Phu Quoc is a popular beach destination in South Vietnam, located only an hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City. In this article, I will help you to find the best time to visit Phu Quoc, months to avoid, and the things to do in each season.
Phu Quoc is known for its white sandy beaches, numerous cultural attractions, stunning cable car ride through the ocean, and lots of luxury resorts.
Like other parts of South Vietnam, Phu Quoc has a tropical climate with warm and humid weather all year round. The island has two seasons, the dry season and the rainy season.
The dry season (November to April) has hot and dry weather with temperature ranging from 25°C to 32°C. This is an ideal season to enjoy the beaches, and sightseeing. Accommodations, tours, and flight tickets can be expensive during these months, so be sure to book in advance to have the best deals.
The rainy season (May to October) is the low tourist season where the island experiences lots of heavy rainfall and occasional thunderstorms. The humidity level is higher than during the dry season. This season is not ideal for beach activities but you can visit waterfalls and enjoy the greener scenery.
When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
The best time to visit Phu Quoc is the dry season (November to April) with December to March having the best weather conditions. These months have a pleasant climate with lots of sunny days and little rainfall, perfect for sightseeing, beach and outdoor activities.
The rainy season (May to October) is a good time for those who are looking for budget-friendly hotels and fewer crowds. There are many sunny days, less rain in the early rainy season from May to July; the rainfall is usually in the form of heavy showers and they don’t last long.
Take note that hurricanes can occur sometimes from July to October. You might want to avoid visiting Phu Quoc in the months from July to September when troppical storms can happen.
Phu Quoc in January
January is one of the best months to visit Phu Quoc. It is the part of the dry season that has hot, humid weather and little rainfall. The temperature is from 23°C to 31°C and humidity is low from 65% to 75%, which is ideal for sightseeing and beach activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
You can explore famous beaches such as Sao Beach, Long Beach, or Ong Lang Beach. You can take an island hopping tour for snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as boat tours for sunset or fishing.
There are also many cultural attractions to visit such as the Phu Quoc Prison or Ho Quoc Pagoda. You can spend a night at the Phu Quoc Night Market or famous beach bars along Long Beach.
Phu Quoc in February
February is a part of the dry season, making it one of the best times to visit Phu Quoc. You can enjoy beach activities and sightseeing without worrying too much about the rain. The weather is sunny and the rainfall is relatively low.
You can relax at the beach, enjoy the sunset, and water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and diving. You can take a cable car ride to An Thoi island, island-hopping, boat trips, and visit cultural attractions.
Be sure to check out the night market, try seafood, and do shopping at Kingkong Mart on Tran Hung Dao street. You can experience the traditional Tet Lunar New Year, which is usually held in early February.
Phu Quoc in March
March is one of the most popular times to visit Phu Quoc. This is part of the dry season, so you can enjoy many sunny days and little rainfall. The sea temperature is warmer than previous months (around 29°C), making it ideal for beach explorations.
March is the harvest season of paper in Phu Quoc, so make sure to visit these pepper farms, try some peppers, and buy some as souvenirs. You can also visit other famous farms and factories on the island such as Pearl Farm, Sim wine factory, Bee farm, and Fish Sauce Factory.
You can explore every activity in Phu Quoc. You can explore the South visiting Phu Quoc prison, Ho Quoc Pagoda, Sao Beach, and Sunset Town. Some of the popular attractions in the North Phu Quoc are Rach Vem Fishing Village, Cua Can River, Starfish Beach, and Rong Cape.
Phu Quoc in April
I visited Phu Quoc in late April, the weather was very hot and humid, sometimes reaching 38°C with no rain. It is the start of the low tourist season, so there are only a few people on guided tours, which is perfect to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
While April is an ideal time for beach activities, it is not a good time to visit streams and waterfalls. Most guided tours skip these attractions.
To protect yourself from the heat, make sure to wear the hat, drink lots of water, and apply sunscreen frequently.
Phu Quoc in May
May is the beginning of the rainy season in Phu Quoc with occasional showers. It has higher temperature (25°C-30°C) and humidity (83%) compared to April, but it is still a good month to visit Phu Quoc to enjoy some beach activities and sightseeing in the sunny days without tourist crowds.
If you are visiting in May, you can benefit from lower prices on accommodations. I recommend wearing a hat, sun glasses, a bottle of water, and applying sun cream often.
Phu Quoc in June
June is the early month of the rainy season, and still a good time to visit Phu Quoc. The temperature and humidity remains high. The rainfall increased compared to May, but you still have many sunny days to enjoy outdoor activities. The rain is often short-lived.
June is the beginning of summer vacation for students in Vietnam, so there will be lots of Vietnamese families going on holiday there. If you want to avoid the domestic tourist crowds, avoid June.
Phu Quoc in July
Similar to June, July has hot, humid weather with more rainy days. This is the low tourist season, so you can benefit from lower prices of accommodations, tours, and flights. But be mindful that long rainy days and unpredictable weather can interrupt your travel plan.
Also keep an eye on the weather forecast as tropical storms and typhoons can occur during these months in the rainy season. Remember to bring insect repellents to avoid mosquito bites.
Phu Quoc in August
August is part of the rainy season in Phu Quoc that has hot and humid weather with heavier rains and rough seas. It might not be the best time to go to Phu Quoc for beaches.
There are still sunny days for outdoor activities. The heavy rainfall doesn’t last for long periods of time, and you can enjoy the rest of the day. Be aware of storms during these months.
Phu Quoc in September
September is a part of the rainy season in Phu Quoc, offering lower prices of hotels and a quieter atmosphere. The heavy rain often lasts for a couple hours then it goes back to sunny. There is also a possibility of storms, so check the weather forecast if you are visiting during these rainy months.
Phu Quoc in October
October is the transition month from the rainy season to the dry season, making it a good month to go to Phu Quoc. The rainfall is less compared to previous months of the rainy season. You can find some good value accommodations in October and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere before the dry season comes.
Phu Quoc in November
November is one of the best times to go to Phu Quoc. This is the beginning of the dry season, so you’ll have lots of sunny days, dry weather, and clear skies to enjoy beaches and sightseeing.
This is the start of the peak tourist season, so accommodations can be more expensive compared to previous months. Be sure to book in advance to have the best deals.
Phu Quoc in December
December is one of the great months to explore Pearl Island. It has warm, pleasant weather with little to no rain, making it perfect for beach activities like swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
This is peak tourist season, so the price of boat, flight tickets, and accommodations increase significantly. You can book the tickets in advance to have good deals.
See more:
- Where to stay in Phu Quoc
- 10 Best Family Hotels in Phu Quoc
- How Many days in Phu Quoc is enough?
- Best things to do in Phu Quoc
Overall, the dry season (November to April) is the best time to go to Phu Quoc. These months have little to no rainfall, so you can enjoy all activities in Phu Quoc such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sightseeing. The early rainy season (May to July) are still good months if you don’t mind the occasional rain shower. Be mindful of the tropical storms that can occur from July to September.