Things to Do in Hua Hin in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Hua Hin
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to December-February peak season, and you'll actually get your pick of beachfront properties without booking months ahead
- Beach conditions are genuinely excellent - the Gulf of Thailand is calm and clear in April, with water temperatures around 29°C (84°F) and minimal wave action, making it ideal for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding
- Fewer crowds at major attractions like Hua Hin Railway Station and Cicada Market means you can explore without the tour bus congestion that dominates high season, and restaurants don't have 45-minute waits
- The heat drives locals to embrace evening activities, so night markets, beach clubs, and seafood restaurants along Naresdamri Road hit their stride after 6pm with the best atmosphere and freshest catches of the day
Considerations
- This is genuinely hot - we're talking 33°C (91°F) by midday with 70% humidity, which feels oppressive if you're planning temple visits or golf between 11am-3pm. You'll need to structure your days around the heat, not fight through it
- April sits in that unpredictable transition period before proper monsoon season, so you might get 10 days of scattered afternoon showers lasting 20-40 minutes. Not trip-ruining, but worth having indoor backup plans
- Songkran festival (Thai New Year, April 13-15) creates a double-edged situation - it's culturally fascinating but means water fights throughout town, some businesses close for 2-3 days, and accommodation prices spike 40-50% during those specific dates if you haven't booked ahead
Best Activities in April
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park hiking and cave exploration
April is actually one of the better months for this 45-minute drive south of Hua Hin. The park's signature Phraya Nakhon Cave with its royal pavilion gets beautiful morning light in April, and the 430 m (1,410 ft) climb to reach it is manageable if you start by 7am before the heat builds. The coastal trails and mangrove boardwalks are less crowded than peak season, and you'll spot more wildlife in the early morning hours. Water levels in the wetlands are still decent before the dry season really takes hold.
Hua Hin Beach water sports and kiteboarding
April offers consistent afternoon winds (12-18 knots) that make this one of the Gulf's better months for kiteboarding, particularly at the southern end of Hua Hin Beach near Khao Takiab. The water is warm enough (29°C/84°F) that you don't need a wetsuit, and morning conditions are glassy and perfect for stand-up paddleboarding or beginner windsurfing before the wind picks up around 1pm. Beach crowds are manageable compared to high season, so you're not dodging swimmers constantly.
Hua Hin night markets and street food circuits
The evening food scene actually improves in April because locals and expats wait out the daytime heat and converge on night markets between 6-10pm when temperatures drop to a more comfortable 28°C (82°F). Hua Hin Night Market on Dechanuchit Road and Cicada Market (Friday-Sunday) are at their liveliest. April is mango season, so you'll find exceptional mango sticky rice and fresh mango with sweet fish sauce at stalls for ฿60-100. The seafood is particularly good as squid and prawns are in season.
Hua Hin golf courses in early morning slots
Hua Hin has eight championship courses, and April offers the advantage of lower green fees (typically ฿2,000-3,500 compared to ฿3,500-5,000 in peak season) and guaranteed tee time availability. The key is booking sunrise or early morning slots (6-8am starts) before the heat becomes genuinely uncomfortable. Courses like Black Mountain and Banyan are in excellent condition in April, and you'll often have the front nine nearly to yourself. By 11am it's legitimately too hot for enjoyable golf unless you're very heat-tolerant.
Hua Hin Railway Station and heritage walking tours
April's heat makes this a better late afternoon activity (4-6pm) when the temperature drops slightly and the golden hour light makes the station's 1920s architecture particularly photographic. The royal waiting room is genuinely interesting, and the surrounding Pone Kingpetch Road area has preserved shophouses worth exploring. Less crowded than peak season means you can actually appreciate the details without tour groups blocking every shot. Pair this with early evening drinks at one of the heritage hotels nearby.
Hua Hin spa and wellness treatments
April's heat makes this an ideal time to embrace indoor activities, and Hua Hin has excellent spa facilities ranging from luxury hotel spas to traditional Thai massage shops. The humidity actually makes certain treatments like herbal compress massages and body scrubs more effective. Many spas offer afternoon packages (1-3pm) at discounted rates because it's too hot for most outdoor activities anyway. Traditional Thai massage shops charge ฿300-500 per hour, while full spa packages run ฿2,000-5,000.
April Events & Festivals
Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)
April 13-15 is Thailand's most significant celebration, and Hua Hin embraces it enthusiastically with water fights throughout the town center, traditional merit-making ceremonies at temples, and cultural performances. The main action happens along Phetkasem Road and near Hua Hin Beach where locals and tourists engage in good-natured water battles using buckets, water guns, and hoses. Temples like Wat Huay Mongkol hold traditional ceremonies where you can participate in bathing Buddha images and receiving blessings from monks. Worth experiencing once, but understand that you WILL get soaked if you venture outside, many restaurants and shops close for 2-3 days, and accommodation prices spike significantly during these exact dates.