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Transition

Visiting Phu Quoc in October

October marks the beginning of Phu Quoc's transition back to dry season. The southwest monsoon progressively weakens through the month, rainfall decreases compared to September's peak, and the Gulf of Thailand gradually calms. By late October, Long Beach has significantly improved and An Thoi Islands boat trips begin to resume more reliably. Prices remain at off-season levels. Late October in Phu Quoc can be genuinely good — the island is quiet, conditions are improving, and prices haven't yet risen for the November–March peak season.

By Island Seeker Editorial Team

24–31°C (75–88°F)

Air temp

28°C (82°F)

Sea temp

Moderate–High

Rainfall

Low

Crowds

why go

Why Visit in October

  • Monsoon weakening — conditions improving week by week
  • Off-season prices with increasingly good beach conditions
  • Long Beach improving — morning swimming returning to possibility
  • An Thoi Islands trips resuming by late October on calm days
  • Sao Beach among the most reliably swimmable in Southeast Asia for this time of year

what's on

Events & Holidays in October

Vu Lan — Vietnamese Ghost Festival

15th day of 7th lunar month if October (date varies)

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month (usually August or September, occasionally October) sees offerings and prayers for ancestors. If it falls in October, Vietnamese families hold ceremonies at home temples — a culturally significant observance.

travel tips

Travel Tips for October

Time your Phu Quoc visit for the last 10–14 days of October for the best balance of improving conditions and below-peak prices. Early October can still bring significant monsoon days.

October is an excellent month for Phu Quoc's diving — visibility is improving as the monsoon weakens, dive sites around the south of the island (near An Thoi) become accessible again, and you'll have dive operators largely to yourself.

Ganh Dau Cape in the northwest is at its most dramatic in October — monsoon-era waves crashing against the headland with views to Cambodia (20km across the Gulf) under clearing skies. A worthwhile scooter excursion.

Recommended for Your October Trip

common questions

FAQ — Bali in October

Is October a good time to visit Phu Quoc?

The second half of October is genuinely good — improving weather, off-season prices, and a quiet island. Early October can still be rough and rainy. The ideal strategy is to aim for the last 10 days of October, when conditions increasingly approach early November quality but prices remain at monsoon lows.

When does the dry season start in Phu Quoc?

Phu Quoc's dry season typically returns by mid-November, though the transition begins in October. The full switch from monsoon to dry conditions is gradual — October has improvement but not the reliable daily sunshine of November through March.

Is Sao Beach better than Long Beach in October?

Yes — Sao Beach's southeast orientation continues to provide better shelter from the southwest monsoon through October. On many October days when Long Beach is still choppy, Sao Beach has swimmable morning conditions. As October progresses and the monsoon weakens, both beaches improve, but Sao Beach leads the recovery.

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