In many people’s minds, Phuket has a reputation for being a party place and offering many “sketchy” things most travelers would like to avoid, like the Red Light District. And that couldn’t be further away from the actual character of this fantastic Thai island.
There is so much more to Phuket than just partying or spending a night at the infamous Bangla Road in Patong, from swimming and relaxing on beautiful beaches to island hopping and snorkeling, visiting temples, and doing lots of outdoor activities.
We were positively surprised by Phuket during our multiple visits, and truly enjoyed everything the island has to offer.
So without further ado, here are ALL the reasons why Phuket IS worth visiting, and why you really need to consider booking that trip!
Why Phuket should be part of your Thailand itinerary
1. Amazing Beaches
With an area of almost 600 square kilometers, Phuket is a tropical paradise with COUNTLESS amazing beaches from the south to the north of the island’s West coast.
From the famous Kata, Kamala, and Surin, to the more secluded Freedom Beach, with its tranquil atmosphere, Phuket truly has a beach for everyone’s taste.
What we love most about Phuket is that in most cases, you can stay within walking distance of the beach. That makes Phuket the perfect place for a beach vacation, with the added benefit of being an excellent base for day trips to other great nearby destinations (more on that soon).
Almost every beach has a town built around it, each offering a different experience. While some are very popular and busy, others can be pretty quiet.
After exploring the entire island and spending about a month there, we wrote numerous helpful Phuket guides, which you can refer to for further planning (after we convince you to visit).
2. Fantastic Hotels and Resorts for EVERY budget
While the first reason is the island’s abundance of amazing beaches, the second is the accessibility of fantastic hotels and resorts throughout Phuket.
And the best thing? You can stay in beautiful hotels on any budget.
We love that Phuket is perfect for both those looking for a luxurious experience and those looking for a more affordable, but still semi-luxurious vacation (depending on your definition of luxury!).
Read our Phuket Areas & Hotel Guide for tips and recommendations, or check out some of our favorites below.
Our recommended hotels to stay in Phuket
Budget-friendly resorts:
- Pai Tan Villas (short walk from the long Bang Tao beach)
- Himaphan Boutique Resort (right at the airport and beach, but quiet)
- On The Hill Resort (right above a quiet part of Karon Beach)
Luxury resorts:
- Sawasdee Village (just a street away from beautiful Kata Beach)
- Mandarava Resort and Spa (peaceful 5-star resort above Karon Beach)
- Outrigger Resort (fantastic property steps away from the stunning Surin Beach)
Budget rooms and hostels:
- Mai Khao Beach Guest House (cozy rooms steps away from the peaceful Mai Khao Beach)
- ChillHub Hostel (close to both Bang Tao and Surin Beach)
- Fishtail Hostel (unbeatable location at central Karon Beach – rooms & dorms)
- Nonnee (quiet hotel at Kata Beach with private and shared rooms)
3. Perfect Base for Endless Day Trips
What makes Phuket stand out from other destinations in the south of Thailand is the many excellent nearby locations you can explore.
From the breathtaking Similan Islands and Surin Islands to the world-famous Maya Bay in the stunning Phi Phi Islands, and the nearby Phang Nga Bay.
Phang Bga Bay
With its emerald waters and towering limestone cliffs, Phang Nga Bay offers breathtaking natural beauty. And from Phuket, you can do a lot in the bay, from exploring the hidden caves and lagoons to visiting the famous James Bond Island, taking a boat through the mangrove forest, and much more!
We highly recommend the ‘Hong by Starlight’ tour we did, where we kayaked through caves and around islands – a fantastic way to explore this bay.
Similan and Surin Islands
Then, you can go island-hopping and snorkeling to both Similan Islands and Surin Islands, as well as Racha Islands, all with beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
We LOVED our day trips to Surin and Similan Islands, which for us had some of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand, along with Koh Tao, of course (and we’ve visited many!). Take the tour we did for the best experience.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and videos are worth a million. Have a look!
Maya Bay and Phi Phi Islands
Visiting Maya Bay is on almost everyone’s Thailand bucket list, and it’s only a 45-minute speedboat ride away.
It became extremely popular after its appearance in the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and rightfully so, as it’s genuinely stunning.
The fascinating white sand beach in a closed bay, coupled with crystal-clear turquoise waters and limestone cliffs, is one of the most unique places in Thailand, that’s for sure.
It’s easy to visit on a Phi Phi Islands day trip, where you can also see other spots like Pi Leh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, and even stop off at Phi Phi Don or Bamboo Island.
4. Water Activities
Beyond going on island-hopping and snorkeling trips, there are plenty of other water-based activities in Phuket that can add a little adventure to your vacation time here.
Starting simple, you can go kayaking or paddleboarding. There’s even this fantastic tour that visits the mangroves on a paddleboard – check it out here.
Additionally, Phuket offers excellent waterparks. Check out the huge Andamanda Water Park, which has lots of slides/rides and different pools.
The island’s location makes it easy to go scuba diving at great diving sites, such as Racha Noi, Racha Yai, Maithon Private Island, and even the Phi Phi Islands.
Check out the Small Group Scuba Diving Experience, which takes you to Maiton Private Island or the Racha Islands. You can choose between a try-out scuba diving (try dive), a scuba refresher, a fun dive, or only the snorkel trip.
While the islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan are the most famous places to get your diving certificate in Thailand (we got ours in Koh Tao), you can also do the Open Water Diving Course in Phuket.
Additionally, Phuket is one of the best places for surfing in Thailand, with the best surfing spots being Kata, Karon, and Nai Harn beaches.
Are you a beginner surfer or want to try it for the first time? Check out the Surf Lesson at Kata Beach.
5. Adventure and Outdoor Activities
Moving back from the sea to the land, there is SO MUCH to do on the island!
Among the many adrenaline-pumping activities you can have in Phuket, the most rewarding ones are Muay Thai and the Zipline Experience.
The Flying Hanuman Ziplining Experience is a thrilling adventure with zipline courses, skywalks, and abseiling points, located in a lush jungle setting. So, you can enjoy an adrenaline-pumping ride through the treetops while taking in the nature.
We did our first Muay Thai training in Krabi, but Phuket is an even better choice with lots of gyms, classes, and workshops for all experience levels, from beginners to advanced fighters. Book your Muay Thai Class or get tickets to watch a fight in a stadium.
6. Delicious Thai Food
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, so it’s no surprise that it offers a wide selection of food options.
Local Thai food in Phuket is incredible, and there are also countless fabulous restaurants serving tasty international dishes.
UNESCO recognized Phuket as a “City of Gastronomy”, as it’s a melting pot of Chinese, Burmese, Malay, and Thai cuisines.
If you’re looking to explore Phuket’s best food in a more organized way, you can join a food tour on which you can try out some of the best local dishes. We recommend the Southern Flavours Food Tour.
A must-visit for foodies is Thalang Road in the heart of Phuket Old Town, which turns into a lively walking street market every Sunday night, offering a fantastic array of food, shopping, and entertainment.
It’s a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Phuket’s local culture and food.
Love cooking? Thai cooking classes in Phuket are great, and you can learn about traditional Thai ingredients, techniques, and recipes while creating delicious dishes that showcase the unique culinary heritage of Phuket (and Thailand). From mouthwatering Hokkien noodles, curry soups, the famous Pad Thai, and more.
7. Accessibility
After Bangkok, the most likely alternative airport to fly into Thailand is Phuket, which is extremely well-connected.
You can fly directly to Phuket from not only Asian countries but also many European and Gulf countries, as well as Australia.
Direct flights to Phuket
- Asia: India, Kazakhstan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia
- Europe: UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Norway
- Gulf Countries: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman
Wondering how to get to Phuket from other places in Thailand? Read our transport guides!
Frequently Asked Questions
Since Phuket is a perfect base for trips to stunning locations like Similan and Surin Islands, plus other nearby spots like Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Islands, spending a week in Phuket absolutely makes sense. On the other hand, if you’re visiting more places in Thailand, you should spend at least 3 days in Phuket to have enough time to see the island’s main highlights, and do at least one day trip and relax on the beaches. Read our Two-Week Thailand Itinerary to plan your trip with ease.
Personally, we love both Krabi and Phuket, but think that Phuket is a better place for an active beach vacation, where, in addition to relaxing, you also want to do lots of day trips and activities.
Phuket is known for its beautiful beaches, fantastic hotels and resorts, and activities and day trips you can do from the island on any budget.
No, there are only specific areas, such as Patong Beach, with its parties and active nightlife, but the island as a whole is definitely not all about parties. It’s a large island that’s actually quite peaceful.
Much like Thailand as a whole, Phuket is an extremely safe destination to visit. We’ve spent a lot of time on the island, and we’ve never had any issues. Of course, you must follow standard safety precautions, such as protecting your valuables in crowded areas, and so on. But that’s true for any destination worldwide!
The best months to visit Phuket are between November and February, when it’s mostly dry and not too hot or humid. However, this is also a high season for Phuket, so we recommend booking things in advance!
The best time to enjoy Phuket’s beaches is between November and April. Outside these months, the waves can be stronger, and more storms are possible.
Phuket is a popular Thai island, but it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily more expensive than other destinations. Phuket offers something for everyone. From high-end hotels and restaurants to great hostels and delicious street food, there are countless options for any budget. It’s what we love about Phuket!
Yes, in the high season, Phuket is BUSY, but since it’s such a big island, it’s easy to avoid the crowds. Of course, tourist attractions and most famous spots will be extremely busy, but hey, that’s normal, since everyone wants to see the highlights.
So, have we convinced you to give Phuket a chance?
In our opinion, Phuket truly offers something for every type of traveler, from those seeking the perfect beach to enjoy their vacation to those interested in water and sports activities, and those looking for fun day trips on boats and cruises.
Phuket attracts millions of visitors, so it can’t be all that bad now, can it?
Continue planning your trip
Find a list of over 75 travel guides to Thailand’s South, Central, and North.
Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai
Phi Phi Islands – Maya Bay – Koh Hong
Koh Samui – Koh Tao – Koh Phangan
Similan Islands – Surin Islands
