Phuket > In and Around Phuket - In and Around
In Phuket
The largest island in Thailand, Phuket is home to many beaches and a busy main town. The main beaches are that of Patong Beach, Karon Beach and Kata Beach, all of which lie on the southwestern side of the island. Patong and Karon beaches are by far the busiest and offer the widest choice of accommodation, activities, restaurants and nightlife, the latter particularly present at Patong Beach. Kata Beach is a quieter area than both of these and is a popular Phuket destination for families, its short distance from Patong and Karon beaches a bonus to people that stay at Kata. There are several other Phuket beaches, and the variety and choice of them has something for every kind of visitor. For relaxing sunbathing and a little less crowds, try the secluded beaches of Had Nai Han, Had Rawai and Had Kamala.
Just off the coastline of Phuket there are several small islands that can visited for the day but also offer some basic accommodation if you wish to spend the night. Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi both lie off Phuket’s southern tip, and are popular islands for scuba diving and snorkeling. Also recommended for snorkeling is Koh Heh, which translates as coral island and is conveniently placed just North of Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. These small islands are easily reached from Phuket, with boat services running regularly and day trips and boat tickets being available at the many tour operators on Phuket.
If you do wish to spend your time in Phuket beach and island hopping but cannot settle on a place to stay then Phuket Town is certainly an area worth looking into. Phuket town offers a good range of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife, much of it catering towards the local Thai’s so it definitely has a different flavour from the beachside entertainment aimed at the foreign tourists. Shopping in this area is also a treat, and even a walk around the town will bring you to many historic buildings featuring Phuket’s beautiful Sino-Portugese architecture. All beaches and islands in and around Phuket are easily reached from the town, which is in south of the island conveniently located a short distance away from several of the more popular destinations.
Around Phuket
Phuket is placed amongst some of the best holiday destinations in Thailand, the Andaman Sea providing the perfect backdrop to the nearby Similan Islands, Phang Nga, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi. Scuba Diving, snorkeling and swimming is a pleasure in these warm waters, it’s visibility clear and diversity of marine life astounding; the clean white sand bays and beaches providing the ideal place to dry off and sunbathe afterwards. Heading east and south east from Phuket are Krabi and Koh Phi Phi, both of which have been popular destinations in Thailand for several years now; many long term visitors to Thailand agreeing that Krabi’s Railay beach is the best in the country, whilst the beauty of nearby Koh Phi Phi speaks for itself. The limestone cliffs of Krabi are a must see natural attraction in this province, which is becoming increasingly used for activity holidays offering rock climbing, sea kayaking and sailing to name but a few.
If you continue in same direction as Koh Phi Phi Don and travel a little further out from Phuket you will find the Koh Lanta National Marine Park, still relatively undiscovered by mass tourism and providing stunning scuba diving and snorkeling sites. To the north east of Phuket and attached to the island via a bridge is the province of Phang Nga which is home to long stretches of pristine coastline and beaches, just off of which are numerous islands that are easily reached by day trips from the mainland.
A real treat for scuba divers is the world renowned Similan Islands National Marine Park, a series of 9 islands located quite far out into the Andaman sea and to the east of Phuket. Though you can stay overnight at the main island of Koh Miang, most people take day trips and diving excursions to the Similan Islands from the tour operators on Phuket, Koh Phi Phi or Phang Nga.
All these areas are easily reached from Phuket with boat and buses leaving regularly everyday from the town and piers. Tickets, tours and day trips can be easily arranged from the many tour operators and travel agents on Phuket Island.
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