December is the month when Phuket fully justifies its reputation. The Andaman coast’s southwest monsoon ended in October, and by December the west-facing beaches are in their best condition: calm seas, minimal rain, warm water, and long dry days. This is peak season for good reason.
December weather on Phuket
Average high temperatures sit around 31°C. Nights cool to 24–25°C, which makes beach evenings comfortable. Rainfall averages 40–70mm for the month — compare this to October (320mm) or November (160mm) and the improvement is dramatic.
The sea on the Andaman side calms significantly from late October, and by December swells are generally small, currents are minimal, and visibility for snorkeling and diving is at its best — typically 15–25 metres. Sea surface temperature is 28–29°C.
The east coast of Phuket (Rawai, Cape Panwa, Chalong Bay) is sheltered from the open Andaman throughout the year and is unaffected by the monsoon cycle in any significant way.
What the weather is not: December in Phuket is not guaranteed to be cloudless. You’ll get partly cloudy days, and occasional brief showers in the first week aren’t impossible. But rain that significantly interrupts beach time is rare.
Best beaches in December
Surin Beach is one of the strongest choices for December. The bay is sheltered, the water is clear and calm, and the beach is wide. It sits in the upscale north of Phuket’s west coast, with several high-end beach clubs and good restaurants at Surin Village.
Bang Tao Beach is Phuket’s longest beach and hosts the Laguna resort complex. It’s less crowded than Patong while still having full facilities. Families and couples tend to prefer it over the busy south.
Kata Noi is a small, scenic bay with excellent snorkeling on its southern rocks. In December the water clarity is as good as it gets. It fills up but rarely feels as congested as Patong.
Nai Harn in the far southwest is the pick for anyone who wants a quality beach without full resort infrastructure around it. The beach is wide, the bay faces south, and water conditions in December are excellent.
Patong Beach is where the main action is. It’s the busiest beach on Phuket, with the most dining, nightlife, and services. For the King’s Cup Regatta (usually early December), Patong Bay is a focal point. For New Year’s Eve fireworks, Patong is the main event.
Key December events
King’s Cup Regatta — Usually held during the first week of December, this is one of Southeast Asia’s largest sailing regattas. Around 80–100 boats race across different classes around Phuket’s waters, with the social scene concentrated at Royal Phuket Marina and Ao Chalong. It doesn’t affect beach access but does fill hotels in the Ao Chalong and Nai Harn area.
Christmas (December 24–25) — Most beach clubs, resort restaurants, and rooftop bars run special Christmas dinners, typically 2,000–5,500 THB per person. Beachside restaurants book up 3–5 weeks ahead. If you haven’t made a reservation by early December, expect limited options.
New Year’s Eve (December 31) — Patong Beach fireworks at midnight are the centrepiece. Beach clubs and hotel pools run countdown parties with open-bar packages at approximately 3,000–6,000 THB. For more on what NYE looks like across Phuket and the wider country, see our New Year’s Eve in Thailand guide.
Tours and day trips in December
December is when Phuket’s day-trip boats run at full capacity. The following sell out on popular days — book online in advance:
Phi Phi Island day tour — The day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh (Maya Bay) is one of the most popular in Thailand. December 30–31 and January 1–2 are among the busiest days of the year. We recommend booking at least a week ahead, not at the pier on the morning.
Phang Nga Bay / James Bond Island — The limestone karst seascape of Phang Nga Bay is spectacular in December’s clear light. Tours depart from Ao Po pier or Phuket Town. Popular operators are booked solid in the Christmas/NYE period.
Koh Racha Yai diving and snorkeling — December is excellent for visibility around Koh Racha Yai (also written Racha Yai), south of Phuket. This is one of the best accessible snorkeling spots from the island.
Browse tours and day trips from Phuket on GetYourGuide — filtering by date lets you see real-time availability for specific December days.
Accommodation and pricing
December pricing on Phuket follows a clear structure:
| Period | Rate vs low season |
|---|---|
| December 1–20 | 1.5–2× |
| December 21–27 (Christmas week) | 2–2.5× |
| December 28 – January 2 (NYE) | 2.5–3.5× |
Bang Tao and Surin offer better value relative to Patong for similar quality. If you’re not attending New Year fireworks specifically, staying north of Patong saves money and delivers a more peaceful experience.
Villas are competitive in Phuket relative to resorts at peak period, particularly when split among a group. 3–4 bedroom private pool villas in Nai Harn and Rawai run from approximately 20,000–40,000 THB per night at NYE — high in absolute terms but cost-effective per person.
For current rates and availability, see hotels and villas in Phuket on Booking.com.
How early is early enough?
For the first three weeks of December, booking 2–3 months ahead is sufficient for most options. For Christmas week, 4–6 months ahead. For NYE week, 6–9 months ahead if you want specific beachfront hotels. By August, the best beachside properties for December 28–January 2 are typically committed.
For a full picture of what the month looks like across all of Thailand, our Thailand in December guide covers the island comparison, weather by region, and what’s happening beyond Phuket.