Seasons and the sea

Phuket runs on the Andaman's two-beat rhythm: a glorious dry season and a misunderstood green one. Repeat visitors learn to love both — and to respect what the sea does between them.

The two seasons

• High/dry season (roughly November–April): the postcard months — calm turquoise water, reliable sun, every boat running. Peak crowds and prices from Christmas through February, and worth it;
• Green season (roughly May–October): the island at half price and half occupancy — dramatic skies, afternoon downpours between sunny spells, empty morning beaches, surf schools on Kata and Kalim. The gamble is real but overstated: many green-season weeks are mostly lovely. September–October runs wettest.

The non-negotiable: flags

Green season brings rip currents to the west coast — Phuket's most serious, least photographed danger. Red flag means no swimming at all, whatever your confidence; yellow means caution and staying shallow. Rips pull along predictable channels; if caught, swim parallel to shore, not against the pull, and signal. Respect this one rule and the green season is yours.

Choosing your month

• Sweet spots: November and April bracket high season with good weather and gentler crowds/prices;
• Festival timing: the Vegetarian Festival (Sept/Oct) rewards a trip built around it; Songkran (April) soaks Patong spectacularly (the festival calendar);
• Divers: Similan park season (roughly Oct/Nov–May) sets the serious calendar (diving);
• Green-season craft: plan mornings outdoors, book little in advance, keep an Old Town day in the pocket for the wet afternoon.