Phuket Travel Guide

Phuket, located in southern Thailand, is Thailand's largest island. Phuket is situated in the Andaman Sea and is a haven for tourists. Though seriously impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Phuket has now largely recovered, and is again a great location for swimming in its warm and inviting waters, and for strolling along its pristine white sands.

Dubbed 'Pearl of the South' by the tourist industry, Phuket is Thailand's most populous and visited island. A whirl of colour and cosmopolitanism, Thailand's only island province revolves around and thrives on tourism, but still retains a spark of the real Thailand.

Phuket's idyllic tropical weather pattern makes it a favourite with beach-lovers. There are, broadly speaking, two seasons: the dry and the wet. The dry season begins in December and lasts until April, when rainfall starts to pick up again. Wet or dry, temperatures remain remarkably consistent, nestling around 30°C (86°F), with an ever-present dash of humidity thrown in for good measure.

The best time for visiting the islands of the Andaman Sea, including Phuket, is when the rest of Thailand is suffering from the heat (January to May). From May onwards, the rains arrive and the water becomes cloudy and unpredictable - but the crowds disappear and prices plummet! The weather takes a turn for the better near the end of the year - just in time for high season for airfares and hotels (December-April).

Phuket is more about doing things - or doing nothing at all - than it is about sightseeing. That said, there are some interesting markets, temples, examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture and nature reserves to check out when you can go no deeper shade of brown.

Hat Karon & Hat Kata
Karon and Kata were both spared the large scale tsunami damage suffered by other beach towns and are now up and running again. These two coastal resorts draw visitors who are looking for comfort without the noisy freneticism of Patong to the north. Of the twin resorts, Kata is the more interesting destination for younger travellers, with a livelier, more upbeat atmosphere. It is also home to some of the island's best restaurants, including the celebrated Boathouse. There's not much to do along this stretch of beach except - well - go to the beach, but it's well positioned to reach all the major attractions Phuket has to offer.

Ko Sireh
This tiny island is known for its chao leh (sea gypsy) village and hilltop reclining Buddha. There's a loop road that goes around the island, passing a few residences, shrimp farms, rubber plantations and a bit of untouched forest. The main beach, Hat Teum Suk, has chairs and thatched shelters; it's modest, rather a local hang-out.

Phuket Aquarium & Marine Biological Research Center
Tel: 0 7639 1126 (info)
If you want to get an eyeful of sea critters without getting wet, then this centre displays a varied collection of tropical fish and other marine life. Some are alive in tanks, others stuffed and displayed. The sea turtle exhibit is the most impressive and informative.

Phuket Fantasea
Tel: 0 7638 5000 (info) / 0 7638 5111 (booking)
This multi-million-dollar 'cultural theme park' was voted best tourist attraction in Thailand from 2000 to 2004. Despite the billing there aren't any rides, but there is a truly magical show that manages to capture the colour and pageantry of traditional Thai dance and costumes. There is also quite a good and varied collection of souvenir shops and bars in the park offering Thai-made handicrafts, fire juggling and elephant rides and the Thai buffet dinner is surprisingly good. Tickets can be booked through hotels and tour agencies.
Web: www.phuket-fantasea.com

Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre
Tel: 0 7626 0492 (info)
Financed by donations and run by volunteers, the centre cares for gibbons that have been kept in captivity and reintroduces them to the wild. Visitors who wish to help may adopt a gibbon, which will pay for the animal's care for a year; you'll get updates on your adopted gibbon's progress. Check the website for more information.
Web: www.gibbonproject.org

Shrine of the Serene Light
A few old Chinese temples can be found in the area around Phuket's main market. Most are standard issue, but the Shrine of the Serene Light (Saan Jao Sang Tham or Shrine of Dharmic Light), said to be 100 to 200 years old, is a little different. There's a small garden in front of the shrine, which is calm and peaceful with some interesting pieces of temple art.

Sirinat National Park
Tel: 0 7632 7152 (info)
Comprised of the beaches of Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao, as well as the former Nai Yang National Park and Mai Khao wildlife reserve, Sirinat National Park is 22 sq km of coastal land, plus 68 sq km of sea. The beaches were looking rather glum in the wake of the tsunami, but they will recover in time and suspended park facilities will no doubt be restored. Swimming is quite good here (except at the height of the monsoon), and there is some coral near the headlands at either end of the bay. Down on the beach, umbrellas and sling chairs are available from vendors.
Web: www.dnp.go.th/index_eng.asp

Thalang National Museum
Tel: 0 7631 1426 (info)
The museum contains five exhibit halls that mainly chronicle southern themes, such as the history of Thalang-Phuket and the colonisation of the Andaman Coast, as well as descriptions of the various ethnicities found in Southern Thailand. The focal point of one hall is a towering statue of Vishnu that dates to the 9th century.
Web: www.thailandmuseum.com

Phuket is well-served for transport options. Its airport receives international as well as domestic flights. The bus terminal is 14 hours from the capital and links the island to destinations around Thailand, but perhaps a more exotic means of getting there and away is to island-hop it on a ferry.

Renting cars and motorbikes is easy enough in Phuket, though it's worth taking out insurance - and a helmet if you're taking out a bike. Otherwise, the public transport options around the island - everything from buses to túk-túks are plentiful and cheap.

GMT/UTC +7

Metric

220V 50Hz

+66

Official: Thai

Baht (Bht)

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