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Weather in Koh Tao: the climate month by month

When to go to Koh Tao, how hot it gets and when the rain comes: every month in detail, from the official climate averages of the Thai Meteorological Department, with my own advice on top.

Kylian DevBy Kylian Dev

  • Official 1991–2020 averages
  • 12 months in detail
  • Best time: January to September

In short

The best time to visit Koh Tao is January to September, the driest period of the year. The rainy season runs from October to December, and the wettest month is November, with 445 mm of rain over about 17 days. Daytime highs range from 29°C in January to 32.9°C in May, and nights never drop below about 24°C on average.

At a glance

Rain and temperatures in Koh Tao, month by month

Bars show average rainfall; figures above them are the average daytime high and night-time low.

Dry (under 100 mm)Some rain (100 to 200 mm)Rainy (over 200 mm)°/° °C · mm

Month by month

Climate table for Koh Tao

Click a month to see what else happens in Thailand that month: festivals, crowds and the best regions.

MonthHighLowRainRainy daysHumidityVerdict
January29 °C24.2 °C127 mm983 %Some rain
February29.4 °C24.9 °C64 mm481 %Dry
March30.4 °C25.4 °C116 mm581 %Some rain
April31.8 °C26 °C83 mm681 %Dry
May32.9 °C25.7 °C132 mm1180 %Some rain
June32.7 °C25.3 °C134 mm1078 %Some rain
July32.3 °C25.1 °C117 mm1178 %Some rain
August32.4 °C25.1 °C102 mm1178 %Some rain
September31.9 °C24.8 °C118 mm1180 %Some rain
October30.6 °C24.3 °C295 mm1685 %Rainy
November29.7 °C24.1 °C445 mm1786 %Rainy
December29.3 °C24 °C263 mm1283 %Rainy

Total rainfall over the year: 1,996 mm.

Month by month

Koh Tao in each month of the year

Koh Tao in January

Some rain

Average highs of 29°C and lows of 24.2°C, with 127 mm of rain over about 9 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in February

Dry

Average highs of 29.4°C and lows of 24.9°C, with 64 mm of rain over about 4 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Koh Tao in March

Some rain

Average highs of 30.4°C and lows of 25.4°C, with 116 mm of rain over about 5 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in April

Dry

Average highs of 31.8°C and lows of 26°C, with 83 mm of rain over about 6 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Koh Tao in May

Some rain

Average highs of 32.9°C and lows of 25.7°C, with 132 mm of rain over about 11 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in June

Some rain

Average highs of 32.7°C and lows of 25.3°C, with 134 mm of rain over about 10 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in July

Some rain

Average highs of 32.3°C and lows of 25.1°C, with 117 mm of rain over about 11 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in August

Some rain

Average highs of 32.4°C and lows of 25.1°C, with 102 mm of rain over about 11 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in September

Some rain

Average highs of 31.9°C and lows of 24.8°C, with 118 mm of rain over about 11 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Koh Tao in October

Rainy

Average highs of 30.6°C and lows of 24.3°C, with 295 mm of rain over about 16 days. A rainy month: expect a shower most days and keep plans flexible.

Koh Tao in November

Rainy

Average highs of 29.7°C and lows of 24.1°C, with 445 mm of rain over about 17 days. A rainy month: expect a shower most days and keep plans flexible.

Koh Tao in December

Rainy

Average highs of 29.3°C and lows of 24°C, with 263 mm of rain over about 12 days. A rainy month: expect a shower most days and keep plans flexible.

Seasons

The three things to know about the weather in Koh Tao

Best time

January to September. Least rain of the year, calmer sea on the coast and lots of sunshine. It is also the high season: book early.

Rainy season

October to December. Rain usually comes as heavy showers, often in the afternoon or at night, rather than all day. Peak in November (445 mm).

Hottest month

May, with average highs of 32.9°C and high humidity. Plan outdoor visits early in the morning.

My advice

What the numbers don't say about Koh Tao

Koh Tao has no official station; its climate is close to that of Koh Samui, shown here. The best diving is from March to September, with visibility often over 20 metres. In November and December the northeast monsoon makes the crossing rough and can close some dive sites: take the large catamarans rather than small boats.

Koh Tao
Koh Tao

Where these figures come from

Monthly averages over 1991–2020 from the Ko Samui weather station of the Thai Meteorological Department, as published in the World Meteorological Organization climate normals. They describe a typical year, not a forecast: a given year can be wetter or drier.

There is no official weather station in Koh Tao itself, so these are the figures of the nearest station, Ko Samui. Local conditions can differ slightly.

Data table (Wikipedia, WMO/TMD normals)
Everything about Koh TaoThings to do, food, getting there and budget.Thailand month by monthCompare every region for the month you travel.Travelling in the rainy seasonWhere it rains less and how to plan around it.

FAQ

Weather in Koh Tao: your questions

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?

January to September is the best time: it is the driest period of the year in Koh Tao, with the most sunshine. It is also the busiest and most expensive season, so book early.

Where to stay in Koh Tao
When is the rainy season in Koh Tao?

The rainy season runs from October to December. The wettest month is November, with about 445 mm of rain over 17 days on average. Showers are heavy but often short: add a light rain jacket to your Thailand packing list.

What is the hottest month in Koh Tao?

May is the hottest month, with average highs of 32.9°C. The most pleasant month for temperatures is January, with highs of 29°C.

Is it worth going to Koh Tao in the rainy season?

Yes, if you stay flexible. Prices drop, there are fewer tourists and the scenery is green. Expect a shower most days, allow spare days for boat trips and get travel insurance that covers cancellations.

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