The proverbial slice of heaven, Phuket, Thailand, is an integral part of the country for travelers. A trip to this island will take you on a journey like never before filled with sun-kissed beaches, tropical rainforests, and verdant mountains. The best part about Phuket is that this beach town has something for everyone, be it a group of friends on a holiday, newly married couples on their honeymoon, a solo traveler looking for adventure and new stories or simply a family looking to relax on a vacation away from the hustle-bustle of daily life.

Weather in Phuket in February

Phuket experiences excellent weather in February, with the lowest rainfall of the year. It is not as crowded as the month of January but it falls in the high tourist season so you can expect the island to be brimming with travelers, enjoying the pleasant weather.
  • The average temperature is 28.7 degrees celsius ranging between the average high and low of 33 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
  • This month marks the end of the dry season in Phuket and the average rainfall is just 30.5 mm falling over 2 to 3 days in the evenings. February onwards rainfall increases until the wettest months of May, September and October arrive.
Humidity is also lower this year at a comfortable average of 63% because of the cooling breezes from the east but will begin to increase towards the end of the month. The seas around Phuket at this time of the year are a lovely and warm temperature of 29 degrees celsius, generally calm and is almost like a pleasant bath!

Places to Visit in Phuket in February

The island during this time of the year is brimming with tourists because of the high season as it is perfect for enjoying the pleasant, dry weather. It is ideal to step out during the day and explore the scenic, tropical beauty in and around Phuket and enjoy the nightlife in the second half of the day. Here are a few places you should visit in the month of February:
  1. Phi Phi Islands

    Phi Phi Islands

  2. Phi Phi Islands are a group of six islands of which- Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh are the most coveted islands. The pristine clear azure waters and youthful parties make these islands a wonderful way to spend a few days of your holiday in Thailand. The Phi Phi Islands became famous after 'The Beach'- a 2000 Hollywood chick flick that was shot in Ko Phi Phi Le.

    The picturesque pearl sand beaches are surrounded by magnificent cliffs and jungles all around which makes the clear blue water look nothing short of paradise. One cannot commute by road on these islands as they do not have roads as the islands are mostly humanly inhabited which makes it among the few tourist destinations in the world that are organically beautiful. These easily accessible islands as it is only 40 km away from Phuket and can also be reached from Krabi, by a speedboat in about 45 minutes or by ferry ride in around 90 minutes. The weather in February is among the coldest and driest season making it the ideal time for staying out all day and visiting the famous islands.

    Phuket Best Sellers

  3. Banana Beach

    Banana Beach

  4. For a soulful beach experience, we recommend Banana Beach- often referred to as the last secret beach, because it is quite isolated. The beach is a 180 meter long stretch of paradisiacal beauty with crystal clear blue water. It is located between the beaches at Bang Tao and Nai Thon. Given that the weather is ideal, you can make a hearty dip in the water on this beach but is only recommended from November to May. Tourists often rent a sun lounge or enjoy a massage on this beach.

    While you are busy enjoying a peaceful time at Banana beach, remember to put your belongings at a sufficient distance from the water because at high tide the water reaches the tree line and can scoop up your things!

  5. Jui Tui Shrine

    Jui Tui Shrine

  6. Jui Tui Shrine is one of the most important temples on the island of Phuket. The grandeur of the temple includes red-washed exteriors and dragons that were constructed in honor of Tean Hu Huan Doy - the God of dancers. The temple has been serving as a ground base for locals to celebrate the good and bad times throughout the history of the island. Given that the festivities of the Chinese New Year are in full swing in the month of February, most shrines across the island are adorned in festive decorations.

    Originally, this temple was located on Soi Romanee, which was later relocated to its current abode due to a fire. The shrine inside the temple dates back to 1911 and houses the famous firecracker tower. This temple also hosts the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival where participants abstain from consuming meat and indulge in traditional ritualistic parades.

Things to Do in Phuket in February

The weather in Phuket in the month of February is ideal to take a dip in the beach and indulge in watersports. Even apart from the cliche island activities, Phuket has multiple activities that you can engage in. Here are a few things you can do in Phuket.
  1. Phuket Dolphin Show

    Phuket Dolphin Show

  2. Dolphins are among the few species who have friendly nature towards humans. These water mammals win the hearts of many tourists each year at this famous Dolphin show in Phuket. This show is conducted at the famous Dolphin Bay Nemo Theme Park. With the help of a few instructors, these adorable creatures dazzle the audience with their performance. It is ideal to see the Dolphin Show during peak tourist season because the quality of the show is better. Another activity that you can do here is swim with the dolphins under the supervision of trained instructors.

    Ticket fee: INR 900 onwards

  3. Water Sports

    Water Sports

  4. Perfect for all you thrill-seekers out there, Phuket’s clear azure waters and accessibility to the seas make the island a water-sports lovers’ paradise. There are numerous water activities in Phuket taking place on multiple beaches. The west coast of the island sees state-of-the-art water sports facilities and equipment for snorkeling and windsurfing. On the other hand beaches on the south-eastern side of Phuket such as Nai Yang and Friendship Beach are known for kitesurfing. The weather in February makes these activities among the best times to indulge.

  5. Attend the Electronic and Techno Weekend
  6. Marc Houle has been wowing the crowds in Phuket with his signature electronic and techno sounds for over a decade. He is known for his live performances at clubs and festivals worldwide. Each year he performs his sets on different beaches at a club. If you happen to be in Phuket at this time of the year, this event is unmissable.

Festivals in Phuket in February

Phuket in February is adorned with the decorations of many traditional festivals that allow tourists to enjoy the culture of the scenic island. Here are a few festivals you should look out for when in Phuket.
  1. Wat Chalong Fair
  2. Wat Chalong or the Chalong Temple hosts a fair that is the grandest of all temple fairs in Phuket. The fair spans across 7 days and is the perfect mix of vibrant color, aromas, and sounds. There are extravagant performances, a lot of fun games and much more that entice tourists to enjoy themselves. Every evening the visitors will be in the audience to some magnificent performances by famous folk singers and puppeteers. The first fair was in 1933 and was organized by local farmers who lived in and around the area of Wat Chalong. They would celebrate their long periods of hard work post their harvest. In recent years, the fair is set up around the Chinese New Year Period to harness and promote a sense of belonging, together and enjoyment among the local Thais and resident Chinese folk.

  3. Chinese New Year in Phuket
  4. Chinese New Year is a time when Phuket immerses itself in vibrant celebrations, scenic firecrackers, and magnanimous processions. In the old town of Phuket, Thalang Road, Krabi Road, Dibuk Road, and Phang Nga Road are closed to motorized traffic for 3 consecutive evenings in the wake of pedestrian celebrations. Among the many spectacular events during this festival is the famous Dragon Procession, which offers a kaleidoscope of color and is a must-see during the festival. Many colorful traditional dances take place in the public park on Phuket Road. If you happen to be visiting Chinese homes during this time of the year, you will be able to spot local traditions such as the living rooms being decorated with flowers, tangerines, and a tray full of 8 types of dried fruit. You will observe that many shops decorate their entrance with red banners and decorations in the hope of luck and happiness in the coming new year. The community event is free of cost and is open to all.

  5. Phuket Old Town Festival
  6. One of the most cherished and loved festivals in Phuket is the Phuket Old Town Festival. This festival is held in the historical center of Old Town which is along Thalang, Krabi, and Phuket Roads -which are turned into walking streets during the festival. Visitors attending the festival are spoilt for choices as there is so much to do, right from rickshaw rides, attending the Phuket Baba Light Show, cultural parades, Chinese folk dancing troupes, and free boat rides along central canals and so much more. Not just this, Phuket Old Town festival gives you the opportunity to enjoy authentic Thai street food. The streets are full of stalls that are laden with food.

    The festival is organized in the hope to develop and conserve Thai culture and to encourage all residents of Phuket to promote the Phuket Old Town. For the locals, this festival is an occasion to have unadulterated fun! If you do plan to attend the festival, please note that it is best to park your vehicles on the outskirts and then walk into the center because the streets are full of stalls and pedestrians.

Places to Eat in Phuket in February

There are plenty of eateries that tourists can pick from; right from street food stalls at Bangla road to chic restaurants in Patong. However, because this month is a high season for the island, many cafes and pubs have music nights and special brunches offer. Many restaurants in Bangtao offer great deals for sea facing meals and many pubs in Patong run DJ special nights.

Thanks to the festive season of the island, more food is eaten during Chinese New Year than any other time. Dumplings, tangerines, noodles, and glutinous rice cakes are considered lucky, so make sure to enjoy them while you are binging on street food stalls. It may be difficult to eat fresh bean curd or tofu as white is considered unlucky during festivities.

What to Pack and Carry

The good thing about traveling to Phuket in the peak season is that you do not have to worry about sudden showers or swampy beaches. However, here are a few things we feel you should grab before you reach the spectacular destination of Phuket.

1. If you are keen on attending the Chinese New Year festivities, we recommend you carry something Red as it is considered to be the color of luck and prosperity during this festival

2. For all the beach hopping you will be doing in Phuket, always carry with you a sunblock and water bottle. Not that the weather demands these items but they can come in handy.

3. Phuket is not all beach and no party! Pack your fancy party wear to enjoy the nightlife that the island has to offer

How to Reach Phuket

Phuket is well-connected with the rest of the world. The fastest means of travel to the paradisiacal island is by air. While Phuket can be reached from other parts of Thailand by road, currently there are no direct trains that connect it to other cities.

By Air: Phuket International Airport connects both international and domestic flights from and to Phuket. Many countries like India, Germany, Australia, Singapore as well as Malaysia are directly connected to Phuket by air. Since February is the peak tourist season for Phuket, flight tickets can be expensive which means one should make bookings well in advance.

By Road: There are A/C as well as Non-A/C buses that are available and one can avail of a bus from Bangkok, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Na and other similar areas of Thailand. Thailand also has a well-linked road network for localities and travelers alike that allows them to make intra-city travel convenient and pocket-friendly.

Now you know why tourists fall in love with Phuket! The number of things to do and places to visit is endless on the angelic island. While your stay and travel might be a little costly due to the peak season in February, the festivities, energy, and aesthetics of Phuket will make it worth every penny.