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It’s that time of year again – Phuket’s dreaded rainy season is upon us. If you’re travelling to Phuket between September and November, you’ll most likely find yourself Googling “what to do in Phuket when it rains” on more than one occasion. Most people travel to Phuket to enjoy the gorgeous beaches so you might assume that a little downpour will seriously dampen the mood, pun intended. But you shouldn’t let the rainy season put you off – even amidst the heaviest showers, you’ll still have lengthy sunny spells and you’ll often see beachgoers staying put beneath their parasols simply waiting for the showers to pass. For more detailed information, check out our guide to weather in Phuket. In the meantime,  here are some fun ways to pass the time in Phuket when it rains.

Have a Lazy Brunch

If you’re a foodie, there is no better way to experience Phuket when it rains than by parking yourself down at an all-you-can-eat brunch and simply let the hours drift by. There are more than a few options for stuffing yourself with food, glorious food in Phuket. The Slate villa resort in Naithon hosts one of the most popular Sunday brunches on the island, with dishes including live Maine lobsters, French cheese, Argentinian beef… oh my. For a more affordable option, you can opt for the all-day breakfast at The Corner Restaurant in Bang Tao. If you prefer a buffet spread, they also offer an all-you-can-eat spread of both international and Thai dishes served Mondays and Thursdays.

Pamper Yourself at the Spa

Hitting the spa is the ideal rainy day activity in Phuket and a well timed Thai massage could be just the ideal length for that pesky downpour to pass. Then again, you could also go all out on a pampering +2-hour spa package. Spas in Phuket vary from homely beachside spas to extravagant luxury establishments, so there’s definitely something to suit every budget. Sweet Lemon Grass Massage is one of our favourite budget friendly options – check out our other favourite spas in Patong. If you’re looking for some serious R&R, Anantara in Layan is fabulous, though we also love the more local touch you get at Mom Tri’s Spa Royale. If you’re staying in one of our villas, our concierge team can also arrange for a massage and other spa treatments to be carried out at your villa – the perfect setup when it’s raining cats and dogs outside!

Thailand Phuket Villa Saan

Dino Park Mini Golf

If mini golf sounds a bit “blah”, don’t worry – the Dino Park Mini Golf course is not your your average mini golf experience. As the name suggests, this is the perfect place to visit if your kids are Jurassic Park fans as the 18-hole course takes you through lush jungle landscapes and caves, with dinosaur statues keeping score of your putting. Granted, the course is located outdoors, so if you’re caught in a real monsoon downpour, it’s probably not the best time to visit. That being said, there is something quite appealing about this jungle-esque course when it rains. If you visit during a light drizzle, the trees will block most of the rain and if it starts coming down harder, the staff will provide you with umbrellas. Arguably, the tropical rain will just add to the jungle like ambiance!

Hit the Mall

Phuket’s malls are a great place to hold out the rain. Jungceylon Mall is the most famous mall in the island and quite deservedly so. Located smack dab in the heart of busy Patong, this mega mall not only houses literally hundreds of stores and dining venues – there’s also a cinema, bowling alley, VR game centre and an escape room game. In other words, it’s the perfect place to while away the hours as the rain falls. Another popular option is Central Festival Phuket, aka the largest mall on the island. Again, there are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit as well as a cinema. Central Festival Phuket is located on the outer edge of Phuket City.

Thailand Phuket Bangla Road

The Kids Club Phuket

It’s one thing for grownups to be cooped up inside when it rains but when you’re travelling with kids, you need to bring out the big guns. The Kids Club Phuket is an indoor playground which should keep the kids entertained for a few hours. With its colourful slides, crawl tubes and ball pits, the club is definitely a better fit for younger kids than tweens. The staff is lovely and if parents feel comfortable leaving their children, full-time nannies can look after the kids while parents catch a little me-time. The Kids Club Phuket is centrally located in Patong (close to Jungceylon Shopping Center), so regardless of whether you’re staying in Patong or neighbouring areas like Surin, Kamala or Karon, you’ll still be within a 30-minute drive.

Game Space Laser Battle

If you’re travelling with older kids or teenagers, a fun slide might not cut it when it comes to rainy day entertainment. Patong’s Game Space Laser Battle is a fun place for the whole family to pass the time in Phuket when it rains. This is a cool laser tag venue (think paintball minus the mess) suitable for ages 5 and up. The game is offered in different levels so you don’t need to be a pro to get started but they also have more challenging game modes available. Besides laser tag, Game Space Laser Battle also offers virtual reality games and games suited for kids. Laser tag is priced at THB 400 per person. You don’t need a team with you to try it out, as the venue can also set you up with players.

Kids

Catch Some Live Music

Another great way to pass the time in Phuket when it rains is to head out to hear some live music. You can find bands playing on Bangla Road every night of the week and over all, Patong is your best bet for catching live music in Phuket. Monsoon Bar is known for hosting some of the best house bands on the island (they have live music every night of the week) and Red Hot Club also does some killer covers. There are also a few options in Phuket Town. Bebop Live Music Bar & Restaurant is a great little spot for catching jazz sets – shoot them a Facebook message to check when the next band’s playing. For bluesy vibes, head to Rockin’ Angels Blues Café.

Chill at Your Villa

One way to weather proof your Phuket holiday is to book your accommodation strategically. Trust us, it’s a completely different matter to be hanging out with your friends and family in a spacious poolside lounge or perhaps catching the latest block buster in your own private cinema room… than to be stuck staring at the walls of your hotel room, waiting for the rain to pass. No one does epic mega villas quite like Phuket and if your villa comes with gorgeous décor, beautiful views, luxurious facilities and a full team of staff, you might just forget about the weather all together. We stayed at Malaiwana Residences during the rainy season and loved it! Another perk: if you book one of these killer villas during the rainy (=low) season, you’ll be able to score some amazing deals. Take a look at our villas in Phuket or talk to our villa specialists to get started.

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