PHUKET
DESTINATION GUIDE

The Ultimate Guide Before You Plan for your Next Trip

Known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs, Phuket is one of the most beautiful and popular islands of Thailand. The wide beaches of Phuket welcome plenty of tourists from around the world and these beaches offer you the perfect place to sit, enjoy, and a wild night party. You can also indulge in various kinds of water-based games like surfing, snorkeling, and jet-skiing. Apart from the beaches Phuket is also known for its natural reserves providing home for many exotic wild animals like tigers and elephants. The thick green forest covers and the turquoise blue water sets the perfect background as you will get the perfect opportunity to shop and eat from the various street stalls.

Attractions in Phuket

From beautiful beaches to fascinating viewpoints, from wild party destinations to rum distillery the attractions in Phuket are bound to give you an unforgettable experience.

Wat Chalong

Like any other Thai destination Phuket has a lot of Buddhist temples and shrines. But no other wat is as beautiful or popular as the Wat Chalong. Along with Lord Buddha this temple is dedicated to the monks like Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. Visitors to this temple can see their life-like wax figures and an exhibition hall describing their life and achievements. The Grand Pagoda of this place has some fragmants of Lord Buddha's bones and you can find murals which depicts the story of his life. There are also various golden statues of Lord Buddha placed in various corners of the temple and you can actually savor some peace and tranquility once you visit this place.

Nai Harn Beach

This is another popular beach of Phuket with many tourists visiting this place from all around the world. The beach is very beautifully maintained and unlike some other beaches you will not find it cluttered with lots of tourists. The beach is characterized by its powdery white sand and the crystal clean water as the large palm trees cast nice and cool shade on the shores. Some travelers also suggest that it is the best place in entire Phuket to get some nice Thai street-food. There are also some nice and charming souvenir shops where you can get various novelty products.

Rawai Village

The island of Phuket is home to many fishing villages and also some charming and friendly fishning tribes. Rawai is one such exotic village which is actually home to a tribe of "sea gypsies" known as Moken. This semi-nomadic tribe has actually come from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and they stick to their customs and beliefs. Barring the tribes there is also a huge fishing community in the Rawai Village and they would happily serve you with fresh seafood or take you down for a trip around the sea. Rawai is also known for its huge fishing harbor and the entire area is covered in large trees.

Karon Beach

Karon Beach might not be the largest or the popular beach of Phuket but it is certainly the most beautiful destination in the entire island. The 3.5 kilometers stretch of golden sand is lined by both coconut and palm trees. It is the most cherished relaxing location for the tourists and it would not be difficult for you to find the perfect spot for sun-bathing. Over the years, this beach has attracted many couples and family as it offers the perfect sunset viewing platform for the honeymooners. The open shorelines allows you to take a dip in the water and if the water is calm enough you can also go for a long swim. The area is pitted with many good resorts and restaurants where you can grab a bite after a crazy swim session at the sea.

Phang Nga Bay

The coastal area located in the north-eastern part of the island of Phuket decorates itself as the most heavenly island bay that you can possibly imagine. The limestone cliffs surrounding the bay is simply mesmerizing and with the dense forestation grown on them, it makes for a beautiful sight to savor. The bay is rich in various kinds of fauna whilst the two neighboring islands of James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are definitely worth visiting. The boat trips are quite charming whilst you can come up close to the natural beauty of the colossal limestone boulders. The rocky islands and the greenery will give you a kind of romantic charm which you will not find anywhere else.

Phi Phi Island

With its stunning beauty and spectacular location it is not a surprise that Phi Phi Island was once featured in a Hollywood movie featuring Oscar Winner Leonardo DiCaprio. Rising like a steep medieval fortress the Phi Phi Island is known for its fascinating limestone cliffs and beach-front thick dense jungle. Quite far from the madding crowd of Bangkok the Phi Phi Island gives you a kind of peace and calm that you can savor for a considerable amount of time. The surrounding water of the ocean is crystal clean thereby allowing you a great sight of the marine mammals and the sea turtles. Phi Phi Island also has many charming restaurants and resorts where you can relax and have a great time.

Karon Viewpoint

Also known as the 'Three Beaches Hill' this apt vantage point offers a fantastic view of the three of the most beautiful beaches of Thailand-Karon Beach, Kata Noi, and Kata Yai. If you are facing north, after reaching the viewpoint, then you can savor the most serene view of the entire island with the glimpse of almost all of the natural beauties of the place. There is a glimpse of the bit of emerald hills along with the distant view of the neighboring islands. Then you can also see the white waves crashing on the coral reefs whilst the sandy beaches will call you from a distant to have a relaxing time on the shore. The viewpoint offers a perfect opportunity to take few of the best photos of your lifetime.

Patong Beach

The largest beach of Phuket, Patong, not only offers a great view and a relaxing time but also at the same time it is the place for tremendous amount of fun and frolic. It is never dull here in Patong as you have options to enter into various water-based activities. If you are bored of sun-bathing your entire day then you can go for a jet-skiing or a surfing adventure out in the water. The happy vibe of the beach never perishes as you will find plenty of foreigners gathering here from day to night. The place is also famous for its various food stalls, an enthralling nightlife, and of course the colorful markets with noisy hawkers.

Wat Chalong

Nai Harn Beach

Rawai Village

Karon Beach

Phang Nga Bay

Phi Phi Island

Karon Viewpoint

Patong Beach

Wat Chalong

Nai Harn Beach

Rawai Village

Karon Beach

Phuket Trickeye Museum

Though the name suggests that it will 'trick' your eyes but a visit to this museum is certainly a 'treat'. This place is a must-visit site when you are traveling with your kids as the 3-D interactive platforms allows you to have a whole lot of fun. Then there is the trompe-l'œil-style paintings made by a well-known Korean artists offering you some of mind-boggling optical illusions which you and your kids will certainly love. Apart from those there are also tightrope where you can go and teeter. Your kids can touch the Steven Speilberg iconic movie character the ET. Then there is of Spiderman with whom you can climb-up walls along with many other mind-boggling entertainment.

Chalong Bay Rum Distillery

Have a feel of the Carriebean in the Eastern Island of Phuket by visiting the famous white rum distillery in the Chalong Bay. The trip to the distillery is certainly a refreshing one, especially if you are a rum lover. There are guided tours provided to the guests which will show you how the rum here is handcrafted from cane and how the entire product is manufactured and bottled. It is a chance for you to go behind the scenes when it comes to rum and know every little secrets of it. The tour is quite enlightening for the tourists as the final stage of the trip makes it even better. At the end of the trip you will be led to a cocktail bar where you will be allowed to sample some of the products yourself.

Tiger Kingdom

Phuket has a very own tiger sanctuary which will allow you to come up-close to these magnificent beasts. Open for the tourists, this place is well-known for grooming and raising tigers from their birth to their last day on the earth. You will get to see a great variety of Indo-Chinese tigers in the place and see how they are being taken care of. Many foreigners volunteer to work with these animals in Phuket as they grab the opportunity of feeding and grooming them themselves. As a tourist you can also have a marvelous time to see some of the tigers taking their afternoon nap whilst some will still be in action. The tigers are usually fed around 7 o'clock in the evening and it is certainly a treat to watch.

Siriant National Park

Also known as the Nai Yang National Park this magnificent piece of coastal area reveals the quite side of an otherwise touristy island of Phuket. Covering as much as 90 square-meters of area on the northwestern borders of the isles, this marine national park is a home to many exotic aquatic mammals and other creatures. The area also has two very nice and decent beaches which are relatively unspoiled when compared to the other coastal areas of the island. The beaches in the form of Hat Nai Yang and the Hat Mai Khao are very special for the nature lovers as these are the places where the leather-back turtles come and lay their eggs at night. The best time to view this amazing phenomena is during November to February.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

In the Bangtao region of the island the marvelous Elephant Sanctuary will offer you the ultimate chance to come up-close to these beautiful and harmless animals. Just like in the case of the Tiger Kingdom, you will get a chance to see the animals being groomed and fed and it is even better as you can take an active part in it. The Elephant Sanctuary of Phuket offers a great escapade for the foreign lodgers and campers and that is why you are bound to meet few people from the West working with the local staffs, for the overall welfare of the animals. What is even better is that you can actively take part in the bathing sessions of the elephants and enjoy another excuse of completely getting drenched, whilst you are in Phuket.

In the Spotlight

Phuket is known as a major beach destination in Thailand and no coastal paradise is without its hot and spicy delicacies. The restaurants of Phuket offers great variety of cuisines from China, Malaysia, Thailand, and also Europe. There are many haute cuisines giving you fine dining experience whilst the traditional eateries offer you to taste something which is authentic southern-Thai. From age-old timber furnished restaurants to swanky roof-top eateries, the restaurants of Phuket are bound to give you some gastronomical delights. With a whole range of cuisines including seafood, meat, vegetables, and spices, this island state of Thailand has some of the best places to eat in Thailand.

Blue Elephant Phuket : This traditional southern-Thai restaurant has been there for ages and it is one of the most distinguished places to have a fine dining experience in Phuket. Read More

With marvelous decor and friendly waiters this is by far the most elegant eateries in the entire island. Set in a massive Sino-Portugese mansion known as the Gorvernor's Mansion this place arguably serves the best Thai food in the entire country. Blue Elephant has branches in other parts of Thailand and also it is a well-known Thai cuisine brand over the world. The restaurant serves scrumptious seafood and the crispy and spicy shrimps are certainly a delight to have Read less

Sizzle Rooftop Restaurant : Nestled up on the hills of Phuket this continental restaurant is certainly a delight for the tourists. The view from there is simply mind-blowing, especially if you are visiting the place during sunset.

The food is quite delightful as you will get a ravishing European cuisine. From lobsters, crabs, and vegetables to well-made steaks all kinds of items feature in the menu. It is definitely one of the best places to get sizzlers and grilled items, if you fancy something in those lines. The place also serves very yummy desserts and the cakes and the ice-creams are just heavenly. The place is not too pricey but you are guaranteed a nice treat once you book a table. Read less

Red Duck Restaurant : This is definitely not a big and fancy eatery of Phuket but rather a small and charming one set at edge of the Kata beach. Read More

The charismatic chef here makes you feel like home with his scrumptious offerings and delightful service. The menu is quite simple backed by traditional Thai cooking and from fresh seafood to home-cooked duck dishes you will not be short of options to choose. The place is homely and warm with the chef and the waiters guarantying you a nice dinner after you have spent a long day at the beach. Being in proximity to the beach allows the restaurant to fetch a decent crowd, with mostly tourists flocking to this place. Read less

Pad Thai Shop : The You Visiting this wonderful Thai island and not having Pad Thai is definitely a sin. And there is no better place to have a nice and spicy Pad Thai than this place at Phuket. Read More

The national dish of Thailand is savory and spicy and this place offers the tourists with an affordable option to taste it. The place makes more than one hundred plates of Pad Thais on a daily basis and this place is mostly frequented by the locals. The decor might look a bit shabby compared to the other high-end restaurants in the island, but nonetheless the food is quite superb. If you really want to taste Pad Thai like a native then make sure you do not miss out on the Pad Thai Shop. Read less

Sam's Steak and Grill : If you are planning on giving your stomach a rest from all the spices and chilies added in a regular Thai dish then this steak house offers you the perfect respite. Read More

Located at the Patong beach this place serves the most tender and juicy pieces of meat and vegetables. A typical hangout for the European and American back-packers, Sam's steak house has gained much attention and got many good reviews. The relaxed atmosphere will not rush you to leave as you can order a beer or two and enjoy for a while. The meats are all imported from Australia whilst the seafood items are obviously local. Overall you will get a good value for money once you visit the Sam's Steak and Grill. Read less

Thai Baht is the main currency applicable in Phuket and you really need to fill your purse with a lot of Bahts because the island is a tad pricey when compared to the other locations of Thailand. In a recent survey it was revealed that Phuket is one of the most expensive destinations of the country and that too for good reasons. From charming village markets to fine dining restaurants, from old town sites to the beach-side pubs, you need to pay the people of Phuket in cash. There are FOREX counters available in most of the major hotels of Phuket and you should convert as much currency as possible in order to have a fabulous time ahead.

Special Tips

Cost of hotels and rooms range between 200 and 1200 Bhats depending on the quality of service and view and in some cases it even reaches to 3000 Bhats per night.
The cost of food also varies according to the type of establishments. Whilst the food stalls on the beach will charge you 10 to 30 Baht the a decent restaurant will charge around 200 to 300 Baht.
Transportation in Phuket is not very cheap either as a tuk tuk drive from Karon to Patong will charge you around 300 Baht. However, Songtheaws are cheaper and they can take you from Patong to Phuket Town and then to Karon beach for 80 to 90 Baht.
However, all the transactions need to be in cash as these tuk tuk drivers or restaurant owners or the vendors of the small stalls are still oblivious to the concept of digital money or card transactions.

Entertainment & Event

The city where the monitor lizards roam safely with people welcomes you with smiles and wonders.

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

The thick rainforest cover and the wide coastal areas of Phuket together make way for a rich flora and fauna population in the island. Over the past few years the government has done a lot to preserve the ecological balance of the island and hence is promoting responsible tourism. The tropical hardwood timbers like teak and fern cover a major portion of the island whilst you can also find several exotic orchids, cacti, and bamboo plants growing in patches. In the coastal regions of the island you will also find various palm and coconut tree and they contribute a lot to the local economy. The limestone cliffs are also covered in moss and other aquatic plants as you can find several pretty flowers blooming.

The island is not shy of its animal habitat either as you will find various sorts of reptiles like salamanders and monitor lizards in different corners of the forests. Apart from that you can also see leather-back turtles in this part of the world and watching them lay their eggs and then the eventual hatching is definitely quite a treat. The trees of the forests are always filled with exotic birds along with monkeys whilst there are separate sanctuaries for larger mammals like tigers and elephants. In some parts of the island you can also find crocodiles lying in an idle manner, enjoying the warm tropical sun.
Festivals

Festivals

Festivals

One thing for sure is that the celebrations and festivals of Phuket are never dull. Whether it is a cultural occasion or a religious festival you are bound to witness some color and passion amongst the people of Phuket. Starting from the Chinese New year to Songkran the people of Phuket covers a huge array of festive celebrations in their calendar. Then there are some bizarre celebrations too like the annual Vegetarian Festival which is celebrated for as long as 9 days at a stretch by the Taoist community of the island. Then there is also the Loy Krathong celebrated with same vigor and passion like the rest of Thailand.

Then there is a Phuket International Boat Show boasting the island's long-term maritime culture whilst the Wat Chalong Festival is the biggest temple fair in entire Thailand. The Phuket Old Town Festival, held on the last week of February, promises another charming gathering of the locals and the tourists alike whilst the annual Phuket Bike Week is the biggest motorcycle event in entire South-East Asia. Phuket honors its street vendors and artists and as a recognition they also organize the Kathu Festival where live shows and music performances are being held.
culture

culture

Culture

The culture of Phuket is distinctly different than the culture of mainland Thailand. Due to its strong Chinese and Portuguese influence the people of Phuket are much more open to foreigners when compared to many other beach locations of the country. There is also a strong Hindu influence in many parts of the island as you will find people with strong beliefs and ideology. The island has been frequented by Indian, Chinese, and Portuguese sailors in the past and that is why they still have a mixed-culture here in Phuket. The people are well-versed in English along with Malay, Chinese, and Thai and that adds to the advantage of the tourists.

There are also several fishing communities spread across the coastal areas of Phuket and it is also the home to many exotic tribes. The Sea Gypsy Village is a classic example of this semi-nomadic tribe and it is certainly a treat to witness their activities, from a distance. The villagers of Phuket are also great artists and animal lovers and over the years they have learned to stay in harmony with the nature. That is why you will find many animal sanctuaries and reserves in this part of the country.