Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. A vacation in Phuket brings you white sand beaches, clear oceans, and balmy temperatures as well as a wide variety of attractions and activities. Phuket is located in the south of Thailand and is around 50km long and 21km wide. There’s a lot to pack into this small area. Take a trip around Phuket with our guide to the regional highlights of this beautiful island.
Phuket West Coast
The west coast of Phuket is home to the most picture-postcard-perfect out of all Phuket’s scenery. Here you will find long, white sand beaches, palm trees, luxury beach resorts, wonderful sunsets, and blue sea. The west coast of Phuket is known for being the party-central area for travelers and holidaymakers. You will find Patong Beach – the most popular area for tourists in Phuket – and a whole variety of bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes. This area also contains Kamala Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach, which are all popular with tourists. Come to the west coast of Phuket if you are looking for a lively, active vacation with access to some lovely beaches. Many of the beaches along the west coast can get crowded, particularly Patong Beach, but by traveling a little further off the beaten track you can find some quieter pieces of sand.
North West Coast of Phuket
If you are looking for a less crowded and hectic area of Phuket then the North West coast is the place to go. The area is home to the Sirinat National Park and you will find Nai Thon, Mai Khao, Nai Yang, and Sai Kaeo in this beautiful space. When you want a place to chill out and relax, this area has some small resorts and has a laidback atmosphere. You won’t find the nightlife here like in Patong or on the west coast but the beauty of this area is the tranquility and the lovely beaches, some of which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Coast of South East Phuket
The southeastern coast of Phuket is the place for some smaller, less crowded beaches and some luxurious resorts. The town of Chalong Bay is where most of the tours depart for the islands and you will also find a lot of long tail boats at Rawai. Rawai is also home to some lovely resorts in Phuket and a nice selection of spas for the ultimate in relaxation.
Phuket City
Many tourists miss out Phuket City because it is largely an administrative center and the place where many people live, not necessarily tourists. But Phuket City is a good place to visit, with its shops, local markets, restaurants, and malls. You will also be able to stroll through Old Phuket Town to check out some of the island’s beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture. The tour is a little like a history lesson as you get a great impression of how the town used to be in the 19th century in the middle of the tin mining boom. There are some hotels here in Phuket City but you won’t find the big resorts that you encounter on the coast. Phuket City is in the southeast of Phuket.
Interior Phuket
Inside the island of Phuket, away from the coast, is a gorgeous expanse of tropical forest in the Phra Taew National Park. Here you will find tropical flowers and birds, waterfalls, wildlife, and peace. You can take a tour around the beauty spots of the interior from your resort on the coast. Otherwise, there are not so many resorts or hotels in the interior of the island of Phuket. The district of Thalang covers the northern part of the island and it is here that you will find the airport.
Phang Nga Bay
The Phang Nga Bay area is the part of the ocean that connects the island with the rest of mainland Thailand. Phang Nga Bay is a scenic place to sail around and includes such attractions as James Bond Island as well as the iconic limestone cliffs that tower out of the water. You can kayak around the islands and explore the caves, or take a boat around the Ao Phang Nga National Park where you can see some of the 42 different islands and experience the beautiful surroundings.
For more information and inspiration on Phuket, take a look at PhuketOn. Book resorts in Phuket, find hotels in Phuket and discover all the attractions Phuket has to offer with the help of PhuketOn. You will also find information on travel in Bangkok and Hua Hin – Hotels in Bangkok, Bangkok attractions, Hua Hin resorts, Hua Hin restaurants, and much more.
