The short answer: the best time to visit Phu Quoc is November to April. That is the dry season, with little rain (very little from December to March), calm and clear water on the west coast and boats running to the islands without interruption. January, February and March are the driest months, and April is the hottest. The rainy season runs from May to October, with the heaviest rain and roughest seas in July and August. The island does not shut down in summer, though: tours still run, hotels get cheaper and there are sunny days even in the wettest months.
Here is how the seasons work, which side of the island gets the waves, what the water is like each month and how to pick your dates.
Phu Quoc's two seasons: dry and wet
Phu Quoc has a tropical monsoon climate, and the year splits in two.
- Dry season: November to April. The northeast monsoon brings clear skies and lower humidity. According to the Phu Quoc weather station, January to March averages only 30–55 mm of rain a month, with just 2–4 rainy days. Daytime highs sit around 31 °C, with nights at 23–24 °C.
- Rainy season: May to October. The southwest monsoon arrives with tropical downpours, strong onshore wind and waves on the west coast. July and August are the wettest months, averaging 460–500 mm of rain and around 19 rainy days. September and October are still wet, if a little less so.
- November and April are shoulder months. In November the rain gradually fades; in April the first thunderstorms arrive. Conditions vary from year to year: one April is glassy calm, the next already feels like summer.
It is hot all year. April is the hottest month, with average highs of 33 °C, and some days in April and May reach 35 °C.
West coast vs east coast: where the waves are
The key thing to understand about the sea in Phu Quoc is that the two coasts behave differently.
The west coast covers Long Beach (Bai Truong), Ong Lang and Sunset Town near An Thoi. Most hotels are here, and so are the best sunsets. In the dry season the water is flat and the beaches slope gently, which makes them the easiest for children. From June to September that changes: the southwest monsoon pushes in waves of 1.5–2 metres, the water turns murky and rip currents appear. On those days lifeguards put up red flags and close the water.
The east and southeast coast covers Sao Beach and Khem Beach. In summer it is usually calmer than the west, as the shore is sheltered from the southwest wind. That is not guaranteed, though: Sao can be windy in July and August. In winter the northeast wind can bring some chop to the east side, although in the dry season Sao is usually calm and very pretty.
What that means in practice:
- Travelling November to April? Stay on the west coast for calm water and sunsets right from the beach.
- Travelling in summer? Pick a hotel with a pool and be ready to drive to wherever the sea is calmer.
- In any season, check the beach flags and stay out of the water when the red flag is up. Most water accidents happen during the southwest monsoon.
Phu Quoc weather and sea temperature by month
The sea barely changes: about 27–29 °C in winter and 29–31 °C from April to June, so it is never cold. What changes is the rain and the waves.
| Month | Rain, mm | Rainy days | Sea, °C | West coast sea | In short |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ~40 | 2 | 27–29 | Calm | Dry, sunny, high season |
| February | ~30 | 2 | 27–29 | Calm | Driest month, Tet holiday |
| March | ~55 | 4 | 28–30 | Calm | Hot, clear water |
| April | ~150 | 8 | 29–31 | Mostly calm | Peak heat, first storms |
| May | ~275 | 15 | 29–31 | Swell building | Rains begin |
| June | ~345 | 17 | 29–31 | Waves | Downpours, onshore wind |
| July | ~460 | 19 | 29–30 | Big waves | Windy, frequent showers |
| August | ~505 | 19 | 29–30 | Big waves | Wettest month |
| September | ~390 | 17 | 29–30 | Waves | Rain and storms |
| October | ~370 | 17 | 29–30 | Variable | Still rainy |
| November | ~200 | 11 | 28–30 | Settling | Turning dry |
| December | ~65 | 5 | 27–29 | Calm | Dry, holiday season |
Rainfall and rainy days are averages from the Phu Quoc weather station; sea temperatures are approximate figures from sea temperature services. Any given year can be wetter or drier, so check a regular forecast a week before you fly.
Which tours run all year
Boat trips to the southern islands of the An Thoi archipelago run for most of the year, but the best snorkelling conditions are December to April, when the water is flat and visibility is good. On a clear summer day the islands still look great, but the water around the reef can be cloudier and the boat ride bumpier.
If you are visiting in the dry season, start with the island's signature sea trip. It is a full day in the south: snorkelling on the reef, white-sand islands and a seafood lunch. It comes with a Russian-speaking guide and a hotel transfer both ways.
A word on the rainy season. When a storm warning is issued, local authorities stop tourist boats from going out. That happened in July 2025, for example, during Storm Wipha. Safety comes first, so the advice is simple: book sea trips early in your holiday and keep one or two free days to reschedule if the sea is closed.
Less dependent on sea conditions:
- Vinpearl Safari and the VinWonders theme park in the north of the island;
- pepper farms, the market and the night market in Duong Dong;
- evening walks around Sunset Town.
A good pick for families, or when the sea is rough, is a day in the north. Most of the programme takes place on land at the safari park, followed by Rach Vem beach and its starfish.
You can catch a sunset over the Gulf of Thailand all year, but the clearest ones come November to April, when there is less cloud on the horizon. If you want to watch the sun go down from a boat, plan your evening cruise for those months.
High season: prices and crowds
Dry season is also tourist season. Demand peaks from mid-December to the end of March:
- Christmas and New Year. Beachfront hotels fill up early, and room rates and airfares rise noticeably.
- Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. In 2027 it falls on 6 February, with the official public holiday in Vietnam running from 4 to 10 February 2027. Domestic travellers pour in from all over the country, and the popular beaches and the Hon Thom cable car get busy.
- March. Fewer people than in January and February, with the weather still dry.
In high season, book your hotel and flights at least one or two months ahead. Tours over the holidays fill up fast too: RUVI bookings are confirmed once the prepayment (from 30%) is received, so lock in your dates early.
From May to October it is the other way round: cheaper hotels and empty beaches, but you have to plan around the weather. Exact prices depend on the hotel and dates, so compare offers for your own dates.
When to go to Phu Quoc: month-by-month advice
- December to February. The best choice for families with small children, for snorkelling and for an easy beach holiday. The calmest sea, but also the highest prices. Book early.
- March to April. Hot, up to 35 °C, with warm, clear water and fewer people after Tet. April brings the odd thunderstorm. Swim in the morning and late afternoon, and stay in the shade at midday.
- November. The season is starting and prices have not peaked yet. Rain still falls on around 11 days on average, but the weather usually settles towards the end of the month.
- May to June. The rains have started but are not at full strength. A good fit if you want to save money and are happy to plan around the weather.
- July to September. The wettest and roughest months. People come for low prices and empty beaches. Pick a hotel with a pool, leave spare days for sea trips and keep a few land-based tours in your plan.
- October. Still rainy season: frequent downpours, and the west coast can be rough. Things start to change towards the end of the month.
If you want one month you can count on, choose February or early March. If price matters most, go for late November before the holidays or the second half of March after Tet, when the weather is good but demand is past (or not yet at) its peak.
FAQ
Can you swim in Phu Quoc during the rainy season?
Yes, the sea is 29–30 °C in summer, but the west coast often has waves and currents. Swim on calm days and only under a green flag, and look for a quieter beach on the east side when it is rough.
What is the wettest month in Phu Quoc?
According to the Phu Quoc weather station, it is August, with around 500 mm of rain and roughly 19 rainy days on average. July is almost as wet, while September and October ease off slightly.
Are boat trips cancelled because of the weather?
When a storm warning is issued, local authorities stop tourist boats from going out, most often between June and September. Book sea trips early in your stay and keep a spare day.
When is Phu Quoc cheapest?
May to October, the rainy season, when hotels are cheaper and beaches are empty. New Year and Tet are the most expensive, so book at least one or two months ahead for those dates.
Does Phu Quoc get typhoons?
Strong typhoons are rare here, but in the rainy season, especially August and September, storms bring heavy rain and high waves. Boats to the islands do not go out on those days.