Short answer
April in Phuket is hot, humid and the last month of the dry season: the Thai Meteorological Department's 1981–2010 normals give 142.9 mm of rain over 11.8 rainy days, mostly in afternoon storms, and a mean daily maximum of 33.9 °C. The sea is the warmest of the year, about 30 °C, and boat days still run. The Songkran water festival is a public holiday from 13 to 15 April, with soaked streets, slow traffic and higher hotel prices that week.
April is hot, humid and the rain begins to return
April has the warmest nights of the year in Phuket. The Thai Meteorological Department's 1981–2010 normals for the Phuket station give a mean daily minimum of 25.8 °C, a mean daily maximum of 33.9 °C, and a record high of 37.8 °C. Rain is back in earnest: 142.9 mm over 11.8 rainy days, against 73.5 mm and 6.7 days in March. The airport station in the north of the island records 154.0 mm over 12.9 days.
The newer table from the World Meteorological Organization, printed on Wikipedia's Phuket City page, gives 135.1 mm, 9.6 days with 1 mm or more and a mean maximum of 34.2 °C for 1991–2020, and lists 39.4 °C as the highest temperature on record for April, the hottest reading of any month in that table. The Royal Irrigation Department's figures on Wikipedia's Phuket Province page add humidity of 75 percent and 183 hours of sunshine, about 6.1 hours a day.
Afternoon storms: short, sharp and not yet the monsoon
April is the month the weather changes character. The Thai Meteorological Department's climate summary says thunderstorms in southern Thailand occur from March to November, that the pre-monsoon season runs until mid-May, and that the southwest monsoon usually starts in mid-May. It also notes that April is the first month in which a tropical cyclone has crossed Thailand in its 1951–2015 records, with a single crossing in the south in those 65 years, so the risk is small.
Phuket 101 describes April rain as occasional showers and thunderstorms, with storms that can appear suddenly in the late afternoon, usually short but intense. Its advice is to head for shelter when dark clouds build, and to plan sightseeing early in the morning or after 4 pm. For a boat day, the practical point is that the morning is the safest part of the day, and that storms are far more likely than in February, which has 3.1 rainy days in the normals against 11.8 now.
Songkran: what 13 to 15 April means in Phuket
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is a public holiday on 13 to 15 April, according to Wikipedia's list of Thai public holidays, which adds that many people travel home for family reunions and that 14 April is also Family Day. The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes that UNESCO has recognised the festival as intangible cultural heritage. In 2026 its listings put the Phuket Water Festival at Mai Khao and Patong Beach from 11 to 13 April, and a street celebration on Dibuk Road on 13 April.
Phuket 101 describes the festival as water fights everywhere, especially along Bangla Road and the beach road in Patong, with celebrations that often start a day early and finish a day late. It warns that traffic in Patong slows to a crawl, taxis and ride-hailing are hard to get, accommodation prices spike, and some smaller restaurants close because locals travel upcountry. Bring a waterproof phone pouch, quick-dry clothes and sandals with grip, and leave expensive cameras at the hotel.
Boat days in April
Boat days run in April. Phuket 101 rates the sea as mostly calm and warming up, at about 30 °C, the warmest swimming of the year, and says afternoon storms can create short-lived rough conditions. Maya Bay is open, because the park closes it only from 1 August to 30 September. Our Phi Phi and Maya Bay speedboat tour is from $75 per person for about 8.5 hours, with hotel pickup between about 7:00 and 8:30 am; we confirm the exact time the day before.
If your date falls in Songkran week, expect the road to the marina to be slower and ask us before you book, because Phuket 101 says traffic slows to a crawl that week. On the water, the same rules apply as always: take seasickness tablets if you need them, bring a dry bag, and keep cash for the park fee, which on our tour is 400 baht per adult and 200 per child, collected by the operator. The tour schedule covers packing.
The Similans in April: the last full month of the season
April is the last full month for the Similan Islands. Phuket 101 says they close in mid-May and reopen in mid-October, and tells visitors who want to see them to book early in April, before the monsoon swells start building. Our Similan Islands speedboat day runs from 15 October to 14 May and costs from $105 per person; it is a 12–13 hour day with pickup between about 5:30 and 7:30 am. The dates and the daily quota are explained in our Similan season guide.
If you miss the window, Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay stay open all year, and Phuket 101 rates the sea off Phuket as mostly calm in April. Our Phi Phi or James Bond Island comparison helps you choose, and Phuket in May shows what changes once the Similans close.
Crowds and prices in April
April is cheaper than the peak. Phuket 101's high-season guide says hotel prices drop compared with the peak, beaches are less crowded, and March and April offer excellent value if you can handle the heat. It names April as a good compromise month and says two to three weeks of notice is usually enough for a hotel, apart from Songkran week. The heat is the price: the guide says most visitors underestimate how hot April gets.
The exception is Songkran. Prices spike for the festival week according to Phuket 101, so book early if your dates include 13 to 15 April, and consider early April, before the festival, or late April, after the crowds leave. The guide notes that the weather is similar throughout the month while the atmosphere changes dramatically around the festival.
Who April suits, and who should pick another month
April suits visitors who like heat and warm water, want lower prices than January, and either enjoy the water festival or plan around it. It suits swimmers and snorkellers: the sea is at its warmest and the Similans are still open. Our Phi Phi speedboat is not suitable for pregnant women, infants under 1 year or guests over 70, and a storm on the crossing can make the ride bumpy.
It does not suit people who dislike heat, humidity or crowds of wet revellers. Phuket 101 says even long-term residents find April intense, and that people who do not like getting wet should avoid Songkran week. If that is you, Phuket in February offers a milder, drier alternative, and Phuket in March sits between the two.
Practical checklist
- Check whether your dates include Songkran, 13 to 15 April, and book hotels early if they do.
- Pack quick-dry clothes, a waterproof phone pouch and a dry bag.
- Plan outdoor time before lunch or after 4 pm, and carry water.
- Book the Similan Islands early in April, before the season closes in mid-May.
- Keep cash for the Phi Phi park fee: 400 baht per adult and 200 per child on our tour.
Questions and answers
How much rain does Phuket get in April?
The Thai Meteorological Department's 1981–2010 normals give 142.9 mm over 11.8 rainy days at the Phuket station. Most of it falls in short afternoon storms rather than all-day rain.
When is Songkran in Phuket?
Songkran is a public holiday from 13 to 15 April each year, according to Wikipedia's list of Thai public holidays. Celebrations in Patong often start a day early and end a day late, says Phuket 101.
Is the sea good for swimming in April?
Yes. Phuket 101 rates it mostly calm and about 30 °C, the warmest of the year, with occasional short rough spells in afternoon storms. Watch the beach flags all the same.
Can I visit the Similan Islands in April?
Yes, until the season ends in mid-May. Phuket 101 advises booking early in April, and our Similan tour runs from 15 October to 14 May.
Can I book a boat day during Songkran?
Ask us first. Phuket 101 says traffic slows to a crawl, prices rise and some restaurants close that week. We confirm availability and the pickup time on WhatsApp before you pay.