Have you ever considered spinning a globe to figure out where to vacation? It’s not a foolproof way to choose, right? Needless to say, picking a holiday destination can be a frustrating experience. So why not let us suggest a place you’ll enjoy thoroughly?
While there are tons of places on the planet, Krabi, a breath-taking province in Thailand should be part of your South East Asia travel itinerary. It is home to one of the world’s most beautiful sceneries. If you are looking for numerous activities, interesting locals and adventurous cuisine, Krabi is a sure bet.
The only question now is, when is the best time to visit Krabi? As much as possible, we will provide the answer to that question. Once you know the best time to visit Krabi, you have no choice but to have a splendid time.
Best Time to Visit Krabi: Krabi Tourist Peak Season
The peak season also referred to as the high season, falls between November and March with the absolute busiest being December to January. There’s no last-minute planning here; if you want to travel during this window, you have to make sure all bookings are prepared well in advance.
Flights to Thailand are more expensive, and accommodation prices are through the roof during this period. Virtually everything becomes more expensive because the locals want to cash-in on the presence of the hoards of tourists. It’s the time of the year when the temperatures are most pleasant. As such, if you plan to spend time on the beach, this period is a perfect time.
High or Off-Season?
If you do decide to visit Krabi during the off-season, here are the pros and cons.
Pros
- Prices of commodities and accommodation are significantly low.
- You don’t have to share the Krabi-experience with so many other people tourists.
- It’s quiet and peaceful.
Cons
- The seas can be unpredictably rough making movement to other islands almost impossible.
- The rain is often unpredictable.
- During off-seasons, water visibility is lower.
Where is Krabi?
Krabi is a province located in the southern part of Thailand. You’ll find it smack on the west coast of the south of Thailand, lying off Phuket’s east, in the Andaman Sea. Back in 2010, the population of the province was almost 53,000. Interestingly, by road, the province is less than a thousand kilometers south of Bangkok.
Some of countries most beautiful beaches and islands are found in Krabi, making tourism its most significant industry. The tourism industry in Thailand invests heavily in keeping the natural endowment alive. Based on that alone, you have made an excellent choice if you’ve decided to spend some time in Krabi.
If you’ve seen the 2000 movie, “The Beach,” you’ve already caught a glimpse of some of Krabi’s wonders. The island in Krabi, Koh Phi Phi Le, where the film was made, coincidentally incurred the most damage during the 2004 tsunami disaster. Even though it witnessed dramatic rehabilitation, there are still signs of damage in some areas. It’ll also interest you to know that all these happenings never reduced the number of tourists pouring yearly. And regardless of the constant comparisons with other islands (such as the Koh Samui vs Krabi comparison), Krabi still has plenty to offer.
What’s the Weather Like in Krabi?
There is not a single doubt Krabi is home to some fantastic scenery and two very distinct seasons; rainy season and dry season. These two seasons often bring up one question about the beautiful province; when is the best time to visit Krabi? The seasons typically determine when tourists want to visit since most people prefer low or zero rainfall when they are relaxing.
Of course, other factors could influence your decision to visit, such as how busy the province can get. The active periods are the peak season when prices of commodities soar, and accommodation becomes hard to find. It goes without saying; if you enjoy a little bit of isolation, you should avoid the year’s busy peak tourist season.
Unarguably, the best time to visit Krabi is when you can enjoy the dryness, sunny weather, and extreme temperatures. This period falls between December and March. Here’s a tip, if you want to avoid the crowd, yet enjoy the beautiful warm weather, it’s best to fix your visit around the end of January and March. This way, you’ll avoid the rush at the start of December to early January.
There’s a fair chance that a few other folks are in on this secret. So, if you don’t mind trading-off the pleasant temperatures, then April is also a great time to visit Krabi. You’ll enjoy all the quietness in addition to good accommodation deals. But, brace yourself, the temperature during this time isn’t as pleasant as between December and March. So, you have to consider what’s more relevant to you.
Krabi Rainfall
As we mentioned, Krabi has a tropical climate, so the entire rainfall season (May to October) is frequently interrupted by sunshine periods. But make no mistake; the rain can get heavy in Krabi. Saying it rains cats and dogs is an understatement. There are approximately 171 days of rainfall in Krabi out of 365 days. The rainfall in Krabi gains momentum as the year advances with October being the year’s wettest period.
Rainfall during October is very intense, with an average rainfall measured around 300mm over 19 days. Then, between May and October, the island is visited by monsoon winds, which hit first around June. During this time, the waters are rough, and the islands are difficult or nearly impossible to visit. The Monsoon wind cools its jet around July and August, but the rainfall is still very present.
Because the clouds are slightly more transparent during this period, some tourist activities are still visible but very few. If you don’t mind a little wetness during your vacation, mid-July to mid-August would be fantastic. The truth is, you could arrive during this time and experience very little rainfall. The weather in Krabi can be challenging to predict sometimes. Amidst the rainfall, you could have a week of uninterrupted sunshine or a little rain.
Krabi Temperature
The province has its highs and lows as far temperature is involved. Krabi recorded the highest temperature on the 26th of March 1998, with a figure of 39.1° C. Meanwhile, the lowest temperature recorded was 15.3° C on the 11th of January 2009. Averagely, day temperatures in Krabi range between 32° C (May) and 31° C (October) and 25° C to 24° C at night respectively.
Keep it in mind that in Krabi, temperatures could fly high during the rainy season. The highest temperature recorded during the rainfall periods was 38° C in May, July, and August.
Often, April is the hottest month of the year, accompanied by increasing humidity. The temperature during April hits an average of 34° C, while the lowest average temperature recorded in December is around 26.3° C.
You might be interested in the temperature of the water as well if you plan to swim. In Krabi, the average temperature of water measures 29.3° C. However, the temperature can get high during April with a record of 31.3° C. Furthermore, during the peak period in January, the temperature drops to the lowest.
If you don’t mind the April heat, the Songkran festival is another reason to visit Krabi. 13th to 15th of April is the lunar year in Thailand’s calendar, and it’s celebrated all over the country. The festival involves many activities, but the highlight that most tourists engage in is the mass water battle. You’ll get to shoot water at anyone; it’s not just fun, there’s some meaning there. It symbolizes washing away any bad luck that may be present in the new year.
Things to Do in Krabi
Despite all the rain, the clouds are usually visible. So a little hiking, kayaking, or jungle trekking might not be a bad idea. Also, accommodation deals during these times are almost a steal. But you have to get out on time because September ushers in the arrival of the second batch of the monsoon winds. It’s not very pretty during this period, and it lasts until late October.
The monsoon wind determines Krabi’s climate because the wind speed/ direction affects not only the rainfall but also temperature and cloud cover. Every time the wind changes direction, Krabi experiences different weather conditions. Altogether, the rainfall periods isn’t a wrong time to visit. The unpredictable weather during July and August can be an advantage to you.
If you are lucky enough, you could be sipping margarita alone on the beach, as if you rented the entire space. Furthermore, you’ll find that locals are much friendlier during periods of low tourist presence. Goods are cheaper; the scenery is greener and more alive as well. The Thailand tourism authority is more than ever promoting the rainfall season as an excellent time for tourism. For the most part, it’s to reduce the massive crowd between December to March.
Best Spots to Hang Out in Krabi
Naturally, it’s going to be busy and crowded during high season. That’s not to say everywhere is crowded, but the high activity spots are never devoid of tourists. Examples of high activity spots include the beach, beauty spots, Talay Wak on the four Islands, and Maya Bay located at the Phi Phi Islands. If you enjoy isolation and quietness, trust me, this is not the time for your vacation.
Another area in Krabi that’ll catch tourist attention is Poda Island. Luckily it’s on the same route as the four islands. Poda Island is just amazingly breath-taking. You could walk from one end of the island to the next in only 20 minutes tops. Also, there are amazing spots you can relax and enjoy your self.
It’ll interest you to know that all the beaches in Krabi are part of the National Park; as such, you won’t stumble on any private property. Tourists move around with no disturbance or restrictions whatsoever.
Aside from islands, beaches, and fantastic scenery, the Andaman Sea festival will also catch your attention if you arrive early enough in November. The festival symbolizes the start of tourist season in Krabi. There are parades, tons of musical talent, boat racing, etc. You’ll also find open-air markets measuring several meters.
That’s not all; if you are planning to arrive towards the tail end of the tourist season, i.e., in March, then you’ll have the chance to witness the Laanta-Lanta Festival. It’s a rare opportunity to celebrate the island’s culture with the locals. The highlights of the festival include displaying traditional food and traditional entertainment, e.g., music and dance of the ancient sea.
There are also spots for contemporary music. Altogether, there’s no time you can’t visit Krabi, whether it’s the rainfall season or the dry season. However, the best time to visit Krabi is the high season.
Best Time to Visit Krabi: Conclusion
By now, it should be apparent that the best time to visit Krabi is during the tourist season (December-March). While there are so many activities in December, you could have a great time if you plan to visit in late January and March. This way, you’ll avoid the crowd of the entire peak tourist season (i.e., December-early January).
You’ll experience less crowds, not like it is in the off-season, but way less crowded than December and early January. However, you can take advantage of the cost-effectiveness that comes with traveling during the off-seasons. Not only is it cheaper, but you’ll also enjoy the island more if you like peace and a little bit of isolation.
For the off-season, remember April is excellent, but it’s the hottest period. July to August is even better but a little unpredictable. Also, May and October may be too wet and windy.
No doubt, you’ll have a great time in Krabi regardless of when you visit. However, whilst in Thailand, you can even try visiting other hot spots such as the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon before you savour the Chiang Mai night bazaar.
Besides the dangerous snakes in Thailand as well as the creepy Thai spiders, you should have nothing else to worry about on your trip.
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