Phuket Attractions - Sightseeing Tours and Travel Information

Hat Kalim (Kalim Beach)

Located north of Patong Beach is a secluded beach dotted with rocks and coral reefs. Accommodations and restaurants are available. Another interesting stopover is Freedom Beach which is located around the head of Laem Ka Sai Rot and is accessible by a chartered long-tailed boat.

Hat Kamala (Kamala beach)

Located approximately 26 kilometers from Phuket City, Hat Kamala is a relatively secluded 2-kilometer beach that is suitable for total relaxation. Accommodations are available.

Hat Patong (Patong Beach)

This Beach is the most developed, most vibrant, most visited beach of Phuket that never fails to impress visitors. Located approximately 15 kilometers from the city, the beach has a wide range of accommodations and shopping arcades, and provides magnificent leisure activities and energetic night-time entertainment. It is a picture perfect postcard view of a 3-kilometer long white sandy beach that is perfect for swimming, lazing, and enjoying challenging water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing snorkeling, sailing, and parasailing.

Krathu Cultural Conservation Center

Located approximately 7 kilometers from Amphoe Kratu town, the center is located in the compound of Ban Kratu School. This is where a collection of ore, mining equipment, utilities, etc. are put on display. The center opens from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Call 076 321035 for more details.

Namtok Krathu

This relatively small waterfall with a simple view but unique atmosphere is located approximately 4 kilometers from Amphoe Krathu. The entrance to the waterfall is located next to the Log Palm Golf Club. Restaurants and basic tourist amenities are available.

Phuket Fantasea

Located on Kamala beach, Phuket Fantasea is dubbed as the ultimate nighttime cultural theme park of Phuket. It has won several awards from the TAT, among the distinctive ones are Best Attraction Thailand Tourism Award (for the years 2000 to 2003).

This large-scale night time amusement center is spread out over an area of 140 acres near the village of Kamala Bay, or just 4 kilometers north of Patong. Attractions include the Culture-Illusion Stage Show, Fantasy of the Kingdom, a spectacular buffet restaurant Golden Kinnaree Restaurant, shopping village the enchanted Festive Village, Cultural Parade & Street Shows, Traditional Games and Carnivals, Handicraft Demonstrations & Live Performances (performed in Palace of the Elephants).

Phuket Fantasea's stage performance is exceptionally extraordinary and beyond just a spectacular show. It is indeed a perfect blend of Thai cultural traditions and the latest modern Las Vegas style technology. Visitors can see magic elephants disappearing into thin air, gymnastics, musical fountains, and a circus. Tickets (including buffet dinner) cost 1,600 baht for adults and 1,100 baht for children, while tickets without buffet dinner cost 1,100 baht for adults and 800 baht for children. Call 076 385111 to reserve your seats or browse www.phuket-fantesea.com for more information. The park opens from 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. daily except Thursday. Show time is 9.00 p.m.

Ao Chalong

This bay, which has the islands largest and most visited pier, is located 11 kilometers south of town. From this pier, holidaymakers can get chartered boats to some nearby islands south of Phuket. The bay area is dotted with dive shops, a few travel agencies and superb seafood restaurants. Although the bay has a stunning setting and relaxing ambience, swimming is not recommended here. Accommodations are available at the Phuket Youth Hostel.

Ao Sen

This is a small bay located next to Hat Nai Han, near the Phuket Yacht Club, which has a peaceful and scenic beach with white powdery sand.

Dino Park

An 18-hole mini-golf course is located beside Marina Cottage on Karon Beach. The golf course is set in a prehistoric atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy golfing in a world out of time. Take an adventurous trip to the world of Dinosaurs at the Dino Park, an entertainment and dining complex. Call 076 330493-7 or visit www.dinopark.com for more information.

Hat Karon (Karon Beach)

Located south of Patong Beach, Hat Karon is a curving beach that lies beautifully in the sun with small sand dunes, casuarinas and palm trees. The crescent bay is the beach's signature that drawing travelers attention. From May to October, the beach may be affected by serious undertows, as the bay open. Watch out for those warning flags before going swimming or surfing at the southern end of the beach. During the high season, the beach is ideal for relaxation, swimming or sunbathing. A wide range of accommodations, from top-end to budget and mid-range, are available. Other facilities such as nightclubs, restaurants and other evening entertainment are located along the beachfront road.

The beach is located approximately 20 kilometers from the town and can be reached by taking either s or buses from Ranong Market in Phuket City. Transportation is available from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and costs approximately 20 baht / person / trip. Taking a taxi to the town is another option. It costs approximately 200 baht to Phuket City and 150 baht to Patong Beach.

Hat Kata (Kata Beach)

Located approximately 17 kilometers from Phuket City are Kata Noi (Small Kata) and Kata Yai (Big Kata) Beaches. Both are renowned for snorkeling to see the coral, tropical fishes and the seas eco-system. Also worth visiting is Ko Pu, a small uninhabited island located off Laem Sai. Most visitors find snorkeling along the islands rich coral reef enjoyable. Diverse beach activities are available on both beaches. Accommodations on Hat Kata are set amidst tropical and cliff settings. Visitors can choose to stay in budget to top end accommodations according to their preference. Well known hotels located here are Club Med and the Boathouse. For more information on how to get there, please refer to the transportation section in Hat Karon.

Hat Nai Han

Located a few kilometers from Kata Beach, next to Phromthep Cape, approximately 18 kilometers from town is Hat Nai Han, an extra-ordinary beach that has white powdery sand and crystal clear water. The beach borders on two charming landscaped lagoons surrounded by rubber trees and other tropical plants. As the beach has not yet been fully developed to its full potential, it is less crowded, more peaceful, thus is ideal for people seeking solitude. Holidaymakers are not recommended to swim during the monsoon season from May to October. Watch out for the red flag!

Despite having a rather limited selection of accommodations, they range from budget bungalows to the top-class Yacht Club. Check with the TAT Phuket Office for more up-to-date information and room rates.

This beach can be reached by songthaeos, which leaves from the intersection of Ranong Road and the fountain circle. The fare is 25 baht / person / trip. In addition, visitors can also charter tuk-tuks which costs a lot more at 150 baht to 200 baht / trip.

Hat Rawai

Located approximately 17 kilometers from town is the less crowded, more peaceful and less commercial beach with a second-to-none pristine beach. The Beach is home to a well-established community of Phuket s Chao Le people (sea gypsies). In addition, from this beach visitors can charter boats to explore other offshore islands. Hat Laem Kha, located to the northeast of the beach, is the departure point for those wishing to visit Ko Lon, and Ko He. Laem Phromthep, Phukets landmark, is located at the southern end of the beach. This cape is an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. Accommodations range from budget bungalows to middle range resorts.

Getting to the Beach is easy by songthaeos, which cost approximately 20 baht / person / trip. Songthaeos depart from the stop at the circle of Ranong Road, while chartered tuk-tuks will cost more at 150 baht / trip.

Khao Rang

A small hill located northeast of the town, Khao Rang offers a fascinating view of Phuket City. Inside the park is a fitness park, restaurants and souvenir shops. The statue of Phraya Ratsada Korsimbi, (Ratsada Korsimbi Na Ranong) the Governor of Phuket between 1890 and 1909 is also situated here.

Ko Mai Thon

A small peaceful island located southeast of Phuket, Ko Mai Thon is famous for its unique corals, crystal clear water and relaxing ambience. The island is ideal for diving, swimming or even fishing. Accommodations are available for those wishing to stay in this enchanting, secluded den. A one-day trip is also provided by travel agencies. There are boats to Ko Mai Thon from Rawai Beach.

Ko Racha

The island consists of Racha Yai and Racha Noi islands located south of Phuket. Ko Racha Yai (Big Racha) has an enchanting beach located on the west between the valleys that resembles horseshoes. The area is known as Ao Bungalow which is famous for its white powdery beach and crystal clear water. Visitors can marvel at the delightful panoramic view of the whole island from the vantage point at the peak of the mountain located south of the bay.

Ko Racha Yai is the ultimate place to explore the wonders of the underwater world, especially at Ao Siam, Ao Tue and Khon Kae. Accommodations are available.

Ko Racha Noi (Small Racha) is located just 10 kilometers from Big Racha Island. Originating from the accumulation of coral stones, the island has more rocky hills than beaches, thus the island is more suitable for fishing. To get there, visitors can charter long-tailed or speed boats from Chalong Pier. Alternatively, they can buy a package tour from reliable travel agencies.

Ko Si-re

An interesting site to visit where visitors can explore the daily life of Chao Le as it is the oldest and biggest community of Phukets sea gypsies. With an area of approximately 20 square kilometers, the island is located approximately 4 kilometers southeast of Phuket and is separated from the main island only by the small Thachin Canal. The mountain-top temple on the island houses a big Buddha image in the reclining position. The island is not an ideal place for swimming, but is perfect for discovering the sea gypsies' way of life, especially at Laem Tukkae.

Laem Phromthep or Phromthep Cape

Literally translate as Brahmas Cape, Laem Phromthep is perhaps one of Phuket's most important landmarks. There is a saying that you havent been to Phuket unless you visit Laem Phromthep. It is here that visitors soak up the sun and savor the breathtaking panoramic view of the Andaman Sea from the islands southern-most tip. The Cape is crowded especially in the evening, as it is a popular observation point at sunset. Laem Phromthep is located approximately 2 kilometers from Rawai Beach.

Phuket City and old buildings

Phuket City is a fascinating city that can be explored on foot or by traditional means of transportation, tuk-tuk or Sino-Portuguese architecture that is evident in the citys shop houses provides the town with a charming atmosphere and a late 19th century ambience. For visitors interested in strolling along the city, start the trip at the central post office and walk west along Thalang Road, then turn south at the Standard Chartered Bank building and walk towards Yaowarat Road. Continue the trip to Fountain Circle, then head west to Ranong Road and proceed to Patipat Road, which connects with the historic Krabi Road.

Wat Chalong

Phukets most popular and famous temple, Wat Chai Tararam, or Wat Chalong, was built in 1837. Located approximately 8 kilometers from the city, the temple houses the famous Luang Po Cham, a monk who helped the locals fight the Ang Yi rebellion during the reign of King Rama V (in 1876). A recent addition to the temple is a 61.4-meter high chedi containing the Phra Borom Sareerikatat relic, a piece of the Lord Buddha's bones brought over from Sri Lanka. The chedi is a mixture of southern, central and northeastern architectural styles and is the first in this region to house the holy Buddha's relic.