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Phuket – The Pearl of the Andaman Sea – is the largest island in Thailand and positively seething with stunning beaches, amazing water sports, and spectacular lush hillside forests.
Add to that, hot sunshine and ‘travel-brochure’ turquoise seas and you will see why Phuket is the number one beach holiday destination in Thailand.
If you are coming to a resort in Phuket, be prepared to over-feed your appetite for excitement and entertainment.
This tropical oasis is situated south-west of the Thai mainland. It is where inexpensive hospitality meets affordable adventures.
Championship golf courses, exuberant shopping, and world famous scuba diving are right here on the doorstep. Planes, trains and automobiles all lead to Phuket.
Flight journeys from Bangkok take about an hour to reach the International Airport to the north west of the island.
Whereas, a similar trip on the overnight bus takes closer to 12 hours. It terminates at the bus station in the main commercial centre of Phuket Town in the east of the City.
Exclusive accommodation awaits you in the popular Phuket hotspots of Patong, Karon, and Kata.
Luxurious, low-rise 5 Star Hotels, majestic Villas, and private houses, overlook the pristine, sand-fringed bays and dramatic water-hugging palm-trees.
Beachfront Hotels and hillside Villas nestle quietly into the natural scenic backdrop of rolling mountains, waterfalls, and banyan trees, all with incredible sweeping views of early evening sunsets towards the western islands.
One of its most famous viewing points is Laem Promthep in the south-west. The cape offers tourists the most spectacular uninterrupted views of the setting sun. It takes around thirty minutes to reach from the major resort areas, but it remains a huge visitor attraction.
The main accommodation for holidaymakers is in the three major tourist areas. However, long-term residents and expats can find smaller, less expensive habitats dotted around the isle.
Patong beach is the most densely populated area with an abundance of high class Hotels and private villa rentals.
The buzzing nightlife and trendy shopping malls attract the bulk of families spending time in Phuket. Here you will also find a plethora of fresh seafood restaurants, nightclubs, and friendly bars.
Karon and Kata are two smaller resorts just a few kilometres south of Patong. They are generally less crowded, and they have amazing beaches.
The transformation has been unstoppable in the last few years, from tiny villages into full beach holiday centers for travellers.
Some popular attractions and activities in Phuket.
Rawai Park is one of Phuket's newest activities for kids. The adventure playground is close to Chalong circle and located at Rawai in the south of the island.
Explore places where you cannot go on foot, in the wilder places on Elephant Tour in Phuket.
Shooting is not for everyone, but it can be addictive once tried.
Scary - but well worth a leap (at least once!).
Horseback riding in Phuket is no ordinary experience. There are trails through Jungle areas and of course a canter along the beach.
It is a great way to get into nature - and Phuket has plenty of it - and especially to explore the higher reaches and get some great views - and even a superb sunset photo or two.
The park is for the determined and serious nature lover - and others it must be said! The Park covers around 600 square kilometres and is linked to a further haven for wildlife in adjoining wildlife sanctuaries.
Want a bit more action in Phuket? Go Karting is the way to do it - and can involve all but the youngest family members. Not quite F1 - unless you let the imagination run riot!
Snake Shows, Monkey shows, and of course Elephant shows, are most certain to be included on Phuket tour stop-offs. That is not to say you cannot go it alone.
This is to be had everywhere in Phuket. No need for the Lycra! A good but light pair of shorts and T shirt will do fine. Be aware of the heat and dehydration if it is not a normal pastime for you.
The attraction is probably a wrong transliteration of Fantasia, for it does not take place on the sea!! Whatever, it is a great theme Park with spectacular night time shows - For all the family.
Hotels in Phuket | Resorts in Phuket Area | Nightlife in Phuket
Phuket is really one of the best holiday locations in the world. It has everything by way of beaches, hotels, natural; surroundings, activities and of course food! So, choosing the best places within Phuket is a daunting task.
With so many attractions and things to do, places to stay, the providers are falling over themselves to give you the best in this up-market tour destination.
Needless to say, in the peak holiday times, Phuket is out there with the best of places when it comes to weather and hospitality. Fun or relaxation is yours during the day or night.
There are so many superlatives that can be used when writing about the best of Phuket. It truly is a wonderful place to spend a vacation - or maybe even the rest of your life. The island was hit hard with the notorious tsunami, but it has recovered fully, with national and local help and expertise.
Beaches don't come much better than those that grace the coast of Thailand's premier Beach holiday destination - Phuket.
The Beaches in Phuket are some of the finest Beaches in the world, and are greatly responsible for Phuket becoming the visitor destination that it has.
There are around 35 Beaches in Phuket - hard to be more explicit, for sometimes there is a distinction to be drawn between, Beaches, coves and bays.
Writing about Phuket Beaches is where all the superlatives start - pristine, clean, clear, azure, white powdery sand. And so the list goes on. But there is also the wealth of things to do on this island that makes it even more appealing.
Who after all, simply wants to sit on a Beach every day of a week or two vacation. If you want, you can - even fit in a different Beach every day.
In reality, most will want other things to do as well. Phuket provides those things, for the family, for the loner, and for those in search of nightlife adventure.
Phuket gets busy as you would expect, but the good news is that there is room for all, on the beaches, in hotels and resorts, and using the mass of facilities that includes some of the finest diving and snorkeling trips.