Phuket waves by month
In short: from May to October the west coast of Phuket has waves almost every day; from November to April the sea is mostly calm. The numbers for each month are below.
| Month | Typical wave of the day | On rough days | Days with 0.6 m or more | Days with 1 m or more | Swell period | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.6 m | 0.9 m | 40% | 2% | 9.3 s | 28.9°C |
| February | 0.6 m | 0.9 m | 43% | 6% | 9.3 s | 29.2°C |
| March | 0.5 m | 0.8 m | 36% | 2% | 10.4 s | 29.9°C |
| April | 0.5 m | 0.7 m | 24% | 2% | 11.1 s | 30.6°C |
| May | 0.9 m | 1.5 m | 76% | 49% | 7.4 s | 31.0°C |
| June | 1.1 m | 1.8 m | 96% | 64% | 6.5 s | 30.2°C |
| July | 1.3 m | 2.1 m | 98% | 77% | 6.3 s | 29.9°C |
| August | 1.1 m | 1.7 m | 97% | 62% | 6.2 s | 30.0°C |
| September | 1.3 m | 2.1 m | 99% | 67% | 6.2 s | 29.2°C |
| October | 0.8 m | 1.7 m | 72% | 35% | 7.1 s | 29.6°C |
| November | 0.6 m | 0.9 m | 53% | 7% | 8.5 s | 29.6°C |
| December | 0.6 m | 0.9 m | 49% | 3% | 9.8 s | 29.1°C |
Source: the Open-Meteo Marine model, a point at sea off Kata, 1,553 days from October 2021 to December 2025. “Typical wave” is the median of the daily maximum; “on rough days” is the level exceeded on one day in ten. This is the height in open water near the shore: sheltered bays get less, open beaches get more as the wave breaks.
May to October: the wave season
The southwest monsoon arrives in May and the picture changes within a couple of weeks: in April a wave of 1 metre or more happens on 2% of days, in May already on 49%. From June to September a day without waves is rare: 0.6 m or more on 96–99% of days.
July and September are the biggest months: a typical day brings about 1.3 m, and one day in ten more than 2 m. The waves are wind-driven, with a short period of 6–7 seconds, so the sea looks uneven and choppy.
For swimming this is the dangerous season. On days with waves, open beaches develop rip currents and lifeguards put up red flags. A red flag means stay out of the water, even where it is shallow.
November to April: calm sea
In November the waves fade fast: days with 1 metre or more drop to 7%. From December to April the sea is flat, the usual height in open water is 0.5–0.6 m, and on beaches inside bays that is close to no waves at all.
One curious detail: the swell period in the dry season is longer, 9–11 seconds. These are echoes of distant storms in the Indian Ocean. They rarely bring height, but now and then they deliver a small clean wave that works on a longboard.
What it means for surfing
- May and October are the edges of the season. Waves do not come every day, but they are often small and friendly for learning.
- June to September: there is almost always a wave. The question is not “is there one” but “is it too windy”: quality depends on the wind and the tide.
- November to April: surfable days are rare.
Averages do not tell you about tomorrow. The main page shows what every beach is doing right now and which hour today is the best, and the 10-day outlook shows which day to pick. For the beaches, see Surfing in Phuket: season and beaches.
In short
When are the waves biggest in Phuket?
From May to October. In June to September a wave of 1 metre or more shows up on 62–77% of days, and on some days it goes above 2 metres.
When is the sea calm in Phuket?
From November to April. April is the calmest month: a wave of 1 metre or more happens on about 2% of days.
Are there waves in Phuket in October?
Yes, but the season is ending: 0.6 m or more on 72% of days, 1 m or more on 35%. The sea settles noticeably towards the end of the month.
Are there waves in Phuket in November?
Small ones. A wave of 1 metre or more happens on about 7% of days, mostly in the first half of the month.
What is the water temperature in Phuket?
29–31°C all year. The water is warmest in April and May and coolest in January, at about 29°C.