Phuket travel guide: beaches, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the old town

The Big Buddha overlooks the south of the island from the top of Nakkerd Hill, between Chalong and Kata. The seated statue is 45 metres tall, made of reinforced concrete clad in white Burmese marble; construction began in 2004.

The terrace looks over Chalong Bay, Kata and Karon beaches and, on clear days, the islets to the south. It is an active place of worship, visited by Thai worshippers as much as by tourists.

The Phi Phi Islands lie about 45 km east of Phuket, in Krabi province, 45 minutes to an hour by speedboat. Koh Phi Phi Don, the big island, holds Ton Sai village, the hotels and the viewpoint over the twin bays; uninhabited Koh Phi Phi Leh keeps Maya Bay, the beach from the film "The Beach" (2000), and Pi Leh lagoon.

Maya Bay reopened in 2022 after three years of closure to let the coral regrow, with strict rules: boats dock at the Loh Samah pier on the other side of the island, you walk across to the beach, swimming is banned (wading to the knees only) and visitor numbers are capped per time slot. The bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September.

The archipelago is part of Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park: an entry fee is added to tour prices, often as an option. Day trips from Phuket usually string together Maya Bay, Pi Leh lagoon, snorkelling and lunch on Phi Phi Don.

Old Phuket Town grew out of the 19th-century tin boom, when Chinese migrants from Penang and Fujian settled around the port. What remains is a district of Sino-Portuguese shophouses: narrow façades with wooden shutters, covered walkways at street level and brightly painted stucco.

The heart of the district fits into a few streets: Thalang Road, Dibuk Road and Soi Romanee, the former red-light lane now lined with cafés. Chinpracha House, the mansion of a tin-trading family, is open to visitors, as is the Thai Hua Museum in a former Chinese school, which tells the community's history.

On Sundays, from late afternoon into the evening, Thalang Road goes car-free for the Walking Street (Lard Yai): handicrafts, street-food stalls and Peranakan specialities such as mee hokkien or moo hong.

Wat Chalong is one of the most important temples in Phuket, Thailand. It's not just a religious site; it's also a significant cultural and historical landmark. The temple is dedicated to two highly respected monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who helped the locals fight against the Chinese rebellion in 1876 and also treated the injured. As a result, they are revered by the people of Phuket.

Wat Chalong features several buildings, including the Grand Pagoda, which houses a fragment of Lord Buddha's bone, as well as various statues, paintings, and murals depicting Buddhist teachings and local legends. The temple grounds are beautifully landscaped with gardens, ponds, and other structures. Visitors can also observe or participate in traditional Thai rituals and ceremonies, particularly during important Buddhist holidays.

Aside from its religious and cultural significance, Wat Chalong is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world who come to admire its architecture, learn about Thai Buddhism, and experience the tranquil atmosphere of the temple grounds.

Khao Phing Kan, known as James Bond Island, is a limestone islet in Phang Nga Bay, north-east of Phuket, made famous by "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974). Off its beach rises Ko Tapu, a 20 m pinnacle standing on a base narrower than its top: that is what everyone photographs, and you cannot land on it.

The island belongs to Ao Phang Nga National Park, a 400 km² bay scattered with karst towers, mangroves and sea caves (hongs) explored by inflatable canoe at low tide. Tours also call at Ko Panyi, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts.

It is a day trip from Phuket, by slow big boat from Ao Po pier (more comfortable, canoe included) or by speedboat (faster, more crowded). A national-park entry fee is added, sometimes included in the tour price: read the inclusions.

The Similan Islands make up Mu Ko Similan National Park in the Andaman Sea, about 70 km off Khao Lak. The name comes from the Malay sembilan, "nine", for the nine main islands: rounded granite boulders, white-sand beaches and dense vegetation.

Underwater, the reefs shelter reef fish, turtles and, at the offshore sites, reef sharks and manta rays. It is one of Thailand's best dive areas; for snorkellers, the sheltered bays of Ko Miang and Ko Similan are enough.

Patong Beach is one of the most famous and lively beaches in Phuket, Thailand. Located on the west coast of the island, it draws numerous visitors each year with its turquoise waters and golden sand. Patong Beach is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous restaurants, bars, and shops lining the waterfront. It's a popular destination for tourists seeking both relaxation and entertainment during their stay in Phuket.

Bangla Road is the 400 m pedestrian street linking Patong beach to Rat-U-Thit Road: it is the centre of Phuket's nightlife. From dusk, open-fronted bars, neon, music and show touts turn the street into a permanent fair until 2 am.

The side lanes (Soi Seadragon, Soi Freedom) line up hostess bars and go-go bars; the main street stays family-friendly early in the evening, with food stalls and street performers. Simon Cabaret, 2 km to the south, stages its transvestite cabaret revues every evening.

For a quieter night, the beach clubs of Surin and Bang Tao or the rooftops of Phuket Town are 20-30 minutes away by taxi.

Karon stretches for about three kilometres of golden sand on the west coast, just south of Patong. The beach is wide and less built-up than its neighbour: hotels and restaurants sit back across the road.

People come for swimming in the dry season and for the sunset. In the monsoon, swell and currents are strong.

Kata is split into two bays separated by a headland: Kata Yai, the larger one, lined with restaurants and shops, and Kata Noi, further south, quieter and less crowded.

Kata Yai is Phuket's beginner surf spot during the monsoon swell; in the dry season the water is calm and clear, which makes it a family beach.

Nai Harn sits in a bay in the south-west of the island, backed by a freshwater lagoon with a walking path around it. The beach is little developed and less crowded than those of the west coast.

On the nearby hill, the Wat Nai Harn temple overlooks the bay. Promthep Cape, a well-known sunset viewpoint, is a few minutes away by scooter.

Surin Beach is a popular destination located on the west coast of Phuket Island, Thailand. Known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand, Surin Beach attracts travelers from around the world seeking relaxation and beachside leisure. This beach also offers a range of water activities such as snorkeling, jet-skiing, and paddle-boarding. In addition to its natural attractions, Surin Beach is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops, providing visitors with a complete tropical vacation experience.