Short answer
| Period | Note | For what |
|---|---|---|
| January-February | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ideal: sun, 0 rain, flat sea, 28°C |
| March-April | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very hot (33-35°C), always dry, calm sea |
| November-December | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Season starting, very good |
| May-June | ⭐⭐⭐ | Early monsoon, short rains, cheaper hotels |
| July | ⭐⭐ | Monsoon confirmed, swell possible |
| August-October | ⭐ | Rough seas, possible closures, to avoid |
Season by season detail
Dry season (November → April) — recommended
- Weather: 0 to 3 rainy days/month, dominant sun, 28-33°C
- Sea: almost flat, underwater visibility 15-25 m
- Affluence: high (January, February = peak) but absorbed by quotas
- Price: high season = hotels 20-40% more expensive than in May
- Maya Bay access: open almost every day
This is the season when 90% of our excursions take place. If you have a choice, come here.
Hot-dry (March-April)
- Weather: 34-36°C, high humidity, rarely rain
- Sea: still very calm
- Affluence: Chinese New Year (February-early March) then Songkran (mid-April) = peaks
- Nuance: avoid Songkran week (April 13-15) if you don't like national water fights
Off-season (May-June)
- Weather: 1 day of rain in 3, short thunderstorms (30 min), then sunshine
- Sea: still passable, slight swell possible in the afternoon
- Crowd: hollow, few people, good vibe
- Price: hotels -30 to -40%
- Advantage: the best quality-price/peace ratio
We like this period for savvy travelers who are willing to miss 1-2 days out of 10.
Monsoon (July-October) — not recommended for Maya Bay
- Weather: 1 day of rain in 2, frequent storms
- Sea: significant swell, up to 2-3 m
- Maya Bay Access: 10-30% of days closed
- Our recommendations: avoid Maya Bay this period, or allow 4-5 buffer days to try again
If you come in the European summer and want the islands, opt for Koh Samui / Koh Tao (Gulf of Thailand, reversed season).
The trap of false advice
- ❌ “Come in September to avoid the crowds” → Yes but you risk never seeing Maya Bay.
- ❌ “August is the right time!” → This is THE worst for the Andaman Sea.
- ✅ “November to early April” → Solid advice.
Our Verdict
January if you want the perfect combo and accept the crowds. Mid-November or mid-April if you want the happy medium (price OK, fewer crowds, very good weather). May-June if you are flexible and looking for a good deal. Avoid August-October if Maya Bay is a priority.
We can recommend a specific date according to your priorities — tell her your budget, your profile, your dreams, she'll arrange it for you.