Phuket
ภูเก็ต
Thailand's largest island with some of the most popular beaches
- Best time
- Nov–Feb (dry season)
- From Bangkok
- 1h 20m by air (HKT)
- How long
- 4–7 days minimum
- Getting around
- Grab, songthaew, scooter hire
Updated September 2026
Plan your trip
Recommended by us
Wat Chalong
Phuket's grandest temple, with a 60m chedi you can climb for the breeze and the view. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered.
Phuket Old Town
Sino-Portuguese shophouses in sherbet colours, best wandered late afternoon. Sunday's Walking Street turns Thalang Road into a food market.
James Bond Island
The classic Phang Nga Bay run: limestone karsts, sea caves and the famous leaning rock. Long-tail beats the big speedboats for atmosphere.
Kata Karon Viewpoint
The three-bay sweep south of Kata. Pull in for sunset, not midday when the tour coaches stack up. Five minutes is all you need.
Get to Phuket
Flying is quickest from Bangkok (1h20). The bus-and-ferry combos are for the budget-minded with time to spare. Compare both here.
eSIM for Thailand
Land with data already working and skip the airport SIM queue. We compared six providers. Code THAIHOLIDAY saves 10%.
Travel insurance
Scooters, speedboats and snorkelling trips: sort cover before you go. Check the motorbike clause; most cheap policies exclude it.
Getting to Phuket
Compare buses, trains, ferries, and flights to Phuket.
Wats, shrines & spiritual sites
Temples in Phuket
Sand, snorkelling & island-hopping
Beaches & islands in Phuket
Waterfalls, peaks, caves & parks
Nature & outdoors around Phuket
Parks, shows, wildlife & more
More to explore in Phuket
Baan Rim Pa (Patong)
บ้านริมผา
Blue Elephant Phuket
บลูเอเลเฟ่นต์ ภูเก็ต
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติภูเก็ต
Raya Restaurant (Phuket)
ร้านระย้า
Dolphins Bay Phuket
โลมาโชว์
Laguna Golf Phuket
Patong Boxing Stadium Sainamyen
สนามมวยป่าตอง ไสน้ำเย็น
Phuket Aquarium
สถานแสดงพันธุ์สัตว์น้ำภูเก็ต (ภูเก็ตอควาเรียม)
Splash Jungle Water Parkin Phuket
สวนสนุกทางน้ำ สแปลช จังเกิ้ล
Things to do on the map
Which area to stay in
Patong
The loudest, most commercial beach on the island. Good transport links and the widest range of restaurants and bars. Best for first-timers who want everything in walking distance.
Kata & Karon
Quieter than Patong with proper sandy beaches and a relaxed pace. Kata suits families; Karon has a long stretch of sand and lighter crowds. Good mid-range hotel choice.
Surin & Bang Tao
The upscale stretch on the northwest coast. Beach clubs, five-star resorts and a noticeably calmer atmosphere. Expect higher prices and fewer party options.
Phuket Town
The island's historic core (Sino-Portuguese shophouses, street art and local food markets). No beach, but far cheaper rates and local food on every street. Works well as a base combined with day trips.
Rawai & Nai Harn
The quieter south end. Fishing boats, local seafood restaurants and easy access to Chalong for dive boats and Muay Thai gyms at Soi Taied. Popular with long-stay visitors and fighters.
Mai Khao & Nai Yang
Near the airport in the north. Long, near-empty beaches and upmarket resorts. Practical if you have an early flight; otherwise slightly isolated from the rest of the island.
Editor shortlist
Where to stay in Phuket
Staffed private villas
Private villas in Phuket
Hotel comparisons
Editor shortlists for Phuket: compare stays by trip style before you pick an area or property.
- Cheap hotels in PhuketBudget and mid-cheap stays by area (Patong, Karon-Kata, Town, airport side and Nai Harn).Open shortlist →
- Luxury hotels in PhuketBeach-by-beach luxury shortlist from Mai Khao to the south coast.Open shortlist →
- Romantic hotels in PhuketCouples and honeymoon stays (adults-only villas, cliff pools and quieter beaches).Open shortlist →
Tours in Phuket
120 Minutes Signature Muay Thai Massage
Phuket Private Spa & Massage Buffet, 3 Hours
4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition
60 Minutes Private Mood Massage in Phuket
A beautiful afternoon with our elephants
Aerial Yoga Class in Kata, Phuket
Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
Blue Elephant Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Phuket
Coral Island Private Boat Tour
Discover Scuba Diving 3 Dives Racha Islands
Freediving in Phuket – SSI – AIDA – Molchanovs – PADI
Phuket Beginner Scuba Course, Private Tuition, Racha Yai
When to go
Phuket
Gulf coast · Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
From June to September, Phuket is in its rainy season while the Gulf coast has its best months. Compare the two coasts
Nov–Feb The dry season on the Andaman coast. Seas are calm, visibility for diving is at its best, and crowds peak over Christmas and New Year. Book accommodation well ahead for December.
Mar–Apr Still largely dry but temperatures climb and the island gets busy over Songkran (mid-April). Prices start to ease slightly before the rains arrive.
May–Oct The southwest monsoon brings afternoon storms and rougher surf. September and October are the wettest months. Rates are often softer and the island is far quieter, manageable if you don't mind some rain.
Events & Festivals
All events →EDC Thailand
18–20 Dec 2026
EDC Thailand is 18–20 Dec 2026 at Rhythm Park, Phuket: Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Charlotte de Witte. 3-day passes from 10,490 THB, 20+ only. Where to stay.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Oct 2027 · dates TBA
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2026 runs 10–18 October: day-by-day processions and fire-walks at the main shrines, the Saphan Hin farewell, jay food, where to stay.
Itineraries Featuring Phuket
From the blog
Phuket guides & reading
Rooftop Bars in Phuket: Best Sky Bars & Sunset Views (2026)
Phuket rooftop and elevated bars, including Baba Nest, Kee Sky Lounge, west-coast sunset venues and practical booking notes.
Phuket Weather: Best Months, Rainy Season and Planning Tips
Phuket weather month by month, with dry- and wet-season rainfall, temperatures, sea conditions, packing advice, and boat-planning tips.
Thailand Health Advice: Vaccinations, Hospitals & Food Safety
Thailand vaccination advice, safe food and water, mosquito prevention, medicine import rules, emergency contacts and finding suitable medical care.
Phuket Villa Rental: 8 Private Pool Villas Compared (2026)
Phuket private pool villas compared by coast and group size, from staffed beach houses on Natai to self-catering villas in Rawai and above Surin.
Dog-Friendly Cafes in Phuket: Where to Go With Your Dog (2026)
Seven dog-friendly cafes in Phuket, from a resident-dog cafe in Wichit to garden cafes in Rawai, Laguna and Cape Panwa, plus transport and heat tips.
Coworking Spaces in Phuket: Best for Digital Nomads (2026)
10 Phuket coworking spaces checked in October 2026, with day-pass prices, opening hours and 24-hour access in Rawai, Chalong, Patong, Kathu and Phuket Town.
Best Muay Thai Camps in Thailand (2026): 24 Gyms and Stays Compared
Compare 24 Muay Thai camps in Thailand for 2026: day-rate gyms, residential camps and all-inclusive stays, with beginner picks and classes you can book online.
Muay Thai Phuket: Tiger, AKA and 6 More Gyms (2026)
Eight Phuket Muay Thai gyms compared: Tiger on Soi Taied, AKA in Rawai, Phuket King and Sumalee. Addresses, class times, 2026 rates and booking links.
Explore around Phuket
About Phuket
Last updated September 2026
Thailand’s largest island draws everyone from backpackers sleeping above Patong bars to couples in clifftop villas overlooking the Andaman Sea. Phuket has 17 distinct beaches along its west coast, each with a different personality: from the all-night energy of Patong to the family-friendly calm of Kata and the near-empty sand at Nai Yang near the airport.
Beaches & Highlights
The west coast catches the sunsets. Karon has a long, wide stretch of sand with decent surf between May and October. Surin and Bang Tao attract a more upscale crowd. Think beach clubs and five-star resorts set back from the sand. Down south, Nai Harn and Rawai feel more local, with fishing boats and seafood restaurants lining the shore.
Away from the beaches, Phuket Town rewards a half-day wandering its Sino-Portuguese shophouses, street art and local food markets. The Old Town Sunday Walking Street market on Thalang Road is worth timing your visit around.
Tours & Day Trips
With 204 tours running from Phuket, this is one of the best-connected launch points in southern Thailand. Speedboats run daily to the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island), and the Similan Islands during the November–April dive season. Island-hopping, snorkelling and diving are the biggest draws, but cooking classes, ATV rides and Muay Thai sessions fill the gaps between beach days. For Muay Thai in particular, Soi Taied in Chalong has become Phuket’s fight-camp hub, a short stretch of road packed with gyms, fighter-friendly cafés and recovery clinics that draws both first-timers and professional fighters year-round. To weigh Phuket against camps elsewhere, our Muay Thai camps in Thailand guide compares day-rate gyms, residential camps and all-inclusive stays nationwide.
Retreats & Wellness
Phuket has become a major wellness destination with more than 70 retreats on the island. Options range from intensive detox programmes at Amatara to affordable yoga retreats in Rawai and Kata. Multi-day fasting, fitness boot camps and meditation courses all operate year-round.
Where to Stay in Phuket: Best Areas
For a first trip, stay in Patong if you want nightlife and everything on your doorstep, or Kata and Karon if you want a proper beach holiday with less noise. Families and couples do best on Kata, Karon or Kamala. Surin suits an upmarket, quiet stay, Phuket Town suits budgets and food, and Mai Khao suits long beaches and an early flight. Phuket is big and traffic is slow, so choose one base and do day trips from it.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Patong | First-timers, nightlife, widest choice | Loud, crowded, busy streets |
| Kata and Karon | Families, couples, beach time | Quieter evenings, few late bars |
| Kamala | Relaxed resorts, villas | Short on nightlife and shops |
| Surin | Upmarket, calm beach stays | Few budget options |
| Phuket Town | Budget, food, heritage | No beach |
| Rawai and Nai Harn | Quiet south, long stays | Far from the northern beaches |
| Mai Khao | Empty sand, resorts, early flights | Isolated from the rest of the island |
Patong
Patong is the island’s busiest base. Restaurants, bars, shops and transport are within walking distance, and it has more hotels than anywhere else. The drawback is noise and crowds, so pick a hotel off the main strip if you want to sleep. Picks: La Flora Resort Patong for a beachfront 5-star, Hotel Clover Patong Phuket for a 4-star in town, Lub d Phuket Patong for a budget hostel.
Kata and Karon
Kata and Karon sit side by side on the west coast. Kata is smaller and more compact, which families like, while Karon has a longer beach and more room to spread out. Both have plenty of restaurants without Patong’s party scene. The drawback is that nights are quiet and Patong is a taxi ride away. Picks: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort for beachfront Kata Noi, Centara Karon Resort Phuket for a family-friendly 4-star, Chanalai Romantica Resort for adults-only.
Kamala
Kamala is a calmer stretch north of Patong, with a village feel and a lot of resorts and pool villas on the hillsides. It suits couples and families who want space rather than a strip. The drawback is limited nightlife and a car or taxi for most outings. Picks: Keemala for a design-led 5-star, Kamala Beach Estate Resort for a beachfront 4-star, Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa for a 5-star spa stay.
Surin and Bang Tao
Surin and Bang Tao are the upmarket northwest coast: calm, polished and good for couples. The drawback is price level and distance from the southern beaches. Picks: Twinpalms Surin Beach Phuket for beachfront, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort for a 5-star resort, Norn Talay Surin Beach Phuket for a smaller beachfront 4-star.
Phuket Town
Phuket Town has Sino-Portuguese shophouses, local food and the lowest rates, but no beach. It works well as a cheaper base if you spend your days on tours and boats. Picks: The Memory at On On Hotel for heritage character, Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel Phuket for a boutique stay, The Tint at Phuket Town Hotel for a simple 3-star on Dibuk Road.
Rawai and Nai Harn
The south end is for people who prefer quiet, local seafood and a slower pace, and it suits longer stays. Nai Harn has the better swimming beach, while Rawai is more about the waterfront. The drawback is distance from the northern beaches. Picks: The Nai Harn for a beachfront 5-star, Baan Krating Phuket Resort Naiharn for a beachfront 3-star, Vivi Bungalows Resort for a small-scale 4-star in Nai Harn.
Mai Khao
Mai Khao is in the far north, close to the airport, with long open beaches and large resorts. It is practical for an early flight and for resort holidays where you rarely leave. The drawback is isolation: everything else is a long drive. Picks: Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa for a beachfront 5-star with a kids’ club, SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort for a 5-star on the sand, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas for villas.
Insider Tip: Rainy season brings rough surf on the west coast, and some beaches fly red flags. Pick a hotel with a pool so the stay still works on those days.
For more, see our shortlists of luxury hotels in Phuket, romantic hotels in Phuket and family hotels in Phuket with kids clubs, or browse luxury pool villas. For a whole house with its own pool and staff, our Phuket villa rental guide compares private villas by coast and group size.
Getting There
Phuket International Airport (HKT) receives direct flights from Bangkok (1h 20m), Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and seasonal European routes. From the airport, metered taxis and the smart bus reach the main beaches in 30–60 minutes. Buses from Bangkok take 12 hours overnight. The flight is worth the extra cost.
Best Time to Visit
November to April is dry season on the Andaman coast: clear skies, calm seas, prime diving conditions. May to October brings the southwest monsoon with afternoon storms and rougher surf. Low season often brings softer rates and a quieter island. Compare live prices for your dates. September and October are the wettest months.
Insider Tip: Skip the overpriced airport taxis. Download the Grab app before landing. Rides to Patong run ฿450–600, well under the typical ฿900+ taxi fare.