Phuket in November is two different islands. In the first half the monsoon is still fading: showers, cloudier days, rough seas on the west coast. In the second half the dry season arrives, the Andaman flattens out and the boats to Phi Phi and the islands run full. Prices don't catch up until December.
Weather, week by week#
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Nov 1–15 | Showers, often short and heavy; some rough days on the west coast; warm (around 30°C) |
| Nov 16–30 | Mostly dry, clearer skies, calmer seas; the start of the dry season |
| December | High season proper, prices up |
The sea#
Early November the west-coast beaches, Patong, Kata and Karon, can have rip currents and red flags; obey them. By mid-month the water calms and clears, and the east and south coasts (Rawai, Chalong, the piers for the islands) are usually fine all month.
Prices#
Shoulder season until the end of the month. Rooms in Patong and Kata are noticeably cheaper than in December, and the quieter beaches are quieter still. The best time to visit Thailand puts November in context.
What's on#
Loy Krathong, November 24, 2026: krathongs floated at the beaches, lakes and Chalong, under the full moon. It's the same night as Loy Krathong in Bangkok, celebrated more quietly here. October's Vegetarian Festival is the island's other big event.
What to do#
- Island trips from mid-month: Phi Phi, the Similans (season opens), Coral Island.
- Beyond Patong: Phuket beyond Patong covers the town, the markets and the local beaches.
- Rainy morning plan: Old Town's cafés and shophouses, a Thai cooking class.
- Thinking of the mainland? Krabi in November has the same timing.
See Phuket with someone who lives here#
A local knows which beach is calm today, which pier the honest boats leave from and where the island eats. Roavi Local Friends in Phuket set their own rates and message you directly before you meet.
See the Phuket locals know.
Meet a Local Friend in PhuketWhich beach: where to stay in Phuket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good time to visit Phuket?
The second half is. Early November can still be showery with rough seas on the west coast; from mid-November the dry season settles in, boats run to Phi Phi and the islands, and prices are still below December's.Does it rain in Phuket in November?
Early in the month, yes, often as short heavy showers. Rain falls away through November, and by the last week most days are dry.Can you swim in Phuket in November?
Usually yes by mid-month. Early November the west-coast beaches (Patong, Kata, Karon) can have rip currents and red flags. Obey the flags; the east and south coasts are calmer.Is Phuket expensive in November?
No. It's shoulder season until December, when the high-season prices start and run to March. Late November is good value.What events are in Phuket in November?
Loy Krathong on November 24, 2026, with krathongs floated at the beaches and lakes. Earlier in the autumn is the Vegetarian Festival (October).