Phuket in April: Songkran, Weather and Island Tours

April is the hottest month in Phuket and the last month of the dry season. Most days are still sunny with a calm sea, and every tour we sell runs, but the humidity builds and afternoon storms become more common as the month goes on. April is also the month of Songkran, the Thai New Year, when much of the island turns into a friendly water fight.

This guide covers what April weather is usually like, how Songkran affects your plans, which tours suit the month and how to plan around the heat and the festival.

What the Weather Is Like in April

Phuket has two broad seasons: the dry season, roughly November to April, and the southwest monsoon, roughly May to October. April is the end of the dry half and the build-up to the rains.

• Temperature: highs usually around 33 to 34°C, nights around 25 to 26°C. With the humidity rising, it often feels hotter than the thermometer says.
• Rain: more than in the first three months of the year. Short, heavy showers or thunderstorms, often in the afternoon or evening, become more common in the second half of the month. Whole wet days are still unusual.
• Sea: calm on most days. Towards the end of the month an occasional swell or squall can make open-water crossings bumpier. The water is warm all year, usually around 28 to 30°C.

West coast beaches are usually still calm in April, but conditions can change quickly late in the month. Swim where lifeguards are present, between the flags, and never when red flags are up.

Crowds and Prices in April

April is quieter than the December to March peak for international visitors, and many hotels start to lower their rates. The exception is the week around Songkran, when Thai families travel, hotels and flights fill up and prices can jump for a few days. Tours run every day. Outside Songkran week you can usually book a day or two ahead; for the holiday dates, book earlier.

Songkran: 13 to 15 April

Songkran is the Thai New Year and a national holiday from 13 to 15 April. In tourist areas the celebrations can start a little earlier and run a little longer. It has two sides:

• The traditional side: families visit temples, pour water over Buddha images and over the hands of elders as a blessing, and make merit. It is gentle and respectful.
• The water fights: in Patong, especially around Bangla Road, in Phuket Town and on many busy roads, people of all ages throw water, use water guns and dab chalk paste on passersby. If you are outside, you will get wet.

What it means for tours: island trips run as normal, and a day on a boat is a relaxing break from the water fights on land. Traffic is heavier around the holiday, so hotel pickups can run a little later than usual; the exact pickup time is confirmed the evening before. Keep your phone and passport in a waterproof pouch, because you may be soaked on the way back to your hotel. Roads are especially busy during the holiday, so take extra care if you ride a scooter, and never ride after drinking.

Which Tours Suit April

All our tours run in April. Calm mornings still suit the open-water trips, and the heat makes days with plenty of water time the most comfortable.

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island

April is still a good month for Phi Phi, particularly in the first half. The Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour includes the national park fee, a halal buffet lunch, snorkel gear and a paddle board. If swell late in the month makes the crossing rough, the operator may adjust the program. Maya Bay is usually open in April; you walk in from Loh Sama Bay, and swimming there is not allowed.

Raya and Coral Island

Snorkeling is the most pleasant way to handle the heat. The Raya and Coral Island tour has short boat rides from Chalong Pier and lots of time in the water, with a buffet lunch and free time on Racha Yai. Read our Coral Island guide for the first stop.

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay

The sheltered bay runs all year and is the most reliable choice if a late-April storm stirs up the open sea. The James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay tour includes a sea canoe and lunch at Koh Panyee, with the national park fee paid on the day.

Jet ski and rafting

The Jet Ski 7 Islands tour (priced per jet ski, for 1 or 2 riders) runs on the calm east coast; cover up well, as there is little shade on the water. White water rafting in the Phang Nga jungle is a cooler day out, although at the end of the dry season the river can be low and the ride gentler. The guide decides on the day.

Last chance for the Similans

The Similan national park usually closes around 15 May for the monsoon, so April is the last full month of the season. We do not sell a Similan tour, but our Similan Islands guide and opening dates guide explain how to plan one.

How to Plan an April Week

• Check your dates against Songkran. If you arrive around 13 to 15 April, book your hotel and tours early and allow extra time on the roads.
• Put open-water trips early. The sea is usually calmest in the first half of April, and doing Phi Phi early in your stay leaves room to move it.
• Avoid the midday sun on land. Temples, viewpoints and the Old Town are more comfortable before 10:00 or after 16:00.
• Keep a spare day. If we cancel a tour for unsafe weather, you get a full refund or a new date at no extra cost. Most tours also have free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure; see our booking terms.

Sample 5 day plan over Songkran

1. 12 April: arrive and settle in before the holiday starts.
2. 13 April: morning at a temple to see the traditional ceremonies, then join the water fights in the afternoon.
3. 14 April: Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island, a quieter day at sea.
4. 15 April: a slow beach day.
5. 16 April: Raya and Coral Island or James Bond Island.

See every tour available for your dates on our April tours page. If you are still choosing between months, compare with Phuket in March and Phuket in May.

What to Pack for April

• A waterproof phone pouch and a small dry bag. During Songkran you will need them on land too.
• Clothes you do not mind getting soaked, plus modest clothes covering shoulders and knees for temples.
• High factor reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
• A refillable water bottle and electrolyte sachets for the hottest days.
• A light rain jacket for late-April storms.
• Seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.

Frequently asked questions

When is Songkran in Phuket?

The official holiday is 13 to 15 April every year. In tourist areas the water fights can start a day or so early and continue a little after.

Do island tours run during Songkran?

Yes. Tours run as normal, although traffic can make pickups a little later. A boat day is a good break from the water fights on land.

Is April too hot for Phuket?

It is the hottest month, with highs usually around 33 to 34°C. Days on the water feel cooler thanks to the breeze and swimming, so April works well for island trips if you protect yourself from the sun.

Does the rainy season start in April?

Not usually. April is the end of the dry season. Showers and storms become more common late in the month, and the southwest monsoon usually arrives in May.

Are the Similan Islands open in April?

Yes, the park is usually open until around 15 May. Check the official dates for your year before you plan a trip.