In my opinion, no trip to Thailand is complete without visiting the spectacular island of Phuket. Not only is Phuket the largest island in Thailand, but it is also home to some of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world. In this Phuket, Thailand travel guide, I am going to show you why this spectacular, mountainous island in Southern Thailand is one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia.

In addition to its amazing coastline, Phuket is also home to a wealth of cultural attractions. In fact, the island is home to one of the biggest Buddha statues in all of Thailand. However, the top reason people visit this incredible place is its amazing beaches. Phuket’s many stunning beaches consistently rank amongst the top beaches in the world to visit. Not just the beaches on the island, but also on the remote islands you can explore.

Everything You Need to Visit Phuket

In this guide, I am going to provide you will all of the information that you need to plan a successful trip to see Phuket. I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize what you can see and do on your trip.

I also outline all of the top things to see and do while you are there, as well as the best places to stay and eat. With the information in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide in hand, you can be confident that your trip to see one of Thailand’s most incredible cities will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.

At a Glance

Before you start making any travel plans, you will want to make sure to take care of all of the passport, VISA, and immunization requirements for your trip.   In addition, you will want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what languages they speak in Thailand so that you can plan any translation needs you might have.

You will also need to know what currency they use so that you can exchange currency before your trip if necessary. I have included some of this key information in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below for you to review as you start to make your travel plans.

Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements

I have included a link to my Thailand Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements for Visitors Guide for you to review below.  This should help you navigate the legal requirements for visiting Thailand. It includes all of the important VISA, passport, customs, and immunization requirements and recommendations for your visit. You will want to take special care in reviewing the immunizations section of this guide.

In addition to the immunization information in the guide above, I have also linked to a few supplemental health guides I have created below. I explain why I recommend getting the Rabies pre-exposure vaccination before traveling internationally. I also discuss how to protect yourself from tick and mosquito-borne illnesses when traveling. Even though Phuket isn’t a high-risk area for malaria, it is still good to protect yourself just in case.

Packing Tips

Outside of taking care of your passport, visa, and immunization requirements, the most important task for your trip is packing. For your trip to be a success, you need to make sure you pack the right clothing and gear for the weather and the activities you will be enjoying. To help make sure you are prepared, I linked to my packing resources for you to review in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below.

Top Things to See and Do in Phuket

If there is one thing that the Phuket area is not in short supply of, it is incredible things to see and do. For those who are visiting Phuket, I strongly recommend that you get out on the water and explore some of the islands as well. Phuket has some of the most breathtaking coastlines in the entire world.

In addition to the breathtaking coastline and beautiful islands, there are plenty of sights and activities to enjoy in Phuket city as well. The city boasts some of the world’s most incredible beaches and its food scene is legendary. To ensure you have all the top sights and activities on your itinerary, I have outlined the top 10 things to see and do in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below.

View Larger Map

Ao Phang Nga Bay National Park

Located between the mainland of southern Thailand and Phuket Island, Ao Phang Nga Bay National Park is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. The bay is characterized by limestone cliffs, mangrove forests, picturesque islands, and stunning rock formations.

One of the highlights of visiting the park is seeing the island of Koh Tapu, which is otherwise known as “James Bond Island”. Made famous by its appearance in the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”, it is one of the most unique and beautiful islands in the world. The park is also home to Koh Phanak Island, which is renowned for its coral reefs, sea caves, and superb snorkeling and diving.

Phi Phi Islands

Another breathtaking island group to visit while in Phuket is the infamous Phi Phi Islands. Located between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast of Thailand, the chain of islands consists of two big islands (Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Le) and four smaller islands (Koh Yung, Koh Mai Phai, Koh Pida Nok, and Koh Pida Nai).

Koh Phi Phi is renowned for its incredible nightlife, especially at Tonsai Beach. It is home to a wealth of incredible beach bars and restaurants, making it the ideal spot for younger travelers looking to have a good time. The beaches on the smaller islands are much more secluded and are great for romantic getaways.

One of the top spots to visit in the Phi Phi Islands is the beautiful beach at Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Le. Made famous by the Hollywood movie “The Beach”, the bay is surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, which makes it one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches in the world.

The Big Buddha

In a country that is home to hundreds of large Buddha statues, the fact that the Great Buddha of Phuket is nicknamed the “Big Buddha” should tell you something about its size. The official name of the statue is Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, shortened to Ming Mongkol Buddha. It sits on top of Nakkerd Hill and is one of Phuket’s most important religious and cultural symbols.

The statue is made of concrete and covered with Burmese white marble and is roughly 148 feet (45 meters) tall and 83.5 feet (25.45 meters) wide. This makes it the third-tallest statue in Thailand behind only the Great Buddha of Thailand and Luangpho Yai. Its size also makes it one of Phuket’s most popular tourist attractions.

When you visit, it is important to remember that the statue is a religious site. For that reason, you should make sure that you are wearing the proper attire when you visit. This includes covering your shoulders and knees, and not wearing any beach wear. If you forget the proper clothing, you will be provided with a free sarong and\or shawl to borrow during your visit.

Phuket Night Market

One of my favorite things to do when visiting Thailand is to visit the incredible markets that you can find in just about every city. On Phuket island, there are several amazing markets that you can shop at.

These range from daily markets to large weekend markets that resemble festivals. All of these markets include incredible food, drinks, and an impressive range of souvenirs. If you would like to visit a market while in Phuket, I have listed the top 5 I recommend for you to review below.

• Malin Plaza Patong (Patong).
• Chillva Market (Phuket Town).
• Phuket Weekend Market (Phuket Town).
• Phuket Indy Night Market (Phuket Town).
• Phuket Walking Street (Phuket Town).

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

If you are a wildlife lover, then you will definitely love visiting Phuket. Being able to see Asian elephants in person is a highlight for many visitors who come to Thailand. Lucky for you, Phuket is one of the best places in the country to have this experience. However, there are some things you should be aware of before you plan your visit.

Most importantly, you need to make sure the elephant sanctuary you visit is ethical in their treatment of the animals. One of the most ethical of the elephant sanctuaries in the Phuket area is the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket. After enjoying the breathtaking views of nearby Naithon beach, you will get to spend the day learning about the elephants before getting to swim, mud, and bathe them.

In addition to this park, there are several other elephant sanctuaries in the area that I would recommend because they treat their animals ethically. I have included that list for you to review in Phuket, Thailand trave below.

• Elephant Retirement Park Phuket
• Green Elephant Sanctuary Park

Wat Chalong

While there are 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, the largest and most sacred of them is undoubtedly the beautiful Wat Chalong. Translated to the “Chalong Temple”, it was built in the early 19th century. The temple was constructed to honor two monks who led the citizens against the Chinese in a rebellion in 1876.

While there are many wonderful temples you can visit in Phuket, I believe Wat Chalong is a can’t-miss site for anyone visiting. It is the most historically and culturally significant temple in Phuket, and also the most beautiful. If you visit, make sure you have the proper clothing with you. Your knees and shoulders must be covered and you should avoid wearing beach wear.

Phuket Old Town

One of my favorite spots to visit when in Phuket is the old town. Renowned for its beautiful, brightly painted Sino-Portuguese townhouses that are a century old, the old town is both beautiful and fun. The main street Thalang Road has a wide assortment of souvenir stores and Thai restaurants for visitors to enjoy.

If you have the time, you can also walk through the streets to enjoy the beautiful street art and murals painted on various buildings around the old town. To give you an idea of which streets to focus your attention on during your visit, I have compiled a list for you to review below.

Old Town Phuket Streets of Interest

Street Name	Attractions
Dibuk Road	Phuket Indy Market, The Charm Phuket, Kanom Jin Restaurant, Raya House, Street art mural @ Dibuk-Yaworat junction
Krabi Road	Blue Elephant Mansion, Thai Hua Museum, Baan Chinpracha Mansion
Phang Nga Road	Shrine of the Serene Light, Tu Kab Khao Restaurant Phuket
Thalang Road	Lard Yai Sunday Night Market
Yaowarat Road	Old Limpanon House, Endless Summer Mansion, Street Art @ Yaowarat-Krabi junction
Ranong Road	Thai Airways heritage house, Phuket city market

Kata Beach

One thing that Phuket is definitely not in short supply of its incredible beaches for visitors to enjoy. In fact, Phuket’s beaches routinely rank amongst the best beaches in the world. While the top beach in Phuket will vary depending on whom you talk to, Kata Beach is one you will see consistently in the area’s top five.

Its soft white sand, crystal blue waters, and smaller crowds make it one of the best beaches for visitors to enjoy in Phuket. However, it isn’t the only great beach in Phuket. I have included a list of some additional beaches you should consider in my Phuket, Thailand visitor guide below.

View Larger Map

• Freedom Beach
• Karon Beach
• Kata Noi Beach
• Bang Tao Beach
• Nai Harn Beach
• Patong Beach
• Laem Singh Beach
• Kamala Beach
• Mai Khao Beach

Monkey Hill Viewpoint

For photographers looking to get some good pictures of Phuket, a viewpoint that I recommend checking out is the Monkey Hill Viewpoint. The hill isn’t difficult to get to the top of, but finding your way to road to climb it can be tricky. It is located opposite the provincial hall, just past the old Phuket prison.

The viewpoint gets its name because it isn’t unusual to see monkeys at the top of the hill. While they aren’t dangerous, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should be treated as such. Do not attemtp to feed or interfere with them.

The views from on top of the hill are absolutely breathtaking and well worth the effort to get there. If you want to get some really spectacular photos, try and plan your visit for the golden hours of early morning or the evening.

Samet Nangshe Viewpoint

The last thing that I want to highlight on my list of the top things to do in Phuket is the incredible Samet Nangshe viewpoint. While it requires a bit of a drive outside of Phuket island, the views are so phenomenal that it is absolutely worth the effort. From this high perch, you get a spectacular view of Phang Nga Bay and its incredible limestone formations.

The viewpoint is located 25 kilometers past the Sarasin bridge that connects Phuket to the mainland. Most of the road up to the viewpoint is surrounded by trees, but once you get to the viewpoint the views from the road alone will make your jaw drop.

There is a pickup truck that will bring you the remaining distance up to the steep viewpoint, so make sure you take advantage of that. Otherwise, the climb to the top can be very difficult and it still requires you to pay an entry fee.

View Larger Map

How to Get to Phuket

For travelers who are visiting Phuket from outside of Thailand, you will fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT). Unless you are visiting from elsewhere in Southeast Asia, you will most likely need to fly into Bangkok and then take a domestic flight to Phuket.

For those who are visiting Phuket from elsewhere in Southeast Asia, you are in luck. I have included a map and a table with travel times and frequency of direct flights from other cities in the region for you to review in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below. If you can’t find a direct flight to Phuket, you will need to be careful when booking your domestic flight.

There are two different airports in Bangkok, which can easily be overlooked when booking flights. Most international flights fly into the newer Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). While some domestic flights operate out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, many instead fly out of Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). This airport is across the city, and it takes roughly 50 minutes to drive between the two airports.

View Larger Map

Travel Time from Other Cities in the Region

City	Direct Flights	Flight Length (HR:MIN)
Bangkok, Thailand	48-51 per day	1:20
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	7 or 8 per day	1:25
Yangon, Myanmar	2 per week	1:45
Singapore	8 to 10 per day	1:50
Chiang Mai, Thailand	5 to 6 per day	2:00
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	1 per day	2:05
Hong Kong, China	6 or 7 per day	3:30
Vientiane, Laos	None	3:35
Luang Prabang, Laos	None	4:15
Siem Reap, Cambodia	None	4:15
Jakarta, Indonesia	None	4:35
Da Nang, Vietnam	None	4:40
Hanoi, Vietnam	None	4:50
Manila, Philippines	None	6:15

Best Times to Visit Phuket

Amongst the most important factors you will need to consider when planning your trip to Phuket is when you will plan to visit. Thailand, like most other travel destinations, has more enjoyable weather at certain times of the year. There are essentially three seasons in Thailand. Which season you choose to visit will have a big impact on what you can see and do.

These seasons include the hot season (March through May), the wet season (May through October), and the cool season (November through February). To assist you in determining the right time to plan your visit, I cover what you can expect in terms of weather in each of these seasons in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below.

Average Temperature (°F)

It should be no surprise that Phuket, Thailand has a tropical climate. It is warm in Phuket year-round, but the hottest temperatures are from late February until early May. This is the hottest time of the year in Phuket, with temperatures routinely reaching into the 90’s Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees Celsius).

Thankfully, because of its position in the Andaman Sea, the temperatures in Phuket for the rest of the year are typically very mild. The cool season typically runs from November until early February. During this time of year, the temperatures are more comfortable, and the ocean is typically much calmer.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

While the Phuket area manages to miss most of the tropical storms that are known to hit Hong Kong and the Philippines, the area does get hit with seasonal monsoon rain. While rain is not uncommon from May until early November, the heaviest rains typically come in September and October.

If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, and most people do when visiting Phuket, then I would avoid these months. However, even during the wettest time of year, it isn’t common to see several days in a row of bad weather. Still, you will be much better off waiting until November to visit.

The Best Months to Visit Phuket

The best weather window to visit Phuket is from December until the end of February. This is the northeast monsoon season in Phuket, in which the mainland of Thailand blocks most of the monsoon rains and leaves just cool breezes to blanket Phuket. This is when you will find the lowest humidity levels in the area and some of the most comfortable temperatures.

However, this is also when you will see the largest crowds and the highest prices for accommodations and tours. If you want to catch good weather and save some money, you may want to target the shoulder month of November. If you aim for late November, you will typically see nice weather and beat most of the crowds.

Where to Stay in Phuket

One of the most important decisions you will need to make when planning your trip to Phuket is where you will stay. When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip.  So, not only do you need to be comfortable where you are staying, but you also need to be comfortable with how much you are paying to stay there.

Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price.  If you are starting to plan your trip to Thailand and want some hotel and hostel suggestions, I have included some great options at different price points in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide for you to review below.  As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room-sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.

View Larger Map

Where to Eat in Phuket

When most people plan a trip, the primary focus is on how to get there, where to stay, and what to see and do.  What many travelers neglect to plan, is where to eat when you are there.  Granted, it is sometimes fun to be spontaneous when choosing a restaurant while traveling. It is also smart to get some recommendations when you arrive.

However, it can also be advantageous to have some ideas of restaurants you would like to try before traveling as well.  This way, you won’t miss out on a highly recommended culinary experience that you will regret.  To help you decide on some restaurants in Phuket to add to your list, I have included a list of some highly recommended options for you to review in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below.

Phuket, Thailand Restaurant Recommendations

Restaurant	Cuisine	Price
The Blue Mango Bar and Grill	International, Thai, Grill	$$-$$$
Rim Talay	Seafood, International, Thai	$$-$$$
La Sala – Anantara Mai Khao (Michlin Rated)	Indian, Thai, Veggie	$$$$
Ginja Taste	Asian, Thai, Veggie	$$$$
Amritsr Phuket	Indian, Asian, Grill	$$$$
La Sala – Anantara Mai Khao	Indian, Thai, Veggie	$$$$

Recommended Tours in Phuket

There is an abundance of amazing things to see and do in Phuket and one of the best ways to experience those things is on a tour.  If you are looking for fun tours and excursions to fill out your trip, I have included some category links to recommended tours and excursions you can review in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below.

Phuket Photo Gallery

The Phuket, Thailand area was one of my favorite areas to photograph when I visited Southeast Asia. The coastline, the old town, and cultural sites are all incredible things to take pictures of. During my stay, I was able to capture a wealth of amazing photographs. I have included some of my favorite photos in a gallery for you to review in my Phuket, Thailand travel guide below.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram. Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

• Instagram

Don’t Forget to Subscribe to My Adventures!

Let Me Help You Save On Your Next Adventure!