Phuket in December & New Year: what to book in advance
Weather, key dates, what to book and how far ahead, where to celebrate New Year’s Eve and our tips for island trips during the festive season in Phuket.
6 min read
December is the heart of Phuket’s high season — and the weeks from Christmas to early January are the busiest of the whole year. Hotels, flights, popular boat trips and New Year’s Eve tables fill up quickly. The good news: with a little planning, it is also one of the most beautiful times to visit. Here is what to book in advance, and how far ahead, from our team in Patong and Bang Tao.
What is the weather like in December?
December marks the start of the dry season on the Andaman coast. Expect plenty of sunshine, temperatures of around 25–32 °C, low humidity compared with the rainy season and a generally calm sea on the west coast. A few showers are still possible in early December, but they rarely last long. In short: it is an excellent month for island trips and snorkeling.
- Similan Islands: the national park opened for the 2026–27 season on 15 October 2026 and usually stays open until mid-May.
- Phi Phi and Maya Bay: open (Maya Bay only closes in August and September).
- Phang Nga Bay: open all year, with calm water.
Key dates in December and early January
| Date | What happens | Impact for you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 December | King Bhumibol Memorial Day and National Father’s Day (public holiday) | Many Thai visitors on a long weekend |
| Early December | Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Asia’s best-known sailing regatta (check the official dates) | Busy around the host venue |
| 10 December | Constitution Day (public holiday) | Domestic travel peak |
| 24–25 December | Christmas: festive dinners in hotels and restaurants | Book your table and check hotel gala dinners |
| 31 December – 1 January | New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (public holidays) | The busiest days of the year |
What to book in advance (and how far ahead)
These are our recommendations based on experience in our shops — demand varies every year, so earlier is always safer for the period from 20 December to 5 January.
| What | When to book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flights and hotel | As early as possible (several months) | Peak prices, minimum stays around New Year |
| Similan Islands day trip | 1–2 weeks ahead for 20 Dec – 5 Jan | The park limits daily visitors |
| Phi Phi, James Bond Island | Several days to a week ahead | Boats fill up in peak weeks |
| Shows (FantaSea, Carnival Magic) | A few days ahead | Popular evenings during the holidays |
| New Year’s Eve dinner or beach club | Several weeks ahead | Limited tables, special menus |
| Airport transfer, car or scooter | Before you arrive | Fleets are fully booked at New Year |
Check your hotel booking: many resorts in Phuket add a compulsory gala dinner on 24 and/or 31 December, charged on top of the room. It is better to know before you arrive.
Island trips in December: our tips
- Plan the big trips early in your stay. Even in December, a trip can occasionally be postponed because of the sea. Booking the Similan Islands or Phi Phi in the first days leaves you time to reschedule.
- Do not plan an early pick-up on 1 January. After a long night, a 6:00 hotel pick-up for the Similan Islands is hard. Keep 1 January for the beach, a spa or a relaxed afternoon activity.
- Book the Similan Islands first. It is the trip with the shortest season and a daily visitor limit set by the national park. The Similan park fee is 500 baht per foreign adult and 250 baht per child — it is included in our Similan day trip. See our guide Similan Islands: when to go and how to prepare your day trip and the program of our Similan Islands day trip.
- Phi Phi is at its best. Calm sea, clear water and Maya Bay open: everything about the rules, the park fee and the choice of boat is in our guide Phi Phi Island tour from Phuket: speedboat vs big boat. Program and prices: Phi Phi & Khai Islands.
- With children or seniors, James Bond Island by big boat is a comfortable and calm day in Phang Nga Bay.
- Save with the pack: book 3 excursions and the discount is applied automatically to your total.
Hotel pick-up is included on our excursions (a supplement may apply in some areas — see each excursion page).
New Year’s Eve in Phuket: where to celebrate
The countdown is celebrated all over the island, with free public events organised by the local municipalities. In recent years, the main celebrations with fireworks have taken place at:
- Patong: the biggest party, with concerts and fireworks on the beach — very crowded.
- Kamala: fireworks over the bay, a little calmer than Patong.
- Karon: concerts, food stalls and a countdown, popular with families.
- Rawai / Nai Harn: a more local atmosphere with live music.
The exact programs are announced in December. A few practical tips:
- Traffic: roads to Patong and the west-coast beaches are congested in the evening of 31 December. Leave early, or stay within walking distance.
- Sky lanterns: Phuket airport regularly asks people not to release lanterns, fireworks or other flying objects near the airport zone. Breaking these rules is punishable by heavy penalties under Thai aviation law, and some beaches restrict lanterns — follow local instructions.
- Do not drink and drive: police checkpoints are frequent during the holidays, and a scooter is not the right vehicle after a party.
Our checklist before you leave
- Flights and hotel confirmed (and gala dinners checked)
- Similan Islands and Phi Phi booked for the first days of your stay
- New Year’s Eve plan and table reserved
- Reef-safe sunscreen in your bag (compulsory in Thai national parks)
- Our WhatsApp number saved: +66 98 145 5042
Planning your festive stay? Write to us on WhatsApp — we will help you organise your excursions day by day.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Phuket?
Yes. It is the start of the dry season: sunshine, a generally calm sea on the west coast and all the island trips are open. It is also the busiest and most expensive period, so book early.
Are the Similan Islands open at Christmas and New Year?
Yes. The national park opened for the 2026–27 season on 15 October 2026 and usually closes in mid-May. The number of daily visitors is limited, so book your trip early for the holidays.
How far ahead should I book excursions for the holidays?
For trips between 20 December and 5 January, we recommend 1–2 weeks ahead for the Similan Islands and several days to a week for Phi Phi or James Bond Island. Outside these dates, a few days are usually enough.
Do excursions run on public holidays?
Most excursions run as usual on public holidays, but each trip depends on its operator and on the weather. Write to us on WhatsApp to check the date you want.
Where can I watch the New Year fireworks?
In recent years, the main fireworks have been in Patong and Kamala, with countdown events in Karon and Rawai. The programs are announced each December by the municipalities.
Do hotels in Phuket charge a compulsory gala dinner at Christmas and New Year?
Many resorts in Phuket add a compulsory gala dinner on 24 and/or 31 December, charged on top of the room. Check your hotel booking before you arrive so it does not come as a surprise.
By Phuket Experience · Tour business licence No. 32/01870 (Department of Tourism) – Bike It Phuket Co.,Ltd · 10 Oct 2026
