Phu Quoc has two seasons and two in-between months. The dry season runs from December to March, when rain falls on only four to six days a month and the west coast's water is calm and clear. The southwest monsoon runs from May to October, peaking at about 545 mm over 24 days in August, with rough seas on the west coast. April and November sit between the two. The island is hot all year, with highs of 30-33°C and a sea that never drops below about 27°C.
Phu Quoc runs on a different calendar from central Vietnam. When Da Nang and Hoi An are flooding in October and November, Phu Quoc is drying out. When the central coast is at its best in summer, Phu Quoc is in the monsoon. That makes it a useful winter beach option for trips that also take in the north.
Phu Quoc weather at a glance
The table gives long-run averages from Climates to Travel. Rain days are days with at least 1 mm, and sunshine is in hours per month.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rain days | Sunshine (h/month) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30.8°C | 23.9°C | 35 mm | 5 | 250 | 27.5°C |
| February | 31.4°C | 24.1°C | 30 mm | 4 | 230 | 28°C |
| March | 32.2°C | 25.3°C | 55 mm | 6 | 255 | 29°C |
| April | 32.7°C | 25.9°C | 150 mm | 12 | 245 | 30°C |
| May | 32.1°C | 26.5°C | 300 mm | 20 | 195 | 30.5°C |
| June | 31°C | 26.3°C | 415 mm | 22 | 145 | 30°C |
| July | 30°C | 26°C | 420 mm | 22 | 150 | 29.5°C |
| August | 29.9°C | 26.1°C | 545 mm | 24 | 135 | 29°C |
| September | 29.8°C | 25.6°C | 475 mm | 22 | 140 | 29°C |
| October | 30.6°C | 25°C | 385 mm | 22 | 170 | 29°C |
| November | 31.3°C | 25.1°C | 170 mm | 13 | 210 | 28.5°C |
| December | 30.9°C | 24.4°C | 60 mm | 6 | 240 | 28°C |
The year totals about 3,030 mm of rain, more than Ho Chi Minh City, and almost all of it falls from April to November.
Dry season, December to March
This is Phu Quoc at its best. Rain drops to about 30-60 mm a month over four to six days, sunshine reaches 230-255 hours a month, and the northeast winds of this season leave the west coast in the lee of the island, calm and clear. Long Beach and the northwest coves around Ong Lang are at their best, with sunsets over flat water.
It is also the season for the island's boat trips and diving. Snorkelling tours to the An Thoi islands off the southern tip run most reliably from November to April, when visibility reaches roughly 15-20 m, and the water is clearest from December to March. Our day trips from Phu Quoc guide and diving guide cover the options.
The catch is price and crowds. Late December to February is peak season, and Tet pushes rates highest of all. Book ahead.
The shoulder months, April and November
April is the hottest month, with highs near 33°C, and rain starts to build to about 150 mm over 12 days. The sea is warmest, at about 30°C, and the west coast is usually still calm early in the month. It is a good month for a cheaper, quieter trip, with more afternoon showers.
November is the mirror image. Rain falls from about 385 mm in October to 170 mm, the monsoon winds ease, and the boat and dive season restarts. The second half of the month is usually the safer bet.
Rainy season, May to October
The southwest monsoon brings the island's wet season. Rain rises from about 300 mm in May to a peak of about 545 mm over 24 days in August, then eases to 475 mm in September and 385 mm in October. Much of it falls in heavy afternoon or evening storms, and mornings are often dry.
For beachgoers, the wind matters more than the rain. The monsoon blows straight onto the west coast, churning the water, washing up seaweed and debris on Long Beach, and cancelling boat trips to the southern islands. The southeast coast, around Sao and Khem beaches, is more sheltered and often stays swimmable. Room rates fall sharply in these months, which suits a resort-based stay more than an island-hopping one. Our is Phu Quoc worth it review goes through the beaches by coast and season.
Tropical storms are rare this far south. When they do reach the southern coast, it is generally between mid-October and late December, with the highest risk in early November.
What the weather means for your trip
Choosing the month. December to March for beaches, diving and boat trips; late November and April for a cheaper shoulder trip; May to October only for a resort stay with flexible plans.
Choosing where to stay. Long Beach suits a first visit in the dry season, the northwest coves suit quieter stays, and the south suits resort holidays. Our where to stay in Phu Quoc guide compares them.
Getting there. Most visitors fly: our Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc guide covers the flights and the ferry. If you are choosing a beach, see Phu Quoc vs Nha Trang vs Da Nang, and for the mainland's rainy season, our Ho Chi Minh City weather guide.
Limitations
The table uses long-run averages from one source; other datasets for Phu Quoc differ, particularly on monthly rainfall, and single years vary widely. Monsoon onset and retreat can move by several weeks, so late April and early November can fall on either side. Sea and beach conditions depend on the wind as much as on rain, and they vary along the island's coasts within a single day.
Workaround: use this page to choose the season, check the marine forecast and your boat operator's plans the day before any island trip, and in the wet season keep a flexible day and a sheltered beach on the east side as your backup.