Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, around the same size as Ibiza and The Isle of Man, and it lies in the Andaman Sea on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coast. It is also a province which includes 32 smaller islands, many of which are perfect for day trips.
In the past, Phuket was a stopping off point on the major trading route between India and China. And the island retains cultural elements of both countries along with those of the British, Portuguese, French and Dutch whose traders – and buccaneers – were frequent visitors.
It’s a modern, well-developed island with magnificent coves and bays, stunning beaches, incredible cuisine with a truly warm and hospitable atmosphere.
It is warm in Phuket all year round with temperatures ranging between 25 – 34°C (77 – 93°F). Phuket’s weather is typically divided into two distinct seasons, dry and rainy, with transitional periods in between. The seasons are dictated by the tropical monsoon, which is characterized by prevailing winds that blow from the northeast for half of the year, then reverse and blow from the southwest, producing a dry season and a wet season.
The dry season begins in December and usually lasts until March. The northeast monsoon draws cool, dry air from the Asian continent resulting in a slight drop in temperature. This is the high season for tourism in Phuket, when the climate is at its best, characterized by gentle breezes, calm seas and clear blue skies. It is also the coolest time of year.
The transitional periods between the seasons lasts a month or so. During these periods the weather is often hard to predict. The period before the rainy season, around April – May, is the hottest time of year. There may be a lot of rain or none at all. The October – November transition is cooler and usually quite wet.
The rainy season begins in June and lasts until October. The strong winds bring warm moist air from the Indian Ocean and plenty of (warm) rain.
There are more than 30 beaches in Phuket and most of our hillside villas are just a 10 minute or so drive to the nearest beach though you may want explore a number of different areas.
From the popular, party beaches with plenty of activities, to the quiet, serene beaches that are almost empty, you are spoiled for choice. Here’s a selection of the more interesting beaches on Phuket.
Phuket boasts a wide range of treatments from simple Thai massages on the beach to independent local spas and award-winning 5-star Resort spas. Here are a few of the most memorable ones on the island. And we can of course arrange for you to have a private massage and spa treatments in your villa which your villa manager will be delighted to arrange for you.
