The short answer
When to go to Koh Phangan
February and March are the most reliable months: Koh Samui's weather station, the nearest reliable climate record, shows February as the driest, and the sea is usually calm for boats to Bottle Beach. April is hotter but workable if you start early. May to September is warm and humid with moderate rain. October to December is the north-east monsoon, with November the wettest, when ferries and longtail boats can be cancelled. Waterfalls flow best then, but older travellers should favour February to April.
Month by month
Koh Phangan weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°C | 24°C | 127 mm | Cooler and drying out; calm seas return, popular and priced higher | |
| February | 29°C | 25°C | 64 mm | Driest month; clear days, calm seas, best for beaches and waterfall walks | |
| March | 30°C | 25°C | 116 mm | Hot and mostly bright; reliable boats, good for Bottle Beach | |
| April | 32°C | 26°C | 83 mm | Hotter; sightsee early, rest midday. Waterfalls run low | |
| May | 33°C | 26°C | 132 mm | Hot and humid with rising showers; fewer visitors | |
| June | 33°C | 25°C | 134 mm | Warm with showers; quieter, calm Gulf seas by most accounts | |
| July | 32°C | 25°C | 117 mm | Warm with passing showers; low-season rates | |
| August | 32°C | 25°C | 102 mm | Warm and fairly settled; good value | |
| September | 32°C | 25°C | 118 mm | Wetter spells begin; check forecast before boat days | |
| October | 31°C | 24°C | 295 mm | Monsoon builds; rough seas can cancel boats, waterfalls full | |
| November | 30°C | 24°C | 445 mm | Wettest month; boats often cancelled, some beach bars close | |
| December | 29°C | 24°C | 263 mm | Rain easing by mid-month; seas improving, waterfalls still strong |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Koh Phangan seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: February and March
- February: Driest month; clear days, calm seas, best for beaches and waterfall walks
- March: Hot and mostly bright; reliable boats, good for Bottle Beach
Good, with small trade-offs: January, April, June, July and August
- January: Cooler and drying out; calm seas return, popular and priced higher
- April: Hotter; sightsee early, rest midday. Waterfalls run low
- June: Warm with showers; quieter, calm Gulf seas by most accounts
- July: Warm with passing showers; low-season rates
- August: Warm and fairly settled; good value
Possible, with planning: May, September and December
- May: Hot and humid with rising showers; fewer visitors
- September: Wetter spells begin; check forecast before boat days
- December: Rain easing by mid-month; seas improving, waterfalls still strong
Best avoided with parents or children: October and November
- October: Monsoon builds; rough seas can cancel boats, waterfalls full
- November: Wettest month; boats often cancelled, some beach bars close
Useful answers
Best time to visit Koh Phangan: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Koh Phangan?
February and March are the best months to visit Koh Phangan, with January, April, June, July and August also good. February and March are the most reliable months: Koh Samui's weather station, the nearest reliable climate record, shows February as the driest, and the sea is usually calm for boats to Bottle Beach. April is hotter but workable if you start early. May to September is warm and humid with moderate rain. October to December is the north-east monsoon, with November the wettest, when ferries and longtail boats can be cancelled. Waterfalls flow best then, but older travellers should favour February to April.
Which months should I avoid in Koh Phangan with elderly parents?
October and November are the months to avoid with older travellers. Monsoon builds; rough seas can cancel boats, waterfalls full Wettest month; boats often cancelled, some beach bars close
When does it rain most in Koh Phangan?
November is the wettest month, with about 445 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is May, with average highs around 33°C.