Things to do in Phuket

Though many visitors holiday in Phuket simply for the beaches, there are many things to see and do away from the water as well. Phuket's long and fascinating history is detailed at the Thalang National Museum, while the island has almost 40 Buddhist temples, including the famous Wat Chalong. The 147-foot (45m) Big Buddha is also a popular attraction, visible from most of southern Phuket.

Phuket has rightly earned its reputation as a paradise for outdoor activities, and visitors will enjoy exploring some of the biggest waterfalls in Thailand, and other pastimes such as fishing and hiking. Also interesting are the Muay Thai boxing matches staged in Saphan Hin Stadium. Fun in the sun and sea is the main attraction of Phuket, however, and there is no end of opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving, cliff diving, sailing, kayaking, and jet-skiing.

Koh Lanta photo

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a popular resort area in southern Thailand. Consisting of two islands, Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi, almost all of the tourist development is on Koh Lanta Yai, whic…

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a popular resort area in southern Thailand. Consisting of two islands, Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi, almost all of the tourist development is on Koh Lanta Yai, which is often referred to as simply Koh Lanta. The island is a great place for travellers looking for a beach holiday away from the parties and crowds of Phuket, and is popular with slightly older tourists who populate the resorts and bungalows that line the beaches. There are plenty of things to see and do on Koh Lanta, including exploring the Khao Mai Kaew Caves on foot or elephant-back, visiting the orchid nursery farm at Long Beach (Pra Ae Beach), and sunning on the beaches of Klong Dao, Kor Kwang, and the beautiful Kantiang Bay. Visitors can also get a taste of the culture of Koh Lanta by visiting Lanta Old Town and the Sea Gypsy Village. Koh Lanta's diving spots, including Koh Haa and Hin Muang, are rated as some of the best diving locations in Thailand.

Koh Phi Phi photo

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is an extraordinary holiday destination. The twin Phi Phi islands, 25 miles (40km) east of Phuket, are world-renowned, particularly since the making of the Leonardo di …

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is an extraordinary holiday destination. The twin Phi Phi islands, 25 miles (40km) east of Phuket, are world-renowned, particularly since the making of the Leonardo di Caprio film, The Beach. Phi Phi Leh, the smaller of the two islands, was the setting for this movie, and now draws scores of day trippers from Phuket, just a 45-minute boat ride away. The island has no accommodation and is accessible only by boat, but offers sensational snorkelling and trips to the Viking Cave and its wall paintings. Phi Phi Don, the larger island, has idyllic tropical beaches lining its shores and Ton Sai Bay, the main tourist centre on Phi Phi, may be a little overdeveloped for some visitors wanting a relaxed beach holiday.

Koh Phi Phi is a snorkelling and diving paradise, with its aquamarine waters, offshore reefs, rich coral gardens and variety of tropical fish. Ranked as one of the top five scuba diving destinations in Thailand, the waters around the islands are framed by dramatic limestone cliffs that provide a perfect environment for soft corals. Other popular activities in Koh Phi Phi include camping in Maya Bay, a picturesque beach on unhinhabited Phi Phi Le; cliff diving off the dramatic cliffs of Phi Phi Island; kayaking among the small islands surrounding the main tourist areas; trips to see Phi Phi Island's monkey population, located mostly on the thin beaches of Hao Ragoate on Phi Phi Don and Yung Gassem (now called Monkey Beach); and rock climbing at the Viking Cave and Tonsai Towers.

There are no cars on Koh Phi Phi, so people with walking difficulties will find the hills and lack of transport trying.

Krabi photo

Krabi

The tiny Thai province of Krabi, 500 miles (800km) south of Bangkok, is a magical, unspoilt paradise and one of the country's most enchanting coastal holiday destinations. The tran…

Krabi

The tiny Thai province of Krabi, 500 miles (800km) south of Bangkok, is a magical, unspoilt paradise and one of the country's most enchanting coastal holiday destinations. The tranquil Krabi coast is made up of pristine, coral-fringed white beaches, a myriad of caves and waterfalls, and numerous exotic islets washed by the azure sea. Beyond the Krabi beaches lie lush jungles where giant trees support lianas, and rivers fall over high cliffs or swirl lazily through mangrove forests. Visitors spend their holidays scuba diving in the Andaman Sea, climbing the cliffs above Ao Phranang and Railay beaches, hiking to mountain-top pagodas, discovering hidden temples set in the valleys, exploring caves, seeking out offshore paradise islands, or simply relaxing beneath a palm tree on an perfect stretch of white sand. The small city of Krabi can be flown to direct from Bangkok and a number of other cities, with flights landing at Krabi Airport, which is situated conveniently close to the city.

Phuket Beaches photo

Phuket Beaches

Few places in the world can match Phuket for its array of beautiful beaches, with their white sands and crystal clear waters. From the popular Patong Beach, which daily draws hundr…

Phuket Beaches

Few places in the world can match Phuket for its array of beautiful beaches, with their white sands and crystal clear waters. From the popular Patong Beach, which daily draws hundreds of visitors to its shores, to the quieter Kata Noi, which is hidden away from the crowds, Phuket has a strip of sand for everyone. For those who want to burn off some energy, activities such as parasailing, jet skiing and snorkelling can be found on many of the more popular beaches. The best beaches in Phuket for snorkelling would be Ao Sane and Paradise Beach. For those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere, there are beachside massages, restaurants and cocktail bars around every corner. The best beaches for relaxing would be Mai Khao, Had Sai or Freedom Beach. When the day is done, Phuket offers some of the most beautiful sunsets travellers will ever see, framed by sheer limestone cliffs and the lazy coconut palms that line the beaches.

Phang Nga Bay photo

Phang Nga Bay

The holiday spot of Phang Nga Bay is characterised by sheer limestone cliffs that jut vertically out of the emerald green water. The bay contains a fascinating collection of 3,500 …

Phang Nga Bay

The holiday spot of Phang Nga Bay is characterised by sheer limestone cliffs that jut vertically out of the emerald green water. The bay contains a fascinating collection of 3,500 mostly uninhabited islands that are unique in that they have central hollows or 'rooms' (actually collapsed cave systems) containing hidden realms of unspoilt fauna and flora. Many of these can only be reached by inflatable kayak, which makes exploring the bay on the water an exciting way to enjoy the spectacular scenery. The largest and most popular Phang Nga Bay islands are James Bond Island and Koh Pannyi, the first named for having been where the movie The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. Koh Pannyi or Sea Gypsy Island is where a village has been built on stilts in the water, with a giant monolithic rock guarding its rear. Regular boat trips carry holiday tourists from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay, and it can be overcrowded during high season.

Thalang National Museum photo

Thalang National Museum

The best place to learn more about Phuket's past and present is the Thalang National Museum, which chronicles the island's daily life as well as its long history. There are exhibit…

Thalang National Museum

The best place to learn more about Phuket's past and present is the Thalang National Museum, which chronicles the island's daily life as well as its long history. There are exhibits on tin mining, military history, the Sea Gypsy culture and artefacts of the ancient Sukothai kingdom, dating back to the 9th century. One of the most interesting exhibits is the Monument of the Two Heroines, sisters Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthorn, who helped to repel the Burmese invasion in the 18th century.

Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple photo

Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple

Wat Chalong is the most famous of the 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, welcoming thousands of visitors every year. The site is dedicated to two monks who used their knowledge of herb…

Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple

Wat Chalong is the most famous of the 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, welcoming thousands of visitors every year. The site is dedicated to two monks who used their knowledge of herbal medicine to assist in the tin miners' rebellion of 1876. The many buildings of the temple complex contain gilt statues, paintings, and relics, including a splinter of bone said to belong to the Buddha. A unique aspect of Wat Chalong is the regular sound of firecrackers, which are set off to show gratitude for answered prayers. Visitors to Buddhist temples should take care not to wear revealing clothing (with knees and shoulders covered), and be prepared to leave their shoes at the door.

Website www.wat-chalong-phuket.com

Similan Islands National Park photo

Similan Islands National Park

Even among Thailand's many islands, the Similan Islands have a reputation as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. The intense blue waters are framed by white cora…

Similan Islands National Park

Even among Thailand's many islands, the Similan Islands have a reputation as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. The intense blue waters are framed by white coral sand beaches, and are home to intricate coral reefs and rock formations. The most famous dive site in the Similan Islands is Richelieu Rock, where whale sharks are commonly spotted. The Similan archipelago consists of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. Not all are open to visitors, and all are virtually uninhabited. Many charters offer day trips to the Similan Islands from Phuket and Phang Nga, but there are limited accommodation opportunities as well. Travellers should note that the park is closed from mid-May to mid-October every year due to unsafe weather conditions, and that it is illegal to visit during this period; guests who do so put their lives at risk, as there is no emergency support.

Website www.thainationalparks.com/mu-ko-similan-national-park

Koh Yao Islands photo

Koh Yao Islands

The Koh Yao Islands are located in Phang Nga Bay, halfway between Phuket and the Krabi mainland. The islands are known as quiet retreats from the bustle of Phuket, and are popular …

Koh Yao Islands

The Koh Yao Islands are located in Phang Nga Bay, halfway between Phuket and the Krabi mainland. The islands are known as quiet retreats from the bustle of Phuket, and are popular excursions for tourists in the Thai islands. In 2002, Koh Yao Noi received the World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship from Conservation International and National Geographic Traveler Magazine for the innovative home stay programmes offered by locals. Maintaining their traditional way of life is important to the residents, as is preserving their environment. The top activities on the islands include hiking, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. Though the islands are both small and have few facilities, Koh Yao Noi has recently added amenities such as restaurants, shops, and internet service. The islands are a quiet and secluded refuge from the hordes of tourists in nearby resorts; visitors are advised to bring cash with them, though there are a few ATMs.