Best Time To Visit Krabi
When is the best time to visit Krabi?
The best time to visit Krabi is the cool season, which runs from November to March. This time period allows visitors to enjoy ample beach activities, water sports along with island hopping and jungle safaris. Krabi province is located on the southern Thailand coast and is home to exotic beaches, limestone caves, verdant landscapes and natural parks. Although, there’s hardly any rainfall in the cool season, there might be some drizzle on certain days but this shouldn’t stop you from exploring this beautiful province.
Besides the cool season, the shoulder season, which is from April to May, is also considered a popular time for visiting Krabi. Despite being the hottest months of the year, many people visit Krabi to avoid the rush of peak tourist season and to enjoy the famous Songkran Festival. The low season, from July to October, marks the rainy season in Krabi. During this period, Krabi experiences rains with a hot and humid climate with a low tourist footfall, making it the best time to visit Krabi for budget travellers.
Suggested Read: Things to do in Chiang Mai 2024 and Everything You Need to Know about Full Moon Party in Thailand in 2024
Monthly Travel Guide to Krabi
Krabi is a serene tropical destination located in southern Thailand and a beloved holiday spot. To experience an incredible Krabi vacation, here is a month-by-month breakdown of the best time to visit Krabi, the weather and various events and festivals you can attend in Krabi.
You can also check our tailor made Krabi Tour Packages & Krabi Honeymoon Packages
Visiting Krabi in January
January is part of the peak tourist season in Krabi, when the skies are blue, the weather is pleasant with negligible rainfall and the soothing sea breeze melts away all your stress. Highest temperature during daytime ranges from 32°C to 33°C, while minimum temperature hovers around 22°C. The underwater temperature which is around 28° celsius is ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling. The favourable weather conditions make island tours to Phi Phi islands, Phang Nga Bay, Chicken Island, Tup Island, Poda Island, etc. more enjoyable.
January Events and Festivals in Krabi
- Chinese New Year: The substantial Thai-Chinese community in Krabi celebrate the two-day Chinese New Year with great enthusiasm. Restaurants and cafes in Krabi town are adorned with New Year’s decorations, such as red lanterns, banners and ribbons. The colourful dragon procession, performances and feasts are some of the major highlights of this festival. The dates of Chinese New year aren’t fixed and are variable depending on the year. However, it typically falls in late January or early February.
Visiting Krabi in February
The weather in February is quite similar to that of January. The days are slightly warmer with the highest temperature around 34°C and minimum temperature around 23°C. The crisp sea breeze, sunny days and excellent underwater visibility makes Krabi an excellent destination for a beach holiday and watersports. The swaying palms, lush national parks, waterfalls and romantic weather in February makes it the best time to visit Krabi for a honeymoon.
Visiting Krabi in March
The weather begins to heat up in March as the sun shines brightly over the coasts of Krabi. The highest temperature during the day is 35°C, while the lowest stays around 23°C. The balmy evenings offer the much-needed relief from humid weather. With an average 9 days of rainfall in Krabi, it’s recommended to carry a raincoat with you. You can spend your time taking a stroll on Ao Nang beach or hop on a boat and visit Railay beach for a perfect beach adventure. Explore Krabi’s famous attractions such as Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi Walking Street Khao Phanom Bencha National Park for hiking, waterfalls and verdant vegetation.
Visiting Krabi in April
If you are wondering, is April a good time to visit Krabi? The answer depends on the kind of experience you want. April is typically hotter, with average daytime temperature soaring to 35°C with intense heat. Evenings are slightly cooler, with temperature dropping around 24°C to 23°C. April experiences an average of 12 days of rain while it does provide a brief relief from humidity, the feeling of warmth continues to stay. It is imperative that you stay hydrated, wear light and breathable clothing covering your head, eyes and skin from harsh sun. Pack yourself a hat, glasses, water flask and sunscreen along with other travel essentials. A key highlight in April is the Songkran festival (Thai New year) or the Water Splashing Festival, which provides a fun way to cool off from the heat as people drench each other from water. More on this below.
April Events & Festival in Krabi
- Krabi Songkran Festival: Krabi Songkran festival is the Thai New Year celebration starting from 13th April to 15th April. The festival involves splashing water on one another symbolising washing away one’s sins and bad luck. Apart from its spiritual significance, this festival over time has evolved into Songkran parties where people splash each other with water and dance to beats of music. The best place to experience Songkran festivities in Krabi is Ao Nang Beach.
Visiting Krabi in May
May is the peak month of summer and may not be the ideal time to visit Krabi for outdoor adventure sports. The month brings a mix of sunny and rainy days, with temperature soaring up to 34°C, while at night it drops to 24°C. Overall, Krabi is estimated to experience 16 days of rainfall which offers slight relief from humidity. If rock climbing, kayaking or any other adventure sport is on your list of things to do in Krabi, May is not an ideal month to visit. The intense heat and humidity makes it challenging to carry outdoor activities. Instead, it is better to visit as many indoor attractions and cool off with some relaxing Thai spa massage and wellness treatments
May Events and Festivals in Krabi
- Krabi Wellness Festival: If you are a fitness and wellness enthusiast, an event worth checking out is the Krabi Wellness Festival. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this festival focuses on promoting wholesome health through free workshops, seminars, and free yoga sessions from trained Yoga instructors of Thailand. The dates of the event may vary, hence it’s advisable to confirm before planning to attend the events. It takes place at the Sport Complex, Thailand National Sports University, Krabi Campus.
Visiting Krabi in June
June marks the beginning of the rainy season in Krabi as the southwest monsoon hits its coast. There is a slight drop in the daytime temperatures with 32°C and minimum temperatures going down 23°C. The downpour Krabi gets in June is for about 16 days which may disrupt your beach and island hopping activities. June is not an ideal month for underwater diving or snorkelling due to rough sea conditions and poor visibility. There is a decline in tourist crowds visiting Krabi, making the tourist areas less crowded and more peaceful. Plus, you can find air travel and accommodations available at discounted rates.
June Events and Festivals in Krabi
- Visakha Bucha Day: Also known as Buddha Jayanti, Visakha Bucha Day falls in the sixth month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is a significant religious holiday for Thai people in Krabi and all over Thailand. This festival honours the birth, the enlightenment (nirvana) and the death of Lord Budhha. It is a day of spiritual reflection and acts of charity for all practising Buddhists. People this day visit temples, offer candles and donation to the monks and take part in group meditations.
Visiting Krabi in July
July mirrors similar weather conditions as June, the only difference is the number of rainy days increases in July. On average, July experiences 18 days of downpour with high humidity during the day. The average temperature goes up till 32°C whereas nights are slightly cool with the lowest temperature remains around 23°C. On drier days, you may enjoy 5 to 6 hours of sunshine despite the overcast skies.
July Festivals and Events in Krabi
- Asalha Puja: Visit a Buddhist temple in Krabi for an up close look at Asalha Puja. This is a religious holiday in Krabi and all of Thailand, and commemorates the first sermon offered by Gautam Buddha to his disciples and establishing the foremost Buddhist Sangha. On this day, Buddhist visit temples, engage in acts of selfless service, donate alms to the monks and pray for the peace and prosperity of their life. Although there is no entry fee to visit a Buddhist temple, donations from tourists are always welcome.
Visiting Krabi in August
August continues with rainy days on the coast of Karbi, with about 19 days of rainfall. There is a slight decrease in temperatures, with daytime temperatures getting 31°C and the lowest night temperature recorded at 25°C. The sea conditions are unpredictable with poor visibility, hence water sports or land sports like rock climbing are not recommended. On the positive side, the monsoon season nourishes the lush vegetation of Krabi and replenishes waterfalls with cascading flows, making it a great time to visit. Explore some National Parks and visit majestic waterfalls of Krabi such as Huay Toh Waterfall, Khlong Thom and Emerald Pool waterfall.
August Festivals and Events in Krabi
- Mother’s Day: Thailand’s beloved and most revered H.M. Mother Queen Sikrit’s birthday falls on August 12. To commemorate her birthday, August 12 is acknowledged as Mother’s Day. On this day, Thai people celebrate their mothers by showing respect. Children often put up performances in school and offer them greeting cards and jasmine flower bracelets, expressing gratitude toward their mothers.
Visiting Krabi in September
September is another off-season month in Krabi where water and adventure sports are halted or restricted due to unpredictable weather conditions. Being one of the wettest months of the year, Krabi experiences approximately 19 to 20 days of rainfall. Daytime temperatures remain around 31°C, while minimum temperature drops to 22°C. Make sure to carry a poncho, an umbrella and water proof bags to protect your essentials from water damage. During September, you can explore attractions like Tiger cave Temple, Krabi weekend market, Krabi walking street etc.
Visiting Krabi in October
Monsoon rains are in full swing in October with a precipitation of 325 mm and an estimated 22 days of downpour. The highest temperature is around 32°C and the minimum temperature is around 22°C. The frequent rain showers offer relief from the heat and humidity, making the rainy season pleasurable for some. However, with multiple rainy days. October is not an ideal month to visit Krabi for anyone looking forward to kayaking, swimming or snorkelling. The rough sea and weather conditions make it difficult for anyone to go on a 4-island or a 7-island tour.
Visiting Krabi in November
After months of low tourist footfall, the tourist season finally begins in November. The highest temperatures are 31°C, while the lowest is around 23°C. The estimated rainfall in November is around 18 days—it shouldn’t hinder your plans of exploring tourist attractions of Krabi such as Khlong Thom Hot Springs, Emerald Pool, Limestone Caves, Krabi Walking Street etc.
November Events and Festivals in Krabi
- Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival: Tourism in November kicks off again and it breathes life in the local economy. The term “Boek Fa Andaman” translates to “Opening the Andaman Sea”. This festival features an open-air market which sells souvenirs and handicrafts. The highlight of the festival are long boat races, adventure water sports and cultural competitions.
- Loy Krathong Festival: One of the important festivals in Thailand, Loy Krathong signifies honouring the water goddess and letting go of past sins and negativity. People on this day release krathongs (small boat-like structures made from banana and lotus leaves.) These krathongs hold incense sticks, flowers, candles and sometimes a piece of nail or hair strands that are believed to take away negative energies. Along with krathongs, people release paper-lanterns in the air called khom loi in the air, making a picturesque night.
Visiting Krabi in December
December is one of the best months to visit Krabi and the Phi Phi islands. The beaches of Krabi bask in ample sunshine that is ideal for sunbathing. The number of rainy days declines significantly to just 8, with only brief outburst of rain showers. The highest temperature during the day is 32°C, and the lowest hovers around 22°C. December is a perfect month to go swimming, diving, snorkelling and watch the bioluminescent waters of Krabi. As the tourist rush and high demands can increase the costs, plan your Krabi holiday in advance and make prior arrangements for hotels and air travel.
December Events & Festivals in Krabi
- King’s Birthday (Father’s Day): December 5th is celebrated as H.M. King Bhumipol’s birthday, and this day is recognised as Father’s Day in Thailand. In Krabi town, streets are adorned with Thai flags, photos of the King, and beautiful floral decorations. On this day, people show reverence towards their King and towards their fathers by offering special canna flowers.
- Christmas Day: Although Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist country, Christmas celebration can still be experienced in resorts and hotels. Expect Christmas decor, special dinners, and even Christmas-themed merchandise to evoke the spirit of the festivals. Music, Christmas carols and parties are a part of the celebration and help to spread the cheerful mood.
- New Year’s Eve: Many restaurants, resorts and hotels offer New Year’s eve celebrations at their respective premises for their guests. There are beach parties and open-air ceremonies where people enjoy delightful food and drinks and have a gala time with music as they welcome the new year.