Phuket's weather divides into two clear seasons. The dry season from November through April is the best time to visit. The Andaman Sea is calm, clear, and ideal for island hopping, snorkeling at Phi Phi and Similan Islands, and beach days at Patong, Kata, and Karon. December and January are the peak months with the most visitors and highest hotel prices. February and March have excellent weather with slightly lower prices and fewer crowds than December. The Vegetarian Festival in October brings a unique and intense cultural event to Phuket Town, with fire-walking and body piercing rituals. May through October is the wet season, driven by the Southwest Monsoon. June, July, and August bring heavy rain, rough Andaman Sea conditions, and some boat services to smaller islands stopping. September is the wettest month. Some beach clubs and resort pools remain open, and rates drop significantly in the wet season. Parts of Karon and Kata on the west coast face larger swells during the monsoon.