Phuket in November 2026: Sea Conditions, Rain and Prices Week by Week

In November, Phuket sees daytime highs of around 31°C, nights of 24°C, and sea temperatures of 28°C near the shore. Expect roughly 12-13 rainy days and about 180 mm of rain for the month, compared with roughly 320 mm in October. But the monthly average is misleading: the first week is often still wet, while stable sunshine arrives in the second half.

Early November and late November are two different trips

November is a transition month. The southwest monsoon fades and the northeast wind takes over, but the switch follows the weather, not the calendar, and takes two to three weeks. Someone landing on 3 November and someone landing on 25 November will come home with very different impressions of the same month.

In the first days, heavy afternoon rain and thunderstorms are still possible. This is usually not a full day of grey skies but one and a half to two hours of intense downpour: streets in Patong and Chalong can stand ankle-deep in water, then clear within an hour. From the second week the weather evens out noticeably. By month-end the air is drier, the sea calmer, and the sun shines 7-8 hours a day.

Key November figures at a glance:

• Day / night temperature: about 31°C / 24°C
• Sea temperature: about 28°C
• Rainy days: 12-13
• Monthly rainfall: about 180 mm
• Humidity: 75-80%
• Wind: 8-15 km/h, northeasterly
• UV index: 8-10, high

With a UV index of 8-10, you can burn faster on an overcast day than a sunny one: you don't feel the heat, but ultraviolet penetrates the clouds. Sunscreen is needed on 5 November and on the 30th.

The practical advice is simple. If your dates are flexible, choose the second half of the month, from the 15th onward. If you must fly in the first days, build the trip so that one wet day cannot ruin it, and avoid pre-booking sea excursions for a fixed date.

Sea conditions: red flags, Similan Islands and snorkelling

By November the swell on the west coast subsides, but not instantly. Early in the month, Karon and Kata can still see red-flag days, with leftover swell from the previous season and rip currents close to shore. A red flag in Phuket is not a formality or lifeguard over-caution. Those are exactly the days and places where people drown.

Watch the flag, not the fact that someone nearby is swimming.

In the second half of November the west-coast sea usually calms, the water clears, and the regular boat-trip season begins. The Similan and Surin Islands national parks operate during high season, roughly mid-October to mid-May. November snorkelling there is among the best of the year: visibility is already good, and the December crowds have not yet arrived. International travel sources report the same pattern, with Similan, Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay trips running without significant cancellations and underwater visibility improving through the month.

Don't expect a polite advance cancellation. In heavy swell, a departure simply doesn't happen on the morning itself, and refunds are not always full or even given. Keep early-month sea days flexible rather than making them the first item on the itinerary.

For calm swimming with children in early November, the east side and bays sheltered from the wind work better. The long open beaches of the west coast are less suitable.

Prices: why November is the gap between seasons

November marks the start of high season, and prices climb all month: early on they sit close to October levels, by the end they approach December. December, January and February are more expensive across the board: accommodation, transfers, excursions, scooter rental.

For budget-conscious travellers, the best balance of weather and price falls around mid-month. The weather is almost dry-season quality while rates are not yet at New Year levels. If you plan to travel in this window, book your hotel ahead of time: in the second half of November, good seafront options start to sell out for December dates.

A note for those planning to winter here. If you are looking for accommodation for several months, November is already too late to choose calmly: the best properties at sensible prices are taken in summer and in September-October. What remains in November is either pricier, farther from the sea, or from an owner who will rent only until 20 December and then raise the rate for the New Year weeks. Clarify this before paying a deposit, not after.

For those weighing a longer-term stay or a purchase, island-wide market data shows how strongly location drives cost: condos run from about ฿1.65M (a one-bedroom at Ravai) to ฿60M+ (Bangtao penthouses), while pool villas start from ฿7.9M (Surin) and reach ฿35M+ (Bangtao/Layan). West-coast areas such as Bangtao, Kamala, Surin and Patong typically price above the island median because of limited supply and strong liquidity.

What to do when a day gets rained out

November downpours usually hit in the second half of the day. Mornings are generally workable, so put the beach and sea in the first half and keep weather-independent plans for the evening:

• covered markets and evening food courts, which operate under awnings in any downpour;
• massage and spa, where November prices are still below December levels;
• temples and viewpoints, noticeably quieter in the rain, though the road to the Big Buddha is wet and slippery and a scooter is best avoided;
• water parks and indoor kids' centres if you are travelling with children.

A word on scooters. The first minutes of a downpour are the most dangerous: oil and rubber rise from hot asphalt, and braking distance grows several times over. After heavy rain, the roads toward Kamala and Nai Thon can also have streams of water running across the lane. A rain poncho for a little over a hundred baht from any roadside shop saves your clothes but not your traction. If it is coming down in sheets, simply wait twenty minutes under cover.

On clothing: no jacket is needed in November, as nights stay around 24°C. A long-sleeved layer helps for air-conditioned evenings and transport, and a second pair of shoes is wise: at 75-80% humidity, one pair takes two days to dry.

One last tip: if you arrive in the first days of November, keep one free day at the end of the trip and hold a sea excursion in it. If the first one is cancelled because of swell, you have a backup rather than a spoiled holiday.

FAQ

When is the weather reliably good in Phuket in November?

Most reliably from mid-month. The second half of November is noticeably drier than the first, with more sun and a calmer sea. There are no guarantees, as the shift to dry season is gradual.

Can you swim in Phuket in November?

Yes, the water is about 28°C. But early in the month, Karon and Kata can still have red-flag days. Do not enter the water under a red flag, even if the sea looks calm.

Are the Similan Islands open in November?

Yes. The Similan and Surin Islands national parks are open during high season, roughly mid-October to mid-May. November is one of the best months for snorkelling: visibility is already good and there are fewer people than in December.

Is November cheaper than December?

Yes, noticeably. Prices rise throughout November and peak in December-February. The start and middle of the month are clearly better value than New Year dates.

How much rain does November get compared with October?

About 180 mm versus roughly 320 mm in October, and rainfall tapers off almost completely toward the end of the month.

How many rainy days should I expect in November?

About 12-13 on average, concentrated in the first half of the month and usually short afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain.

How strong is the sun in November?

The UV index is 8-10, which is high. Sunscreen is needed every day, including cloudy ones.

Is it a good month to look for long-stay accommodation?

It is late. The best value rentals are taken in summer and September-October, and November leftovers are often pricier or farther from the sea, so confirm terms before paying a deposit.

Source: Phuket Blog

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