The best time to visit Phu Quoc is December to March. These are the driest, sunniest months, the sea on the west coast is usually calm, and boat trips to the southern islands run most reliably. January and February are the driest of all.
The rainy season runs from May to October, and it is heavier than many guides suggest: Phu Quoc is one of the wettest places in Vietnam, with almost 2,900 mm of rain a year. August and September are the wettest months. April and November sit in between and can be good value if you stay flexible.
Quick answer
- Best months: December to March. Driest: January and February.
- Good shoulder months: April (hot, rain starting) and late November (rain easing).
- Rainy season: May to October. Wettest: August and September.
- Best for snorkeling and island hopping: December to April.
- Cheapest: May to October, outside Vietnamese holidays.
- Busiest: Christmas to New Year and the Lunar New Year (Tet).
Phu Quoc weather by month
Long-term monthly averages for Phu Quoc. The verdict column is our view as a local tour team of what each month is like for beaches and boat days.
| Month | Verdict | Rain (mm) | Rainy days | Average high | Sunshine (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 28 | 5 | 30.6°C | 248 |
| February | Excellent | 27 | 4 | 31.1°C | 232 |
| March | Excellent, getting hotter | 61 | 7 | 32.1°C | 257 |
| April | Good, hot, first storms | 148 | 12 | 32.5°C | 246 |
| May | Mixed, rainy season starts | 281 | 19 | 31.6°C | 196 |
| June | Wet | 382 | 21 | 30.4°C | 148 |
| July | Wet | 419 | 23 | 29.8°C | 147 |
| August | Wettest | 486 | 24 | 29.6°C | 137 |
| September | Wettest | 474 | 23 | 29.5°C | 138 |
| October | Wet, slowly easing | 354 | 22 | 30.2°C | 170 |
| November | Good from mid-month | 164 | 14 | 30.7°C | 210 |
| December | Excellent | 59 | 6 | 30.3°C | 240 |
Source: Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology, Vietnamese building code climate data for Phu Quoc. Averages describe a typical year, not a forecast: check the weather a few days before any boat trip.
The three seasons in Phu Quoc
Dry season: December to March
Rain is rare, humidity is lower and there are around 8 hours of sunshine a day. The north-east wind blows across the island, which keeps the sea on the west coast (Long Beach, Ong Lang, Duong Dong) and around the southern islands calmer. This is the easiest time for beach days, sunsets, snorkeling and island hopping.
It is also high season. Christmas, New Year and Tet (the Lunar New Year, on 6 February in 2027) are the busiest dates of the year, and hotel prices rise. If you travel in these weeks, reserve hotels and tours well ahead.
Shoulder months: April and November
April is the hottest month, with highs around 32 to 33°C, and the first afternoon storms arrive. Seas are still mostly good, so it is a solid choice if you handle heat well. November is the opposite transition: rain halves compared with October and the sea settles as the month goes on. Late November is usually much better than early November.
Rainy season: May to October
The south-west monsoon brings heavy rain, usually in strong bursts lasting an hour or two, often in the afternoon or at night, rather than all day. The island turns very green and hotels are cheaper.
The bigger issue is the sea. The west coast and the southern islands face the monsoon wind, so waves are higher, snorkeling visibility drops and island boat trips are more often changed or cancelled for safety, especially from July to September.
Phu Quoc month by month
January
One of the two driest months: about 28 mm of rain and 5 rainy days. Warm, sunny and comfortable, with slightly cooler nights. Very busy, especially at the start of the month and around Tet if it falls in late January.
February
The driest month of the year, with around 4 rainy days. Excellent for every kind of tour. In 2027 Tet falls on 6 February, so the days around it are crowded and more expensive.
March
Still dry and very sunny, with the most sunshine hours of the year (about 257). Heat builds towards the end of the month. A great month for snorkeling and the southern islands, and a little quieter than January and February.
April
The hottest month and the start of the change. Rain rises to about 148 mm, mostly in short afternoon storms. Seas are usually still good for boat days. Vietnamese public holidays on 30 April and 1 May bring many domestic visitors.
May
The rainy season starts properly: about 281 mm and 19 rainy days. Many days still have long sunny spells, and prices drop. Book sea trips early in your stay so there is time to move them if the sea is rough.
June
Wet, with around 21 rainy days and less sunshine. Vietnamese school holidays start, so some resorts stay busy with domestic families. Plan a mix of land and sea days.
July
Wet and humid, with about 419 mm of rain. Island boat trips need flexibility. A good month for forest walks, streams and waterfalls, which have plenty of water now.
August
The wettest month on average, close to 490 mm. Expect rough seas on several days. Choose Phu Quoc in August only if you are happy with resort time, evening activities and land-based tours.
September
Almost as wet as August, with the fewest sunshine hours of the year. The quietest time on the island and usually the cheapest, apart from the 2 September National Day holiday.
October
Still wet, about 354 mm, but improving towards the end of the month. Good hotel deals. Keep spare days for any boat trip.
November
The transition into the dry season. Rain falls to about 164 mm and sunshine rises sharply. The second half of the month is often very pleasant and quieter than December. Seas become calmer as the north-east wind sets in.
December
Dry, sunny and calm, with about 59 mm of rain and 240 hours of sunshine. One of the best months for everything, but Christmas and New Year are the most crowded and expensive dates of the year.
Best time by travel style
| If you want… | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach days and sunsets | December to March | Dry, sunny and calm on the west coast |
| Snorkeling and island hopping | December to April | Calmer sea and better visibility in the south |
| Families with young children | December to March | Fewer weather surprises, easier boat days |
| Lower prices | May to October | Low season, outside Vietnamese holidays |
| Forest walks, streams and waterfalls | July to November | Streams and waterfalls carry the most water |
| Fewer crowds with good weather | Late November, March | Good conditions outside the peak holidays |
Which tours work best in each season
We run these tours ourselves, so we see every day how the season changes them. Prices are per adult and include lunch or dinner where stated on each tour page.
Dry season (December to April): go to sea
- Snorkeling Tour: Dancing with Coral: coral and marine life around the southern islands. From 1,700,000đ.
- 3 Island Speedboat Tour: May Rut, Mong Tay and Gam Ghi by speedboat. From 800,000đ.
- 4 Islands & Cable Car Tour: island stops plus the sea-crossing cable car. From 1,300,000đ.
- North Island Starfish Tour: Rach Vem and the quiet north coast. From 1,050,000đ.
Rainy season (May to October): stay on land
- Suoi Tien Trekking Tour: a 3 to 4 km guided forest and stream walk. Streams carry more water in the rainy season. From 950,000đ.
- South-East Phu Quoc Tour: Sao Beach, Ho Quoc Pagoda and local stops by road. From 690,000đ.
Any season: evenings
- Grand World Evening Tour: lights, canals and shows, with dinner. From 890,000đ.
- Night Squid Fishing: about 3.5 hours on a local boat. Like every sea trip, it depends on the conditions on the day. From 330,000đ.
Send us your travel dates and hotel area on WhatsApp. We will tell you honestly which days look best for the sea and suggest a backup plan.
If it rains: a simple plan B
Rain rarely ruins a whole trip, but it can ruin a fixed boat day. A few rules from our tour days:
- Book sea trips early in your stay. If the sea is too rough, there is still time to move the day.
- Keep one flexible day for every three or four days on the island.
- Swap sea for land: trekking, the south-east by road, the Coconut Tree Prison museum, markets and food.
- Use the evenings: Grand World and Sunset Town work in light rain and are often drier after dark.
- Pack for it: a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag for phones.
Snorkeling Tour: Dancing with Coral
From December to April the sea around the southern islands is usually at its calmest: the best time for this coral day, with lunch included.
- From 1,700,000đ per adult
- Lunch included
Also worth a look: Suoi Tien Trekking Tour, from 950,000đ.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Phu Quoc?
January and February are the driest months, with under 30 mm of rain and about 4 to 5 rainy days on average. December and March are also very good. These months are the busiest, so book flights, hotels and tours early.
What is the worst time to visit Phu Quoc?
August and September are the wettest months, with around 470 to 490 mm of rain and more than 20 rainy days on average. Boat trips to the southern islands are more often changed or cancelled at this time.
Is November a good time to visit Phu Quoc?
November is a transition month. Rain falls to about 160 mm on average, half of October's, and sunshine increases. Early November can still be unsettled; late November is usually better. Keep one flexible day for boat trips.
Is Phu Quoc good in December?
Yes. December is one of the best months, with about 59 mm of rain, 240 hours of sunshine and generally calm seas on the west coast. Christmas and New Year are very busy, so book ahead.
Is it worth visiting Phu Quoc in the rainy season?
It can be, if you are flexible. Rain often comes in heavy bursts rather than all day, prices are lower and the island is greener. The main risk is the sea: snorkeling visibility drops and island boat trips can be cancelled. Plan land-based days and keep spare days for the sea.
When is the best time for snorkeling in Phu Quoc?
December to April usually gives the calmest sea and best visibility around the southern islands near An Thoi. Even then, conditions change day to day, so check the forecast and sea conditions before your boat day.
When is Phu Quoc cheapest?
Hotels are usually cheapest from May to October, outside Vietnamese school holidays and public holidays. Late April, early May and early September can get busy with domestic travellers because of public holidays.
Does Phu Quoc get typhoons?
Phu Quoc is in the far south of Vietnam and direct typhoon hits are rare. Storms in the region can still bring strong wind, heavy rain and rough seas for a few days, especially in the rainy season, and boat trips may be suspended.