The largest and most popular island in Thailand, Phuket is renowned for some of the world’s most beautiful beaches that all boast fine white sands, palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and just the right amount of nightlife. In fact, Phuket is blessed with more than 30 amazing beaches to choose from – two of which have been featured in major Hollywood films…
Are you ready to explore the wonders of Phuket, Thailand? Start your journey with our latest blog post, detailing the top things to do in this tropical paradise. Unveil the exciting activities, from idyllic beaches to bustling markets, that make Phuket an unforgettable destination. But don’t stop there! Visit Touringhighlights.com to explore our vast selection of tours, including fantastic options for Thailand, Phuket, and more. Click here to start planning your dream vacation today!
Besides stunning beaches, Phuket has so many amazing things to do. From travelling out to the famous Phi Phi islands, watching sunsets from some of the most amazing viewpoints in Thailand, partying in luxury beach clubs, to learning of the Thai culture and history, there are so many amazing things to do on this stunning island.
Here are the top things to do in Phuket Thailand….
MUST-DO
Make a Visit to Phang Nga Bay
Without a doubt, one of the favourite must-see attractions amongst tourists in Phuket is the stunning Phang Nga Bay. Decorated with limestone rock formations, lagoons, and archaeological sites, the bay is the perfect place to experience island life.
There are around 40 small islands that you could island-hop or kayak around, the most famous being Koh Tapu, known as James Bond Island for its appearance in The Man With The Golden Gun. Koh Panak Island is also a popular kayaking spot thanks to its stunning caves and lagoons.
An extensive part of it is protected as a marine national park and many different animal species found here. We recommend booking a full-day guided tour to make the most of your time here.
Tip: The bay is naturally protected from a lot of the bad weather in the monsoon season due to the way it is located.
Experience it: The James Bond & Koh Panyi Tours are included in the Phuket Tour (coming soon).
Explore the James Bond Island (Koh Tapu/Nail Island)
If you don’t have time to explore the whole of Phang Nga Bay, then just be sure to make some time to visit Koh Tapu (‘Nail Island’ in Thai). Made famous for its appearance in the James Bond film, The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), its undoubtedly one of the most famous landmarks in Phuket, possibly even Thailand. A distinctive trait of this famous bay is the number of sheer limestone cliffs that vertically jut out of the emerald-green water.
Bear in mind that it can get extremely busy with tourist boats on the James Bond Island during high season, so be sure to book a tour in advance.
Note: The island is also part of the Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park.
Visit Koh Panyee Fishing Village
Koh Panyee is a definite must-see whilst in Phuket. This remarkable fishing village was once built by Malay fishermen and lies over the emerald waters on giant stilts. Its still unknown just how many wooden and concrete piles hold up this extraordinary community, but it’s certainly fascinating.
There is a population of just over 1,600 people on the island and around 360 families, all of which are descendants of Toh Baboo and his family and friends who were the first people to settle on this island over 200 years ago. Legend has it, they made a vow to each other to raise a flag over the mountain if one of them found a place where there were lots of fish and where everyone could live. That’s how the island got the name, Koh Panyee (Ko Panyi) which is Thai for ‘Island of the Flag’.
Tip: Be sure to check out the floating football pitch which is built from scraps of wood and fishing rafts!
Take a Trip to Phi Phi Islands
If you’re not planning on visiting the Phi Phi islands as part of your holiday, its definitely worth getting a boat trip over. The most famous spot in the islands is Maya Bay, made famous from the Leonardo Di Caprio film ‘The Beach’. Other must-see spots in Phi Phi Islands include Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, and the Viking Cave. If you’re on a guided tour, you’ll have time for swimming and snorkelling stops.
Visit Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are one of the best-known island groups in the Andaman Sea, lying around 84km northwest of Phuket. The national park is home to nine breathtaking islands known for their coral-white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and amazing marine wildlife. In fact, the Similan Islands were even voted one of the 10 ‘most interesting underwater sites in the world’. Here, you’ll find some of the best beaches in Thailand.
Getting there: It takes around 90 minutes by speedboat off the coast of Phang-Nga and is possible to explore on a day trip. Or, if you fancy staying here, it takes around eight or more hours by slow boat from Phuket. Most guided day tours include swimming and snorkelling tours.
Tip: If you want to do this tour, try and avoid the wet season between mid-May and mid-October.
CULTURAL
Visit the Famous Big Buddha
Another must-see attraction in Phuket is the ‘Big Buddha’. Sitting at the top of the Nakkerd Hills and standing at 45 meters tall, this great Buddha is the third tallest statue in the whole of Thailand.
Covered in Burmese white marble, it can be seen from many parts of the island and sparkles beautifully in the sunlight. Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with a tranquil atmosphere, dharma music, and unbeatable 360-degree views of the Phuket island. The drive up to the top itself is worth noting, with amazing views, stop points and restaurants.
Take a Trip to Wat Chalong
The most important Buddhist temple on the whole of Phuket, Wat Chalong was built at the beginning of the 19th century. The tallest building on the grounds is a 60-metre tall stupa called the Grand Pagoda. This popular spot contains a small fragment of bone from the Lord Buddha. The pagoda is beautifully decorated with Buddha images and pictures that depict his life story.
FOOD / DRINK
Party in Bangla Road
Discover Phuket’s exotic nightlife life. Known as Bangla walking street, this road is known as the heart of Phuket nightlife, and is a must-do while visiting Phuket This 400-metre road is full of loud music and cheap beer. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy live music, rooftop bars, nightclubs, and go-go bars. There are hundreds of soi’s (alleys) leading from each side of the road to even more hidden gem bars.
Chill Out (Or Party) in the Beach Clubs
It’s no secret that Phuket is well known for its amazing choice of beach clubs. Despite its peaceful vibe in the daytime, the island really does come to life at night. From stylish beach bars great for chilling-out on to luxury ocean clubs perfect for partying, there’s enough choice for all ages, budgets, and tastes.
Some of our favourites include:
Café del Mar Phuket – a classy beach bar from the world-famous brand out of Ibiza. Located on Kamala Beach. The higher-than-average price range attracts a sophisticated but fun-loving crowd, who enjoy smooth music played by resident and guest DJs, accompanied by a live saxophonist.
Catch Beach Club – located near Sunwing Resort in Bangtao, this beach club is a favourite amongst local residents and regular visitors to Phuket. It’s a great place for families with young kids. There is a swimming pool and some good options for water sports on top of their killer cocktails and amazing Thai food.
Paradise Beach Club – the home of Phuket’s only full-moon parties on the beach. This large, well-developed party spot located in an isolated bay is a short distance from Patong Beach. It has an air of exclusivity without being prohibitively expensive.
Explore Old Phuket Town
Built on Phuket’s tin boom, before it was huge tourist location, European traders from the 16th and 17th century used to come here to source tin. There are hundreds of brightly coloured Sino (Chinese & Portuguese) buildings. Although Old Phuket Town is a must-see whilst in Phuket, it isn’t as busy as you’d expect due to everyone being on the beaches instead. It’s easy to explore the town on foot and there are lots of amazing cafes and restaurants. The main streets of Old Phuket Town are Thalang, Phang Nga, Krabi, Dibuk, and Yoawarat.
Take a Tour of Baan Teelanka
Acclaimed as one of the top 5 attractions in the island, Baan Teelanka (‘Upside Down’ in English) is the first of its kind in Thailand. This three-story inverted structure offers a no-gravity experience and a unique photo opportunity. There’s also a garden maze and two escape rooms to enjoy.
Tour the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
No trip to Phuket would be complete without a visit to Chalong Bay Rum Distillery – home to Thailand’s best-known rum which is sold around the world. Join a tour and learn all about the French distillation techniques which have been used for hundreds of years. You’ll see how sugarcane gets transformed into rum and be able to sample different types of high-end rum. There are even cocktail workshops you can join if you fancy mixing things up!
OUTDOORS
Explore Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
Located on the Northern part of the island, Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary is the last remaining evergreen rainforest of Phuket Island. Many animals live here in the wild, including langurs, slow lorises, boars, deers, monkeys, and more. There are hiking trails throughout the rainforest to follow, and you can easily walk for 3-4 hours. After a day of hiking through the forest, be sure to chill out at Ton Sae and Bang Pae waterfalls. If you get a tour guide, you increase your chances of seeing the animals and noticing the rare flowers.
Experience Siam Niramit Phuket
The Siam Niramit is a must-see outdoor performance that beautifully narrates over 700 years of Thailand history and heritage. Be prepared to be amazed during a 70-minute world-class performance of songs, dance, and martial arts. The spotless choreography will immerse you in a fantastic world based on centuries of Thai myths and legends. It is seriously impressive.
Tip: Arrive early so you can walk around the grounds and see the traditional Thai-style houses, floating market, shops, and carnival games. Be sure to visit the restaurant with amazing Thai food and a lovely view of the grounds, too.
See the Phuket Fantasea Show
Make it a night to remember at the Phuket Fantasea show! This award-winning, wondrous extravaganza is perfect for the whole family. Using cutting edge technology and special effects, the performance explores Thailand’s charm, beauty and traditions.
The production features magic illusions, acrobatics, stunts, aerial performances, and special effects. Located in a 140-acre themed complex, we guarantee you won’t run out of things to do here. There’s even a theme park with carnival-like games and a huge buffet that can seat up to 4,000 people! Not to mention the Las Vegas-style theatrical show…
Tip: Tickets are flexible to include gold or regular seating, a buffet, and even transfers from a convenient pick-up point.
Visit the Royal Phuket Marina
Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) is Thailand’s first world-class luxury lifestyle marina. With luxury waterfront villas, penthouses and condominiums, the marina ranks among Asia’s premier boating hubs. It’s Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech yachting infrastructure that won the 5 Gold Anchor Award, International Clean Marina Certification, and TripAdvisor Hall of Fame 2019.
Situated on the east coast of the tropical island paradise of Phuket, Royal Phuket Marina is right on the doorstep of Asia’s best cruising waters. Spend an evening here exploring the most exclusive residences, fine dining, and boutique shopping.
Fun fact: The Aquaminium condominium features the world’s first penthouse with its own on-water private yacht garage!
Learn a New Watersport!
Besides the stunning coastlines with white sandy beaches, buzzing nightlife scene, luxury ocean clubs, Phuket is one of the best places in Thailand for water sports. Whether you are adventurous or not, the wide range of watersports in Phuket will ensure you have complete fun on the island. Below we have listed a few of our favourite spots for each activity.
Snorkelling – Patong in Kathu, Ao Sane, Kata Noi and Paradise Beach
Surfing – Kalim Beach, Kata Beach, Kamala Beach and Surin Beach
Wakeboarding – Phuket Wake Park in Kathu
Jet Skiing – Patong Beach, Kata Beach and Kamal Beach
Kitesurfing – Kalim Beach, Kata Beach, and Kite Zone Phuket at Muang Phuket.
Paddleboarding – Phi Phi Island
Parasailing – Patong Beach in Kathu, Kamala Beach and Surina Beach
Scuba Diving – Patong Beach
Snorkelling – Patong in Kathu, Ao Sane, Kata Noi and Paradise Beach
BEACHES
Kata Noi Beach
While it may only be 700m long, Kata Noi is one of the most breathtaking beaches in Phuket. Just a small drive south from the more popular Kata beach, it has a more private island feel to it whilst still being fairly developed with the right amount of restaurants and resorts nearby. From the Kata viewpoint, you can look out across at the bays of Karon, Kata and Kata Noi.
Kata Noi is also great for snorkelling and surfing if you fancy it. If not, just chill out on the white sands and watch the world go by…
Tip: The best time to visit the beach is between November and April as swimming can sometimes become dangerous during the monsoon season.
Nai Harn Beach
Located to the south of Phuket, Nai Harn a small bay with beautiful powdery-soft sand and emerald-hued waters. Nai Harn is on our list of favourites as it is slightly undeveloped in comparison to some of the other Phuket beaches, due to being owned by the Samnak Song Monastery.
The sea here changes from calm in the high season to strong currents in low season, making it a popular spot for Phuket’s surfing and kiteboarding crowd. Just behind the beach is a lake, where people come to fish and take a ride in swan-shaped pedalos.
Surin Beach
Since a visit from the late King Rama IX in the 50s, Surin Beach has become a popular hangout spot amongst the rich and wealthy. Here, you’ll find some impressive high-class resorts and an amazing golf course. The beach itself is impressive. Soft, white sands are backed by rows of palm trees, while the sea is a mixture of the most amazing shades of blue.
Patong Beach
One of Phuket’s most famous beaches, Patong is well known for its watersport activities, unrivalled nightlife, and buzzing atmosphere. Its become more popular amongst young tourists due to its party scene and being so closely located to Bangla Road. Regardless, we think everyone should try and visit this beach for the full Phuket experience!
MARKETS/SHOPPING
Phuket Weekend Night Market
Phuket Weekend Market is the island’s largest night market. Also known as Naka Market, Thai people also call it ‘Talad Tairod’, meaning ‘Car Boot Sale’. And we can see why. Phuket Weekend Market sells everything from dodgy electronic items to adorable stuffed toys. Regardless, it’s an experience that just can’t be missed.
Street Walking Market
The presence of colonial buildings and stalls selling traditional Thai food and unique handicrafts make this a must-visit in Phuket. Also referred to as Lard Yai by the locals, Phuket Walking Street Market has a cultural vibe.
VIEWPOINTS
It’s no secret that Phuket has some of the best views to offer in Thailand. And the great thing is that you don’t have to trek halfway across the country to appreciate them. All you need at the most is a scooter, hire car or taxi. Here are some of our favourite spots to enjoy unbeatable views of Phuket.
Khao Khad Views Tower
Also known as Khao Khad Views Tower, Panwa Viewpoint offers full 360° views out over southern and eastern Phuket. There are 136 steps to reach the top but its 100% worth it. From the viewpoint, you’ll be able to see Khao Khad Bay, Panwa Cape, the ‘Big Buddha’ and much more…
Laem Singh Viewpoint
Laem Singh Viewpoint is a popular stop on the coast road between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach. It’s the perfect spot for just chilling out and enjoying the amazing views. From here, you can enjoy great views to the south across Laem Singh beach below. It’s also a popular place for watching Phuket’s famous sunsets.
Promthep Cape
Promthep Cape is one of the most photographed locations in Phuket. Every evening, people travel from all over Phuket to gather and watch the sunset over the island. Busier than most viewpoints, it’s definitely not one to be missed!
Windmill Viewpoint
Located between Ya Nui and Nai Harn beaches in south Phuket, Windmill Viewpoint features west-coast vistas similar to Promthep Cape’s (but is much quieter). Its a relatively small viewpoint and there isn’t a lot do there, but the views are tremendous.
Intrigued by the wonders of Phuket and ready to discover more? It’s time to turn your travel dreams into reality with Touringhighlights! Visit our website to browse through our extensive range of tours, including immersive experiences in Phuket and beyond. Secure your spot today to embark on a journey that promises unforgettable adventures, captivating sights, and enriching cultural experiences. Don’t wait! Click below to explore all our tours and start creating your perfect travel itinerary now with Touringhighlights.com.
