When we were told our beer needs to be refreshed with ice cubes otherwise it goes warm within minutes we doubted about staying in Phuket. However, we fell in love with the place before we finish the beer. The friendliness, warmth and great smile of its people conquered our hearts. Although Phuket is only one of the 76 provinces that make up the country of Thailand, it is definitely the most beautiful one. Visited by millions, tourism has helped convert Phuket island into Thailand’s wealthiest province. Sixty percent of the island is covered by tropical forest, rubber and palm oil plantations and the rest is dozens of paradisiac beaches where snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world spend weeks looking for exotic species of fish in this almost virgin oasis of life and beauty. For those who look for more than palm trees and beaches, Phuket also offers many festivals, concerts, restaurants and a very exciting and different nightlife. Don’t look for more reasons why to go, just take a look at WOW Travel’s Top 12 Things To Do In Phuket and buy your ticket today.
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Phang Nga Bay
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A cruise or a boating trip through Phang Nga Bay is an absolute must when you are visiting Phuket. The bay is famous for its limestone cliffs rising vertically through the water surface and thus making an amazing scenic appearance. The two most visited places here are the James Bond Island and the village of Koh Panyee, built over water on stilts.
Big Budha
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Big Buddha is a 45 meters tall, amazing, humongous, and monumental statue of Gautama Buddha in the south of the island. It is the third tallest statue in Thailand and was completed in 2014. It sits on the top of Nakkerd Hills and is visible from a long distance. You can take the 6 km long road to the monument and enjoy this site.
Phuket Fantasea
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Phuket FantaSea is a cultural theme park covering an area of 60 acres. Since 1998 the night theme park has been attracting thousands of tourists from around the world. It consists of a Thai cultural theatrical show, an animal exhibit, a buffet restaurant, and a shopping street.
Wat Chalong
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Buddhist temples or Wats are signatures to Thailand and Phuket is no exception to it. The temple has a symbolic architecture and is open from 7 am till 5 pm for worshippers and visitors. It has a magnificent 60 meters high stupa (chedi) encasing a fragment of Buddha’s bone.
Phuket Old Town
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Old Town in Phuket is a historical town with brightly painted buildings that are up to a century old. It has several cafes and restaurants for a snack or even lunch. You can find some well-preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture. The old town is not very vast and can be explored on foot. It consists of 5 roads namely Rasada Road, Phang Nga Road, Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, and Krabi Road.
Simon Cabaret Show
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Simon Cabaret Show has been entertaining tourists and locals for more than 20 years now. Professional dancers and artists are dressed in extravagant costumes and put on the most spectacular musical and classical dance shows. Most of the performers are born male but are living as beautiful females. Yes, you got it right don’t miss this if you visit Phuket.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
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Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a home for retired elephants and a rehabilitation center for these majestic giants. The sanctuary doesn’t allow you to ride the animals but you can feed, walk, bathe, and play with them. The money raised from the visits is used to provide food and facilities to the animals.
Phi Phi Islands
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Phi Phi has been famous among tourists for several years now. It’s a group of Islands between Phuket Island and Straits of Malacca. Several movie scenes have been shot in the islands. The sheer beauty of the Islands is breathtaking. You can travel there via speed boats or traditional boats. Phi Phi is a must if you are traveling to Thailand and particularly Phuket.
Bangla Road
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Bear bars, G0-Go bars, pubs, music, restaurants, clubs, and neon lights make the Bangla Road a place for a fun night. The road is riddled with street performers and vendors. Tiger discos, souvenir shops, and restaurants can turn your tiresome day into a memorable night. Several night clubs and local food chains also come to life after sunset.
Similan Islands
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Similan Islands are considered one of the best for diving and snorkeling. Similan Islands National Park is located 85 km northwest of Phuket and consists of 9 islands. It is famous for the clear blue waters and corals. The sea level follows the melting and freezing of polar ice caps and exposes topographical treasures in the process.
Nai Harn Beach
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Nai Harn Beach is located to the South of Phuket Island. The beach is relatively less visited by tourists and thus hasn’t lost its originality. Its crystal clear waters and white sand give it almost heavenly look. Thai cuisine is served under the shadow of its beach trees. Nai Harn is a relaxing and romantic beach experience. You’ll find some of the best hotels in Phuket for a honeymoon here.
Phuket Tiger Kingdom
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The Phuket Tiger Kingdom offers once in a lifetime experience. You can feed milk bottles to tiger cubs with your hands, play with adult tigers, and even take photos with them. The place is a bit expensive but it’s worth the experience. An onsite photographer is available to take family and group photos as well.
Just So You Know:
- Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year with the highest temperatures between March and early May. During the summer monsoon season of May to October, mornings are often sunny and clear with afternoon and evening rain. November to February is the “cool” season and the most popular time for tourist visits.
- Public transport does exist but it does not adhere to regular schedules as it does in most western countries, making the tuk-tuk (Thai mini taxi) the most common way to get around Phuket.
- Phuket is a great location for diving, you can travel out on various day trips to interesting dive sites surrounding Phuket. We recommend doing it with ‘Sea Fun Divers‘ – they have two main Padi Scuba Diving Centers located at Kata Beach in The Kata Thani Hotel and Karon Beach in the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort next to Patong Beach.
- The nicest sandy beaches are all on the west coast, the most popular ones being, of course, Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala and Bangtao, but some are still peaceful in the northern part: Naithon, Maikhao and Haad Sai Gaew.
- Visit Phuket Town Night Market with hundreds of stalls set up within this tightly packed marketplace selling all sorts of things and many souvenirs to take back home.
- Watch Simon Cabaret show in Patong Beach – probably the biggest transvestite cabaret show to be found locally. This show features a spectacular musical floor show performed by the world-famous ladyboys of Simon Cabaret.
- If you are crazy enough do Jungle Bungy Jump in Phuket.
- Make your visit unforgettable by staying at the best hotels in Phuket or one of the 11 Best Hotels with Private Pool In Phuket.
Get Some Culture:
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum – Phuket 3D Museum is famous for its creative and 3D collection of modern art and paint works. It also hosts temporary exhibitions and is a hotspot for tourists in southern Thailand.
- Thai Hua Musem – Thai Hua Museum is a masterpiece of Sino-Portuguese architecture. It is well maintained and holds the true historical artifacts and paintings of the era.
Grab A Bite:
- Phuket Food Festival – The annual Phuket Food festival is held in March. It displays a huge variety of local and Thai cuisines with more than 100 food booths, trucks, and beverage stalls
- Phuket Street Food – Street food and hawkers are common in almost all of Phuket Island. An incredible variety of spicy noodles, roadside salads, roti (pancakes), sticky rice, and biryani is served along with fresh local fruits.
- Da Maurizio – Italian dinner over the beach with high-quality Italian food and a great atmosphere, at Kamala Beach.
- Mom Tri’s Kitchen – A Wine Spectator award-winning gourmet restaurant overlooking the Andaman Sea and white sand beach of Kata Noi.
- Cape Yamu – offers modern and inventive cuisine featuring only the freshest possible ingredients and a menu that changes every few days in accordance with available local quality produce.
