Phuket in March: Weather, Sea Conditions and Tours

March is the last full month of Phuket's settled dry season. The sea is usually calm and clear, the skies are mostly blue, and every tour we sell runs on a normal schedule. What changes is the heat: March is noticeably hotter than January, and the humidity starts to build towards the end of the month as the island heads into April, its hottest month.

Crowds usually ease a little compared with the January and February peak, although Phuket is still busy. This guide covers the weather, crowds and events in March, which tours suit the month and how to plan a week that works with the heat rather than against it.

What the Weather Is Like in March

Phuket has two broad seasons: the dry season, roughly November to April, and the southwest monsoon, roughly May to October. March is late in the dry half, so the pattern is still sunny and settled, just hotter.

• Temperature: highs usually around 33 to 34°C, nights around 24 to 26°C. Midday feels very hot, especially on land and away from the breeze.
• Rain: still one of the drier months. Short showers or an evening thunderstorm become a little more likely in the second half of the month.
• Sea: usually calm, which makes the crossings to Phi Phi and Racha comfortable. The water is warm all year, usually around 28 to 30°C.
• Snorkeling: March is generally a good month for clear water, though visibility on any given day depends on the tide, wind and plankton.

West coast beaches are usually calm in March. Still swim where lifeguards are present, between the flags, and never when red flags are up. For how snorkeling conditions change across the year, see our snorkeling visibility calendar.

Crowds and Prices in March

March is still high season. Early March often feels much like February, and hotel rates stay high. As the month goes on, the rush of winter visitors usually slows a little, and it can become easier to find rooms and tour dates. Two things can push demand back up: Easter, in years when it falls in March, and the long Thai school holidays, which usually begin in March and bring more Thai families to the beaches, especially at weekends.

Tours run every day, and booking a few days ahead is usually enough outside holiday weeks.

Which Tours Suit March

All our tours run in March, and the calm sea still favors the open-water trips. The heat is the main thing to plan around: choose days with plenty of time in the water, and keep the hottest hours for shade.

Raya and Coral Island

A snorkeling day at Racha is one of the most comfortable ways to spend a hot March day, because you are in the water for much of it. The Raya and Coral Island snorkeling tour (2,400 THB per adult, 1,700 THB per child aged 4 to 11) runs from hotel pickup around 07:30 to about 16:00, with short boat rides from Chalong Pier, snorkeling at a bay the guide chooses on the day, a buffet lunch and free beach time.

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island

March is still a good month for the longer Phi Phi crossing. The Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour (3,100 THB per adult, 2,200 THB per child) starts with a swim at Khai Nai, where the shallow, sandy water is easy for beginners, and includes the national park fee, lunch, snorkel gear and a paddle board. Our Khai Islands guide describes that first stop. Maya Bay is usually open in March; you walk in from Loh Sama Bay, and swimming in the bay is not allowed.

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay runs all year and suits anyone who prefers calm water. The canoe trip into the Hong Island lagoon (or Talu Island, depending on the tide) is surrounded by cliffs, which gives welcome shade on a hot day. The James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay tour costs 3,500 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child, and the national park fee is paid on the day.

Jet ski and rafting

The Jet Ski 7 Islands tour (7,500 THB per jet ski for 1 or 2 riders) runs on the sheltered east coast and suits calm March conditions, but you are in full sun for most of the day, so cover up. White water rafting in the Phang Nga jungle offers shade and a cool river, although late in the dry season the water can be lower and the ride gentler. The guide decides on the day.

The Similan Islands

The Similan national park is usually open from around 15 October to around 15 May, so March is in season. We do not sell a Similan tour, but our Similan Islands guide explains how to plan one.

Events in March

• Heroines Festival: Phuket usually holds a festival around mid-March in honor of Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, the two sisters who led the defense of Thalang against a Burmese attack in 1785. Ceremonies and events take place around the Heroines Monument in Thalang.
• Makha Bucha: this Buddhist holy day falls on a full moon in February or March, depending on the year. Alcohol sales are often restricted on Buddhist holy days.
• Easter: in years when Easter falls in March, expect busier hotels and tours that week.

How to Plan a March Week

• Plan around the heat. Do sightseeing on land in the early morning or late afternoon, and keep the middle of the day for the water or the shade.
• Drink more than you think you need. Drinks are included on several of our tours, but carry a refillable bottle for the rest of the day.
• Space out the long days. Phi Phi is about 10 hours door to door and James Bond Island about 9. A rest day in between helps in the heat.
• Book a few days ahead. Most tours have free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and some have their own operator terms on the tour page. If we cancel for unsafe weather, you get a full refund or a new date. See our booking terms.

Sample 5 day plan

1. Day 1: arrive, late afternoon swim and sunset.
2. Day 2: Raya and Coral Island.
3. Day 3: an early morning in Phuket Old Town, then a slow afternoon by the pool.
4. Day 4: Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island.
5. Day 5: James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay, or rafting for a change from the sea.

Check available dates on our March tours page. If your trip starts in February, see Phuket in February, and if it continues into April, read Phuket in April for Songkran and the hottest weeks of the year.

What to Pack for March

• High factor reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• A rash guard or light long-sleeved swim top for snorkeling and the jet ski.
• Loose, breathable clothes in cotton or linen.
• A refillable water bottle and, if you sweat a lot, electrolyte sachets.
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch for boat days.
• Seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.

Frequently asked questions

Is March a good time to visit Phuket?

Yes, if you can handle the heat. Seas are usually calm, rain is limited and all tours run, with slightly smaller crowds than in January and February.

How hot is Phuket in March?

Highs are usually around 33 to 34°C, and it feels hotter in direct sun. Plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and late afternoons.

Does it rain in Phuket in March?

Not much. March is still in the dry season, though a short shower or evening storm becomes more likely towards the end of the month.

Which tour is best in March?

Any of them works. For snorkeling, choose Raya and Coral Island or Phi Phi; for scenery and calm water, James Bond Island. Browse all tours to compare.