Phi Phi Islands
Plan your Phi Phi Island trip from Phuket. Ferry times, Maya Bay access, best beaches, where to stay & nightlife. Updated for 2026 with insider tips.
Things to Do
11 Frequent Questions about Muay Thai Training in Phuket
Post Views: 21,809 Frequent Questions About Muay Thai Training in Phuket 1. How do I know if Muay Thai is for me? You won’t unless you… Read More »11 Frequent Questions about Muay Thai Training in Phuket
The Surface Rooftop Bar
The Surface rooftop bar at La Flora Hotel in Patong Beach is one of the few rooftops in Phuket, but as beach clubs did, the number seems to be growing.
James Bond Island
James Bond Island, locally known as Khao Ping Kan, is located about 25 kilometres northeast of Phuket Island, in the bay of Phang Nga. This unusual limestone rock formation is one of the many places in Phang Nga people have on their Phuket must-see list.
Dino Park Mini Golf Phuket
Dino Park in Kata Beach has been open for many years and is still a favourite spot for families and friends for some casual fun and competition after dinner.
Hua Beach ⛱️
Post Views: 24,801 Hua Beach near Kamala Hua Beach – After spending 23 years in Phuket, I would probably smile if someone would tell me… Read More »Hua Beach ⛱️
Super Surf Kata
Super Surf Kata is an artificial wave sport in Kata Beach, the perfect way to learn the basics of surfing, wakeboarding or even kiteboarding without all the usual effort and often pain associated with extreme sports.
Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham – Phuket Golden Sitting Buddha
Wat Khao Rang (Kao Rang Temple) is a modest temple in Phuket town that would be somewhat anonymous if it was not for its large and majestic golden sitting Buddha. But is the giant Buddha not supposed to be much bigger and made of white marble?
Tri Trang Beach ⛱️
Tri Trang Beach is just a few kilometres south of Patong Beach and is a superb and unsuspected haven of peace. There used to be a lot of confusion about the names of the four beaches around this peninsula.
Naithon Beach ⛱️
Naithon Beach is one of these little-known beaches on the west coast of Phuket, far from crowded areas such as Patong Beach or Kata Beach. People stay here to find a peaceful village with just enough restaurants, hotels and the facilities you need for a great holiday.
20 Chinese Shrines in Phuket ⛩️
There are quite a few Chinese shrines in Phuket, and each has its own characteristics and unique features, which always offer excellent photo opportunities. The large ones are very popular during the Chinese New Year in February or the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in October.
Phuket Wake Park 🏄
Phuket Wake Park, located near Kathu Waterfall, is a popular spot for wakeboarding in Phuket. It features an O-shaped lake with a 700-metre cable running counterclockwise at 30 km/h, offering a thrilling cable ski experience for both beginners and advanced riders.
Paradise Beach ⛱️
Paradise Beach Phuket is just 4 kilometres from Patong Beach and consists of two small sandy bays with blue water, soft sand and coconut trees. You will find plenty of beach chairs, bars, restaurants, shops and massive parties on some nights.
Monkey Hill Phuket Town
Phuket Monkey Hill is the best-known monkey playground on the island, a hill covered with immense red and white antennas in the back of Phuket Town. That hill may be easy to see but not as easy to reach: the road climbing to it is opposite the provincial hall
Kamala Beach ⛱️
Kamala Beach is a very nice beach with a tranquil atmosphere on the west coast of Phuket, popular with families and travellers who prefer a quiet holiday.
15 Islands Near Phuket 🏝️ Phuket Island Hopping
There are so many big and small islands around Phuket; it would take forever to visit them all. Most are not far, and you should consider island hopping for your trip or even a private cruise. These are just a few islands near Phuket…
Wat Mongkol Nimit – วัดมงคลนิมิตร พระอารามหลวง
Wat Mongkol Nimit or Wat Putta Mongkon might not be the most impressive temple in Phuket but this one means a lot to people living around Phuket Town. All temples are of course worth visiting but since Wat Mongkol Nimit is close to Thalang Road, the historical streets of Phuket Town it would complete your visit perfectly.
Tonsai Waterfall
Tonsai waterfall looks in many ways like its neighbour Bangpae waterfall. Located a bit further north, it’s about the same size, the same height and at an equal walking distance from the parking. There is a National Park entry fee of 200 Baht per person on arrival, which is compulsory.
Surin Beach ⛱️ 2025 update
Surin Beach is one of the island’s most beautiful and natural spots. Long gone are the many famous beach clubs and the long line of restaurants that made this place so famous, but the beach looks a lot more natural now.
Phuket Bird Park
Phuket Bird Park, in Chalong, welcomes you with a large entrance gate opening on a green jungle and an Indiana Jones-looking bridge, setting the mood for a visit.
Best Beach Clubs in Phuket for 2026!
Reviews of all the beach clubs I’ve visited around Phuket. From relaxing hideaways with your feet in the sand to late party clubs, there’s one for everyone!
Panwa Beach (Kao Khad Beach) ⛱️
Panwa Beach, locally known as Kao Khad Beach, is not a great swimming beach but has the charm of these remote bays not many would take the time to explore while visiting Phuket.
Laem Singh Beach ⛱️
Laem Singh Beach is one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches, but it was closed in April 2017. It looks excellent in any weather, like being in the Caribbean, a bit nostalgic, very green with palm trees leaning over the sand and now, you can have the beach almost for yourself!
Central Festival Phuket
Central Phuket is one of the biggest malls on the island, split into two massive wings on either side of a wide road: Festival and Floresta. If you’re just exploring, it can feel like two different malls, but it’s actually one big complex.
Bon Island Phuket 🏝️ Lunch at Koh Bon Restaurant
Bon Island (or Koh Bon) is located just south of Rawai Beach in Phuket and is just a short longtail boat ride away. A few sandy beaches pepper the coast of this tiny island, and despite being so close to Phuket, it is not too busy with tourists.
Ao Yon Beach ⛱️
Ao Yon Beach is a surprisingly quiet and remote beach where you can have a calm walk and only meet locals and a few longtime residents.
Ao Sane Beach ⛱️
Ao Sane Beach proves that Phuket still has some little beaches hidden from view where you can pretend nothing has changed in the past twenty years. Of course, there is no such thing as a ‘secret beach’ anymore, but you must make a little effort to get there.
Wat Sri Sunthon – Phuket Reclining Buddha
Wat Sri Sunthon (Wat Srisoonthorn) is known for the immense golden Buddha reclining at the top of a large building in the ‘Pang Sai Yat’ posture, which corresponds to “Realizing Nirvana”. The statue seems to be staring endlessly at the frantic traffic on the nearby road to Phuket International Airport. Of course, you already knew that ‘Wat’ is the Thai word for ‘Temple’.
Soi Romanee in Phuket Town
Soi Romanee, in the historical centre of old Phuket town, is a short street with a long and colourful history. Today it is home to souvenir shops, fancy ice cream parlours and small but posh guesthouses.
Similan Islands 🏝️
The Similan Islands are Thailand’s most beautiful archipelago, 120 km from Phuket. Snorkelling, diving, overnight camping. Open October to May only.
Phuket Waterfalls
Phuket Waterfalls are modest in size and are best visited during the rainy season (May to October or November), because during the high season, the lack of rain reduces the stream to a trickle.
Phuket Aquarium in Cape Panwa
The Phuket Aquarium in Cape Panwa is not immense, as the tunnel is only a few metres long, but it is still a great place to entertain you and your kids on a rainy day and might even be your chance to see baby turtles.
18 Secret Beaches of Phuket
There are still secret beaches in Phuket and some hidden and quiet spots, most of which are beautiful. Of course, some are difficult to find, but surprisingly many are in plain sight and easy to access.
Mai Khao Beach ⛱️
Mai Khao Beach is 11 kilometres long, the longest beach in Phuket, and because it is part of the Sirinat National Park, it still looks in some parts as deserted as when we first visited it in 1990.
Koh Panyi Village
Entirely built on stilts in Phang Nga Bay, Koh Panyi is a surprising village standing near the famous James Bond Island and ione of the most visited places people visit in a day tour in Phuket.
Rang Hill in Phuket Town (Khao Rang)
Rang Hill (Khao Rang), located in the middle of Phuket, is famous for its scenic restaurants, temple, monkeys, and a new viewpoint bridge.
Kathu Waterfall
Kathu waterfall is small but can be attractive during the rainy season when the strong stream and the tropical vegetation are dense and green. It is more pleasant than the higher Tonsai and Bang Pae Waterfalls, and access is free of charge.
Kata Beach ⛱️
Kata Beach, on the west coast of Phuket island, is one of the most visited beaches after Patong Beach. Kata enjoys a lovely sandy bay with an incredibly blue sea and an iconic island standing in the middle of the ocean.
Karon Viewpoint
The Karon Viewpoint Thai name is Kho Sam Haad, which means ‘The Hill of the Three Beaches’, and once we reached the place, just as promised, we saw three beaches. So if this is your first trip to Phuket, you probably will stop for a few minutes at this popular panoramic landmark.
Karon Beach ⛱️
Karon is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, ranking 3rd on our beach popularity page. It enjoys a 3 kilometres stretch of white sand, a decent choice of dining and nightlife, and never seems to draw crowds of tourists.
Freedom Beach Phuket ⛱️
Freedom Beach Phuket is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The 300-metre stretch of soft white sand and turquoise water is just 10 minutes by longtail boat from Patong Beach, but it feels like a different world.
Bang Pae Waterfall
Bang Pae waterfall is one of the best-known waterfalls in Phuket. There are only three significant waterfalls on the island: Bang Pae, Kathu Waterfall and Tonsai Waterfall, maybe four if you include a tiny one near Ao Yon Beach.
Thalang National Museum
The Thalang National Museum in Phuket has undergone a significant transformation and is now nearly fully reopened. As of May 2025, only one final room remains under renovation, with plans to reopen it by June 2025.
Racha Island near Phuket 🏝️ Koh Racha Yai
Koh Racha Island or Koh Racha Yai (also called Raya Island) is a small idyllic island just 12 kilometres south of Phuket, popular for day trips, snorkelling and scuba diving. The island is so small it can only accommodate a few resorts
The Upside Down House Museum and Fun Attractions
The Upside Down House Museum is one of the most surprising attractions in Phuket. Once you see it with your own eyes, there will be no need for any explanation as this pink house is standing upside down on its roof in a garden, as if some giant kid had casually dropped it after playing with it.
Phuket Town – A Walking Guide to Old Phuket Town
Our Old Phuket Town and Old Street Walking Guide will save you time and effort! The historical part of Phuket is not huge but is rich and exciting enough to explore in half a day.
Patong Beach ⛱️
Patong Beach is Phuket’s busiest beach and the island’s main tourist hub. The beach stretches 3 kilometres along the west coast, with soft sand, warm water, and rows of umbrellas and loungers for rent.
Pansea Beach ⛱️
Pansea Beach looks like a private beach, but since private beaches are not allowed in Thailand, you can get around by owning all the land around that beach. Only two luxury hotels, ‘The Surin’ and ‘Amanpuri’, can access Pansea Beach.
Thalang Road in Old Phuket Town – A Walking Guide
Thalang Road is the most famous street in the historic part of Old Phuket Town. The municipality and owners managed to revive most of the old Sino-Portuguese shophouses and bury the ugly cables Thailand is so famous for.
Koh Sirey
Koh Sirey is an island connected to Phuket town by a very short bridge, this small piece of land doesn’t have any particular signs, but this is where you will find the beautiful Westin Siray Bay Resort.
Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay near Phuket
Kayaking in Phuket with John Gray Sea Canoe is a fascinating experience, and the best way is to explore Phang Nga, slowly gliding among giant cliffs in a silent kayak.
15 Reasons to Visit Phuket – Why is Phuket so popular?
Why is Phuket so popular? And what makes people come back to Phuket countless times? There are many good reasons to visit Phuket, and we picked the answers we thought were the most important.