
Sri Thanu is the hip and trendy seaside neighborhood known for it’s wellness retreats, cool cafes, vegan bars and the amazing sunsets at Zen beach. This, personally, is our favorite area
Best place to stay for any Budget in Sri Thanu ⤵
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| → Shanti Boutique Hotel | From $68 |
| → Cassiopeia Srithanu Apartments | From $71 |
| → Crystal Whte Sand Resort | From $82 |
| → Phangan Cove Resort | From $85 |
| → Phangan Akuna | From $92 |
| → Mermaid Villa | From $600+ |
Thongsala
Bustling markets offer everything from street food to local shops and convenience stores. Enjoy scenic views of the busy port, connecting the island to nearby ones. Despite its lively vibe, Thong Sala maintains a relaxed feel, perfect for exploring the island’s beaches, jungles, and cultural spots.
Best place to stay for any Budget in Thongsala ⤵
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| → The Pier | From $23 |
| → Buakao Inn | From $22 |
| → Phatra Hostel | From $10 (p.p) |
| → Buakao Inn | From $23 |
| → Lovely Paradise Phangan Hotel | From $57 |
| → Dreamville Koh Phangan | From $60 |
| → The Nidhra Boutique Resort | From $50 |
| → Lime N Soda Beachfront Resort | From $65 |
Haad Rin
Haad Rin is the main party town on Koh Phangan and boast one of the island most gorgeous beaches. It’s a lively area especially around the full moon party days. While famous with budget travelers, there is still a number of higher end hotels on offer.
Best place to stay for any Budget in Haad Rin ⤵
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| → U’re Holitel | From $22 |
| → Aquavana Haad Rin Resort | From $42 |
| → Delight Resort | From $22 |
| → WET! a Pool Party Hostel by Wild & Wandering | From $21 |
| → Sunset Beach Villa’s | From $57 |
| → The Green Koh Phangan | From $68 |
| → Explorar Koh Phangan – Adult Only Resort and Spa | From $140 |
| → Sunset Beach Club Hotel | From $155 |
Haad Yao
Located on the northeastern portion Koh Phangan, Haad Yao is a laid back beachside town. It’s a hilly area with quite a few restaurants and the beach is nice too. If you’re looking for peace and quiet this may be the place.
Best place to stay for any Budget in Haad Yao ⤵
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| → Silver Beach Bungalow | From $42 |
| → Apache Bar Haad yao | From $35 |
| → Bounty Resort | From $30 |
| → Le Balcon, Haad Yao. | From $62 |
| → High Life Villas | From $52 |
| → Sunset ocean view hilltop house | From $110 |
| → Amara Beach Resort Koh Phangan | From $120 |
| → Baan Kiao | From $120 |
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Since you’re going to Koh Phangan you may want to consider adding one of these best selling and best rated tours to your Ko Phangan itinerary.
Where to go after Koh Phangan?
Being in Koh Phangan is pretty convenient. You can jump on a ferry and island hop to Koh Samui or head over to Koh Tao. Or another option would be to purchase a bus+ferry combo ticket and make your way to Krabi town or Ao Nang/Railay. Phuket can also be reached by air from Koh Samui airport.
Use the form below to search transport to your next destination⤵
For your trip to Koh Phangan
Things to do in Koh Phangan excluding the full moon party
Koh Phangan full moon party guide
How to get from Phuket to Koh Phangan
HEY, just so you know…
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Will be visiting Koh Phangan in February. Can’t wait!