Things to do, places to go

Beaches

They can be crowded, but Phuket's beaches are undoubtedly its highlight. Try getting away from touristy Patong to explore the coast. Kamala, Karon, Nai Han and Kata, all a short drive away, are picturesque. Of course, if you’d rather enjoy thrills and spills, Patong’s the place to be for jet skiing, paragliding and other water activities.

Snorkelling

Great snorkelling abounds here - in many bays on the island, such as Kata, Nai Harn Beach or Relax Bay, you can snorkel right off the shore. At Had Nai Yang National Park, enjoy a long reef in clear, shallow waters. For day trips, Raya Island or Koh Phi Phi offer great snorkelling. November to April is the season, and you’ll have no trouble finding operators – expect to pay about 1,500THB per person for an all-inc island day trip.

Diving

With world-renowned Surin and Similan islands nearby, diving is a big reason to visit Phuket. Dives are very affordable, but remember to check for PADI certification. Most companies offer Open Water and other PADI courses, along with day trips to coral walls and longer excursions to the Similian Islands.

Boat tours

With idyllic islands dotted throughout the sparkling Andaman Sea, it's no wonder this area has been used as a picture-perfect movie set for the likes of everything from James Bond to The Beach. Regular speed boat tours take in the best sights and operators are everywhere – you won't have any trouble finding a tour.

Temples

Elaborately decorated with reds and golds, Wat Chalong temple is worth visiting (behind Chalong Bay in the south), as is Wat Phra Thong (in the Thalong District), which is built around its legendary half-buried Buddha statue.

Phuket Town

At first glance, Phuket Town might seem dirty, noisy and busy. A wander through, however, is worthwhile to explore its colours, tastes, sights and sounds. Keep an eye out for colourful colonial architecture, art and craft shops and markets.

Butterfly Garden

Take a camera: Phuket's Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is justifiably popular with familes. The highlight, of course, is the thousands of gorgeous, delicate butterflies in a natural garden enclosure. In the Sam Kong area, open daily 9am-5pm. Adults 300THB, kids 150THB.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

Caring for gibbons that have been poached while young to be pets, then cruelly drugged and mistreated as a form of tourist ‘entertainment’, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project offers guided tours of its facility. Admission is free, but donations are expected.
www.gibbonproject.org

Elephant Rides

Siam Safari is one of the more popular companies offering elephant-riding jungle treks. It’s a great way to check out the jungles, but if you (or the kids) are a tad nervous, you can also just feed the elephants. Expect to pay around 1200THB for a one-hour elephant ride and monkey demonstration, and book before you go.

Dining

Moodies

200 Pee Road, Patong Beach
Great value buffet with a choice of European, Chinese and Thai food. With musicians leading singalongs and a ‘Horror House’ next door, it’s a great family choice.

Phuket Town

The night market in Phuket Town is near Robinson’s Department Store. With Thai, Muslim and Chinese cuisine for around THB30 per dish, it makes for a cheap and interesting meal.

The Cliff

701 Patok Rd, Karon
Delicious Thai and Mediterranean dishes served high up on a hilltop above Karon. It’s not the cheapest – mains start at around $10 and go up to around $40, but it's definitely a wonderful romantic escape from the crowds!

Patong Seafood Restaurant

98/2 Thaweewong Rd, Patong Beach
For lovers of Thai food and seafood, the strip next to Patong Beach is pretty close to heaven. Restaurant after restaurant displays its daily catch, and in the evening, touts vye for the trade of every passerby. Patong Seafood Restaurant has been around a fair while, and offers a typically tantalising range of local fish and seafood. Get there early to avoid the crowds.

Bang Thao Beach and Rawai Beach

Littered with small, open air restaurants on the beach, Bang Thao and Rawai are great places for cheap, authentic Thai food. Be sure to try the deliciously fresh whole fish – a treat!

Getting around

The most popular ways to get around Phuket are Songtao or Tuk Tuk.

Songtaews are pickup trucks that travel between Phuket Town and the west coast’s main beaches. They leave from the Central Market on Ranong Road when full (usually every half hour). They run from 7am to 6pm and fares cost 20-30THB.

Tuk Tuks carry up to up to five passengers and run between beaches and within the town. Bear in mind that Tuk Tuk prices will go up late in the evening, when your only other option for travelling between beaches is to walk. Bargain with Tuk Tuk drivers – as a very general yardstick, expect to pay around 50-100THB for trips within Phuket Town, 200THB from Patong to Karon beach, 400THB from Phuket Town to Patong, and 500THB from Phuket Town to the airport.

Car hire can easily be arranged, but be extremely cautious. Between the bikes, tuk tuks, dogs and other cars weaving about the potholed roads, it can be chaotic – take care, and be sure to get insurance cover. You’ll pay anything from THB1200 to THB2800 per day for a car.

If you’re taking a taxi, step outside your hotel first – you’ll get a cheaper deal. Make sure you bargain your price before you set off.

Shopping

Patong Beach is teeming with handicrafts, leather goods, tailors (take a photo of the garment you want them to make and buy the fabric there), jewellery and the usual fake ‘designer’ gear and pirated DVDs. You’ll also find furniture, antiques and art – all more expensive than elsewhere in Thailand, but when compared to what you’d pay at home, still a bargain. Around the island, night markets set up at around 6.30pm – remember that haggling is expected by the traders. For fresh fruit and produce, Kamala’s Village Market runs on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, with Bang Two’s on Friday and Tuesday afternoons.