Things to Do in Southeast Asia in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Southeast Asia
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season across most of mainland Southeast Asia - Northern Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar typically see less than 50 mm (2 inches) of rain, making February one of the driest months. You'll actually get full days of sunshine, which matters when you're trying to explore temples or hike mountain trails without getting soaked.
- Peak diving and snorkeling conditions in the Andaman Sea - Water visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) around the Similan Islands and Koh Lanta, and seas are calm enough that boat trips rarely get cancelled. The plankton bloom hasn't started yet, so the water stays crystal clear.
- Comfortable temperatures in highland areas - Places like Chiang Mai, Pai, and the Cameron Highlands sit at 18-25°C (64-77°F) during the day, which is genuinely pleasant for trekking and cycling. No need for AC, and you'll actually want a light sweater in the evenings.
- Chinese New Year energy without the chaos - February 2026 sees Lunar New Year fall in late January, so by February you get the residual festive atmosphere (decorations still up, special foods available) but without the absolute peak crowds and flight price surge that hits in the final week of January.
Considerations
- Peak season pricing and crowds at major destinations - Accommodation in Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, and Chiang Mai runs 30-50% higher than April or May rates. Angkor Wat sees 8,000-10,000 daily visitors, and you'll be jostling for space at sunrise viewpoints. Book at least 6-8 weeks ahead or you'll pay premium rates for mediocre rooms.
- Southern Thailand's east coast gets unpredictable weather - Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao sit in a different weather pattern, and February can bring sudden downpours and choppy seas. It's not monsoon season exactly, but you might lose 2-3 days of your beach time to rain and wind. The west coast (Phuket, Krabi) is reliably better in February.
- Air quality issues in northern regions - Chiang Mai and northern Thailand typically start seeing haze from agricultural burning in late February. The AQI can spike above 150 on bad days, which makes outdoor activities less pleasant and can irritate your throat and eyes. It gets worse in March, but late February already shows the beginning of burning season.
Best Activities in February
Similan Islands and Andaman Sea diving
February hits the sweet spot for diving the Andaman coast - water temps around 28°C (82°F), visibility often exceeding 25 m (82 ft), and calm seas that make liveaboard trips comfortable even if you're prone to seasickness. The northeast monsoon has fully cleared out, but the plankton bloom that clouds the water in April hasn't started. You'll see manta rays at cleaning stations, whale sharks occasionally pass through, and the soft corals are in excellent condition. This is genuinely the best month for underwater visibility.
Northern Thailand temple cycling and countryside routes
The cool-season temperatures make February ideal for cycling around Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Lampang without melting into a puddle. Mornings sit at 18-20°C (64-68°F), perfect for 20-30 km (12-19 mile) loops through rice paddies and rural temples. The rice fields are golden and ready for harvest in February, giving you that classic postcard scenery. Roads are dry, so you won't be dodging mud puddles or dealing with slippery temple steps.
Mekong River slow boat journeys and riverside exploration
February water levels on the Mekong are stable but not too low - the river is navigable without the flooding concerns of rainy season or the sandbar issues of late dry season. The slow boat from Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang takes two days and actually feels like a journey rather than an endurance test, with temperatures mild enough that the basic boats aren't unbearably hot. Riverside villages are accessible, and the landscape has that golden dry-season glow.
Angkor temple complex exploration and sunrise viewpoints
February mornings at Angkor are about as comfortable as they get - 24-26°C (75-79°F) at sunrise, clear skies most days, and the moat around Angkor Wat reflects the temples perfectly in still morning air. You'll still deal with crowds at the main temples, but the weather won't be working against you. The afternoon heat reaches 32-33°C (90-91°F), which is warm but not the oppressive 38°C (100°F) you'd face in April. Temple interiors stay relatively cool.
Bangkok street food tours and evening market exploration
February evenings in Bangkok cool down to 26-28°C (79-82°F), making night market wandering actually pleasant rather than a sweaty ordeal. The city's food scene peaks during dry season when vendors don't have to deal with rain disrupting their setups. Yaowarat (Chinatown) and the Sukhumvit sois come alive after 6pm, and you can spend 3-4 hours grazing without feeling like you're melting. The lack of rain means vendors bring out their full menus.
Highland trekking and hill tribe village visits
Northern Thailand's mountains sit at perfect trekking temperatures in February - 15-22°C (59-72°F) during the day at elevations around 1,000-1,500 m (3,280-4,920 ft). Trails are dry and firm, leeches are dormant, and visibility stretches for kilometers on clear days. This is the month when multi-day treks through Karen and Hmong villages are genuinely comfortable rather than a muddy slog. Wildflowers are starting to bloom in the highlands, and morning mist creates dramatic valley views.
February Events & Festivals
Makha Bucha Day
One of Thailand's most important Buddhist holidays, Makha Bucha typically falls in mid-February on the full moon. Temples hold evening candlelit processions where monks and laypeople walk three times around the main hall carrying flowers, incense, and candles. It's a genuinely atmospheric experience, especially at major temples in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Ayutthaya. Alcohol sales are prohibited nationwide, and government offices close.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Usually held the first weekend of February, this festival showcases the region's temperate-climate flowers with elaborate floats, garden displays, and flower competitions at Suan Buak Haad Park. The parade through the old city features massive floral arrangements on trucks, and local growers sell orchids, roses, and tropical plants. It's worth catching if you're in Chiang Mai during the first week of the month, though it's more charming than spectacular.