Best time to visit Koh Tao

The best time to visit Koh Tao is during the warm, dry season from mid-December to early-March, with daytime temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F).


Koh Tao weather

Koh Tao is a year-round destination with a short dry season and a long wet season that lasts from May to early-December.

What is the best month to visit Koh Tao?
January, February and March are the best months to visit Koh Tao – since these months see the least rainfall during the year.

Late-December and early-March are good alternative months, despite the additional rainfall.

Which is the hottest month in Koh Tao?
April is the hottest month in Koh Tao with an average maximum high of 32°C (89°F), with high heat and humidity, and a night-time low of 27°C (80°F).

The hot season in Koh Tao lasts from April through June, with an average daily high temperature above 31°C (87°F).

Which is the coolest month in Koh Tao?
The coldest month of the year in Koh Tao is January, with an average low of 25°C (77°F) and high of 30°C (86°F).

The cool season lasts from November through January, with an average daily high temperature below 30°C (86°F).

When is it sunniest in Koh Tao?
The sunniest time of year in Koh Tao is normally February with more than eight hours of bright sunshine every day – that's on average 78% of daylight hours.

When is the sea warmest in Koh Tao?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Koh Tao in May when the water temperature reaches 30°C (86°F), which is very pleasant for swimming

The sea in Koh Tao is warm enough to swim year-round.

Which month has the most rain in Koh Tao?
November has the most rain in Koh Tao with an average of 240mm (9in) rainfall, while September records the most wet days with usually 23 days with some rainfall.

The wet season typically lasts from May to early-December, with a greater than 43% chance of a given day being a wet day.

From May onwards, you can expect frequent but brief heavy tropical downpours that are interspersed with sunny skies.

Rain falls throughout the year in Koh Tao. The drier season lasts from early-December through April. The month with the fewest wet days in Koh Tao is February, with an average of 30mm (1in) of rainfall distributed across three days.

Which is the windiest month in Koh Tao?
The windiest month of the year in Koh Tao is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 19 kilometres per hour (12 mph; 10 knots).

The windy part of the year lasts from November through January, with average wind speeds of more than 15 kilometres per hour (9 mph; 8 knots).

The less-windy time of year lasts from February through December. The calmest month of the year in Koh Tao is April, with an average hourly wind speed of 12 kilometres per hour (7.5 mph; 6.5 knots).

The predominant average hourly wind direction varies throughout the year in Koh Tao.

October to January also brings strong winds that can make the east side of Koh Tao rough for swimming, while the island's west side is often buffeted by summer monsoons during July and August. November is usually stormy and very wet.


Koh Tao Weather Averages

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average high temperature (°C)
30 30 31 32 32 31 31 31 30 30 30 29
Average low temperature (°C)
25 26 26 27 27 27 27 27 27 26 26 25
Average daily sunshine (hrs)
7 8 8 8 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7
Average daily daylight (hrs)
11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11
Comfort level
High heat & humidity icon High heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon Very high heat & humidity icon High heat & humidity icon High heat & humidity icon Moderately hot icon
Average relative humidity (%)
85 85 85 80 80 80 80 80 80 85 85 85
UV Index (max)
11 11+ 11+ 11+ 11+ 11+ 11+ 11+ 11+ 11+ 11 10
Average days of rainfall (≥1mm)
5 3 5 9 20 21 22 22 23 22 17 10
Average monthly rainfall (mm)
41 30 53 80 170 202 208 202 225 235 240 112
Average wind speed (km/h)
16 15 13 12 13 17 18 19 16 14 18 19
Average sea temperature (°C)
28 29 29 30 30 30 30 29 29 29 29 29
Koh Tao, Thailand

Holiday seasons

High season: Mid-December to February;

Shoulder season: March to April;

Low season: May to October brings less crowds, cheaper accommodation and, as the locals are quick to point out, it does not rain all day.


Source: Meteorological data for Koh Tao is based on weather statistics gathered for the 36-year period 1980 to 2016 by the Thai Meteorological Department at the closest weather stations: Koh Samui Airport (USM), located about 66km (41mi) south of Koh Tao, and Chumphon Airport (CJM), located about 86km (53mi) northwest of Koh Tao. These stations are deemed sufficiently nearby to be relied upon as the primary source for historical climate records, although weather conditions in Koh Tao may vary slightly.

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.


More about Koh Tao…


Latest update: Best time to visit Koh Tao: 18 May, 2024


Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.



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