Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape at the southernmost point of Phuket island seems to be an absolutely irresistible spot for a good old-fashioned sunset photo. This landmark has always been the meeting point for a good hundred tourists, mostly Thai, to line up on the west facing coastline with cameras ready. Huge colorful buses download a horde of daily tourists hungry for a picture and the place starts buzzing with flash all directions. It’s actually funny to see how many people take sunset photos with a flash!

With its elevated location and few small islands nearby, the Promthep Cape is certainly a nice place to see a sunset, but it is not really amazing. Watching the crowd is almost more entertaining: most people are texting of playing Facebook games while waiting for the six o’clock moment.

Promthep Cape cape is also known as Phuket’s symbol and if you pay attention, you will recognize its iconic tall sugar palm trees on car plates having a special numbers. (In case you didn’t know, you can buy a special ‘lucky’ number and your plate will be decorated with the symbol of the province.)

If you feel courageous, and clearly not many do, walk all the way down to the end of the cape. It is quite easy to go there, but without training, on the way back you might wonder why did you have to inflict this to yourself.

What is around to see Promthep cape? Not much, the Lighthouse, which is also a mini museum, doesn’t display much to look at and even from the top doesn’t offer any particular view. The shrine surrounded by hundreds of elephants statues and carvings in all sizes and colors is a lot nicer. You can’t miss it.

Once done with your sunset photo, there are only two things left to do: a bit of touristic shopping if you like stuff made of shells or ‘I love Phuket’ tee shirts or what I recommend instead, have diner ‘Al Fresco’ at the very cool Promthep Restaurant. The sky displays its last colors over the bay while enjoying a good seafood dinner. Now that’s the way to end the day.

Useful Tip:

If you made it that far and you enjoy nice viewpoints, continue driving toward Nai Harn Beach and stop at the Windmill Viewpoint.

Map of Promthep Cape