Phuket · Thailand
January
Peak dry season — calm seas, clear skies, and the busiest beaches in Southeast Asia.
Best match
#7 of 12 months
There are better months for Phuket — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
31.5°C
Low
23.2°C
Rain
30mm
Sun
8.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How January scores in Phuket
Weather
Outstanding
Value
Below average
Crowds
Below average
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in January
- ↑Only 30mm of rain all month: the most reliable beach weather in the Asia Pacific
- ↑Andaman Sea at its calmest: Phi Phi, Similan Islands, and James Bond Island all operating at full capacity
- ↑Phuket beach clubs and rooftop bars at peak season — the liveliest social atmosphere on the island
What you sacrifice
- ↓High season prices: beachfront hotels at 2–3× their monsoon rates
- ↓Patong and Kata beaches at their most crowded — sun loungers booked solid by 9am
- ↓Short-notice booking essentially impossible; popular properties fill months in advance
How January compares to November (best month)
| Factor | January | November ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 9 | 8 |
| Value | 3 | 6 |
| Crowds | 3 | 6 |
January in other destinations
Lisbon (13.6°C)Barcelona (13.2°C)Tokyo (9.8°C)Bali (30.2°C)Santorini (13.4°C)Paris (7°C)New York (3.3°C)Marrakech (17.3°C)Amsterdam (5.6°C)Maldives (30.1°C)Rome (11.6°C)Bangkok (31.1°C)Istanbul (8.7°C)Vienna (3.2°C)Seoul (1.1°C)Dubrovnik (11.1°C)Rio de Janeiro (30.9°C)Kyoto (9.2°C)Cape Town (26.1°C)Prague (2°C)Amalfi Coast (12°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Phuket, not across destinations. Methodology →