Azure blue waters, expansive white beaches, a thriving nightlife scene, and some truly breathtaking ocean vistas- these are just some of the things that make Phuket one of the most attractive destinations in Thailand for tourists. Home to over thirty amazing beaches, Phuket becomes extremely busy during the peak tourist months between December and February. While the peak tourist months have earned that title for a reason, there are other months that are just as good to visit Phuket. The best part is, during these “shoulder season” months, one can experience the best of what Phuket has to offer, without breaking the bank by paying for peak season flight and accommodation prices. In this article, we will be discussing the shoulder month of October. Without more delay, let’s jump right into it.

Weather in Phuket in October

October sits near the end of the rainy season in Phuket. This means, while there are a few showers scattered across the days of the month, there are a lot of dry days that present the perfect opportunity for exploration.

  • The days remain moderately hot with temperatures ranging between 30 and 34-degree celsius.
  • Rainfall, as mentioned earlier, is still prevalent, with average rainfall hitting 280mm, which is much lower than the peak monsoon month of September. On an average, 23 days of the month receive rainfall. This means, October offers seven completely rain-free days, along with a number of moderately hot days that get moderately intense showers spread throughout the day.
  • Thanks to this combination of rainfall and high temperatures, October is one of the most humid months in Phuket, with humidity averaging around 82%.
Thankfully, the ocean (sea) temperatures average around 29-degree celsius, making the ocean an ideal escape from the humid and hot days.

Places to visit in Phuket in October

Since there is still a bit of rainfall prevalent during October, you will have limited freedom to enjoy outdoor activities during your visit. With that said, with some strategic planning, you can experience the best of outdoor and indoor Phuket. Here are some of the places you must have on your itinerary:

  1. Thalang District

    Thalang District

    2. Known for its expansive beaches and brightly painted temples, the Thalang District is the perfect place to explore when it is pouring down in Phuket. Pay a visit to the iconic Wat Sri Sunthon temple or the Peranakan Phuket museum to find out what makes the Thalang District so special. If temples or museums don’t excite you, one of the night markets in the district sure would!

    If you are lucky enough to run into a sunny day during your visit, consider going for a bike ride through the countryside of Phuket, and explore the sceneries that are often left out of Instagram posts.

    Phuket Best Sellers

  2. Sirinat National Park

    Sirinat National Park

    3. Located within the Thalang District, the Sirinath National Park is located on the northern end of the Phuket Island. From exotic birds like the kingfisher, to one of the most varied collection of turtle species, including nesting turtles, leatherback turtles, and hawksbills, the Sirinat National Park is an absolute delight for the wildlife enthusiasts.

  3. Pa Tong

    Pa Tong

    4. No trip to Phuket is complete without a visit to the Pa Tong beach resort area. Known for its expansive sandy beaches, surreal beaches, thriving beachside bars, and uber-luxurious resort properties, Pa Tong is no less than paradise on Earth. On a bright sunny day, you can enjoy a variety of watersports and shop for handicrafts at beachside vendors. On not-so-sunny days, you can shop till you drop at the Patong OTOP Shopping complex or the JungCeylon Mall. Finally, if none of those things entice you, simply head out to the neon-light-clad Bangla Road which is dotted with nightclubs, massage parlors, go-go bars, and beer bars.

  4. Muang

    Muang

    5. Populated with some of the finest water parks on the planet, Muang district in Phuket looks like its come right out of a dream of a child. With that said, the rides in these waterparks are no child’s play. The infamous Splash Jungle Water Park is perhaps the most iconic waterpark in the area. However, there is another great contender, the Rawai Kid’s Park which boasts to be the largest kid’s waterpark in the World.

    The Kata beach in Muang is also home to some fantastic resorts that house a number of water slides within their premises. However, if the weather isn’t favorable, and you still want to have some fun in the water, you can head to the Surf House Phuket. Known for providing indoor surfing experience, surf house Phuket is the perfect place to brush up on basics of surfing while you wait for the weather to clear up.

Things to do in Phuket in October

Just like with places to visit, one will have to be a little strategic with the activities they choose to do during their October visit to Phuket. Here are some of our top recommendations:

  1. Go for a helicopter tour

    2. With 82% average humidity, engaging in most outdoor activities can turn out to be a challenge. However, a helicopter tour is a definite exception. The activity will allow you to cross a helicopter ride off your bucket list, help you get a bird’s eye view of the island, and get you acquainted with what are arguably some of the best views across the island of Phuket.

    Keep in mind, like all other outdoor activities, helicopter rides are at the mercy of the weather. For this reason, it is best to check the weather forecast before making any commitments or bookings.

  2. Undertake a bar crawl at the Bangla Road

    the Bangla Road

    3. As mentioned earlier, the Bangla Road in Phuket is notoriously famous for its nightlife scene, and for good reason. With a mind-numbing variety of bars, pubs, go-go bars, and massage spas to choose from, you will definitely find yourself spoilt for choice.

    The best part is, this activity can be done in all sorts of weather conditions and is perfect to satisfy the hedonist inside you.

  3. Take a dip in a natural pool

    4. One of the most famous waterfalls in Phuket, the Bang Pae offers a dream-like setting with its surreal drop, wild jungle surroundings, and a natural pool formed in the middle of all of it. The natural pool attracts a ton of visitors and October presents a great opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the waterfall, without having to struggle with the swarms of crowds present there during peak season.

    Near the parking of the waterfall area, there are a number of bars offering a heady combination of quality liquor, lip-smacking food, and the company of interesting and curious locals.

    There is also a Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre nearby, however, getting access to this place may not always be possible.

What to Pack and Carry

As the October weather switches between extremely humid days, spells of heavy rainfalls, and a few hours of sunshine every day, packing for a visit during this time can turn out to be tricky. Don’t worry, here is the list of essentials you must have in your bag if you are visiting Phuket in October:

Essentials

1. An umbrella. While it is also advisable to wear a raincoat, doing so can turn out to be a struggle during high humidity days. On such days, an umbrella will be your best friend and will protect you from the harsh sunlight, along with the rain.

2. Pack plenty of sunscreen, preferably, SPF 24 and above. Even in October, the days can turn out to be pretty warm and the glaring sun makes carrying skin protection mandatory.

3. If you plan on undertaking a lot of outdoor activities, it is also advisable to carry mosquito and bug repellant at all times. Like most other tropical destinations, Thailand is home to a number of insects and bugs, and carrying protection is a smart idea.

Clothing and Accessories

1. Carry comfortable footwear that you can wear for a long time. At the same time, don’t forget to carry hiking boots for those jungle hikes to hidden waterfalls.

2. Sunlight protection gear, like full-sleeved clothing, sunglasses, and caps and hats.

3. Swimwear! No visit to Phuket is complete without spending some time at the beach, and you will need some good-looking swimwear for those Instagram photos!

October is the ideal month to visit Phuket if you are a budget traveller. With thin crowds of tourists, dirt cheap flight tickets, and pocket-friendly hotel prices, a visit in October is worth braving some rain and humidity.