Phuket

Beach Life

Why visit Phuket?
Phuket has a reputation as a party island; this is true but it is also the gateway to great diving, beaches, national parks and island hopping. Nowadays Phuket, is very foreign as it it packed with tourists (especially in the high season) however it also has rich cultural history and is a place where you’ll find new apartments next to a shanty town.

Even with the influx of farangs, the Thai’s still run on ‘Thai time’, serve amazing meals and have an abundant amount of temples and shrines. Scroll down to find more about this exotic island – where i currently live!

What to do in Phuket
Scuba Diving!
Off Phuket there are a large variety of dive sites between wrecks, walls, reefs and island dives. If you can get good conditions the diving can be pretty incredible with many vibrant colours and sizes of organisms from Clown fish to Whale Sharks. You can read more about diving in Phuket HERE.

Chaotic and vibrant night markets
Throughout Phuket every night of the week you’ll find there will be markets, crazy, colourful markets. Some main markets are in Patong and the weekend markets near Phuket Town; browse the colourful stalls of handmade crafts, counterfeit products, souvenirs, clothes and food. Just be careful what street food you eat as food poising is a common occurrence here!

 

Markets

Party it up!
Patong has an infamous reputation for its nightlife, especially the activities down Bangla road; read more above!
All around the island you can find quant reggae bars; a favourite amongst many farangs, for a few chilled out beers, often with a view, you can’t go wrong.

Chill out on Kata and Karon Beach
For the quieter ‘tourist’ area, hit up Kata or Karon, full of life around the beaches these low key suburbs are very popular. Perfect for families or travelers, the beach is an idyllic spot to pitch a picnic rug to let the kids play in the flat calm seas by day and check out the restaurants and rumage through the market stalls by night.

3 bay view point
Just south of Kata beach is the famous view point. On a beautiful day you can get a view kilometers long stretching from Kata and if your lucky enough all the way up to Patong.

3 Bay View Point

Cherng Talay
Just north of Patong, in this area you will find many expats enjoying the slow pace of life. An idyllic place to rent a villa or apartment with the crystal clear waters, international restaurants and bars.

Niharn Beach
Down at the south end of the island you’ll find quiet Niharn. This was my local; with many uninhabited beaches, and further off the tourist track, its a beautiful area to stay of for a day trip. Beaches where you can snorkel straight off the beach, enjoy a refreshing coconut under a palm tree or a traditional Thai lunch on a ratan/bamboo floor seating.

The Big Buddha
I actually walked up! If you head up to the top of mountain in south Phuket, you will think i’m crazy, i would reccomend you hire a tuk tuk to get up the mountain but once you get there the view is incredible. a 360degree view of Phuket, as well as the culture of the Buddhist Monks that live around the top and bless the travelers coming through.

Wat Chalong
A traditional recognisable symbol of Thailand are the Temples; Wat Chalong is the largest temple in Phuket and is an abundance of colours, Monks and international travelers.

Wat Chalong

Elephant Trekking
I am a little unsure about the treating of the Elephants on the island. Every company is different and i hear many stories; good and bad. Personally i wouldn’t do a tour like this but for many its a big attraction.

Where to stay in Phuket
I do understand if you’ve never been to a place before, browsing the internet trying to find a hotel in the right location can sometimes be exhausting so here’s my point of view on where to stay depends on your needs.

Patong
As i have already spoken about this busy little tourist area, i’m sure you understand how hectic it can get at night. During the day, Patong offers beautiful beaches, many markets to explore, and abundance of restaurants and of course the nightlife. However, if your one for some peace and quiet this is not the place!

Laguna
This community, is very basic compared to Patong, the area offers exquisite hotels, however be prepared to pay the price. With pristine beaches, quieter restaurants and bars, this is an ideal place to hire a vila with your other half or a bunch of friends.

Kata/Karon
This low key area is a perfect middle ground for many, still with a couple of clubs, many restaurants, its quieter beaches and accessibility to the southern Rawai and Niharn this is an area i definitely recommend. Some of my favourite restaurants and bars are here including there Kata Surf House; perfect for a bit of fun on a sunny afternoon!

Chalong
In the Chalong/Rawai area, unless you have access to personal transport, or intent on not moving from your hotel, this area is very quiet. During the day, you probably won’t see many foreigners around as most use this area as a gateway port to the other islands and dive sites.

Where to eat in Phuket
If your on a budget or if you want to experience true Thailand food, head to a traditional Thai restaurant. If you get away from the hustle and bustle of Patong you will find many quant restaurants along many main roads, often where you’ll find the locals!

To get ‘foreign’ food in Thailand expect to pay more, Thai food is the cheapest and sometimes the best, however for that little piece of home there are many steak houses or italian restaurants all around the island.

Thai Food