Phuket: beaches, old town and island trips on the Andaman coast

Why go

Phuket has everything a beach trip needs in one place: wide sandy bays, hotels for every style, good hospitals, a food scene with its own southern dishes and a lovely old town. From the piers on the east coast, boats run to the limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi islands and the reefs of the Similan Islands.

Choosing a beach

Patong is the busiest, with Bangla Road's bars and clubs; fun for a night, noisy for a week. Karon is long and broad with mid-range hotels. Kata and Kata Noi are popular with families, with gentler surf in season and good restaurants. Nai Harn, in the south, is a favourite of locals and long-stay visitors, with a lake behind the beach. In the north, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Mai Khao are calmer, with resorts and long walks. Near the airport, you can watch planes land low over Mai Khao beach.

Phuket Old Town

Phuket Town grew rich on tin mining, and its streets of pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, especially Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, are a delight to wander. Look for Peranakan museums, shrines, cafés and the Sunday walking street market. This is the best place to try southern food: mee hokkien noodles, moo hong (braised pork belly), and spicy southern curries.

Sights

The Big Buddha, a white marble statue on the Nakkerd hills, has sweeping views. Wat Chalong is the island's most important temple. Promthep Cape is the classic sunset spot. Sirinat National Park protects the northern beaches and mangroves, and the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers an observation-only visit.

Boat trips

Phang Nga Bay's limestone islands, sea caves and lagoons are best explored by sea canoe. The Phi Phi islands are beautiful but crowded; go early or stay overnight. The Similan Islands, among Thailand's best diving and snorkelling, open roughly from mid October to mid May. Use licensed operators with life jackets for everyone, and check the weather.

Safety at sea and on the road

West coast beaches have dangerous rip currents in the May to October monsoon. Obey red flags and swim only where lifeguards are present. Road accidents are the biggest risk to visitors: scooters are widely rented but roads are hilly, busy and wet at times, and many travel insurance policies will not pay out if you ride without the correct licence and a helmet. Avoid jet ski rentals, which are a known source of damage disputes.

Getting around

There is no train. Ride apps such as Grab and Bolt are the easiest way to move between beaches, and usually clearer than local taxis, which often charge fixed prices. A bus runs from the old town to several beaches during the day.

Where to stay

Choose your beach to suit you: Kata or Karon for families, Patong for nightlife, Nai Harn for a local feel, the north for quiet luxury, and Phuket Town for food and culture on a smaller budget.

Family days

With children, try the observation sanctuary, the aquarium at Cape Panwa, short boat trips on calm days and the parks and playgrounds of Saphan Hin in Phuket Town. Hotel pools are a lifesaver in the heat of the afternoon.