The best months for Koh Phi Phi are January and February (flat sea, clear skies, little rain); September is the month to avoid.
Best months
Jan-Feb
Worst month
September
Peak price
Dec-Jan
Best value
Nov + May
Rain days/Sep
18-22
Maya Bay closed
Aug 1-Sep 30
What are the seasons on Koh Phi Phi?
Koh Phi Phi has two clear seasons:
- Dry season (November-April): blue sky, flat sea, top snorkeling, growing crowds, rising prices
- Monsoon (May-October): short rains early on, longer ones later, sometimes rough sea, prices at their lowest
What is the best month to visit Koh Phi Phi?
January and February are the best months (5/5: 0-2 days of rain, flat sea), followed by December; September is the worst (1/5: 18-22 days of rain, rough sea).
| Month | Score | Rains | Sea | Crowd | Prices | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 | 0-2 days | Flat | Peak | More expensive | Ideal weather |
| February | 5/5 | 0-2 days | Flat | Peak + Chinese New Year | More expensive | Ideal weather |
| March | 4/5 | 1-3 days | Calm | Moderate | Expensive | Very hot (33-35°C) |
| April | 4/5 | 2-4 days | Calm | Moderate + Songkran (13-15) | Expensive | Very hot (34-36°C) |
| May | 3/5 | 5-8 days | Light swell | Low | Moderate to low | Monsoon starting |
| June | 3/5 | 8-12 days | Variable | Low | Low | Short rains |
| July | 2/5 | 12-15 days | Swell | Low (European families) | Variable | Confirmed monsoon |
| August | 2/5 | 15-18 days | Swell | Moderate (holidays) | Moderate | Maya Bay closed |
| September | 1/5 | 18-22 days | Rough | Very low | Lowest | Avoid |
| October | 2/5 | 12-18 days | Variable | Low | Low | End of monsoon |
| November | 4/5 | 3-6 days | Calm | Growing | Moderate | Dry season returns |
| December | 5/5 | 0-3 days | Flat | Peak + Christmas/New Year | Very expensive | Excellent weather |
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in January?
In January it is 26-31°C, it hardly rains (0-2 days) and the sea is flat: it is the ideal month, but also the busiest.
- Temperature: 26-31°C by day, 23-25°C at night
- Rain: almost none (0-2 days/month)
- Sea: flat as a plate, 20-25 m visibility
- Crowds: tourist peak. Maya Bay packed by 11am, Tonsai crowded in the evening
- Hotel prices: high season, +30-50% vs November
- Who for: everyone (but book 2-3 months ahead)
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in February?
In February it is 26-32°C, it rains 1-2 days in the month and the sea is flat: close to perfect, just watch out for Chinese New Year.
- Temperature: 26-32°C, still pleasant
- Rain: 1-2 days/month
- Sea: flat, snorkeling at its best
- Crowds: peak + Chinese visitors for the New Year (dates vary, late January to mid-February)
- Prices: same as January
- Our notes: the second half of the month is less crowded than the first
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in March?
In March it is 28-34°C, it rains 1-3 days and the sea stays very calm: hot and dry, a very good compromise.
- Temperature: 28-34°C, humidity rising
- Rain: 1-3 days/month
- Sea: still very calm
- Crowds: moderate (between Easter holidays and the end of high season)
- Prices: start dropping at the end of March
- Our notes: a very good compromise, especially the second half of the month
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in April?
In April it is 30-36°C (the hottest month), with 2-4 days of short storms and a calm sea; Songkran (April 13-15) brings big crowds.
- Temperature: 30-36°C, the hottest month
- Rain: 2-4 days/month, short afternoon storms
- Sea: calm, sometimes short storms
- Crowds: moderate + Songkran peak (April 13-15, the water festival, a unique atmosphere)
- Prices: start dropping outside Songkran
- Our notes: Songkran on Phi Phi is memorable, but with many domestic tourists. Water everywhere in the streets of Tonsai.
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in May?
In May it is 28-33°C, it rains 5-8 days (often late afternoon) and the sea stays fine most days: it is the transition month, with prices 20-30% lower than in April.
- Temperature: 28-33°C, humid
- Rain: 5-8 days/month, often late afternoon
- Sea: light swell possible, but snorkeling still very doable most days
- Crowds: collapsed. Agencies are quiet.
- Prices: -20-30% vs April
- Our notes: a very good month if you accept 1 rainy day in 4. Upscale hotels at half price.
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in June?
In June it is 27-32°C, it rains 8-12 days but in short showers (1-2 hours) and the sea is good 70% of the time: the monsoon is starting, but it is still very doable.
- Temperature: 27-32°C
- Rain: 8-12 days/month, but short (1-2 hours)
- Sea: variable. Good 70% of the time
- Crowds: low, especially late June
- Prices: -30-40% vs January
- Our notes: the best value for money. You travel alongside savvy travelers.
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in July?
In July it is 26-31°C, it rains 12-15 days and the sea is rough half the time: it is the monsoon, workable if you are flexible.
- Temperature: 26-31°C
- Rain: 12-15 days/month, sometimes lasting
- Sea: rough 50% of the time. Maya Bay sometimes closed for 1-2 days
- Crowds: European families on school holidays
- Prices: go up a little (holidays) but remain attractive
- Our notes: possible if your itinerary is flexible
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in August?
In August it is 26-31°C, it rains 15-18 days, the sea is rough and Maya Bay is closed (annual national park closure from August 1 to September 30).
- Temperature: 26-31°C
- Rain: 15-18 days/month
- Sea: rough; Maya Bay closed from August 1 to September 30 (annual park closure)
- Crowds: moderate (German/French holidays)
- Prices: moderate
- Our notes: avoid unless you are flexible
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in September?
In September it is 26-30°C but it rains 18-22 days, the sea is rough (ferries sometimes cancelled) and Maya Bay is closed: it is the month to avoid, even though prices are the lowest of the year. If you come anyway, plan a 1-day buffer for each transfer and read our guide to Phi Phi in September.
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in October?
In October it is 26-31°C and it rains 12-18 days, improving clearly at the end of the month: it is the end of the monsoon, and an excellent time for bioluminescent plankton.
- Temperature: 26-31°C
- Rain: 12-18 days/month (improving towards the end of the month)
- Sea: variable. Still difficult in mid-October, better by late October
- Crowds: low but growing
- Prices: still low
- Our notes: the last week of October starts to be good. Bioluminescent plankton at its best!
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in November?
In November it is 26-31°C, it rains 3-6 days and the sea turns flat again from mid-November: the dry season is back, at still reasonable prices.
- Temperature: 26-31°C
- Rain: 3-6 days/month
- Sea: flat again from mid-November
- Crowds: low early in the month, growing towards the end
- Prices: good until mid-December
- Our notes: our favorite month. Everything is open, calm, beautiful, and still reasonably priced.
What is the weather like in Koh Phi Phi in December?
In December it is 25-30°C, it rains 0-3 days and the sea is flat: the weather is excellent, but prices soar from December 22 to January 5.
- Temperature: 25-30°C
- Rain: 0-3 days/month
- Sea: flat
- Crowds: peak from December 20. Before that, still manageable.
- Prices: soar from December 22 to January 5 (+50-80%)
- Our notes: mid-December is perfect. Avoid the holiday period unless booked 6 months ahead
Which holidays make Phi Phi busier?
Prices and crowds peak at Christmas-New Year (December 22 to January 5), Chinese New Year (late January or February) and Songkran (April 13-15).
- Chinese New Year: late January or February depending on the year (February 6 in 2027). Influx of Chinese and Thai visitors. Hotels full.
- Songkran: April 13-15. The water festival. A unique atmosphere, but Tonsai Village is soaked every day. Bring dry bags.
- Loy Krathong: November full moon (November 24 in 2026). Flower baskets floated on the sea, beautiful. Not too crowded.
- Vegetarian Festival (Phuket Town): October, mainly in Phuket. Phi Phi is not affected, but Phuket ferries can be busier.
When can you see bioluminescent plankton on Phi Phi?
Bioluminescent plankton is best seen from October to March, on moonless nights. The best spots:
- Hin Klang (a well-known snorkeling spot, frequent plankton)
- Loh Lana (calm area in the north)
- A night after a hot, windless day
Trips leave around 7-8pm and last 90 minutes by private longtail. Confirmation 24 hours ahead, the phenomenon is irregular.
How much is a hotel on Phi Phi by month?
A double room costs about 800-1,200 THB in a backpacker place and 3,500-5,000 THB in a 3-star hotel in January, against 350-600 THB and 1,500-2,200 THB in September.
| Category | January | March | June | September | November |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 800-1,200 | 600-1,000 | 400-700 | 350-600 | 600-900 |
| Mid-range 3* | 3,500-5,000 | 2,800-4,200 | 1,800-2,800 | 1,500-2,200 | 2,800-4,000 |
| Boutique 4* | 6,000-9,500 | 5,000-7,500 | 3,500-5,500 | 2,800-4,000 | 4,800-7,000 |
| North 5* resort | 14,000-30,000 | 10,000-20,000 | 7,000-12,000 | 5,500-9,000 | 9,000-18,000 |
Indicative rates in THB (per night, double room), taken from Booking 2 months ahead.
Our final advice
- You want the absolute best and budget is no issue? → second half of January or February
- You want the best compromise? → second half of November OR second half of March
- You want the cheapest with still-good conditions? → mid-May to the end of June
- You have to come in the monsoon? → choose June or the last week of October
Unsure about your dates? Send us your travel window on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly which month to choose and why.
