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Top Phuket Attractions
- Exploring the many beaches around Phuket
- Snorkeling in crystal clear blue waters
- Wandering through the many markets and sampling delicious Thai street food
- Taking a tour of the Chalong Rum Distillery
- Take a ride in a longboat
- Walking through the historic Old Town and observing the international architectural influences
Phuket Tours & Travel Guide
Phuket Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Known for stunning beaches, and perhaps also for being the quintessential "twenty something backpacker" destination in Southeast Asia, Phuket is also a wonderful destination for classic Thai culture, cuisine, and art. Head here to begin or end your Thailand tour, and drink in the beauty and charm of Thailand's idyllic landscape.
Phuket (pronounced ‘poo-ket’) is Thailand’s largest island, and boasts over 30 beaches, plus several fantastic bars, and restaurants. As the most popular island for tourists, it does get quite crowded, but it’s definitely worth visiting. Many Thailand tours spend a few days here exploring the classic beaches and cultural sites.
The majority of food options on the island are not Thai, and the main beaches along the west coast are a dotted shoreline of resorts, hotels, and restaurants (though it is not impossible to still find more secluded beaches in Phuket! Read below to find out more).
Tours of Phuket will highlight the island’s history as it relates to mainland Thailand, explore the many beaches and markets, as well as allow time for exploring the ocean waters by snorkeling and kayaking.
Top Activities and things to see in Phuket
Phuket is home to some beautiful historical sights, nature, beaches of course, and many wonderful activities. Here are some of the top tour activities in Phuket:
1. Old Town - Phuket’s old town, is a great place to spend a day, wandering among beautiful architecture, cultural sights, shops and cafes. This is a great place to relax and learn a bit about Phuket’s history. The fine richness in the buildings and storefront facades are a legacy of the tin boom Phuket experienced, when Phuket was a valuable trading post for this commodity. Thus there are many international influences in the architecture interspersed with traditional Buddhist shrines and temples.
2. Chalong Bay Rum Distillery - Located in the south of Phuket, near Rawai, this is a very popular tour activity in Phuket. Take a tour to learn about the rum making process, taste some delicious samples, and learn how to make classic rum cocktails. This is the only working distillery in Phuket, using all locally grown sugar cane.
If you don’t want to do the tour, they also have a public bar where you can sample their high end rum in cocktails and enjoy the tropical island spirit.
3. White Buddha - Made of shimmering white marble and standing at an impressive height (147 feet), this beautiful statue is worth seeing up close, even though you can see it from many vantage points throughout Phuket. The area around the statue is serene and quiet, save for the lovely tinkling of bells and dharma music floating through the air.
You can walk or drive up to the Buddha, and try to go either early or late in the day to catch the magic hour lighting as the sun illuminates Phuket at your feet.
4. Wat Chalong - This beautiful temple complex in southeastern Phuket is a wonderful place to visit - locals often come here to worship and travelers can walk around to learn about Buddhism and its place in Thai culture. Built in the mid 19th century, Wat Chalong is the largest temple in Phuket. Notable for it’s beautiful grounds and mix of cultural architectural styles, the temples are brightly colored and some are decorated with wall paintings depicting the Buddha’s story.
5. Night Market - Markets are a top must see attractions in Thailand, and Phuket some of the best. Phuket has several night markets and they are a quintessential experience. Overflowing offerings of fried crickets and other oddities are tempered by more recognizable food items. You can shop for more than just food here as well. You’ll weave your way through many stalls selling trinkets, clothing, and souvenirs.
6. Bangala Road - Another activity for nighttime, this street closes off to traffic in the evening and the bars open for a fun party atmosphere. Located in busy Patong, this is a very popular street for young backpackers and 18-30 travelers. Things can get rowdy and crowded, so families and older travelers may want to avoid the area.
7. Toh Sae Hill - Also known as “Monkey Hill” this is a fun activity for getting up close with one of Thailand’s more entertaining residents. The macaque monkeys are not afraid of humans nor are they aggressive, so you can get great photographs. Don’t get too complacent though, especially if you have small children with you. Toh Sae Hill is also a great place to go for views of Phuket, on the way up rather than at the very top where the view is somewhat obstructed. At the bottom of the hill, there is a small and colorful shrine to explore.
8. Phang Nga Caves - For a full day of exploration, hop in a kayak and explore the Phang Nga caves. This fascinating labyrinth of limestone doorways is a dizzying network, creating many small lagoons and hidden caves. Be sure to go with a guide who can direct you to the best spots.
Snorkeling in Phuket
The snorkeling around Phuket is extraordinary. The astonishingly clear bright blue water makes visibility a lot easier and the colors of fish and coral pop. This is a great place for underwater photography, so invest in accessories for your camera phone or point and shoot - you won’t regret it! You can even take a snorkeling tour for an inside scoop on the best places to go and certain species to look out for.
Here are some of the best places to go snorkeling in Phuket:
1. Banana Beach - A bit of an open secret, Banana Beach is still one of the least crowded beaches in Phuket, used by many locals. The waters are calm and safe - a great option for families with young children.
2. Ao Sane Beach - Very small and consisting of three mini coves, this beach provides a way to rent snorkeling gear with which to explore. The many rock formations in the water make for fun discoveries and picturesque underwater photographs. There are ample options for relaxing with food and drink, the beach is busy, but not usually overwhelmingly crowded.
3. Ya Nui - Another great beach for snorkeling photography due to the ample coral and rock formations. The beach itself is very small so you may have to put up with a bit of cramped space in exchange for the great snorkeling. Nearby Windmill Viewpoint is a fun hike to get spectacular views. Ya Nui is in the very south of Phuket, near larger Nai Harn Beach. There are not a lot of options for food and drink, so come with the expectation of very little choice in that department.
4. Merlin Beach - This beach is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea as it’s entirely dominated by the resort in the area. Those who are not guests at the resort are welcome to use the beach, but don’t have access to the snorkeling reef program offered through the resort, and will have a bit of a hard time finding it. The reason to come to this beach, however, is that is the only beach on Phuket with it’s own natural reef.
5. Coral Island - This island is roughly a half hour from Phuket by longtail boat, or 15 minutes by speedboat. The island can be very crowded, but the experience of getting there is a fun way to spend a day, and it’s possible to find more secluded areas on the beaches.
The party atmosphere can be prevalent here so if that’s what you’re seeking, this is a perfect option. There is a small cafe and a resort as well if you want to stay a few extra days and enjoy the true solitude once the last boat of tourists has left for the day.
Top Beaches in Phuket
Phuket is the land of beauty, temptation, sea, sun, and nightlife. Often all in the very same location - it’s beaches. World renowned for being luxurious and romantic as well as the perfect place to spend a day with family - the shores are shallow, the snorkeling ideal, and the sand soft - quite often devoid of frustrating debris that can cause cuts or scrapes.
Many Thailand tours feature an element of island hopping, where you can get a feel for the island lifestyle, but if you’d rather stay on Phuket there’s plenty of beach to choose from. Unless you really want “to say you’ve been there”, avoid Patong Beach. It’s terribly crowded and there are many more picturesque hidden beaches that provide a much nicer experience.
Here are some of the best:
1. Kamala
For the best combination of less crowded yet still good choice among amenities such as restaurants, shopping, and other activities, Kamala takes the cake. In peak seasons it will be among the more crowded beaches, but it’s just hidden and less well known enough that you may be surprised at the lack of people.
2. Bang Tao Beach
Somewhat dominated by the well known eco-resort, Laguna Phuket, Bang Tao is still a lovely beach to visit in Thailand. For first time visitors to Thailand, it’s a great introduction to the Thailand beach scene. There are multiple food options, shop options, and accommodation options, and visiting the beach itself is about experiencing the mini villages and town as well as the sand and surf.
3. Layan Beach
Similar to Kamala, Layan provides a nice array of choices for meals and other amenities. It’s a great Thailand beach for families. Located at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach, Layan is spacious, quiet, and calm. There are some resorts nearby, but unlike Bang Tao, they are more removed from the fabric of the beach itself.
4. Laem Ka Beach
Hidden and tucked away, this is lovely gem is located in the very south of Phuket, near the larger and more well known Rawai Beach. Laem Ka needs a bit of hunting to find, but once you do you’ll be set for the day. A few venders are interspersed, but don’t overwhelm - available to sell simple snacks, beers, and of course coconuts.
The entrance to this beach is a “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of treasure. A great way to enjoy a sense of solitude without having to leave busy Phuket! BONUS: Check out the charming Shell Museum nearby.
5. Nai Harn Beach
In the low season Laem Ka Beach is closed, so instead you can head to nearby Nai Harn. Large enough to allow you to find a nice quiet pocket for spending the afternoon. There are multiple food options available, including fresh fruit stalls along the beach, two main hotels, and multiple shops. This is a great area for your souvenir shopping, and if you’re looking for and extended beach stay.
6. Banana Beach
If you want a very local Thailand beach experience, head here to Banana Beach. For many years this small beach was a very hidden secret, but with an advent of more adventurous travelers seeking beyond the more conventional Thailand beaches in Phuket, it has entered into the mainstream.
There is one small restaurant that has been there for years and retains an authentic vibe. Serving freshly caught seafood and traditional Thai dishes, expect to pay a little more than you might expect, but the views and ambiance are well worth it.
Food in Phuket
Home to the most beautiful beaches in the world, the large island also has a delicious variety of unique food items that you would love to taste during your visit. Here is a list of some of the must-try dishes.
1. Tom Yam Goong: Made from coconut milk, mushrooms, red chili, herbs, and some other spices, this traditional spicy dish is one of the most popular ones in Thailand.
2. Mee Hokkien Noodle: This simple but perfect combination of yellow fried noodles, pork, prawns, squid, egg, and bean sprouts is something you would have never tasted before.
3. Dim Sum: With a Chinese fusion, this delicious dish comes with a huge variety of fillings, including pork, shrimps, prawns, green beans, etc. The original dim sum is folded seven times to give a glowing fluffy look.
4. Gaeng Keow Wan Gai: This unique Thai curry is made with chicken, cooked in two varieties of eggplants that are cut in the quarter. The dish is also good to lower cholesterol levels.
5. Por Pia: These Thai spring rolls are a must-try during your Phuket visit. These small but fulfilling delights are filled with prawns, vegetables, meat, rice noodles, and crunchy pastry.
Phuket Reviews & Ratings
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