Sailing Through The Island Of Phuket

In the South East Asian country of Thailand, connected by road bridges to the southern tip of Phang Nga Province here, is the Island of Phuket. It is the largest Island in Thailand. On its west is the coastline of Andaman Sea.

When to go

The weather in Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year, especially in the months from March to early May.  Rains last from May to October.

The months from November to February are cool and that’s when tourism picks up.

How to go

Being a major tourist destination and with the Phuket International Airport in its north, the Island of Phuket is easily accessible. Many international airlines offer their services here from Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, Macao, Seoul and other destinations of the world.

There are direct charter flights from some European and Asian countries like Sweden, Taiwan and Japan to name a few during the peak tourist seasons.

There are regular domestic flights to Phuket as well. Between the Islands are a number of seaplanes connecting them. You can also rent taxis or get on the minibuses at the airport to get to your destination.  The Thao Thepkasattri Bridge connects Thailand to Phuket.

The closest railway station here is at Phun Phin in Surat Thani from where you will need to take a 5-hour bus journey to reach Phuket.

You can also get on ferries from Ko Phi Phi and Krabi in Thailand to the Rassada Port in Phuket, which take about 90 minutes to cover the journey.  Speed boats operate between the Islands in the peak season.

To explore the Island, you can either get on to one of the tuk-tuks or rent your own motorbike or scooter.

What to do in Phuket

To start with, you can plunge into the water at the sandy beaches of this Island, for the water sports of your choice.

Most of the snorkeling sites are in the west coast of the Island. Some of the good snorkeling sites here are between the Koh Pu and Kata beach, Kata Noi, Laem Singh, Paradise and the Freedom beaches.

You could also charter a boat from Rawai to offshore Islands like Coral Islands and even further to the neighbouring Phi Phi Islands and to spots like Maya Bay or Bamboo Island.

These sites along with a few more like Nui Beach and Laem Phrom Thep at the southwest of the Island, the Raya Islands, those between Phuket and the Shark Point in Phang Na area, the Similan Islands or the Similans National Marine Park and the national marine park of Surin or the Surin Islands are popular among divers.  The Surin Islands is known for its Richelieu Rock site, a limestone pinnacle and the whale sharks.

Water skiing, sailing and game fishing too are popular water sports here and so are surfing on its western beaches like Patong.  Among the popular beaches here are the Mai Khao beach, the Nai Thong and the Nai Yang beach of the Sirinat National Park, the Bang Thao or the Laguna Beach, the Surin and Pansea beach, Laem Singh beach, the Kamala beach to the north of Patong beach, the Kalim beach, the Kata Yai beach, the Kata Noi beach, the Nain Han and Ao Sen beach in the south, the Rawai, Mittraphapa and the Laem Ka beach. Of these, Patong is the largest beach resort of the Island with a vibrant nightlife.

The fish life here include Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Giant Trevally, Rainbow Runner ,Queen fish, Tuna, Black Marlin among other varieties that make game fishing a fun activity here.

In the Laem Phrom Thep Island is a shrine dedicated to the Hindu God Brahma, called Phra Phrom in Thai.

Most of the beaches here are good for surfing, especially those on the west coasts. The Nai Harn beach, southernmost one on the Island’s west coast is a favourite among surfers.

You shouldn’t miss out a trip by Sea Canoe in Phuket, which can also take you inside the caves in these islands.  You can chose to make a trip even at night.

It can be a one day trip or more than one day trip. So do not miss to enjoy the sea view and mysterious cave sight in the Sea Canoe, Phuket.

Among others, elephant trekking is a major attraction here.  For white water rafting Phang Nga province has some good rivers, though for experts, they might appear a bit tame.

The rainforests of Khao Phra Thaew National Park too has several hiking trails and a waterfall as well. On the north of Phuket is the Khao Sok National Park attracting visitors to trek through its tropical forests, about 1000 meters high limestone formations and the mountain ridge separating the east and the west coast of Thailand.

Phuket Zoo is apt for family entertainment and is home to about 600 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles and amphibians and about 45 of that of mammals in its 10 hectares. There are daily animal shows here. The Aquarium here has a variety of water species from around the world.

Waterfalls add to the natural wonders of this Island. The largest one here is the Bang Pae Waterfall, about 8 kilometers from the Ton Sai waterfall of the Khao Phra Thaew National Park.  Here can visit the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre.  The Kathu water fall is between Patong and Phuket city.

The Sirinat Marine National Park includes the Nai Thon, Nai Yang and the Mai Kao beach and the Mangrove forests with plants like red cyas, mountain ebony and black myrsina. The beaches are a nesting site for four endangered species of leatherback turtles that nest here in the months from November and February.

Plenty of temples and shrines adorn the Island, of which the Wat Chalong Buddhist temple, the oldest Buddhist temple of this Island – Wat Phra Nang Sang, the Wat Phra Tong temple and the Chinese shrines like the Put Jaw Temple and the Jui Jui Temple are the major ones.

A couple of museums here like the Thalang National Museum and the Phuket Sea Shell Museum make for an interesting visit. Touring the Phuket town is an experience in itself. You can observe the Cino-Portuguese architecture in the structures here or visit the show theme complex of Phuket Fanta Sea among other attractions.

Besides these, there are boat tours you can take to the off shore islands.

The Island of Phuket offers an entertaining tour for you and your family. Whether you want to go trekking in the jungles, get wet in the waters, tour off to the nearby islands or just relax by quiet beaches, the Phuket Island is sure to make you happy.