Phuket Information

Things to see and do

Phuket is a hedonistic paradise. It is a high energy and frenetic place that has given birth to entertainment options to satisfy all tastes. Cooking classes, shopping, zoos, Muay Thai boxing, golf – Phuket’s got it all.

The Andaman Sea is the place’s biggest playground. It provides the arena for jetskis, charter yachts, parasailing, deep-sea fishing trips and more. Snorkelers and scuba divers will rejoice in the crystal clear waters and marine life of the nearby islands of Ko Phi Phi, Ko Racha Yai and the stunning Pha Ngang Bay. The island is also the regional centre for competitive sailing so keep your eyes peeled for events like the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek (July) and the King’s Cup Regatta (December). Once you’ve finished with water activities, explore the lush interior on foot, on a motorbike or on the back of an elephant!

If you hit the bars and clubs that fill the streets surrounding Patong Beach you’ll likely spend the next day on the beach with a sore head. This part of Phuket parties hard and parties late with an innumerable number of bars and clubs to bounce between.

But Phuket hasn’t lost all of its authenticity to the tourist dollar and there are still some areas that provide glimpses of eras gone by. Chalong, in the island’s south, is home to its most impressive temple as well as a 45 metre tall statue of Buddha. Old Phuket Town also brings to life the island’s mixed heritage, blending Chinese, Portuguese and Thai influences.

Local Flavours

Phuket’s excellent restaurants offer a truly cosmopolitan selection due to the hordes of international tourists that descend each year but you can still find all of the traditional Thai favourites like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew.

Phuket’s succulent pineapples and freshly caught seafood are particularly special. There are also traditional dishes that should be sampled. Start your day with a serve of Khanom Jim, a breakfast noodle dish that is served with curry sauce and fresh vegetables. Then enjoy Nam Phrik Kung Siap for dinner – a mixture of dried chilli and smoked shrimps served with fresh vegetables.

Getting In

Flights to Phuket arrive at Phuket International Airport. It is the second biggest airport in Thailand and is well serviced by routes linking it to other domestic airports located in Bangkok, Ko Samui and Chiang Mai. There are international flights directly to Phuket but they are generally from other international airports in the same region – it is more common to fly to Bangkok and then transfer to Phuket.

There is a cheap public bus service that does the one-hour trip from the airport to Phuket Town every 60 – 90 minutes.  From Phuket Town you can then catch other local bus routes to the major beaches. A more comfortable (and slightly more expensive) option is to purchase a place on a shared minibus taxi. These practically do a door-to-door service to all the major destinations on the island. Otherwise you can catch a regular taxi. Just head to the taxi stand located outside the airport, tell the staff where you are going and they will organise a ride for you. 

You can also get to Phuket overland by bus. There are also ferries from nearby islands and coastal towns including Ko Phi Phi and Krabi.

Getting Around

Car and motorbike rental in Phuket is available but if you aren’t feeling confident then the roads are better left navigated by locals. Tuk-tuk’s (motorbikes towing passenger carriages), motorbike taxis and taxis are everywhere and can get you around the island. Always make sure that you agree on prices before starting your trip to avoid disagreements at the end of your journey.

Weather

Phuket is consistently hot and humid year round with temperatures not varying a great deal - daily highs average 31°C (89°F) all year. Even during the monsoon time from May – October it is often fine with periods of great weather broken up by midday storms. The pick of the times is from November – February with slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity.

Good to Know

During the summer monsoon months there can be strong currents on many of the beaches. Obey the warnings and swim only in designated areas as drownings are unfortunately common. 

Take care at night and use common sense to keep yourself out of trouble. Avoid dark streets and keep an eye out for friends who may be intoxicated.

Staying Here

Phuket’s popularity has spurred on an explosion of accommodation options across the island. Due to the need to sleep more and more people, beachside villas and huts are becoming fewer and far between as hotels become the norm.

Most of the accommodation in Phuket is focused along the beaches and bays of the west coast. There are options for all budgets and an exceptional amount of quite affordable and very luxurious options The best resorts book out in the high season so you should look to book a few months in advance if travelling then.

If you want to spoil yourself then spend a few nights in one of the luxury resorts that sit along the quieter southeast coast of Phuket.