How to have fun on the Thai island of Phuket? Where to go on excursions and where to go for the best swimming?
Beaches and swimming
Phuket is Thailand's number 1 destination when it comes to beach holidays and sea swimming.
The local beaches are some of the longest and liveliest in the whole of Southeast Asia with a wealth of activities, water sports on offer and very busy resorts.
However, even in Phuket you can find quiet natural beaches with minimal crowds, or simply take a day trip to one of the many surrounding islands or the neighbouring popular province of Krabi.
Where are the most beautiful beaches in Phuket?
For the longest and liveliest beaches, head to the west coast of the island.
From north to south stretches a strip of several world-famous beaches such as Patong, Kata, Karon and Mai Khao.
The average length of each beach is around 1.5km and most are surrounded by lively large resorts with full facilities.
We have compiled a list and detailed descriptions of the best beaches:
There are better beaches in Phuket or Krabi
Travellers often choose between Phuket and beaches in Krabi province, which is a 2 hour ferry or bus ride away.
The beaches in Krabi, especially Railay, are significantly more photogenic with breathtaking karst cliffs. They are also more natural and further away from the big cities.
On the other hand, Phuket's beaches are ideal for those who love lively resorts with a wide range of excursions as well as shopping and entertainment options.
How are the beaches in Phuket equipped?
All the beaches on the island are covered in fine white sand and are beautifully clean.
The beaches in the major resorts of Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala or Bang Tao also have public toilets with flush toilets.
These are always chargeable: you pay for the toilet 10 thb and for the shower 20 thb. You can only pay in cash.
On the smaller beaches you will not find public toilets or showers and only have to use the toilets within the restaurants.
On all beaches you will find many restaurants and small beach bars, massage offers or shops with beach equipment.
Prices of sunbeds and umbrellas
All Phuket beaches have sunbed and umbrella rental services.
In the most visited locations such as Patong, Karon or Kata you will pay around 300 thb for a set of 2 sunbeds and one umbrella for the whole day. On smaller beaches expect prices around 200 thb.
Excursions to nearby islands
If you look at a map, you'll quickly see that the waters of the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi province are dotted with dozens of small islands.
Island hopping on these islands is one of the most popular activities in Phuket. Enjoy a day away from civilisation and explore the beautiful beaches, rock formations or enjoy kayaking in the caves.
Where to go?
First of all, it should be pointed out that there are no regular public ferries to any of the islands except the larger Phi Phi archipelago.
The easiest way is to take advantage of the many offers from local travel agencies, which offer hundreds of different itineraries.
Some of the most popular ones are definitely:
- James Bond Island - A trip to the famous islet where the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun was set, usually combined with stops on one of the islands along the way - usually about 1.5 hours on the beach + 1 hour kayaking around the rocks.
- Similan Islands - The orphaned archipelago west of Phuket beckons with pristine unspoilt nature and great snorkelling conditions.
- Pan Yee Village - Unique Muslim floating village about 60 minutes by boat from Phuket, usually combines the trip with a visit to James Bond Island + others.
- Phi Phi - One of the most famous archipelagos in the world with great beaches, snorkeling and nightlife. It is possible to go on your own and there are many hotels to stay in.
How do I choose and book an organised trip?
Many of you will prefer to travel on your own, however in the case of the islands around Phuket (excluding Phi Phi), organised tours are the most convenient, cheapest and often the only way to visit the islands.
You can book a tour at any of the hundreds of offices located literally on every corner, not only in the resorts but even in the villages in the mainland.
All travel agencies offer similar types of trips and the prices are also similar. It is worth going to no more than 2-3 agencies to get your bearings.
The price of the trip should always be 50-60% lower than the printed price tag on the leaflets they will show you.
If you don't get a "discount", definitely go to another travel agency. Giving discounts over printed prices is absolutely standard practice.
You can get trip offers from almost any hotel, but in this case you may be more likely to not get a discount over the printed price. It is generally more convenient to arrange your trip with travel agencies outside the hotel.
You can also book tours online, for example, through phukettoursdirect.com/similan-islands-tours.
What are the prices of the tours?
Prices depend on the specific activities and, of course, the length of the trip.
We provide indicative prices for selected popular tours:
- James Bond Island + Pan Yee + kayaking + swimming on Naka Island or similar island - approx. 1 900 thb
- Similan Islands - approx. 2 700 thb
- Koh Racha Yai + Coral Island - approx. 1 200 thb
- Snorkelling trips with 4 stops - approx. 2 200 thb
Payment can usually be made in cash only.
And what does the price include?
- A guided trip, i.e. a complete boat trip + on-site activities such as snorkelling or kayaking
- Transportation from the hotel to the dock and vice versa
- Lunch (usually buffet style) and drinks throughout the cruise
Some agencies may additionally charge for transport to the dock from more remote locations on the island such as Rawai, Thalang or Mai Khao.
How does the organised trip work?
When booking your trip, you will fill in your hotel details and, in the case of a trip to the Similan Islands, your passport details.
At the appointed time (usually between 7:00 and 8:30), a minivan will arrive directly in front of your hotel and will also transport other participants from hotels along the route.
You will be picked up near the port by your guide who will accompany you throughout the trip and you will be given all the instructions.
During the trip you will typically have several stops with activities or just relaxing on the beach. Everything is usually very clearly organized.
At the end of the trip, you will again be taken directly from the dock to your hotel. Most trips end between 4:30 and 6:30 pm.
Water sports
Phuket's beaches, especially in the major resorts, are literally littered with offers of various water activities and sports.
You never need to book in advance, just book and pay for the activity on the spot.
What are the most common activities and their prices in Phuket?
- Surf lessons, 90 minutes - 1 200 thb
- Paddle Board, rental for 60 minutes - 400 thb
- Water scooter ride, 30 minutes - 1 500 thb
- Parasailing, 15 minutes - 1 500 thb
- Inflatable banana ride, 15 minutes - 600 thb
Nightlife
Enjoy nightlife in many different forms and in many places in Phuket. Where is it most alive and what can you look forward to?
Untamed and wild Patong
The wildest resort with nightlife is definitely Patong.
On the main street of Bangla Road, enjoy all sorts of bars and restaurants from the conventional and respectable to strip clubs with massage parlours, but they definitely don't actually provide massages.
The bars in Patong stay open until the early hours of the morning.
Night markets
Very popular in Southeast Asia, night markets are not avoided in Phuket. Sample all the tastes of Thailand and sample local specialties from hundreds of stalls.
Night markets are usually open from 17:00 to 23:00, but usually only on certain days.
Some of the most popular are the Friday and Saturday markets in Kata or the several different markets in Phuket Town.
Phuket FantaSea theatre show
Experience traditional Thai theatre, ballet, circus or opera that take place daily at the large Phuket FantaSea theme park in Kamala resort.
Snorkelling
Discover the world underwater too, and in between swimming and fun at the resorts, put on your goggles and dip your head underwater every now and then.
The waters around Phuket may not be among the world's best snorkelling destinations, but it's definitely worth sacrificing at least 1 full day to explore the underwater world.
Where are the best snorkeling locations?
If you don't want to venture outside of Phuket, the smaller and less visited beaches are best.
- Nai Harn Beach
- Yanui Beach
- Paradise Beach
However, much better snorkelling conditions await you at the smaller islands, which are usually only accessible on organised snorkelling trips.
- Koh Racha Yai
- Koh Mai Thon
- Similan Islands
- Koh Khai
History and sights
Phuket isn't typically a destination you'd head to for sightseeing, but you'll still find some interesting places that will add a nice touch to your beach holiday.
- Big Buddha - A monumental white marble statue rises 390 metres high on a hill in the southern part of the island
- Phuket Town - the largest town with a nice historical centre and a Buddhist temple
Muay Thai Box
What is the most popular sport in Phuket and Thailand in general? Definitely Muay Thai, also known simply as Thai boxing.
Phuket is a famous centre for several boxing rings, where spectacular shows are held every night with many fights and real boxing legends.
The largest and most famous centre of Thai boxing is the resort town of Patong with its large stadium on the central Bangla Road.
Tickets for the fights can be bought directly at the venue or online, for example via muaythaistadium.com/patong-stadium. Prices range between 1 400 thb and 1 800 thb.
Animal parks
Phuket is literally riddled with different zoos specialising in one particular species of animal or small animal parks.
Most often you will come across elephant parks where elephant rides, feeding or bathing are offered.
Other very famous parks are the tiger kingdom or the crocodile show in Phuket Town. However, the animals in all of these parks live in terrible conditions, which is also why we deliberately do not refer to specific places.
Consider whether a selfie with a chained elephant in one place all day is worth it to you.
One of the few rescue-oriented parks where the animals live in good conditions is the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, located near Bang Rong Pier in northeast Phuket. At this park, you can learn with a guide all about the gibbon monkeys that have been confiscated from illegal traffickers and are being returned to their original habitat.
Detailed information can be found on the official website: gibbonproject.org/visit-us.