Phuket is regarded as the top beach destination in the world. The fine white sands, nodding palms on the beachside, shining blue seas and lively towns full of the history of early life in Phuket make the city a lovable holiday destination. The climate here is tropical and the hottest season is generally from March to early May. The culture here is a great mix of Thais, ethnic Malays, Thai-Chinese, and even sea gypsies. The island is home to many sea-facing and seaside resorts, spas, homestays, cafes and offers its travelers a wide choice of dining and partying options to choose from. Phuket caters to all types of travelers - be it families, individuals, couples or groups, across all budgets making it a true paradisiacal experience on earth.

Weather in Phuket in May

The weather in Phuket in May starts showing signs of the approaching monsoon season, however, it still remains hot and dry for the most part of the month. Thus, it becomes a popular holiday destination for travelers to escape the cold weather of Europe making the month of May, a relatively better season than April, to travel to Phuket.

  • Average temperatures show a significant drop from their April highs to 29 degrees celsius that falls between the average high and low temperatures of 25-degree Celsius and 32-degree celsius.

High temperatures are recorded during the night and high humidity can result in somewhat uncomfortable nights but all major resorts have centralized air conditioning while the others have fans for a more pleasant night. As the southwest monsoon hits the island it also brings along with it an increase in humidity from the dry season, with the daily average of 74% and 82% during the latter half of the month.

  • The month of May means the dry season is over and monsoon is on its way. Average rainfall jumps up to 300 mm as opposed to the 30 to 40mm rainfall of the dry season.
The rainfall is delivered over 19 days of the month, for the most part falling in short, sharp pours, usually at night. Being one of the most coveted holiday destinations in the world, there are still plenty of things to do during those wet days. The days will mostly still be sunny. Water temperatures are high at 30 degrees celsius, but the waves start to get rougher which means swimming in beaches is a little more dangerous. This will also result in reduced visibility for snorkelers and divers. However, the strong winds from the west will kickstart the surfing season in Phuket.

Places to Visit in Phuket in May

Phuket has a wide selection of attractions to offer to its tourists at all times of the year. The month of May is an interesting time to visit the white sand island as the weather allows you to enjoy the indoors as much as the outdoors. Here are a few beaches and tourist attractions you can check out when in Phuket in May.
  1. Phang Nga Bay

    Phang Nga Bay

    2. Phang Nga Bay is one of the most amazing places that you can explore when in Phuket. This is a no-miss and one should explore these incredible limestone formations full of holes, caves, and mystery enclosed in mesmerizing lagoons. It looks stellar when the sun is shining bright and looks even better in the rain; making May the ideal time to visit! You can travel in a number of ways- a boat, luxury yacht, longtail or even a kayak. If you are comfortable with Kayaking, discovering Phang Nga Bay in a kayak is the best way to go and highly recommended it. It allows you to silently glide on the water, through narrow caves and passages to reveal the beauty of the island.

    Phuket Best Sellers

  2. Ao Sane Beach

    Ao Sane Beach

    3. Ao Sane is a 200-meter long rocky beach on the southwest coast of Phuket and is one of the island's prettiest little secrets. This beach is famous for its diving and snorkeling activities. The best way to describe the beach is by calling it tranquil! Ao Sane looks surreal with ample trees lining its edge providing shelter from the sun and an outstanding backdrop for all your photos! The hot and wet season of May makes this a must-visit the beach.

    In order to reach the Ao Sane beach, head to Nai Harn Beach and take the road under The Nai Harn- a 5-star hotel at the northern end of the beach. You will have to drive through the hotel grounds and then head up over the hill. You will reach a small parking lot and will be able to spot a road leading down to your mesmerizing destination.

  3. Kamala Beach

    Kamala Beach

    4. This beach lies to the north of all the hustle and excitement of Patong and proves to be a stark contrast as it is a quieter stretch of sand that gives a more relaxed vibe to the place. Kamala Beach, a well-enclosed bay and fishing village that is surrounded by lush green forested hills is among the most beautiful places in Phuket.

    With its quieter and slower pace, the beach has become a favored spot for families, older tourists and other longer-term visitors staying in humble accommodations around the village. This beach also has small shops and cafes to wander through after sun bathing or swimming.

  4. Phuket Aquarium

    Phuket Aquarium

    5. Phuket Aquarium is the ideal place to be if you feel like avoiding the sun or the rain on any given day of your trip. It offers an afternoon filled with fun for your family, featuring thousands of tropical and exotic marine animals. The place is also loved by youngsters who experience the unusual beauty of sea life for the first time.

    The aquarium is filled with about 30 tanks of freshwater and saltwater creatures that offer visitors plenty of time and opportunity to remain in awe of the undersea world. The diverse selection includes cuttlefish, razorfish, eel, crab, shrimp, sharks, and fish, some that are colorful and some not so easy to spot!

    Timings: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Things to Do in Phuket in May

  1. Surfing at Kata, Kalim Beach

    Surfing at Kata, Kalim Beach

    2. The month of May onsets the surfing season in Phuket. The west coast of angelic island is the most suitable for surfing and can make your trip quite exciting! The best spots for indulging in this water sport are Kata Beach, Kalim Beach, Kamala Beach, Nai Harn Beach, and Surin Beach.

    Kalim beach is considered to be among the best in Phuket. Surfers have been able to catch three meter long waves on this beach during the low season. Kata beach is recommended for surfers of both beginner and advanced levels with maximum waves of two meters.

  2. Ravel in the historical Old Phuket Town

    Ravel in the historical Old Phuket Town

    3. A short trip to the Old Phuket Town is nothing less than a history lesson. Once upon a time,the town was filled with rich tin mining barons in the Sino-colonial mansions. As you wander through the area, you will see the old shops, buildings and architecture preserved just the way they were when first constructed. There are Chinese and Buddhist temples and shrines in the town that will give you an insight into early life on the island. There are plenty of places where you can enjoy drinks and snacks to give you enough time to soak up the atmosphere.

  3. Visit the Blue Canyon Country Club

    Visit the Blue Canyon Country Club

    4. Golfers have a hearty time on the island. They are well catered for in the Blue Canyon Country Club that offers you two golf courses to pick from: the Canyon Course or the Lakes Course. The 2 courses were designed to interfere as little as possible with the natural landscape and woodlands here. The Johnnie Walker Classic has been held in this club three times. The Pro Shop at Blue Canyon is one of the largest in Thailand that has many golf clubs and accessories for sale.

  4. The Singha Obstacle Trail Series

    5. The Singha trail series is an annual athletic event for runners that includes fun sports activities with both individuals as well as team challenges that are organized at different locations each year. The course of the run is extremely scenic, sometimes the track is even on a beach that runners always enjoy.

What to Pack and Carry

The month of May is such that you will have to brace yourself for both hot days as well as possible downpours. Therefore, we recommend that you carry the following with you on your trip to Phuket:

Essentials

1. Sunblock is a must! Be it a day out on the beaches of Phuket or simply traveling to tourist attractions, do not forget to pack your sunblock and protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun

2. Given that May brings along with it the monsoon season of the island, packing an Umbrella and Raincoat can do you no harm

Clothing and Accessories

1. Carry an extra pair of clothes in case you do end up getting drenched in the rains

2. Last but not the least, do not let the monsoon scare you! Pack your beachwear to enjoy the quintessential attractions in Phuket- its beaches!

3. Hats and Bandanas! Roaming Phuket in the hot sun of April shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on your style. This will allow you to conveniently enjoy your time in Phuket

How to Reach Phuket

Phuket is very well-connected with the rest of the world. The fastest and most feasible mode of transport to reach the white sand island is by taking an airplane. Phuket does not have any direct trains that connect it to other cities of Thailand but can be reached from some parts of the country by road.

By Air: Phuket is home to one of the busiest international airports of Thailand that have great connectivity of international and domestic flights. The Phuket International Airport has daily flights from Bangkok to fly in and out of the town easily. India, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia are a few of the many countries that are directly connected to Phuket by air travel.

By Road: One can take a bus from other areas of Thailand like Bangkok, Surat Thani, Krabi, and Phang Na. Thailand has a well-linked road network that makes traveling inter-cities more convenient and budget-friendly. There are air-conditioned and non-air conditioned buses easily available, pertaining to every kind of spender.

Blue waters, white sandy beaches, spicy authentic Thai cuisine, excellent snorkeling, surfing, and diving make Phuket the lovely travel destination that it is. Arriving from all over the world, travelers visit the marvelous island for relaxation or adventure or even both! Some of the most well-known tourist attractions of Thailand are in Phuket. The climate of Phuket is tropical and the weather in May allows you to enjoy the warm, sunny days along with the rains. Phuket is also easy to reach; it's a short one hour flight from all the big city attractions of Bangkok.