Phuket where is it located

Khai Nui Island is the smallest island and hosts colourful coral reefs providing excellent snorkelling opportunities. With limestone cliffs protruding out of the emerald green waters and stunning scenery around, Phang Nga Bay in Phuket is a magical place to visit. You can go for one of the garden tours to learn more about these beautiful flowers and later head for light refreshments and homemade Passion Fruit and Mango ice cream at the restaurant.

The beautiful Orchid jewellery at the Farm, handcrafted from real flowers and plated with 24k gold is worth seeing and is also available for sale. Closed on Thursdays. With the amazing lights and sounds and a fascinating story line, the show gives an entertaining insight into Thai culture.

One of the most famous landmarks of Phuket, Phromthep Cape with its high cliffs and breathtaking scenery attracts crowds in large numbers. A photographer's delight, Phromthep Cape offers dramatic, spectacular views of the ocean especially during sunrise and sunset. There is also a lighthouse at the cape, which has on display a number of historical artefacts.

Phi Phi Islands are one of the most famous islands in the Andaman sea region. A fun activity for all age groups, zorbing is simply rolling down a hill in a giant, flexible plastic ball. Since Phuket is a mountainous island, there are several hillside spots where zorbing is conducted. To help the participant stand upright, about 40 litres of water is let out into the ball. Bangla Road is located in the Patong beach area of Phuket, famous for its vibrant nightlife.

With numerous restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs and go-go bars, Bangla Road is a fascinating place to walk around and is always packed with tourists. Walk in Soi Bangla and you will come across a number of bustling bars and discos as well as hundreds of restaurants, serving everything from Japanese to Russian. Those looking to relax on the beach can rent out a couple of chairs or also try some parasailing. A well-equipped shopping mall located just outside of Phuket Town, Central Festival Shopping Mall is one the largest shopping complexes in the area.

The mall houses a multiplex, several restaurants and eating joints and stores of many international brands. A great place to shop, eat or just gang out, Central Festival is located on the way as you come from Patong towards Phuket. With limestone cliffs protruding out of the emerald-green waters and stunning scenery around, Phang Nga Bay in Phuket is a magical place to visit. A must-visit while touring Phuket, the experience at Phang Nga Bay is mesmerizing in every sense of the word.

With its age-old shrines, temples, century-old architecture with a European influence and charming little cafes, Phuket's Old Town makes for quite a fascinating visit.

A visit to the old town can be an interesting change from the city and the best way to explore the area is by walking around. Once a remote beach, Laem Singh is today a popular tourist attraction in itself and one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket. Laze on the beach, try a Thai beach massage or enjoy a swim in the pristine waters.

Indulge in water sports like swimming and snorkelling and during the high season enjoy banana boats, jet skiing and even water skiing. Banana beach is a beautiful, hidden beach located on the Coral Island, 3 kilometres southeast of Phuket. Relatively lesser known and not as crowded as other beaches in Phuket, Banana Beach is perfect for spending a quiet time, basking in the sun.

It is one of the most beautiful sights in Phuket and has plenty of opportunities for adventure lovers. Some of the activities you can indulge in here are snorkeling, banana boat rides, and parasailing. Camping is also a popular activity courtesy the peaceful surroundings of the place. You can rent an overnight tent and lounge by the seaside, plan a barbeque or simply sit by a bonfire and relax. Brimming with history, Wat Chalong was formally Wat Chaiyathararam and is the most important of the 29 Buddhist temples of Phuket.

The Grand Pagoda is hard to miss and contains wall paintings depicting the life of Buddha. Wat Chalong is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Phuket. A beautiful, ornate construction, Wat Chalong is a must-visit when in Phuket and is dedicated to two revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, known for their work in herbal medicine and providing treatment to the injured.

The islands are about 48 kilometres by boat from Phuket. There are 2 parts to Phi Phi islands — Phi Phi Don Island which is the largest and the only populated island and Phi Phi Leh Island which is the smaller one and is situated to the south.

At Phi Phi Don you are free to roam about the island, relax on the white sandy beaches and have your share of fun. To quicken the pulse you may snorkel with sharks it's perfectly safe! Or you can spend your time at leisure on the beach and in the clear sea water. One of the most stunning examples of Mother Nature, this large leaning rock is a sight to behold. It is hard not to notice the many limestone cliffs jutting out of the emerald green water.

During season time the area is extremely crowded with tourist boats. Located in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, GRP aims to successfully protect and rehabilitate gibbons in their natural habitat and to educate visitors about the illegal use of gibbons as pets.

However, tourists must not confuse this with a zoo and should avoid touching or feeding the gibbons. You can take photographs but make sure there is no flash. Entry to the GRP itself is free, but it is located within the boundaries of the Khao Phra Theaw National Park, which charges an entry fee of baht per person. Watch the animals display special tricks and flaunt their skills at the animal shows held here.

The zoo is also home to an exclusive Aquarium and Bird Park. While the former gives you opportunities to have close encounters with fascinating sea creatures, the latter lets you witness countless colourful birds in their natural habitat. The friendly animals at the zoo love to pose.

Get pictures clicked as you shake hands with monkeys, ride an elephant, pose with the fully-grown python — the photo opportunities are endless here. At the museum you will get to see a display of valuable seashells from around the world, some of which are rare specimens from Phuket and Thai waters. The building houses a collection of over 2, species shells, including one of the rarest golden pearls and fossils dating back million years!

Standing at a height of 45 metres, this impressive white Burmese marble statue of Buddha can be seen from any part of southern Phuket and offers breathtaking views of the island.

One of the most important landmarks of the island, the statue sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalang and Kata. Afterwards, you can visit Nakkerd Sea View Restaurant and enjoy reasonably prices food as you marvel at the scenery around. The stunningly beautiful Maya Bay is sheltered by metre high cliffs from three sides. Situated on the island Phi Phi Leh, this is a highly recommended place.

It is home to several beaches where you can relax and spend some leisure time. While at Maya Bay, you can try out snorkeling amidst colourful fish, including plenty of tropical and coral fish.

You can also visit Loh Samah and Pileh Lagoon for snorkeling. These animals have been raised since birth by a group of professional trainers. You can decide which tiger you would like to visit in its cage, and get memorable pictures clicked by a professional photographer. It is a real treat to play especially with the baby tigers. At the snake farm you will get to see over 50 varieties of snakes, including the most poisonous ones. The snake show is sure to send shivers down your spine as snake handlers fearlessly caress, charm and even kiss different species of snakes, including the venomous king cobra.

Built in as the first Chinese-language school, Thai Hua Museum is a beautiful specimen of Sino-Portuguese architecture and has also won an award from the Association of Siamese Architects for outstanding conservation of architectural arts. The erstwhile home of the Chinese immigrant Chinpracha family, Chinpracha House gives you a peek into the life and times of people in earlier Phuket. The building is elegant and beautiful and majority of it is open for public viewing.

The antique furniture, vintage Italian floor tiles and artistic masterpieces from the older times have been preserved in their original form by Khun Daeng, a hospitable lady who still lives there. Old-style stoves, clay cooking pots and brass pans and kettles can be seen in the large kitchen.

The inner courtyard displays brilliant architecture and is exemplary of most Sino-Colonial style houses. It is, without doubt, the highlight of any visit to the Chinpracha House. One of the most beautiful and isolated beaches of Phuket, Freedom Beach is only accessible from the sea and is a ten-minute long-tail boat ride. Take a stroll on the white sand, laze on the beach and marvel at the breathtaking scenery and marvelous rock formations.

You can also go snorkelling and enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters. The marine life you will see on the coral reefs here is amongst the best in Phuket. An essential part of most itineraries, Karon Viewpoint earlier Viewpoint is one of the most frequented spots in Phuket. Come here to admire the picture perfect beauty from atop the hill.

Relax on the soft sand, take in the beauty of the lush green jungle backdrop and enjoy a dip in the crystal clear water. The sea is calm from December to April while May to October is ideal for surfing. Other water sports that can be enjoyed here include banana boat rides, parasailing and jet skiing. You can also enjoy snorkelling in the southern end and marvel at the colourful fish and corals. There are a few local restaurants located at the entrance of Kata Noi that serve Thai and international cuisines at reasonable prices.

Located to the southwest of Patong, it is often confused with Tri Tra Beach. From here you can take a long-tail boat to Freedom Beach located on the southern side of the peninsula. Famous for its stunning long beach, Karon was named as one of the Top Ten Family Beach Holiday Destinations in the world by Lonely Planet and has something for everyone.

Pamper yourself at one of the many Karon spas, explore your surroundings on the unique elephant trekking adventure, put your culinary skills to test and enroll yourself in a Thai cooking class or cocktail-making, or enjoy island yoga classes. The beach has a wide variety of restaurants, shopping bazaars and bars, as well as attractions like Dino Park Mini Golf, Karon Temple and the local market.

You can also visit the night markets held on several days of the week in the Karon Temple complex. Located just south of Karon beach, Kata beach draws visitors looking to unwind amidst white sands and crystal clear waters. Lined with palm trees, lively restaurants, happening nightspots and a range of accommodation options, the beach is great for couples and families looking to spend quality time together.

May to October is great for surfers, whereas November to April is when the beach comes alive with sunbathers and forms the ideal tropical setting. Kohkaew, A. Muang, Phuket , Thailand.

With berths for yachts and luxury residences and shopping facilities, it is undoubtedly a yachting haven, situated amidst beautiful parks and gardens. Unlike other waterfalls, Kathu waterfall is a series of drop pools with water cascading down the rocks.

June to November is the best time to go when there is plenty of monsoon water. You can also take a dip in the drop pool and explore nearby attractions such as Palazzo, a dinner show and the Flying Hanuman. You might also consider dining at the waterfall restaurant, Pai Lin Restaurant where you can enjoy local Thai cuisine.

And there is no surprise why. A few hundred metres into the walk up the hill and you will come across a troupe of macaques old world monkeys. The hill has a number of TV and radio stations and is a popular recreation spot, especially for joggers.

There are many viewpoints on different levels from where you can enjoy beautiful views of Phuket and the surrounding islands. The monkeys are harmless and do not approach people, however be cautious when you are with little children. There is also a temple located at the bottom of the hill and usually stays busy on Fridays.

People come here to ask for lucky numbers for the lottery. Tours are available and include a complimentary Orchid bouquet. Enjoy a visit to the distillery and learn about the production of the international award-winning Chalong Bay Rum. Rassada Muang Phuket , Thailand. The Farm breeds 6, to 8, butterflies of up to 30 species a month. Afterwards you can also explore the silk museum to see the Thai way of producing silk, as well as the looming and dying process.

With its crystal clear waters, Racha Yai is ideal for snorkelling and diving daytrips, and has in the recent years seen an upsurge of bungalows and resorts. With its white sands, Ao Tawan Tok is the main beach on the island and has a number of resorts and restaurants, including the 5-star The Racha. Locally known as Koh Hae, this beautiful getaway is famous for its impressive coral reef and has two main beaches, namely Long Beach and Banana Beach.

At both beaches there are a lot of water sport activities such as, banana boats, canoes and snorkelling. At Long Beach you can go on a brief parasail outing and indulge in massages in the open- air pavilion. At both beaches there are many eateries ranging from Thai and buffet to international cuisine. Khao Rang was earlier a popular exercise park, but today serves as a gathering site for students after classes. At the summit there are three restaurants where you can enjoy a lazy lunch or a romantic dinner.

All days, except Wednesday. You can also enjoy a leisurely picnic with friends and family in the tropical garden and take a walk around the pond and large artificial waterfall. At the fruit orchid and herb garden you will get to see exotic fruits, found only in Southeast Asia. Away from the hustle-bustle of Patong, lies the quieter stretch of Kamala Beach. Surrounded by forested hills, the destination is popular with locals and visitors staying close by.

While the southern end of the beach tends to get crowded during peak season, the northern end stays peaceful all year round. Indulge in a Thai massage on the beach, go fishing, or take a dip in the cool water. The Kamala Wat located on the southern end of the beach is hard to miss and for those looking for some entertainment, there is the unique Fantasea Show with extraordinary 3D effects.

Rawai was the first tourist beach of Phuket and attracted lots of people from nearby places, especially on the weekends. Today however, it serves as the point of departure for boats heading to islands closeby as well as the mooring point for many fishermen living in the area.

Rawai Beach is home to five-star luxury resorts such as Serenity Resort and Mangosteen. There are also many beachfront bars worth checking out.

Most of the visitors are guests of the luxurious resorts and villas situated along the stretch. You can relax on the beach or head to the few restaurants and bars. November to April is great for water sports like paragliding, water skiing and banana boat rides.

And if you like jet skiing, there are many operators who can easily be found on the beach. Take a walk on the white sandy beach and enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water.

Later, head to the many dining venues and wine bars. You can also choose to visit one of the luxurious spas, take part in a Thai cooking class and go elephant trekking. True to its name, Paradise beach is stunningly beautiful and is one of the best beaches in Phuket, but is not accessible for free.

You can swim all year round, get a nice tan as you laze on the beach and admire great views right across Patong Bay. Walk along the powdery beach with the palm-trees and tropical almonds and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

The main attraction here is the coral reef. You can also engage in activities like snorkelling, sea kayaking and bodyboarding. The restaurant here serves European and Thai food.

This fishing village is built on stilts and was established at the end of the 18th century as the settlement of nomadic Malay fisherman. The village has a Muslim school, a mosque as well as a floating football pitch. Nowadays Koh Pannyi is one of the main attractions of the Phang Nga Tours and serves as a lunch stop as well.

There are many seafood restaurants and souvenir shops located here. Location: Phuket, Thailand. Friendship Beach is the ideal place for solace seekers. This offbeat and quiet beach is one of the longest in southern Phuket. It is excellent if you want to take a stroll along the coastline, lounge on a hammock by the seaside or simply enjoy views of Chalong Bay.

Fringed with casuarinas and palms, Kata Beach is a lovely, curving bay hugged by lush hillsides at either end. Although it's still touristy, it's more peaceful than Patong Beach with less hawkers.

A tiny islet sits just offshore, and the beach itself is broad, with soft, white sand and decent snorkeling spots at either end. If you're hungry, you can grab a papaya shake or a snack at one of the beachfront stalls, and larger restaurants are within walking distance. At the southern end of the beach sits The Boathouse Phuket , a luxury boutique hotel that is one of the only resorts fronting the sand.

If you want an even quieter slice of shoreline, head south to adjacent Kata Noi Beach. Karon Beach. Less developed than popular Patong Beach, about 15 minutes away, Karon Beach is a 3.

When the weather is calm, it's a beautiful spot for a swim, but when the winds whip up, big waves pound the wide-open shoreline here, so take care if you are swimming during these times. Restaurants and resorts are spread out opposite the beach along the busy road, but a few four-star resorts offer direct beach access, including adults-only Beyond Resort Karon and the luxury bungalows of the nearby Marina Phuket Resort at the southern end of the beach.

At its northern end, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket overlooks the shoreline with its own water park. Phuket Town. Phuket Town lies on the southeastern coast of the island on a picturesque bay. This island city bustles with activity thanks to its many hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, and other tourist attractions that have sprung up in the decades since Patong Beach was opened to development in The architecture reflects the influence of Chinese immigrants and a Portuguese aesthetic and provides an interesting contrast to the more traditional Thai styles seen elsewhere.

Make sure you stroll through the streets of Old Phuket Town , with its well-preserved shophouses, Sino-Portuguese mansions, temples, and shrines. Other things to do in town include visiting Phuket Trickeye Museum , an interactive 3D art gallery and paying your respects at the Jui Tui Shrine , a colorful Chinese temple. Phuket Town Map - Attractions Historical. Island Boat Tours. You may be tempted to lounge on the beach for your entire stay and really, who would blame you?

But if you're willing to exert just a little effort during your island getaway, sign up for an island tour to discover the stunning seascape surrounding Phuket. Organized tours are the best way to make sure you see all the highlights. An expert guide, transportation, food, and refreshments are all included. The waters around Phuket Island offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in Thailand, with typically excellent conditions.

Visibility is good, and the water temperature ranges from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius. Apart from colorful corals and tropical fish, you can see seahorses, sea turtles, manta rays, and even whale sharks. Many travelers come to Thailand to complete their scuba diving certification because the courses tend to be more affordable here than other countries. Some dive operators will take you to Koh Phi Phi, one of the world's most beautiful islands , and other picturesque locations.

Once you've earned your certification, consider checking out Similan Islands National Park. Comprised of eleven uninhabited islands, this area is famous for its superb diving.

Phuket Big Buddha. Sitting serenely above the island at the top of Nakkerd hills between Kata and Chalong, the Phuket Big Buddha is one of the island's most distinctive landmarks. Spectacular degree views greet you once you reach the summit, where this meter-high monument presides. Faced with white jade marble, the statue was constructed in It's a peaceful spot to take time out from your day. Prayer flags flutter in the breeze, and you'll hear the tinkling of small bells.

You can take a taxi or tuk-tuk up the windy six-kilometer road to the hilltop, but you have to climb a steep flight of stairs to the monument. Rawai Village. To experience a more authentic side of Phuket, venture out to this small village on the island's east coast to glimpse the lifestyle of the Moken, a tribe of "sea gypsies.

Some live by the sea and others choose a semi-nomadic life on land. The men of the village work mostly as fishermen and sometimes also as guides for sea trips.

Rawai itself has a small fishing harbor and a sliver of beach covered with coconut palms, swamp oaks, and fishing boats Nai Harn Beach is one of the best in the area. You can rent boats here to sail to offshore islands.

The village is also known for its seafood markets, where you can buy the catch of the day, and one of the local restaurants will prepare it cooked to order. Karon Viewpoint Three Beaches Hill. Look north from the viewpoint over one of the island's most iconic views, with a little bit of everything that makes this island so picturesque: emerald hillsides, blue seas, and white surf.

This is one of the island's most photographed vistas. You can reach the viewpoint by traveling along the branch road in front of Kata Noi Beach in a southwesterly direction toward the southern tip of the island. Wat Chalong. Wat Chalong is the largest, most popular, and arguably the most beautiful of all Phuket's 29 temples. It is dedicated to two highly respected monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, and you can see life-size wax models of them and other figures in the exhibition home.

The Grand Pagoda protects a fragment of Lord Buddha's bone and features murals depicting images from the Buddha's life story. As you wander through the complex, notice the many golden buddhas in various poses, and make sure you dress respectfully; visitors are not allowed to wear shoes inside the temple, and women must cover their shoulders and knees.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Center. Located within the Khao Pra Theaw Non-Hunting Area, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center is a great place to learn more about these intelligent creatures and support important work at the same time. The center's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and return gibbons to their natural environment.

Many of these animals were poached from their mothers as babies and sold as pets or used in the tourist trade. Visitor contact is limited with animals suitable for release, so they don't become habituated to humans, however you'll have a chance to meet some of the animals that live full-time at the sanctuary and hear stories about their miraculous rescues.

The center does not charge an entrance fee, but you need to pay to enter the park. You can support the center's important work by making a donation or sponsoring a gibbon.

After visiting the center, trek through the lush tropical forest to the Bang Pae waterfall for a refreshing dip in the pools. If you're looking for indoor places to visit during a particularly hot day, the Phuket Trickeye Museum is a great option. You'll even be able to add a few zany vacation photos to share with your friends and family back home.

Teeter on a tightrope, touch ET, climb a wall with Spiderman, or step into a famous masterpiece. This is the perfect rainy day hangout for the whole family. Sea turtle. The square kilometer coastal park sits on the island's northwest coast and is largely made up of marine areas, including four relatively unspoiled beaches.

Two of these, Hat Nai Yang and Hat Mai Khao, are the only two beaches in Phuket where leatherback turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. The best time to see them is from November to February, when locals patrol the beaches and help protect their eggs.