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Weather in Rawai
Phuket's southern tip of sea gypsy fishermen
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About Rawai
Rawai marks Phuket's southern tip where fishing villages and sea gypsy communities persist despite surrounding resort development. This rocky shore preserves traditional livelihoods alongside modern tourism—an uneasy coexistence creating cultural friction and anthropological complexity.
Best months to visit
January, February
Things to do in Rawai
Sea gypsy moken village cultural visits
Traditional fishing boat tours
Fresh seafood market shopping at dawn
Local restaurant family meals
Viewpoint sunset observation platforms
Nearby Koh Hae island snorkeling trips
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
29C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
February
31C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
March
31C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
April
31C
Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.
May
30C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
June
30C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
July
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
August
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
September
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
October
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
November
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
December
29C
Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.
Rawai sits on Phuket's quieter southern tip, where a long-established sea gypsy (chao leh) community still lands its catch at the pier each morning to sell at the bustling seafood market across the road. The beach itself is rocky and not Phuket's best for swimming, but Rawai serves as the main jumping-off point for longtail boats to nearby islands like Koh Hae (Coral Island) and Koh Racha, and has a noticeably more local, less developed feel than the resort strips of Patong or Karon.
Best areas to stay in Rawai
Rawai Pier & Seafood Market
The hub of the area, where sea gypsy fishing boats land their catch and a market sells fresh seafood to be cooked nearby.
Nai Harn Beach
A short drive away, one of Phuket's most attractive beaches with a lagoon-backed setting, popular for sunset.
Phromthep Cape
A scenic viewpoint at Phuket's southernmost tip, a popular sunset spot near Rawai and Nai Harn.
Koh Hae (Coral Island)
A nearby island reached by longtail boat from Rawai, known for clearer water and beach clubs popular for day trips.
Getting to Rawai
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Flights
Fly into Phuket International Airport, with direct connections from many major hubs.
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From London
~12-14 hours from London with one connection, or direct seasonal flights from some European cities.
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Getting around
Songthaews and taxis connect Rawai to the rest of Phuket; longtail boats from the pier serve nearby islands.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Rawai?
November to April is the dry season with calmer seas for boat trips to nearby islands; the wet season (May to October) brings rougher conditions and reduced boat services.
Is Rawai Beach good for swimming?
Not really — the beach is rocky and often muddy at low tide, so most visitors use Rawai as a base and pier for boat trips to better swimming beaches on nearby islands.
What islands can I reach from Rawai?
Longtail and speedboats from Rawai pier go to Koh Hae (Coral Island), Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi, all known for clearer water and better beaches than Rawai itself.
What is the seafood market at Rawai like?
A lively market across from the pier where the local sea gypsy community sells fresh catch, which nearby restaurants will cook to order — a popular way to eat very fresh seafood cheaply.
Is Rawai a good base for exploring southern Phuket?
Yes — it's close to Nai Harn Beach, the Phromthep Cape viewpoint, and Big Buddha, making it a convenient, quieter base compared to Phuket's busier west coast resorts.
Traveler reviews
★★★★☆
Stayed in Rawai for a quieter base and loved the seafood market — picked our own fish and had it grilled next door for a fraction of resort prices. Took a longtail to Coral Island for a beach day, which was great.
Joanne F. · February 2024
★★★★☆
Rawai Beach itself isn't much to look at, but it's a great base for exploring the south of Phuket — Nai Harn and Phromthep Cape are both close by and much nicer for swimming and sunset.
Niran C. · January 2025
★★★☆☆
Felt much more local and less touristy than where we'd stayed before on Phuket, which we appreciated, though don't expect a great beach right in Rawai itself.
Erica W. · November 2023
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