10 Things to Do in Phuket in October

Phuket is an island in the Andaman Sea, considered to be the largest island in Thailand. About 50 kilometres long, this province is home to a large number of tourist destinations: beaches, temples, markets, viewpoints, shopping centres, bars, caves, among others.

This island is one of Thailand's top tourist destinations. Here, you will find many activities to add to your October itinerary. Such is the case of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, the celebration of Halloween night in the local pubs, the off-season shopping, among other of the best things to do in Phuket, which I will tell you about in a moment.

If your trip to Phuket in 3 days or more coincides with the first weeks of October, then you'll be able to experience the island's Vegetarian Festival up close. You'll enjoy processions and acts of self-mortification by devotees.

This celebration in honour of the Taoist gods is held at the Buddhist Jui Tui Shrine, located on Ranong Road. There, you will see how the island's inhabitants seek the path of spiritual redemption after experiencing a period of a completely vegetarian diet.

At the temple you will witness a series of sacrifices, where devotees pierce their cheeks or other body parts with needles, spears, knives and other sharp objects, sometimes even performing self-mutilation. You will also see other people walking on burning embers.

You will also have the opportunity to know your fortune, as you will find the bamboo fortune sticks at this popular Chinese temple, usually included in the guided tours of Phuket. This short ceremony consists of shaking the top of a bamboo tree so that a stick falls to the ground, see its number and look for the paper that corresponds to your future.

The island of Phuket does not escape the celebration of Halloween in October. So, if you are a fan of this spooky date, you should visit some of the local pubs, bars and clubs during your stay. It's a night out with a difference and a lot of fun.

For a nightlife adventure, you can head to Bangla Road. This is a street in Patong Beach, known for having the most nightlife on the island. Upon arrival, you will find a truly celebratory atmosphere with witches, zombies, ghosts and much more.

You will have dozens of bars and nightclubs along this street to choose from. Such is the case of the Illuzion nightclub. This is a must-visit venue, featuring local and occasionally international DJs such as Aoki, Garrix, among others. You will also enjoy acrobats, dancers, hip-hop shows, lights, visuals and more.

In addition, there is Margaritabar-Rock n Roll, Discoteca Tigre, Titanium Club Patong, among many other entertainment venues. You can visit these places on your own or join a Phuket pub c rawl to enhance the experience.

The low price season in Phuket coincides with October, so if you happen to be on the island during this month, you might want to take advantage of it to do some shopping. In this sense, the Jungceylon shopping mall is an unmissable shopping and leisure destination.

This huge mall is located on Bangla Road in Patong and offers a lively atmosphere with trampolines, temporary exhibitions, cinema, dozens of shops with all kinds of products: fashion, personal care, perfumes, jewellery, electronics, technology, health, souvenirs, among others. The best thing is that the prices are quite affordable.

In addition, you will find a food bazaar with a surprising variety of national and international cuisine. You can choose from gourmet dishes to the most delicious local street food: pad thai (sautéed rice with egg), mango with rice, tom yam kung (spicy soup with prawns), noodles with vegetables, etc. An ideal destination to incorporate into a gastronomic tour of Phuket.

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

After sunset the island remains hot. Temperatures in October rarely drop below 27°C and rainfall is unpredictable. However, this doesn't stop you from having fun in Phuket at night. There are several shows you can attend, such as the FantaSea.

This is a Las Vegas-style theatrical production that tells the story of Thai culture: myths, legends, mysteries and more. All this, characterised by more than 150 actors on stage and about 30 trained elephants.

You will be amazed by the acrobatics, traditional and contemporary choreography, special effects, visuals, pyrotechnics, music, dazzling lighting and much more. Without a doubt, a good option to spend a different time on the island without being exposed to the weather.

Also, if you plan to stay 5 days in Phuket or more, you could incorporate other leisure activities to your itinerary for the evening hours. For example, buy tickets for a show at Simon Cabaret in Phuket, as this is another popular event on the island.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of the ticket is around €50 per person.
• Times: The show lasts approximately 75 minutes.

The monsoon season and high temperatures in Phuket in October are the main reasons for the low tourist numbers in October. Take advantage of these conditions to visit the island 's markets without the usual crowds of locals and tourists.

Some of the day and night markets to discover include the following:

• Phuket Night Market, on Thalang Street, is a night market with a family atmosphere, where you will find traditional Thai food and some handicrafts every Sunday.
• Karon Temple Market, near Karon Temple. The market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 16:00 to 21:00. You will find Thai street food and a variety of souvenirs.
• Phuket Indy Night Market on Dibuk Road. This is a street market with fashion, many street and exotic food stalls, music, live entertainment. Open every Wednesday and Sunday from 16:00 to 23:00.

Then there is the Phuket Central Market on Ranong Road. A must-visit place if you participate in a Thai cooking class in Phuket, as you can buy fresh seasonal ingredients (exotic fruits, vegetables, seafood) brought in every morning and afternoon by local farmers and fishermen.

October's rainy days in Phuket don't stop you from enjoying Phuket's heavenly beaches. During this month you'll find clear days with plenty of sunshine and no rainfall, ideal for swimming and water activities. Just keep an eye on the weather forecast to find the ideal time.

Although the island has around 70 beaches, in October Panwa Beach stands out as the most convenient option. This is because it is a beach protected from the winds that accompany the monsoons of the season, so the sea remains calm and safe.

When you get to this beach you can walk or lie on the fine white sand. You can also dive into its turquoise waters, which in October have a gentle swell and reach an average temperature of approximately 28ºC, being quite warm. Quite suitable for snorkelling, surfing, swimming, among other activities.

The best thing is that you won't have to worry about equipment for these sports, since you can rent it on the beach. If you are a beginner or you are in Phuket with children, you can even hire an instructor to teach them the basic techniques of snorkelling, surfing, etc.

Another of the things to see and do in Phuket during the low season in October is to visit the Wat Chalong Temple. You can admire the interior of this Buddhist compound in detail at your own pace, without the annoying crowds of tourists characteristic of other months of the year.

Wat Chaiyathararam, as this Buddhist temple is also known, is considered one of the most important temples on the island. It is located in the Mueang district, approximately eight kilometres from Phuket Town, and is easily accessible by car (a 22-minute drive) or by public transport (approximately 55 minutes).

When you arrive at this spiritual centre, you will be amazed by the architectural beauty of this building, erected in honour of the two guru monks who fought against the Chinese rebellion in 1876, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang.

During the tour, you will see the thousands of crystals that cover the temple, Buddha statues, beautiful gardens and lotus ponds. You will also have access to the Chedi, which is the most recent construction in the compound. Its ceiling and walls narrate the life of the Buddha through a series of frescoes. And from the terrace of this building, you will have a full view of the temple.

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: daily from 8am to 5pm.

Part of October in Phuket offers good visibility, thanks to winds reaching around 7.6 kilometres per hour during this season. This weather condition, coupled with the sunny days on the island, is very conducive to taking good photographs and creating lasting memories of your trip.

To put your photography skills to the test, simply grab your camera and set off on a free tour of the island or, if you wish, join a guided tour of Phuket. Whichever option you choose, you'll find dozens of photogenic locations.

Some of the places to photograph include the following:

• The Great Maravija Buddha, located at the top of Nakkerd Hill near Chalong. This is a marble structure that dominates the island's landscape.
• Cape Promthep, with a privileged view of the Andaman Sea.
• Phuket's old town, where a significant architectural heritage in the Sino-Portuguese style prevails.

October in Phuket is a hot month, so water activities should not be missing from your itinerary to help you beat the heat wave and have fun at the same time. A good option is Andamanda, a water park inspired by Thai culture.

This is an ideal place if you want to spend a different kind of day in the company of friends, family or the little ones if you are travelling with them. You will have a total of 29 slides, 12 of which are extreme, as well as a pool with artificial waves up to three metres high, to surf as if you were at the beach.

There is also a special area for paddling, children's pools and a relaxation area, where you can immerse yourself in the water while enjoying a drink. There is also a restaurant, designed to recreate Thai floating markets. Here, you can sample a variety of dishes.

Useful information

• Price: from around €47 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

Whether you plan to spend 1-7 days in Phuket or more, a boat trip to Promthep Cape in October is a must-do. You'll enjoy a privileged sunset with warm colours, thanks to the low cloud cover caused by the month's 7.6 kilometres per hour winds.

The adventure usually starts at the marina in Ao Chalong Bay, where you'll board a boat for the famous Promthep Cape. Along the way, you'll see the island's coastline with its white sand and lush vegetation.

Upon arrival at the cape, you can explore the area on foot. There you will find a lighthouse with an important display of maritime artefacts. You will also see a small temple of Buddhist worship accompanied by a series of carved wooden elephants.

Then, from the top of the hill at approximately 60 metres above sea level, you will have the opportunity to contemplate a privileged landscape where the Andaman Sea and the sky meet on the same horizon. All this, tinged by the warm colours of the October sunset.

Useful information

• Price: the excursion costs approximately €42 per person.
• Duration maximum four hours.

Temperatures in Phuket during October range from an average low of 27ºC to an average high of about 29ºC. This is a rather hot month, belonging to the monsoon season, which runs from mid-May to the end of October.

Meanwhile, the sea water temperature in this month is usually around 29ºC, making it suitable for swimming and some water sports. Meanwhile, the average rainfall is around 320 millimetres, corresponding to about 25 days.

Phuket in October offers rainfall accompanied by a heat wave, so during your stay on the island you should implement some alternative plans to protect yourself from the weather changes.

For example:

• Use sunscreen with a 50+ filter, as in recent years the UV index during October is 11+.
• Wear long, breathable clothing that protects you from the sun's rays at all times without sacrificing coolness.
• Don't forget accessories such as sunglasses, hat and cap.
• Avoid exposure to the sun during midday, as the intensity of radiation is higher.