Phuket, the pearl of the Andaman Sea, is known as one of its kind luxury destinations and has something to offer everyone. So here’s our top-10 list of things to do in Phuket.
Big Buddha is the island’s largest Buddha shrine. The humongous Buddha is not just revered among the karma-concerned islanders. It is also a veritable tourist magnet.
Head here to take a photo with your loved ones and take in the mind-blowing vistas of the Andaman Sea. It is best to visit Phuket’s Big Buddha at sunset and take delight in its flaming red celestial palette.
Apart from the Giant Buddha Statues, other prime tourist landmarks include Wat Chalong Temple, Wat Baan Kamala Temple, Wat Suwan Khiri Khet Temple, and Patong Mosque. All ranked sky-high on Tripadvisor. Chinpracha House is a mindblowing colonial structure redolent of the city’s glorious past and one of the few colonial mansions you can visit.
Even though most come to the island to bask in the warm Thai sun and splash around in the transparent waters of the Andaman, you really must do water sports when in Phuket.
You can do tubing, scuba-diving, paragliding, banana-riding, or even zoom to the horizon on a zippy jet ski.
Head to Patong, Karon, Kamala beaches, and other West coast resorts to profit from the water sports bonanza, take a dip yourself and then plop down on a cozy long chair for a cocktail soirée.
One of the best things to do in Phuket to unveil its rich biodiversity is to go on a hiking trip. You can also explore some of the island’s most off-the-beaten-track locales and see how authentic Thailand can be.
One popular hiking route is Banana Rock Beach, a deserted beach paradise nestling between West Coast’s Ban Thai Beach and Nai Thon. The trail length is short, but the path can be pretty steep, making it suitable for both amateurs and more experienced trackers.
Another popular hiking route is Katha Beach to Big Buddha. Trekking here is really nice thanks to the great signage and splendid views, especially enigmatic at sunset and sunrise. The trail is 4.6km and steep enough to be a treat for the most seasoned hiking aficionados.
Note that the best time to go hiking in Phuket is from April to November when the weather is mild and not stifling hot.
One of the things you can’t miss in Phuket is going on a club crawl. Head on a party binge with your hostel mates or fellow backpackers and see how mindblowing nights in Thailand can be.
The nightlife destination of choice for the most party-starved travelers is Patong Beach and its many night establishments, some of which are somewhat sanitized, while some are still considered quite insalubrious. You can easily get lost in the warren-like maze of strip clubs, lounges, and dancing juggernauts.
If you are not that much into throngs of drunk tourists, you can head for a calmer night out at Karon Beach, to the North but still close to Patong. Or you can head further north to Kamala Beach, which is famous for its chilled beach clubs and hippie vibe.
Bird watching is another must to do in Thailand. You can go birdwatching at Ton Sai Waterfall, or less mainstream locations like Kamala Beach, or the hiking trail to the Giant Buddha from Katha Beach.
Your trip to Phuket can’t be complete without a visit to the elephant sanctuary. The elephant sanctuaries rescue and care for the injured, sick, and old elephants. Riding elephants and elephant shows are NOT allowed. Still, you can get close encounters with these beautiful animals during the feeding program. Some sanctuaries even allow you to shower the elephants. You can book a half-day trip to the elephant sanctuaries in the links below.
Phuket is world-famous for its luxurious SPA resorts, which often come in the shape of huge well-developed resort villages, complete with their own canals, traveling infrastructure, commerce, and white sand beaches.
The best places to book a wellness retreat include Pimalai Spa Resort, rated 4.8 on Google, Santhiya, boasting a Google 4.6 score, Cape Panwa Hotel, 4.6, and many others, including Tripadvisor top darlings like So Thai SPA Phuket Privilege, Anantara SPA, and Deevana Patong. One of the best options to book is if you are willing to combine wellness and night adventures.
Phuket offers a great variety of different food and drinks establishments. Still, since they are so numerous, it is pretty tricky to navigate the local food stage on your own.
To facilitate the chase for culinary marvels, go on one of the Top Three Phuket Island Food Tours. Best rated is the Phuket Old Town Food tour, which is at about USD70, and allows not just to take pleasure in the authentically Asian old town fare but also to marvel at the beautiful townscape of the island’s capital.
The number two Phuket Tripadvisor food tour is Phuket Night Food Tour and Old Town Magical Lights, which will set you back around USD100 and take you around the moon and neon-lit Phuket City.
Number three is the Fine Dining Experience at La Gritta Restaurant, one of the best experiences to acquaint yourself with top-notch cuisine.
Phuket is the ideal hub if you want to island-hop in the Andaman Sea. You can experience the remarkable natural beauty of the azure waters, the green-robed limestone islands, and wonderful dive sites all in one day.
One of the most popular destinations is Phi Phi Island, about a one-hour speedboat ride from Phuket. You can find anything you want on the Phi Phi Islands—beaches, mountains, caves, and cliff-climbing, to name a few.
A quieter alternative is Coral Island. It is accessible by a 15-minute speedboat ride from Phuket and tends to have lesser crowds. For families with kids and the elderly, Phang Nga Bay or James Bond Island is the ideal choice. While having no beaches, Phang Nga Bay is home to various limestone caves. Some more relaxing activities are available, such as guided Kayak tours and fishing. The best time to visit would be at sunset, as you get to catch a glimpse of Thai water lanterns at dusk!
Have fun in Phuket!