Phi Phi Weather: What to Expect and How It Affects Your Trip

Featured image: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Phi Phi Weather at a Glance

Ko Phi Phi sits in the Andaman Sea, so it has a tropical monsoon pattern. Expect warm air, warm water and high humidity in every month. A sample forecast for a showery November day showed humidity near 76%, wind around 22 km/h and gusts up to 33 km/h. Treat that as an illustration, not an average. For the full seasonal breakdown, read our guide on the Best Time to Visit Phi Phi: Month-by-Month Guide. Check the Thai Meteorological Department for official forecasts and marine warnings.

• Air: hot all year, with feels-like values around 26-32°C (79-90°F) in the November sample.
• Water: about 30°C (86°F) in the same November snapshot, so no wetsuit for most swimmers.
• Daylight: roughly 06:13 to 18:03 in early November, and it shifts through the year.
• Biggest variable: wind and waves, not heat.

Phi Phi Weather by Season

Think of the year in three broad bands. The dry season is typically the calmest for boats. The shoulder months bring showers but often workable seas. The wet season brings the most rain and the roughest water. Exact start and end dates shift each year. Our page on Phi Phi in December: Weather, Crowds & Planning Guide covers a classic dry-season month. For the wettest stretch, see the Phi Phi Rainy Season: Months, Weather and What to Expect. Prices also move with the weather. As a planning example, compare quotes like ฿2,000 a night in peak dry season against ฿1,200 in the wet season. Those are illustrative figures, so check live rates for your dates.

Rain vs. Sea Conditions: What Actually Disrupts Your Plans

The same rainfall can mean a 20-minute shower or a cancelled boat day. Rain alone rarely stops a tour. Wind and waves do. A sample forecast showed waves around 0.2-0.7 m with wind averaging up to 18 knots. Higher gusts make small longtail boats uncomfortable even without a drop of rain. Heavy rain can also cut underwater visibility near river outflows and beaches. Read the rainy-season guide for how wet months play out on the water.

How to Read a Phi Phi Forecast

Use one tool for each job. A general forecast gives temperature, humidity and rain chance. A marine forecast gives wave height, wave period and wind in knots. A radar map shows whether a shower is arriving within the hour. Probability of precipitation tells you how likely rain is. Millimetres tell you how much. A 90% chance with 0.5 mm is a light shower. A 100% chance with 2.7 mm is a real downpour. Gusts matter more than averages for small boats. Tide data from nearby Phuket Harbor sits about 41.6 km from Phi Phi, so local tide timing may differ. Always check a live forecast close to your travel date, because this page is not a forecast.

• General forecast: temperature, humidity, rain chance.
• Marine forecast: wave height, period, wind in knots, gusts.
• Radar: short-term shower timing.
• Official warnings: Thai Meteorological Department.

Best Time of Day for Boat Trips, Hikes and Beaches

In the sample forecast, rain clustered in the afternoon and in the small hours before dawn. Treat that as a pattern to check, not a rule. Mornings often looked drier, with rain chances near 20% around 7-10am. Plan island-hopping boats and the viewpoint hike on Ko Phi Phi Don for early in the day. Keep the afternoon flexible for a café, a massage or a beach day if the sky holds. Sunrise is near 06:13, so an early start still gives you usable daylight.

Weather Decision Guide by Activity

Match each activity to the one factor that spoils it most. Then have a backup ready. Maya Bay access rules change, so read our note on the Maya Bay Closure Dates: When It Closes and Reopens and confirm current status with the national parks department.

Ferries, Flights and Buffer Days

Ferries from Phuket and Krabi can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather. Operators decide on the day, so confirm departures directly. Build at least one spare day before any international flight. Refundable tours cost more but protect you when seas turn. Fixed-date tours can be cheaper but leave you exposed. Weigh that trade-off against how tight your schedule is.

What to Pack for Phi Phi Weather

Pack for sun, sudden showers and wet boat decks. A light rain layer and a dry bag protect phones and passports. Bring reef-safe sun protection, since UV is strong even under cloud. Quick-dry clothes cope with humidity near 76%.

• Light rain jacket or poncho.
• Dry bag for boat days.
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
• Sandals with grip for wet jetties.
• Rainy-day plan: book a flexible activity, keep one free day, and check marine warnings each evening.

Common Weather Mistakes to Avoid

Do not judge a month by a single rain icon. Do not book every tour on consecutive days with no slack. Do not ignore gusts because the average wind looks mild. Do not assume tide times from Phuket match Phi Phi exactly. Do not rely on old Maya Bay information, and check park rules before you go.