Spotlight Koh Tao 2024 at Aow Leuk

What is the Weather Like on Koh Tao?

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao? Learn about Koh Tao weather, our tropical climate, and the best time to plan your trip.

Our island is located just 697 miles north of the equator and 1672 miles south of the Tropic of Cancer. So it’s no surprise that the weather on Koh Tao is usually hot! The temperature only varies by around 10-12°C throughout the year, ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s in Degrees Celsius. High humidity levels can often make it feel much hotter than it is, but our position so close to the equator means that the sun sets somewhere between 6 pm and 7 pm daily. So the temperature does drop in the evening to a much more comfortable level.

Koh Ngan Yuan Viewpoint | Koh Tao Tourism Association
Koh Ngan Yuan Viewpoint
Sunset Sairee Beach | Koh Tao Tourism Association
Sunset Sairee Beach
Mae Haad Pier | Koh Tao Tourism Association
Mae Haad Pier

Koh Tao Weather Seasons

Nothing is ever guaranteed, and the continual effects of climate change mean our seasons are becoming less predictable. But in general, the weather on Koh Tao can be described as hot and dry, hot and windy, or wet.

The Hottest Months

February to May is peak heat season, with the hottest months being March and April. Rainfall is rare, temperatures soar to around 35°C, and there is very little wind or breeze. So if you like it hot, then this is the time to visit – just don’t forget your sunscreen!

The Windy Months

From June to October you can expect to experience a few windy days and some cool breezes coming off the ocean. The East coast of Thailand gets most of its monsoon rain between June and August, so sometimes we get some rain during this time too.

The Wettest Months

Monsoon season on Koh Tao typically starts in November or December and runs through into January. Although we still get some hot, sunny days in between, it’s during these months where we can expect the most rainfall – and often some pretty impressive lightning storms!

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Diving Conditions

For the divers among you planning what to pack, the water temperature varies by about 8°C throughout the year, usually sitting between 26-34°C. So most people find that a short 3mm wetsuit or shorts and a rash vest work just fine for scuba diving throughout the year.

There is no guaranteed ‘season’ for whale sharks on Koh Tao. It just comes down to being in the right place at the right time. That said, the best months for sightings are normally April, May, September, and October, as whale sharks use the changing seasons as a navigational tool for moving into foraging areas.

Calm Seas

If you are prone to seasickness, you want to avoid stormy or windy conditions for your dive trips. Although we get great weather on Koh Tao for most of the year, regardless of the season, the flattest seas tend to be in February, March, and September.

Visibility

Not surprisingly, when the sea is calm, good visibility is usually a given. In February and March, and again from August through to October, visibility can sometimes reach 30 meters plus. You can still dive if you visit in monsoon season, but then visibility may only reach up to 10 meters. For the rest of the year, you can expect average visibility of 15-20 meters on most trips.

HTMS Sattakut WWII

Other Weather in Thailand

Tourists should note that the microclimates in Thailand are incredibly regionalized. So if you are visiting other destinations in Thailand during your stay, be aware that the weather on Koh Tao is likely to be different from what you will find in Phuket, Bangkok, or Chiang Mai at any given time. So do take the time to plan your stay around all locations on your itinerary.

Our island | Koh Tao Tourism Association

Koh Tao has all the services and facilities you need to work from paradise, and is becoming an increasingly popular spot for digital nomads.

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