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.
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!
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 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.
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 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 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
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 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.
Post Views: 1,452 Looking for reliable travel services in Phuket? Our directory lists local travel agencies and transportation providers with professional drivers. You’ll find companies… Read More »Travel Agencies and Vans with Drivers in Phuket
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.
The Monday posture shows the Buddha standing with his right hand raised at chest level, palm outward. It represents the moment he stopped a war between his relatives with wisdom and compassion.
In many Thai temples, visitors see Buddha statues shown in different postures for each day of the week. The Tuesday image is the Reclining Buddha (Thai: Pang Sai Yat, ปางไสยาสน์). This posture is not about sleeping. It represents the Buddha’s final passing into Parinibbāna (final Nibbāna).
The posture for Sunday is called the Steadfast Gaze (Pang Thawai Net). In English, it is sometimes called the “Seven-Day Gaze” or “Seven Days Looking.”
Thailand Biennale Phuket is a national contemporary art biennial set across Phuket, featuring Thai and international artists under the theme “Eternal [Kalpa],” which explores long-timescale relations between humans and nature.
Discover Peranakan culture in Phuket Town with our concise guide to Old Town streets, museums, and heritage homes, plus tips for food, photos, and planning.
Banana Beach on Coral Island (Koh Hae) is now one of the most famous day trip beaches near Phuket. Ranked the world’s number 2 beach by Tripadvisor for 2025, it’s a busy spot with clear water, white sand, and many activities.
Wat Karon, or Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, sits just inland from Karon Beach and has been part of the local community since 1895. It received its royal charter in 1939, marking its official status as a Buddhist temple in Phuket.
San Chao Mae Yanang Shrine, stands on Krabi Road in Phuket Town. A Chinese migrant founded the temple in 1853 during Phuket’s tin-mining boom, when many Chinese families settled on the island and brought their beliefs and rituals with them.
Phuket Paragliding runs tandem flights from the hills above Karon and Nai Harn. You don’t need any experience. A pilot handles everything while you hang in front and watch the coastline from 200-300 metres up.
Sam Pai Kong Shrine, often called Bangku Shrine, stands on Thepkasattri Road in Koh Kaew, a few minutes east of the British International School. They believe Chinese tin mine workers built the first modest hall more than 100 years ago.
Tucked behind Vachira Phuket Hospital on Yaowarat Road, San Chao Jeng Ong Shrine is easy to miss. A banyan tree guards the entrance, filtering afternoon light onto a red facade trimmed with jade-green tiles and twisting dragons.
Post Views: 1,723 One of Phuket Town’s lesser-known Hokkien shrines San Chao Cho Ong, or Tai Yuan Tang, is a small but very old Chinese… Read More »San Chao Cho Ong Shrine
Phuket is a great place to stay active, with a long list of sports and outdoor activities to enjoy on the island and in the sea. You can try Muay Thai, hit the gym, relax with yoga, or have fun surfing, kayaking, and snorkelling.
Wat Suan Dok, which means the temple of the flower garden, was built in 1373 and is unique because of the many white mausoleums containing the remains of the previous rulers of Chiang Mai
Post Views: 1,837 An ancient temple with a massive chedi and royal history Wat Lok Moli is one of those temples people often notice without… Read More »Wat Lok Moli
Wat Phra Singh is a significant one. It looks modest and darker than most other wats from the outside but is superb inside. Walk to the back to admire another temple and a shiny golden stupa
Wat Phan On is on the side of the Walking Street Market, with a golden Chedi and a beautifully decorated main Temple. On Sundays, the temple is occupied by food vendors and tables for customers to enjoy.
Wat Chedi Luang is the largest and most spacious, with an immense and majestic central stupa. The square brick shape of the main chedi with elephants surrounding it is very iconic
Doi Suthep is the most iconic landmark of Chiang Mai, but it takes about an hour by car to reach from the downtown city centre
Drawing Room Coffee and Gallery is one of those places you probably wouldn’t notice, on the corner of Phang Nga Road, just a short walk from the famous On On Hotel in Old Phuket Town.
The Hyatt Regency Phuket now features a Marine Biological Center where marine biologist Marat Khaidarov leads hands-on activities to help guests learn about sea life and ocean changes.
Pun Tuao Kong Shrine (San Chao Phra Pun Tao Kong) is a small Chinese shrine sitting quietly on the edge of the road at the top of Patong Hill. Many people drive past it without noticing, but locals know it well.
Sui Boon Tong Shrine is a lesser-known Chinese shrine, but despite its discreet location and modest entrance, it remains an active spiritual site and plays a meaningful role during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
You can’t miss this mint-green building when you walk through the heart of Phuket Old Town — it sits right at the corner where Dibuk Road meets Yaowarat Road, just opposite the Locktien Local Food Court, a beautiful example of the island’s old Sino-Portuguese architecture.
Long Hun Keng Shrine (肜雲宮) is a small and lesser-known Chinese shrine located along Thepkasattri Road in Phuket Town. Despite its modest size and low profile, it holds cultural significance for the local Chinese-Thai community, especially during the Vegetarian Festival.
At Oto Play Park, children are free to dive into hands-on activities that nurture their creativity and spark positive play. Whether it’s climbing, building, or creating, each area is designed to ignite their sense of adventure and fun.
Phuket is a good place in Thailand for a romantic escape, and we’ve spent years exploring every corner of the island to help couples make the most of their holiday — whether it’s a honeymoon, a surprise proposal, or just some time away together.
Part of Sinae Phuket hotel on Koh Sirey, about 10 minutes from Phuket Town. Water-themed treatments. Quieter location than the west coast spas. Good option if you’re staying in the Phuket Town area and don’t want to drive to Patong or Kata.
Wat Tham Seua, also known as the Tiger Cave Temple, is nestled in a jungle setting about 9km north of Krabi Town. The temple grounds feature glittering caves and archaeological treasures, including stone tools and pottery remains
Wat Kom Nai Khet, also known as Wat Khuek Khak, is a serene Buddhist temple in the Khao Lak area about 5km north of Bang Niang Beach
This video of James Bond Island takes you to one of Thailand’s most famous landmarks. Located in Phang Nga Bay, this small limestone island became world-famous after appearing in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint is one of the most spectacular viewpoints near Phuket, overlooking Phang Nga Bay from the mainland side.
Phuket King Muay Thai is a well-established training camp in Kathu, known for its welcoming atmosphere and quality coaching. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or a professional fighter sharpening your skills, the gym offers training for all levels.
Baan Ar Jor is a restored heritage house in Phuket Town, one of several historic mansions dating back to the tin mining era.
Phuket has more than 30 beaches spread along its west coast and around the southern tip of the island. Each beach has its own character, from the busy tourist strip of Patong to the quiet, hard-to-reach coves like Banana Beach and Freedom Beach.
Andamanda is a large waterpark near Phuket Town, themed around Thai mythology. The park opened in 2022 and quickly became one of the most popular family attractions on the island.
Cafe Phuket Viewpoint is a small roadside cafe on the winding coast road between Patong and Kamala on Phuket’s west coast.
The Koh Khai Islands are a group of three tiny islands between Phuket and Phi Phi, about 20 minutes by speedboat from Phuket’s east coast.
James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Phang Nga Bay, about an hour north of Phuket by boat.
Phang Nga Bay is a large, sheltered bay north of Phuket, filled with hundreds of limestone karsts rising straight out of the calm green water.
Wat Chalong is the most important Buddhist temple in Phuket. The temple complex sits in the Chalong area in the south of the island, set back from the main road behind a large car park.
The Big Buddha is a 45-metre-high white marble statue sitting on top of Nakkerd Hill in southern Phuket. The statue is visible from many parts of the island and has become one of Phuket’s most recognisable landmarks.
Koh Panyi is a floating Muslim fishing village in Phang Nga Bay, built almost entirely on stilts over the water.