Contents
- 1st Time in Phuket – a beginner’s guide
- What to Do in Phuket in 2022?
- Must See in Phuket and Around
- Beaches Locator
- The Beaches of Phuket
- Islands Nearby
- Hotels and Accommodation
- Where to Eat?
- What to Eat?
- Nightlife
- Shopping
- Information
- What is the best time to visit Phuket?
- Influencers, Couples, Families, and Budget Travellers
- Influencers and Instagrammers
- Travelling with Kids
- Couples
- Budget Travel
- About Us
Phuket Travel Guide shares 28 years of passionate island exploration and photography. We help you plan your first or next trip with all the best things to do and many hidden gems off the beaten track! Discover the last secret beaches and amazing islands like Phi Phi and the Similan. Try the amazing local food in local Thai restaurants and even some street food. Explore the many night markets and the legendary nightlife: beach clubs, rooftops, and parties in the famous Bangla Walking Street in Patong Beach.
1st Time in Phuket – a beginner’s guide
Phuket, Thailand’s largest and best-known island, is a tropical dream destination located southwest of the country, in the Andaman Sea and about 850 km southwest of Bangkok. The island is relatively small: 48 km north to south, 21 km west to east which is about 570 km2 (222 square miles), but it offers more than 44 beaches, hundreds of tropical islands, and majestic landscapes.
Most of you are probably visiting for the first time, and as always, when travelling, there are so many questions, so much planning to do, and so many worries! In this section, we try to answer as many questions as possible.
What to Do in Phuket in 2022?
The island is relatively small and easy to explore in a day or two, and most attractions are just a short tuk-tuk ride away. The list of things to do goes way beyond the beaches: Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha, Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island and the streets of the old town are just the most popular. Speedboats and ferries will take you to the famous Koh Phi Phi, Coral island, and the fantastic Similan archipelago if this is not enough.
Must See in Phuket and Around
Phuket is a small island, so it is easy to explore it in just a couple of days and then save one day or two to explore nearby islands. If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car or a small motorbike, but driving in Phuket requires great skills.
Beaches Locator
Our map will help you locate the many beaches around Phuket and visualise our small island’s geography. Click on the beach names to get there!
The Beaches of Phuket
Phuket Island counts more than 40 amazing beaches. All the sandy beaches are on the west coast. The most famous and busiest beaches are in the island’s southwest: Patong, Kata and Karon beaches can be bustling during the high season. The north beaches are peaceful, and some hidden beaches are still secret!
The beaches in the south of Phuket are the most beautiful but also the busiest: Kata, Karon and Patong Beaches. The central part of the west coast is less busy: Kamala, Bangtao. The north is quiet and peaceful: Naithon, Nai Yang and Maikhao beaches.
Islands Nearby
The vast Phang Nga Bay on the island’s northeast is home to hundreds of exotic islands. Phi Phi and the Similan Islands are the best known, but there are other gems such as Racha Island, Coral Island, Rang Yai and Koh Yao, to name a few. Island hopping is very easy to organise for an unforgettable day trip.
Hotels and Accommodation
There is a vast range of hotels for all budgets, and it can be challenging to pick the right beach and hotel. Most hotels are on the main beaches of the island: Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bangtao, Maikhao and Old Town. Beachfront hotels are the most popular, especially luxury private pool villas like The Shore, budget beachfront like Novotel Kamala and good locations near the beach and Patong nightlife like Four Point by Sheraton.
Where to Eat?
Experience true local food as there is much to enjoy in Phuket, from the cheapest street food to Michelin restaurants and everything in between. You can find great Thai food by the roadside for just 50 baht or have a fancy dinner with a sunset on a romantic terrace by the sea.
What to Eat?
The choice of Thai food is staggering! You can start with the classic and well-known Thai dishes and the amazing seafood, try some excellent street food, and then experience real southern specialities!
Nightlife
Patong Beach nightlife has always been legendary; it’s pretty unique and as fun and wild as you want it to be. However, while Patong is still home to many beer bars and go-go bars, the island now has many to offer to families and couples.
Shopping
Phuket shopping scene is vast, cheap and surprisingly fun. With so many street stalls, night markets and bazaars, anyone can find something to take back home. The Sunday Walking Street Market is the most talked about, but at least six more markets are open on weekdays.
Information
Useful information about the island to plan your trip: Where to exchange money at the best rates as there are many options for getting Thai Baht, but the best rate is in the street and at the many ATMs around the island.
What is the best time to visit Phuket?
For most visitors, the best time to visit is usually between November and April, when the weather conditions are at their best, the sky is blue, and the sea is crystal clear, quiet and blue. December and January are ideal because the weather is perfect and the temperature is not yet hot. March and April can get seriously hot.
The monsoon is between May and October, but contrary to what most people think, there are still many blue sky days. The temperature is comfortable, the hotels are much cheaper, and the roads are not as busy. For many, this is the best way to travel on a small budget and see the island with a unique tropical atmosphere.
Influencers, Couples, Families, and Budget Travellers
This section addresses travellers who need to plan around their specific travellers’ needs: Travelling with kids is challenging and can be stressful. Most importantly, children should have as much fun as their parents, if not more. For couples, Phuket is still a very romantic destination, with a vast choice of amazing pool villas and quiet, endless beaches away from the crowds. If you travel on a small budget, you can enjoy your holiday without spending a fortune.
Influencers and Instagrammers
Travelling with Kids
Couples
Budget Travel
About Us
Phuket101 is the passionate work of only two persons: Willy and Faa. In this travel guide, we share all our knowledge, experiences, secret places and photos for free. We take pride in our true opinions as we pay for the hotels, restaurants and tours we review. We anonymously visit places without informing, so we can be like any visitor. Among the many places we experience, we only add the places we like to our travel guide!