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What to Do?

What to Do in Phuket? What not to miss, and what are the must-see? There are so many answers. Phuket is blessed with many activities and attractions. Some are on the island, and the most impressive are near enough to visit one or more in a single day. After 25 years here, it is quite easy to answer, and we listed all the places we love most in this ‘Phuket Attractions’ section… have fun!

San Chao Sam Ong Hu in Cherngtalay, Phuket

San Chao Sam Ong Hu

    San Chao Sam Ong Hu is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, founded in 1901 by the local Hokkien community in Cherngtalay,  about 15 minutes from Bang Tao Beach.

    Private Catamaran Phuket

    Private Catamaran Phuket

      Sailing the Andaman Sea since 2005: Experience Phuket like a local with Private Catamaran Phuket. Want to see the crystal clear waters of Koh Racha Noi without the crowds?

      Koh Nok Island in Phang Nga Bay, near Koh Yao Noi

      Koh Nok in Phang Nga Bay

        Koh Nok is where most Phang Nga Bay day trips stop for lunch. It’s a small, uninhabited island between Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, and it serves a simple purpose

        Koh Panak in Phang Nga Bay

        Koh Panak in Phang Nga Bay

          Koh Panak is the adventure stop on Phang Nga Bay day trips. No beach here. No swimming. Instead, you get caves. Real caves, the kind where you need a helmet and flashlight, where you lie flat in a canoe to squeeze under low ceilings.

          Laem Haad Beach on Koh Yao Island

          Laem Haad Beach

            Laem Haad Beach is all about one thing: that sandbar. At low tide, a long strip of white sand extends far into the sea, maybe 100 metres or more. You can walk right out to the tip with water on both sides.

            Kudu Island in Phang Nga

            Koh Kudu Yai in Phang Nga Bay

              Koh Kudu Yai is one of those stops in Phang Nga Bay that catches you off guard. We’ve done this trip many times, and this little island remains a favourite.

              Fantastic Phuket - Museum Thai Phuket in Kathu

              Fantastic Phuket Museum

                Fantastic Phuket Museum (Museum Thai Phuket) in Kathu covers Thai history from Sukhothai to Rattanakosin with Buddha statues, a haunted house, and photo zones.

                Nirin Farm in Thalang Phuket

                Niran Farm

                  Niran Farm is an escape in peaceful countryside near Bang Tao beach. Surrounded by greenery and open views, the farm offers equestrian experiences led by highly qualified international instructors for riders of all levels

                  Napas Art Gallery in Thalang, Phuket

                  Napas Art Gallery

                    Established in 2013 by Phuket-based artists Soon Papan and Juffy Joob, Napas Art Gallery is an intimate studio and gallery space. The gallery presents original paintings and sculptures, offering visitors the opportunity to engage directly with the artists in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

                    Phang Nga Bay vs Phi Phi Island

                    Phang Nga Bay vs Phi Phi Island

                      Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Island are the two most popular day trips from Phuket, but they offer completely different experiences. I’ve done both trips dozens of times over 30 years, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you want from your day.

                      Saturday Buddha posture Pang Nak Prok (ปางนาคปรก) - seated under seven-headed Naga serpent

                      Saturday Buddha Posture – Pang Nak Prok

                        If you were born on a Saturday, your Buddha posture shows something unusual: the Buddha isn’t alone. A giant serpent coils beneath him, and a many-headed hood rises behind his shoulders like an umbrella.

                        Friday Buddha posture Pang Ram Phueng (ปางรำพึง) - standing with arms crossed on chest

                        Friday Buddha Posture – The Contemplation Image

                          Walk into any Thai temple and you’ll see Buddha statues in different poses. Each one represents a day of the week. The Friday image shows Buddha standing with his arms crossed over his chest, a gesture that looks like he’s deep in thought.

                          Wat Chalong Firecrackers

                          Wat Chalong Firecrackers

                            The first time we heard an explosion at Wat Chalong, we thought something had gone wrong. A deep boom echoed across the temple grounds, followed by another, then another.

                            Is Wat Chalong Worth Visiting?

                            Is Wat Chalong Worth Visiting?

                              Wat Chalong is worth visiting if you want to see Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple. We’ve been dozens of times over the years and still stop by when showing friends around the island.

                              IRON BOT Cafe & Bar Phuket

                              IRON BOT Cafe & Bar Phuket

                                Iron Bot Cafe is hard to miss. Two massive robot statues guard the entrance on the coastal road between Patong Beach and Kamala Beach. We stopped here on a late afternoon drive and ended up staying for sunset.

                                Phuket Old Post Office and Stamp Museum

                                Phuket Old Post Office and Stamp Museum

                                  The Phuket Philatelic Museum, also known as the Phuket Post Office Museum, is a modest building located in a historic heritage building on Montri Road in Phuket Old Town.

                                  Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 - 2026

                                  Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 – 2026

                                    Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 – 2026 transforms the island into a living gallery from 29 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. The fourth edition of this roving contemporary art exhibition features over 60 artists across historic, natural, and civic spaces.

                                    Wednesday morning Buddha posture Pang Umbat (ปางอุ้มบาตร) - standing holding alms bowl

                                    Wednesday Buddha Postures

                                      Wednesday is the only day with two Buddha postures in Thai tradition. People born on Wednesday during the day follow one image. Those born at night follow another.

                                      Wat Kanan - The White Temple of Phuket

                                      Wat Kanan

                                        Wat Kanan is Phuket’s striking white Buddhist temple, often referred to as the island’s answer to the famousWhite Temple in Chiang Rai. Located in the Thalang area of Phuket, this relatively new and lesser-known temple has recently gained attention as a stunning spiritual and architectural destination.

                                        Baanrai I Talay Cafe Phuket - Kamala Beach

                                        Baanrai I Talay Cafe Phuket

                                          Baanrai I Talay Cafe in Kamala has panoramic views over Kamala Bay. Thai food, coffee, cakes. Best for sunset. How to get there, what to order, prices.

                                          Ton Phrai Waterfall in Phang Nga

                                          Ton Phrai Waterfall

                                            Ton Phrai Waterfall is one of Phang Nga’s most majestic natural attractions, situated within the lush expanse of Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park.

                                            Freedom Elephant Reserve in Phuket

                                            Freedom Elephant Reserve

                                              Freedom Elephant Reserve’s dream is to provide retired working elephants with love and care, with limited human interaction on an observation-only basis.

                                              SAWADEEBIKE in Chalong

                                              SAWADEEBIKE

                                                Renting or buying bikes from SAWADEEBIKE allows a clean and easy way to move without a driving license. Rent your e-bike and explore Rawai, Chalong, Kata, Karon at your own pace. Silent, eco-friendly, easy to ride.

                                                Bodhi Dog Rescue and Shelter in Phuket

                                                Bodhi Dog Rescue and Shelter

                                                  Bodhi Dog Rescue and Shelter is both a rescue and a shelter located in Wat Sophon Wanaram, a Thai temple on the east coast of Phuket. An NGO, funded solely with donations, is on a mission to help every animal we can. We are a no-kill organisation.

                                                  Space and Time Cube in Bangkok

                                                  Space and Time Cube in Bangkok

                                                    The Space and Time Cube at Seacon Bangkae is one of those immersive art installations that seamlessly blends art, light, and reflection, making it truly unique. Hidden in the basement floor of Seacon Bangkae, you will find a series of rooms with its own unique style of immersive art or creative photpraphy.

                                                    Sak Yant Phuket

                                                    Sak Yant Phuket

                                                      Sak Yant Phuket operates in Patong and offers authentic traditional Thai bamboo tattoos by Master Ajarns alongside modern machine work

                                                      Best Food Tours In Phuket

                                                      Best Food Tours In Phuket

                                                        Food tours in Phuket centre on Old Town’s rich street food scene, featuring Chinese‑influenced Hokkien noodles, Southern Thai curries, and dishes like Oh Aew ice dessert and A‑pong pancakes from vendors recommended by the Michelin Guide.

                                                        Party Tours and Party Cruises In Phuket

                                                        Party Tours and Party Cruises In Phuket

                                                          Party tours and party cruises in Phuket combine catamaran clubbing on boats like Hype and YONA Beach Club with guided bar crawls along Bangla Road in Patong, mixing daytime sailing with nighttime club hopping.

                                                          ATV and Zipline Adventure Tours In Phuket

                                                          ATV and Zipline Adventure Tours In Phuket

                                                            ATV and zipline adventure tours in Phuket combine off‑road riding through jungle trails, rubber plantations, and muddy tracks with canopy ziplining across platforms set 40 metres above the rainforest floor.

                                                            Bangkok City Tours

                                                            Bangkok City Tours

                                                              Bangkok city tours cover famous landmarks in efficient half‑day or full‑day routes, typically linking the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew with Wat Pho and Wat Arun for a clear overview of royal and religious history.

                                                              Cooking Classes In Phuket

                                                              Cooking Classes In Phuket

                                                                Phuket cooking classes combine hands‑on Thai cooking lessons with short market visits to learn about fresh herbs, spices, and local produce before preparing 3–5 traditional dishes like pad thai, tom yum, and green curry.

                                                                Best Tours In Phuket and Around

                                                                Best Tours In Phuket and Around

                                                                  Phuket tours are an easy way to discover the island’s highlights, from viewpoints and Old Phuket Town to Wat Chalong, plus island‑hopping by speedboat or catamaran to Coral, Racha, Phi Phi, and Phang Nga.

                                                                  Luxury Tours In Phuket

                                                                  Luxury Tours In Phuket

                                                                    Luxury tours in Phuket include private catamaran and yacht charters for daylight island routes and timed sunset sailings to Coral, Racha, or Phang Nga Bay, with swim stops and snorkelling where conditions allow.

                                                                    Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket

                                                                    Tours to Elephant Camps In Phuket

                                                                      Tours to elephant camps in Phuket focus on ethical sanctuaries where rescued elephants roam freely without riding, performances, or chains, emphasising observation, feeding, and education about elephant conservation.

                                                                      Best Temple Tours in Phuket

                                                                      Best Temple Tours in Phuket

                                                                        The best temple tours in Phuket typically feature Wat Chalong, the island’s most important Buddhist temple, alongside the iconic Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hills with panoramic views across three beaches.

                                                                        Old Phuket Town Tours

                                                                        Best Phuket Town Tours

                                                                          Phuket Town Tours usually bundle the island’s highlights into half‑day or full‑day routes, typically covering Wat Chalong, Old Phuket Town, and scenic viewpoints like Karon or Windmill for beach panoramas.

                                                                          Best Day Trips Tours nearby Bangkok

                                                                          Best Day Trips Tours near Bangkok

                                                                            The best day trips from Bangkok typically include Ayutthaya’s UNESCO-listed temples, the Maeklong Railway Market with Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, and Kanchanaburi’s River Kwai and Erawan Falls, all available as shared or private tours with hotel pick-up.

                                                                            Greek Kitchen Phuket on the way to Big Buddha

                                                                            Greek Kitchen

                                                                              Greek Kitchen is about halfway up the hill to the Big Buddha of Phuket, right on Soi Yot Sane 1 in Wichit. It’s one of those places where the view does half the work.

                                                                              Best Street Food Tours

                                                                              Best Street Food Tours around Bangkok

                                                                                Bangkok food tours are a fast and easy way to explore Chinatown and Talat Noi while sampling street stalls recommended by the Michelin Guide, all in a few concentrated hours

                                                                                Plane spotting in Phuket Phuket

                                                                                11 Best Things to do in Mai Khao Beach

                                                                                  There are quite a lot of fun things to do in Mai Khao Beach, from unique plane spotting to turtle conservation experiences. This quiet stretch of Phuket’s north coast offers everything from watching aircraft land overhead at the airport to having fun in a water park.

                                                                                  Kata Beach in Phuket

                                                                                  13 Things to do in Kata Beach

                                                                                    There is so much to do in Kata Beach, as it combines natural beauty with exciting activities along its 1.5-kilometre stretch of soft white sand and crystal-clear waters.

                                                                                    Karon Beach in Phuket

                                                                                    13 Things to Do in Karon Beach

                                                                                      Karon Beach is one of Phuket’s most popular seaside destinations, offering a good mix of relaxation and activities along its 3-kilometre stretch of white sand.

                                                                                      Ombre Yacht Phuket

                                                                                      Ombre Yacht Phuket

                                                                                        For those who want to explore Phuket’s coastline in comfort, Ombre Yacht Phuket offers a luxury experience on the water. Perfect for private charters, day trips, or special events, this modern yacht combines elegance with adventure, letting you enjoy the best of the Andaman Sea.

                                                                                        Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                                                        Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine

                                                                                          Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine is a small, old Chinese shrine renowned for its unusual display of tiger statues, located on Monkey Hill in Phuket Town. You will discover dozens of tigers in varying sizes and ages guarding the entrance and lining the inner courtyard.

                                                                                          Phu Anda Cafe in Phuket Town

                                                                                          Phu Anda Cafe

                                                                                            Phu Anda Cafe sits quietly above Wat Charoen Samanakij on Toh Sae Hill (better known as Monkey Hill), offering one of Phuket Town’s hidden dining secrets, popular with locals

                                                                                            Aura Thai Massage in Phuket Town

                                                                                            Aura Thai Massage

                                                                                              Small spa in Phuket Town. Traditional Thai massage focus. Lower prices than the beach area spas, around 500-800 Baht for a Thai massage. Good option if you’re exploring the Old Town and want a break.

                                                                                              Rak Khun Bar above Kata Noi Beach

                                                                                              Rak Khun Bar

                                                                                                Rak Khun Bar is quite a new panoramic bar set above Kata Noi Beach, a bit simpler and relaxed than its fancy neighbours like Fira, The Sundeck, and the long-established After Beach Bar, which often draw bigger crowds and louder music.

                                                                                                Wat Kitti Sangkharam in Kata Beach

                                                                                                Wat Kitti Sangkharam (Kata Temple)

                                                                                                  Wat Kitti Sangkharam, also called Kata Temple, sits on the eastern side of Kata Beach along Patak Road. The temple is known for its ornate ordination hall, colorful facades, and calm grounds with statues and murals depicting the Buddha’s life.