The Thais divide the year into three seasons: the cool season, hot season, and rainy season. For most Westerners, this translates to "hot," "really hot," and "really hot and wet." Temperatures rarely drop below 25° C (70° F). Visit this Phuket Weather page for more details. Or view an animated satellite map of the region.

The rainy season, which coincides with the European and North American summers, is not an entirely bad time to visit, since the rain generally falls within the span of an hour or two in the late afternoons. The rain cools down the temperatures a bit and cleans the air quite nicely. With the high temperatures, the rain is not exactly cold. Sometimes it can be like a warm shower.

Phuket and the surrounding areas are best known as a ‘winter’ destination amongst package holiday-makers looking for constant sunshine. But the ‘summer’ months - Phuket and Phang Nga’s ‘Green Season’ – offer perfect conditions for keen sailors who want something more than a gentle cruise between idyllic islands.

From May through to October, the southwest monsoon brings with it reliable winds averaging 12 knots. Spells of brilliant clear blue skies are interspersed with occasional showers – and temperatures are never lower than 25'C.

Phuket Race Week, held in July each year, is timed to take advantage of the Green Season’s perfect sailing weather and presents the perfect opportunity to combine a few days yacht racing with cruising Phang Nga Bay under sail.