Okinawa or Phuket in March?
On climate data, Okinawa comes out ahead overall in March. See the per-criterion details below.
OkinawaPhoto: Kugel~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
PhuketPhoto: PavF · CC BY-SA 3.0Key figures in March
| Criterion | Okinawa | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 21 °C | 30 °C |
| Average daily low | 19 °C | 27 °C |
| Sea | 22 °C | 29 °C ★ |
| Rainy days | 15 rainy days (est.) | 14 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 5 h/day | 8 h/day ★ |
| Humidity | 78 % | 77 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Phuket is about 9 °C warmer by day.
- The sea at Phuket is about 7 °C warmer.
Okinawa or Phuket in March: the short answer
In March, Okinawa comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Okinawa 66/100 vs Phuket 63/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on March as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Okinawa averages a climate score of 67/100, Phuket 60/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in March, side by side
The average daily high is about 21 °C in Okinawa and 30 °C in Phuket — warmer in Phuket. Average daily lows are around 19 °C versus 27 °C.
On rain, Okinawa sees about 15 rainy days in March and Phuket about 14 — drier in Phuket. Phuket gets more sunshine (5 vs 8 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In March the water is about 22 °C at Okinawa and 29 °C at Phuket — warmer for swimming at Phuket. Over the year, Okinawa is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Phuket in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is August for Okinawa and May for Phuket.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Okinawa records roughly 187 rainy days and Phuket about 261 — the drier of the two overall is Okinawa. At their sunniest, Okinawa reaches about 8 hours of sun a day (July) and Phuket about 8 (March). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Okinawa is at its best in April, October, November and December, while Phuket peaks in January, February, March and December. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the March scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Phuket scores higher in March (Okinawa 61 vs Phuket 73).
City breaks: Okinawa scores higher in March (Okinawa 77 vs Phuket 60).
Active & hiking: Okinawa scores higher in March (Okinawa 69 vs Phuket 45).
Family: Phuket scores higher in March (Okinawa 61 vs Phuket 65).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For March specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Okinawa carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Okinawa if its strong months and profile match your plan, Phuket if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.