What's the Weather Like in Phuket in September
Welcome to September the coldest, by Phuket standards, and the wettest month at the end of the monsoon. Even though this is the coldest month, it only makes it be a few degrees as the top temperature rarely goes above 30°C. This will not deter many tourists as it is still warmer than the European winter. The rain will fall on around 21 days this month with heavy downpours leading to sunny and humid days.
Rain
Average rainfall is 400mm that is more than 10 times you will see during each month of the dry season from December to February. Rainfall will start to ease towards the end of the month heading into October which will see about half the amount of rain.
Temperature
As Phuket sits near the equator, the average temperatures don't vary much and the average temperature for September is 27°C that lies between the average high/low temperatures of 24°C and 30°C.
Humidity
Due to the amount of rainfall and the temperatures the average humidity this month is 85% to 90% which is up from the lows of 75% in the dry season. Many indoor activities occur in air conditioned centres and this makes a great time of year for shopping in the malls and plazas in cooler conditions.
Sunshine
With the height of the monsoon and cloudy weather, average sunshine hours per day have dropped to 7 hours from the 9 hours a day seen in the drier months. This will still allow time to spend outdoors at the beaches and the nearby islands exploring Phuket.
Sea Temperature
Ocean temperatures are fairly stable and the sea temperature in September is 29°C which is just 1 degree less than the highest that is experienced during the hot season. This temperature will stay until December when it falls to its coolest at 28°C. Not all beaches will be open this time of year for swimming due to the dangerous conditions caused by the monsoon weather.
Fog
September will average just 1 foggy day with the foggiest months occurring between December and April.
Hotels for Phuket in September
Mountain View Villas
Mountain View Villas are located on the main road that goes to the beach at Nai Harn. The 2 villas are in a quiet cul-de-sac for privacy and peace. Each villa is set in its own garden with a large pool. Villa 1 has 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and can sleep up to 14 people. Villa 2 has 4 bedrooms and bathrooms and sleeps up to 11 people. Included in each villa rate are airport transfers, linen and towels, satellite TV with a range of additional services you can choose from.
Both villas are air conditioned and all rooms have king or queen size beds and single beds. If there are a number of smaller children cots and smaller single beds are available. Rooms are cleaned daily and the maid service comes in each day.
Villa 1 has 2 pools, one larger to 2 metres deep and a shallow pool with waterfall that is ideal for children. The pool at villa 2 is surrounded by a large terrace for great outdoor living. The villas are spacious with high ceilings and floor to ceiling sliding doors opening on to the pool terrace.
Additional services at the villas include in-house catering for breakfasts and authentic Thai dishes for dinner with western food for smaller children not used to Thai food. A buffet can be organised for parties or larger gatherings with fresh seafood and meat cooked on a large BBQ on the terrace. The drink fridge is fully stocked before each villa rental and will be charged at the end of your stay. A shopping service is available where you provide the shopping list and it will be collected and brought to the villa for you.
The Surin
The Surin is located at Cheongtalay in Talang on the west coast of Phuket. There are 103 cottages set amongst coconut palms and on Pansea Beach. You can choose from 1 and 2 bedroom cottages, studios and suites. All selections are air conditioned with ceiling fans, mini bar, satellite TV, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobe and slippers, outdoor sundeck with a dressing area, umbrella, hair dryer and organic bathroom products.
The one bedroom cottages sleep 3, 2 bedroom cottages sleep 4, studio suites sleep 3 and the beach suites sleep up to 4. All beach suites have direct access onto the beach. Services here include airport transfers, car rental and a limousine service, laundry as well as dry cleaning, room service from 11am to 11pm, swimming pool, gym, tennis courts and meditation and yoga on the beach. The tour desk can organise any tours or excursions including dive courses. There is a pool just for the kids and they have their own menu at the eateries.
Try the Lomtalay Thai restaurant for breakfast from 6:30am to 10:30am and then for dinner from 6:30pm to 11pm. For some great cocktails and refreshing drinks the Sunset Bar and The Beach Bar are open each day. For a tasty snack of Thai or western food the Sunset Café offers great food with even better views of the beach. The Beach Restaurant is open for fresh seafood, fish and meat on the beach when the weather is suitable.
Beaches for September for Phuket
Pansea Beach
Pansea Beach is next to Surin Beach and is almost a private beach but they are not allowed in Thailand. Amanpuri Phuket and Surin Phuket resorts own all the land down to the beach but there is a small narrow path down to the beach. This is a long and wide sandy beach with local vendors on the beach selling food and drinks or you can have a massage by the locals who arrive in their longtail boats each morning. The resorts have a range of water sports on offer such as wind surfing, kayaking and wake boarding.
Phi Phi Islands
A place for great beaches is the Phi Phi Islands located south of Phuket. You can hire a longtail boat or go on a day trip to the islands. Laem Tong Beach is in the north part of the islands with a sandy beach that ends in a coral reef that drops off into the ocean. Loh Dalum Bay has a shallow beach with incredibly warm water warmed by the sun as it sits calmly over the sand. There is a great deal of nightlife including fire dancers and the many bars and restaurants selling good local food.
Kata Beach and Patong Beach
There are some good surfing beaches here in Phuket where surfers flock to when the conditions are right. For the beginner and inexperienced surfer Kata Beach and Patong Beach is the spot to go as the seas are not as rough as other beaches.
Kalim Beach
Kalim Beach is said to be the place to surf with longer waves and great conditions and is north of Patong Beach and you are able to get some great food here at the local stalls.
Restaurants and Bars for Phuket in September
Pak Nam
For the seafood lover a visit to Pak Nam is on the agenda. Located in Amphoe Muang and the place are usually filled locals so you know the food has to be cooked. Try the King Prawns in Tamarind Sauce, crab curry with noodles, crab in coconut and Tom Kha seafood. English is spoken here but not very well so a guide may be helpful or just point to what you want on the menu.
Sala Mexicali
The Sala Mexicali is the place to go for great Mexican food in Tambon Rawai Muang. Starters include fresh corn chips and salsa, Buffalo wings and potato skins and mains include favourites like black bean soup, chilli con carne, enchiladas and tostadas. The frozen margarita is a favourite and there are more than 30 tequilas to choose from.
The Ship Inn
For great English as well as other cuisines including Thai and Tex-Mex options try The Ship Inn at Kata Beach. The English Breakfasts are very popular and they open for dinner and lunch as well. This is a family run business with good staff and a homely atmosphere.
Things to Do in Phuket in September
Dive The World
Diving is a popular activity here due to the coral reefs and the marine life that is abundant in the warm oceans. Dive The World is located in Patong and they can teach you dive with a PADI certified course in just 3 days. They can book you on a day trip to one of the islands or one of 16 diving localities.
The Phi Phi Islands is a good place for the beginner and for people who know how to dive but are out of practice. The water is clear, calm and there is a lot of marine life here. The trip to Phi Phi has 2 dives and the first is at Koh Bida Nok that is a small islet to the south of the islands. The second dive is of coral gardens with teaming species of colourful fish and marine life. See leopard sharks, turtles, octopuses and more sharks.
Scuba Diving Phuket
Scuba Diving Phuket offers a range of live-aboard dive trips to places like the Similan Islands where there is an abundance of coral species, sharks and the greatest number of marine life in the area.
For the kayaker there are a few places to explore by this slow and peaceful transport such as the mangroves in eastern Phuket. Paddle up to the vast limestone cliffs then lay down as you pass under caves full of formations such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Phuket Canoe Tours
Phuket Canoe Tours offers you many choices of paddling and kayaking trips. There are half and full day trips and sunset trips with beautiful colours all around. Canoe to Phang Na Bay and see James Bond Island. For great scenery and a buffet dinner with sunset take the Sunset Dinner and Canoe Tour where you will sail to Phang Nga Bay and then canoe among the caves and lagoons of Hong Island and Panak Island.
