Phuket Charter – High Season

Phuket is a great place to visit all year around, but for the best of the weather November to April is considered the best time to travel and enjoy a yacht charter. Between these times you get more sun and less rain as a rule. It is never cold in Phuket, and it can of course rain at any time. But after November through to April prevailing winds are from the North East. This means rain and storms are far less likely. It also means that in high season the West facing beaches are very sheltered, and the waters are beautifully calm. This makes for a great yacht charter experience.

As it is high season, many of the hotels hike their prices up and have been known to be very busy. It depends what your ingredients are for a magical holiday. Hiring a yacht makes for an adventurous, yet more peaceful alternative, and means you can make the most of the calm seas during this season. At the moment, Simpson Yacht Charter has a special deal on for the season where you can receive 10 per cent off your entire booking when booking last minute.

People choose to vacation in Thailand for a number of reasons, most of which are water based, therefore choosing yacht accommodation on the water means you have easy access to all of the season’s top tourist must dos. Past times such as snorkelling, fishing, or simply relaxing on the beach are massive draws. Should you wish to venture onto solid land there is a wealth of cultural sites to explore, as well as local cuisines to sample, and nightlife to enjoy.

The biggest draw with Phuket, and Thailand in general as a sailing destination is the sunshine and gentle breezes. Everyone wants to go home with a little colour in their cheeks, and high season is the best time to achieve this due to the clarity of the skies. The low season runs from May to October, and this is because this is the monsoon season for the South West. Strong South Westerly winds brush across the country from the Indian Ocean. This means that beaches can sometimes be a little blustery, and waters too rough for any of the most popular recreational activities. Of course one cannot always predict the weather, but your chances of torrential rain are much greater outside of the high season.

Temperatures can range from 25 to 34°C (77 – 93°F) throughout the year. The high season, also known as the dry season, is slightly cooler but significantly brighter which makes it infinitely more comfortable. Low season is characterised by the tropical monsoon. The transitional periods between the seasons can host weather that is harder to predict than normal. The hottest time of the year is between April and May, but it is also the muggiest, and some of the wettest.

This rainy low season is constituted of warm moist air. Average rainfall is usually around 2500mm (around 100 inches). As previously mentioned, the seas can be quite rough during this season, it is not rare to see two metre seas with rain squalls which do not make for the best yachting experience – much better off catching the deals in high season. The weather is known to affect boat tours and ferries, and can sometimes even stop trips to other islands. There are other drawbacks to travelling in low season too such as reduced visibility. The stormy situations around the islands can often stir up a lot of silt from the sea bed which makes diving a far less fruitful and pleasurable experience. If you decide to take the plunge, be a little more safety cautious as there can be strong currents and rough surf around.

The east coast of Phuket is more suited to all year round sailing, and has the stunning scenery of Phang Nga Bay which is protected by land masses on both sides making it slightly more weather resistant. If you are travelling in low season you will only have the East side of the island to explore, whereas in high season, you have the full thing to explore, and can take advantage of some fantastic offers to do it. Areas such as the Andaman Sea, Langkawi, and the Similan and Surin Islands to the Northwest are not to be missed.

The best diving is definitely done in high season where the North West of Phuket has huge rocky drop offs on the western side. The nine main islands are all part of one large National Park which means waters are pristine and the live corals and the wildlife that live in them are well preserved and protected. Dive sites in this area are often listed among the best in the world, and there is no better way to access them in high season than on your own private yacht charter.