Weather and tide forecast for the Gulf of Thailand (Samui/Phangan/Tao/Surat Thani)
This weather and tide forecast for the Gulf of Thailand covers Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the mainland gateway of Surat Thani for December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025. It is published to help travellers plan crossings and connections during a busy New Year travel week.
Daily forecast: December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Monday: Sunny with scattered clouds. Temperature: 30°C. Wave Height: 0.5m. Tide: Medium
- Tuesday: Light rain showers. Temperature: 29°C. Wave Height: 0.7m. Tide: Rising
- Wednesday: Thunderstorms expected. Temperature: 28°C. Wave Height: 1.0m. Tide: High
- Thursday: Overcast with occasional showers. Temperature: 29°C. Wave Height: 0.8m. Tide: Falling
- Friday: Partly sunny with light breezes. Temperature: 30°C. Wave Height: 0.6m. Tide: Medium
- Saturday: Clear skies with mild winds. Temperature: 31°C. Wave Height: 0.5m. Tide: Rising
- Sunday: Light rain in the morning, clearing by afternoon. Temperature: 30°C. Wave Height: 0.7m. Tide: Falling
Sailing Conditions
Sailing conditions are generally favorable, but mid-week thunderstorms and higher waves may require caution, particularly on Wednesday.
Tide Information
Tides vary daily, with notable highs mid-week and lower tides toward the weekend.
What this means for your trip
The calmest sea days in this window are Monday and Saturday, both at 0.5m waves. Wednesday is the day to watch: thunderstorms combined with a 1.0m wave height, the highest of the week. Temperatures stay steady between 28°C and 31°C throughout, so heat is not a planning factor — sea state and rain are.
Higher waves mainly affect open-water crossings between the mainland and the islands, and the shorter island-hopping legs. Smaller, faster craft feel a 1.0m swell more than larger vessels. If you are prone to seasickness, favour Monday, Friday or Saturday where your plans allow.
Who is affected
Anyone travelling to or between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, plus travellers using combined tickets that pair a road journey to or from Surat Thani with a sea crossing. On combined tickets, a delay to one leg can affect the connection, so allow buffer time around Wednesday and Thursday.
Practical steps before you travel
- Check your operator's notifications on the day of travel — departures can be adjusted at short notice in rough conditions.
- Keep your booking confirmation and contact details to hand so you can be reached about changes.
- Review the change and cancellation conditions shown at checkout for your specific ticket before you book.
- Build in spare time if you have an onward flight or long-distance connection.
Plan your route
Compare timings and availability on the Surat Thani to Koh Samui route, or browse services to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao to see which departures suit your dates.
Disclaimer
Weather, sea conditions, and tide information are subject to change. Always check local updates and forecasts before planning activities. Live departure times, operators and prices shown at booking take precedence over this forecast page.
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