When it comes to beach holidays, Thailand is one of the best destinations in Asia. Whether
you’re looking for a luxury, 5-star hotel for you and your other half, a family-friendly getaway, or
to experience the buzz of the world-famous full moon parties, the south of Thailand is teeming
with options.
However, it is worth remembering that southern Thailand has only 2 seasons – the dry, hot
season and the cool, wet monsoon season – and the 2 seas that surround the southern stretch
of the country both have different seasonal variations.
While the locals love the rainy season as this is when the best fruit and vegetables (and rice)
grow, it doesn’t make for a great beach holiday. You want to be looking at the dry season when
the beaches are full of life and activity. But when is the best time to be going?
In this article, we will cover the best months to visit Thailand’s beautiful beaches in both the
Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
Andaman Sea
Generally accepted as the calmer, quieter side of the southern peninsula, the Andaman Sea
hosts dozens of beautiful, almost untouched islands – such as Ko Bulon and Koh Chang Noi –
alluring coral reefs and many great diving opportunities.
This side of Thailand is also home to the notorious party island Phuket along with Koh Phi Phi –
an island made famous from being the location of the film The Beach.
When Is The Best Time To Go?
The dry season starts around November and lasts roughly up until April. However, the
temperature around the start and the end of the season can be pretty high – often going up to
nearly 40 degrees.
This makes the months of March and April great for diving, as the water warms up a bit after the
cooler months, but if you’re looking to simply relax on the beach with a cocktail, aim for the
slightly cooler months of January and February.
It is also worth noting that Songkran, the Thai New Year, falls in April, so beach accommodation
soars in price and many places sell out quickly so make sure to pre-book your stay.
The Gulf Of Thailand
As opposed to the serenity of the Andaman Sea, the islands in the Gulf of Thailand tend to be
livelier and many have some great backpacker vibes.
The island of Koh Phangan is famous for its full moon party. Held every month on, you guessed
it, the full moon, this party gained international attention due to the excessive consumption of
alcohol (among other things) that goes on over this all-night beach party.
Other islands worth visiting are Koh Chang – which is recently featuring heavily on many
backpacker itineraries – and Koh Samui which is home to many bustling towns on the beach.
When Should I Go?
On this side of the southern peninsula, the seasons are very different, and the dry season lasts
from January to as late as August as the surrounding landmasses protect from the seasonal
monsoons.
These islands are great for jungle trekking and they feature many beautiful waterfalls and loads
of wildlife, but the beach excursions are the primary focus.
Islands such as Koh Samui host tons of watersports and many of the expensive hotels are right
on the beach, so you can sip on your cocktail and eat your dinner down by the seafront.
Winter Holidays
Luckily, the best times to visit these phenomenal places are during the winter months for Europe
and North America, so as your friends start wrapping up, ready for the cold, you can unwind on
a beach in a tropical paradise.
So now you know the best months to visit these truly breathtaking islands, it’s time to book your
trip and get away from the winter.
