Today's weather for Koh tao, Thailand23rd Nov 2009 15:00

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Weather Overview for Koh tao

Koh Tao shares the tropical climate of the rest of Thailand that is dominated by monsoon winds. High temperatures and high rainfall are the main features of this climate. The year can be split into three seasons: a dry season, a hot season and a rainy season. Temperatures do not really alter a great deal across the year and it is rainfall that determines the different seasons.

Dry Season: December – February

Rain can never be out-ruled on a tropical island but this period sees the least of it. Heavy showers fall every now and again but usually clear quickly. This is the most popular time of year to visit due to the lack of rain which also means lots of sunshine and lower humidity. Lower humidity makes the heat more comfortable.

The average high temperature sits at around 29°C and the average low gets down to 22°C. This is the coolest time of year. Sunshine levels are good, around seven hours per day creeping to eight in February. The sea gets down to its coolest of 28°C for the entire season.

Hot Season: March – August

This is the period of the southwest monsoon. It is hotter and wetter than the dry season but there are still many clear sunny days at the beginning of the season. Koh Tao is provided some protection from the rain-bearing monsoon winds by the mainland and surrounding islands so it is less wet than many other parts of Thailand during this season. While March and April are still relatively dry, rainfall increases as the season progresses and sunshine levels drop to six per day from May onwards. The average high temperature peaks in April and May at 32°C and it can sometimes get up to 40°C. Even the locals find this exhausting so if you’re not sure you can cope with the heat it’s best not to try. Humidity increases with rainfall creating stifling, sticky conditions. The sea gets up to 30°C.

Wet Season: September – November

Torrential downpours, tropical storms and flooding are brought to Koh Tao by the northeast monsoon winds. It usually rains in the evening and these heavy showers are typically brief leaving many sunny periods, but these are not to be relied upon. If you visit during the wet season you will see grey skies and rainstorms; the amount of good weather you’ll get is highly unpredictable. November is by far the wettest month with almost twice the amount of rain seen in October, the second wettest month.

The cooling rain helps to relieve the heat and the average high temperature drops to 31°C in September, 30°C in October and 29°C in November. Sunshine levels do not alter from the hot season, staying at six hours per day. The sea temperature cools slightly to 29°C. The benefit of visiting out of the dry season is the minor thinning of tourist crowds.

Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan sit in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of Thailand and their position means they see different weather conditions to those found off the west coast in the Andaman Sea. In Phuket and the surrounding areas the rainy season is perhaps more intense and lasts from May till October, but the dry season is slightly more pronounced.

Koh Tao is one of the world’s favourite places to learn to dive as PADI courses can be completed at a fraction of the cost of other dive centres. It is a small island with almost nonexistent infrastructure yet whichever secluded bay you choose you will find tourist developments. They are more relaxed than the resorts and bungalows you will find on other Thai islands, and also cheaper; everything is cheaper on Koh Tao than elsewhere in Thailand. If you visit Ao Leuk, on the north coast, you will find Aow Leuk II Restaurant and Bungalows. Even if you are a backpacker and staying in one of the cheaper beach huts (fan only, slatted floor) provided by a different establishment, you should eat every single meal in the Aow Leuk II restaurant which is set on stilts over the sea. An entire steamed fish, caught that day, with chilli and coriander, surrounded by fresh tropical fruit, will set you back about £2 and might be the highlight of your entire holiday.

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