Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, covering 540 km2, roughly the size of Singapore. Most Phuket residents are Thai or Chinese.
Located on Thailand’s west coast in the Andaman Sea, temperatures range from 21 to 34 degrees Celsius. Due to its location, November through April is sunny and humid, while May through October is wet monsoon months.
Phuket offers deep-sea diving, snorkeling, and mountain climbs. However, thanks to its various resorts, hotels, and restaurants, visitors don’t have to forgo comfort to enjoy Phuket’s sights and activities.
1. Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi Beach is one of Phuket’s smallest and most tranquil beaches. During the day, the thick forest, smooth sand, and turquoise sea create a lovely setting.. As a dead-end road, it’s rarely crowded. It is a good time for swimming from December to April , whereas May to October is suitable for surfing. When the wave is too severe for swimming, watch the surfers. Banana boat rides are a popular family activity at Kata Noi Beach. There’s also jet skiing, parasailing, and snorkeling. The Kata viewpoint overlooks Karon, Kata, and Kata Noi bays. Monsoon season can make swimming dangerous, so visit between November and April.
2. Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach, in the southern part of the island, is a well-known tourist destination, but it is still relatively untouched. Thus it has retained much of its original character. Hat Nai Harn, or Nai Han Beach, is an isolated beach on Phuket Island’s southernmost tip. The Nai Han monastery, which sits on the shores of this peaceful beach, has protected it from overdevelopment, yet there are numerous beautiful resort hotels and anchoring for boats nearby.
You’ll understand why the beach is so famous when you see the lovely sand and crystal clear water. There are a variety of eateries serving famous Thai cuisine, as well as souvenir shops selling local curiosities and beachwear and floats, all nestled in the shade of the big trees.
Additionally, Hat Nai Han is not far from Phuket’s most well-known vantage point, Phromthep Cape. Every night, tourists from around Phuket gather to catch a glimpse of the sun setting over the island. A steep trail leads down to the edge of the cape, where thrill-seekers can get the best view of the area.
3. Patong Beach
Hat Patong has evolved from a secluded beach to a popular tourist attraction noted for its late-night activities.
Patong Beach is the beating heart of Phuket, drawing crowds of visitors every day. Finding parking might be challenging, but the experience is well worth it if you’re ever in the area. Patong Beach is known for two things: its beautiful beach and its wild nightlife. Parasailing, jet-skiing, and sunbathing are just some of the activities that may be done on the beach, roughly 2 kilometers long.
4. Karon Beach
Karon Beach, the second most visited location in Phuket after the famous Patong Beach, can be reached in a very short car ride to the south of Patong. Hat Karon is a popular destination for tourists looking for excellent accommodation to relax and enjoy the sun, sea, and sand because the area is lined with significant resorts along the shoreline.
Snorkeling and scuba diving amid the coral reefs near the southernmost tip of the beachfront are popular activities in Hat Karon, the third longest beach on the island, or taking long walks along the coast. The town of Hat Karon is known for its wide variety of high-quality seafood eateries.
5. Freedom Beach
Freedom Beach is a little stretch of sand and crystal-clear water, but it’s worth every foot of it. Photographers will love the backdrop of the lush, green jungle surrounding the bay. There are no noisy water activities in this area, so you may relax on the beach or take advantage of the beautiful, shallow water for some excellent snorkeling. Freedom Beach does not get extremely busy because of its remote position. There is a Thai restaurant in the area if you are hungry or thirsty.
6. Surin Beach
Surin Beach is known as ‘Millionaires Row’ because of its affluent residents and luxury resorts. It would help if you saw the beach to understand why this area is so popular with Thais and tourists.
Luxury resorts on Phuket’s famous “Millionaire’s Row” are the best places to stay if you’re looking for a high-end beach holiday. Luxurious resorts in the vicinity provide spa services, Thai cookery classes, and elephant rides, among other things.
Beautifully groomed sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters line the island’s west coast. Hat Surin’s calm waters make it a great place to go snorkeling and kayaking most of the year. Swimming, on the other hand, can be dangerous in the off-season due to strong currents.
7. Mai Khao Beach
Phuket’s longest beach, Mai Khao, stretches for miles of uninterrupted coastline. Beaches in national parks are pristine, and this one is no exception.
Located on the island of Phuket’s northwest coast, Hat Mai Khao is a small, secluded beach. Because of it close to the airport, it’s also known as Airport Beach. In the north, Hat Sai Khao is a long sandy beach surrounded by groves of Casuarina trees. Due to its location within Sirinat National Park, the area surrounding Mai Khao is still relatively calm and undeveloped.
Even on the busiest days, traveling for miles without seeing a single person is possible. From May to November, swimming in the Andaman Sea is dangerous due to a sharp drop a short distance out into the water.
8. Kamala Beach
This beautiful Kamala beach is located north of Patong and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Hat Kamala’s northern end contains a coral reef ideal for scuba diving, while the rest of the beach has a sandy sea floor ideal for wading.
Buddha images and statues depicting Buddha’s life can be found in the temple at the southern end of this quiet beach, Wat Baan Kamala. This theme park near Phuket is a terrific place to take your kids to learn about Thai culture and history entertainingly and educationally.
9. Rawai Beach
Although Hat Rawai was Phuket’s first tourist beach, it is now more recognized as a starting point for island hopping cruises. Long-tail, speed, and fishing boats all use the southern-facing beach as a berth. Hat Rawai’s newly constructed pier is nice for strolls, but the Sea Gypsies Fish Market right next door is the real draw.
Fishermen offer a wide variety of fresh seafood for sale at the market. The fish will be prepared in a row of family-run restaurants across the street. Hat Rawai, Phuket’s seafood capital, is one of the best spots to sample the island’s delicacies.
10. Phuket Town
Visitors that come to Phuket’s capital and the largest city will have the opportunity to travel through time and learn more about the island’s historical background. Tin mining made Phuket a boom town throughout the 19th century, and a large portion of the city’s beauty comes from the spectacular Sino-Portuguese architecture created during this prosperous era. Tin mining is the reason Phuket is located in Thailand.
Shoppers searching for Phuket specialties like pewter and garments made of batik should make a beeline towards the Old Town, which is comprised of rows upon rows of densely packed and colorfully painted stores. In addition, the magnificent trompe l’oeil paintings found in the Phuket Trickeye Museum make it an attraction that must not be missed.
11. Phuket Old Town
The capital of the province of Phuket is located in Phuket Old Town. where you’ll find Chinese and Buddhist temples, beautiful shophouses,’ modest printing shops, and a former red light district. The Old Town was built when metal was valuable. The town is small enough to walk about and has several eateries to choose from. There are tin baron mansions and Sino-Portuguese buildings house museums, stores, restaurants, and hotels. Brightly colored structures make stunning photos. Phuket Old Town is easy to walk around and stop at quaint eateries. Also perfect for souvenirs.
12. Karon View Point
Karon View Point is the most famous viewpoint on the island of Phuket, and as a result, it is typically crowded with visitors daily. It is located immediately to the south of Kata Noi Beach. The Andaman Sea can be seen in one way from the viewpoint, while the other side of the island’s three west coast beaches can be seen when looking in the opposite direction. If you enjoy enjoying picturesque views of white sand beaches and clear blue waters, you’ll have no trouble understanding why the summit is so crowded.
13. The Shrine of the Serene Light
The Shrine of the Serene Light is a local landmark built by a family around 150 years ago and can be found hidden away at the end of an alleyway. There is a lot to take in here, with the Taoist etchings that decorate the walls and the vaulted ceiling. After undergoing recent refurbishment, the Shrine’s outside was given a brand new coat of paint while the inside was left in its unaltered state. Incense is continually burned, and a live-in caretaker ensures that freshly arranged flowers and fragrant smell are constantly present. Everything is adequately maintained in its ideal state.
14. Jui Tui Shrine
Jui Tui Shrine, a historic Chinese shrine in Phuket Town, is a must-see for tourists interested in Thai culture. The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival incorporates it as a significant component because it is crucial to many local devotees. Initially built in Phuket Old Town in 1911, Jui Tui Shrine was relocated to the region’s west after a fire. The temple complex as we know it now was built throughout time with the addition of more temples. There are three altars inside the main pagoda, which is the temple’s centerpiece. The god of dancing and performing arts is the Tean Hu Huan Soy, and the central altar is dedicated. Make sure you get a fortune from the prayer hall before you leave.
15. Khao Rang Viewpoint
The best location to see the surrounding area and the island’s spine are seen from the Khao Rang lookout point, which is located north-northwest of downtown Chiang Mai (where the Phuket Big Buddha sits.) At the viewpoint, there are three restaurants and bars, in addition to a panoramic terrace, from where visitors can take in all of the mentioned views. There is also a fitness park available to be explored for those who are feeling enthusiastic.
16. The Phuket’s FantaSea Show
Phuket FantaSea is a 60-acre nighttime theme park situated on Kamala Beach in Phuket, Thailand. One of the island’s most popular attractions, it opened its doors in 1998 to showcase Thai culture. The Palace of the Elephants, a 3,000-seat facility at the theme park, hosts an epic stage play that is the park’s main attraction. In about 70 minutes, the performance takes you through the Kamala region’s history, with breathtaking acrobatics and dazzling light effects enthralling the audience. A massive buffet of Thai and worldwide cuisine is served in a 4000-seat restaurant, and a Las Vegas-style performance presents the greatest of Thai myths and mysteries. Carnival village, shopping mall, and handicrafts sector all vie for your attention.
17. Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay, which contains 40 little islands that rise directly from the sea, must be seen while seeing Phuket’s attractions. Although viewing everything in one day may be difficult, the area is filled with lagoons, caverns, and mangroves, which require you a lot of time to explore. In the monsoon season, the bay is naturally insulated from much of the harsh weather because of its location. Therefore, taking a tour of Phang Nga Bay with a local guide is the most effective way to see everything the area offers.
18. Bang Pae Waterfall
One of Thailand’s most beautiful waterfalls, Bang Pae Waterfall, is the island’s tallest waterfall, measuring 33 feet in height. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is just a short drive away from Bang Pae Waterfall. This is a popular tourist attraction and a popular site for locals to relax and cool down in the water, even though it isn’t particularly tall by worldwide standards. Phuket’s granite rock makes it difficult for water to erode, resulting in smaller waterfalls. The beauty of Bang Pae Waterfall more than makes up for the waterfall’s short height. A short hike through the jungle will bring you to the waterfall. Despite its proximity to the highway, it appears to be secluded.
19. Phuket Town Weekend Night Market
Phuket Weekend Night Market, west of Phuket Old Town, is another excellent souvenir place. It’s Phuket’s largest night market, so don’t miss it.
Naka Market, near Phuket Town, is a unique night market. Fruits, antiques, animals, and clothes are on sale. Arrive late afternoon to avoid crowds at this popular local and visitor event. Use affordable local items like buttered corn on the cob. Secondhand clothes, jewelry, purses, electronics, and accessories are sold here. When you’re done shopping, enjoy some Thai street cuisine.
20. Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple. It’s dedicated to two revered monks who helped Chalong residents during an uprising in 1876. Wat Chalong has a red roof, a golden tower, and gold wall decorations. It holds a part of one of Buddha’s bones and is filled with statues.
Wat Chalong has been available to visitors for nearly a century. When you arrive, there’s a lot to see, starting with Poh Jao Wat, which holds two statues of older men: Ta Khee-Lek and Nonsi. However, the Grand Pagoda, which includes a part of Lord Buddha’s bone, will likely be the highlight of your trip.
21. The Phuket Big Buddha
As one of the island’s newest and most visible sights, the Big Buddha Phuket is a must-see. The 83.5-foot-wide and 148-foot-tall concrete statue sits atop a hill near Chalong, Thailand. Karon Beach and Phuket Town can see it because of its white marble exterior, which sparkled in the sunlight. If you’re up here, you’ll be able to take a stunning 360-degree perspective of everything around you. You’ll like the sunset vistas even if you’re not a fan of crowds. The construction of Big Buddha Phuket began in 2004 and is still being completed in stages, thanks to contributions that have helped support the project.