Best Places to Visit in Phuket in 2018

Things to Do: While here, make sure you visit Promthep Cap – one of the most photogenic and popular location. Enjoy the stunning sunset views while relaxing on the beach. You can also visit Windmill Viewpoint, admire the stunning fusion of windmills on this coastal beauty. Satiate your thirst for adventure by indulging in snorkeling and diving adventure at Ao Sane Beach.

The island is consistently gaining popularity and going more upscale. Koh Tao, Thailand -- literally 'Turtle Island' -- is the epicentre for cheap diving and scuba culture in Southeast Asia. More divers get certified on Koh Tao than anywhere else in the world. But even if you prefer life above the surface, the island is a pleasant, fairly laid-back choice in the Gulf of Thailand

Things to Do:The Island offers diverse diving experience right off its shores, toast the day with sunset cocktails on a white beach. But even while the island may be synonymous with diving, there is much more to the place. Visitors will find hiking trails of various levels of difficulty that end with the promise of picturesque views, extreme rock-climbing, and even trapeze-flying classes.

Getting There:The usual way to reach Koh Tao is via overnight bus or train from Bangkok to Chumphon or SuratThani and then a ferry ride in the early morning to the island.

Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the island's most imperious and adored points of interest on the island. The colossal statue sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills in the middle of Chalong and Kata and, is around 45 meters tallwhich is why it can be effectively seen from far away.

The grandiose site offers the best 360-degree view of the island, with clearing vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon shorelines, Chalong Bay. Easily reachable by a six-kilometer road drive from Phuket.

Referred as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha by locals, it is 25 meters crosswise over at the base. The entire body is developed with strengthened cement layered with Burmese white jade marble that sparkles in the sun, making it a characteristic image of trust.

Location: Big Buddha, Chao Ra Road East near Chalong

Timings: Every day from 08:00 AM – 07:30 PM

PhangNga Bay is a classic Southeast Asian bay - bright blue water, limestone pinnacles and all. A large part of it has been protected as a national park. Notable islands in PhangNga Bay include the so-called James Bond Island as it was featured in the movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

Things to Do: PhangNga Bay is where you can visit a fishing community built out on stilts across the water. You can take tours that will drop you at various beaches to swim and snorkel and take you to James Bond Island and KohPanyee, you can also canoe in the lagoons of the vicinity.

Bangtao reflects twin lifestyle while one side reflects the luxurious resorts and villages that provide visitors with all the required amenities, on the other hand, there is the rural side that still sustains the age old occupation of fishing and farming by the locals. This is one location ideal for swimming, also, the northern end of the bay boasts a beautiful coral reef.

Things to Do: Home to some of the most luxurious and classy hotels, Bangtao is all about relaxation. While here you can indulge in active rounds of golf at Phuket Adventure Mini Golf and Laguna Phuket Golf Club. Horseback riding and Elephant trekking are some other activities known for keeping the visitors contended and elated.

Things to Do: The sprawling 1.5km beach length is one of the most popular destination both for leisure as well as water and air adventures. Kara Viewpoint is another striking tourist hot-spot that provides the panoramic view of the entire island. Out of all, Surf House Phuket is one-stop-destination for all surfers. This artificial surfing center provides the thrill seekers with their required adrenaline rush and is also considered as a warm up session for the actual activity.

Things to do: Surin is untouched by the modernization and still showcases the traditional and agricultural Thailand. While here visit, Surin National Museum and Silk village and know more about the history, tradition, and agriculture of this quiet land.

Phuket Trickeye Museum is an intuitive 3D painting show offering astounding photograph opportunities and fun-filled time. Situated at the intersection of Montri and Phang Nga streets in a substantial two-story building (which used to be a famous film theater until 2002), Phuket Trickeye Museum includes a display of around 100 painted and carved scenes utilizing Trompe-l'oeil (French for 'misdirect the eye') systems, putting guests in amusing incredible world-like circumstances.

Trompe-l'oeil is an old painting system that requires a specific geometrical ability; the thought is to make a three-dimensional figment on a two-dimensional (level) foundation. Perspectival illusionism rules at Phuket Trickeye Museum, and you are certain to be tricked by the noteworthy canvases in plain view here.

Location: At the corner of Montri and Phang Nga roads in Phuket Town, right next to Pearl Hotel. 

Timings: Every day from 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM 

Price: The approximate price starts from 500 THB per adult and 300 THB per child (101-130 cm in height)

Since its opening on October 18, 1991, Phuket Simon Cabaret has built up itself as a business sector pioneer of expert amusement venue. For sheer entertainment, the set outlines are exceptional supporting performers adorned in lavish outfits and glamorous artists. In this, rich and personal theatre with high-tech sound and lighting facilities along with special effects – the show is genuinely universal highlighting cutting edge and customary acts from around the world in English and option dialects. While the visitors come here in search of entertainment but often leave the theatre in a confused state as the show highlights a staggering musical floor show performed by the world renowned "ladyboys" of Simon Cabaret. The greatest "transvestite" supper club show to be discovered privately.

Location: Phuket Simon Cabaret, 8 Sirirach Rd. Patong beach, Kathu, Phuket Thailand.

Timings: Three show is held at 06:00 PM, 07:45 PM, 09:30 PM

Wat Chalong is one of the most beautiful and dominant Buddhist temples, known for attracted travellers from all over the world. While for the local population, this temple is a noteworthy centre of worship while for foreign visitors Wat Chalong is a source to know and learn more about this beautiful religion – Buddhism. Poh Than Jo Wat is an impressive and colossal Buddhist statues located in the old hall of the temple. Another fun fact about this place is that the temple also boasts a statue of an elderly gentleman called Ta Khee- lek who won a famous local Thai who won numerous lotteries after consulting Poh Than Jo Wat statue. Apart from the grandeur visitors also enjoy the stunning display of around a dozen small shops selling all kinds of souvenirs and visitor’s stuff.

Location: Phuket, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand

Things to keep in mind : Owing to the sacredness of this place it is advisable to maintain a standard decorum while inside: do not position themselves higher than the Buddha image and be considerate towards your dressing. Avoid short dresses, sleeveless and other revealing clothes.

Timings : The temple is open 24 hours every day.

The Racha or Raya islands, some 12 km south of Phuket, are best known as an excellent diving and snorkelling day trip destinations. RachaYai, however, is quickly developing into a place to stay on for a while with a number of bungalow and resort operations springing up in recent years.

Things to Do: The water here is clear and perfect for snorkelling, though the bay gets quite busy with visiting boats in the afternoons. The other large bay, Ao Siam, is a pretty place where the visitors can bask in the tropical forest.

Getting There:Long-tail and speedboat transfer is the easiest way to travel from Chalong Pier or Rawai, and the trip takes from 45 minutes to more than an hour depending on the boat.

This is one destination that is still unspoiled and remains virgin for a majority of visitors. The calm stretch of the white sands with no sign of overwhelming crowds are some factors that make this place all the more interesting. A favorite destination among the retiree, Kamala has its fixed bunch of visitors who are regulars to this place.

Things to Do: Kamata is known for providing calm environs. The sprawling stretches of white snow and azure water are best for evening strolls and leisure moments. Elephant trekking is another thrilling activity that enables you to enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes.

The party capital of Asia, Patong is best known for its nightlife and an array of activities that it holds for the regular as well as first-time travelers to this place. Comprising of primary restaurants, nightclubs and various other tourists hot spot, Patong, has both good as well as notorious reasons that make this place a hit among tourists from all over the world. This mysterious place lights up as the night approaches, while Bangla Road is the hub of the night parties, the eastern part of the beach, on the other hand, is well known for its neon lights, hot streets, and erotic massage parlors.

Things to Do: There is no second opinion that majority of the crowd come to Phuket just for partying. However, if you are looking for some other entertainment sources apart from partying you ca head to the ever-so-famous massage parlors in the region. Adventure seekers can indulge in an array of water adventures available at the Paradise Beach and Kalim Beach.

A perfect place to unwind yourself and soak in the sun, Ko Raya Island, a stunning coral island is located towards the south of Phuket. A considerably remote island with white-shiny beaches that is still untouched by the overwhelming tourists.The postcard perfect bays, shimmering beaches and the crystal clear blue waters further adorned with coconut palms are some added features that make this island a ‘Must-visit-place’ in Thailand.

Things to Do: Once you reach Ko Raya, get ready to unwind yourself as this treasure box offers an array of water adventures. Explore the beautiful aquatic life by participating in snorkeling adventure. You can also enthrall in Scuba diving as the rocky reefs make this place an idyllic destination for diving. Apart from these activities, well, you can easily relax and calm your strained muscles on the sandy beach.

One of the best tourist attractions in Phuket, Phuket Aquarium is the place where you can see the diverse marine life at its best. There are more than a thousand varieties of colourful, tropical fish and other exotic marine life. The aquarium has various sections such as streams, mangroves, coral reefs and even deep sea! 

Each of these has been adorned with the particular variety of wildlife that you will find in that area.The exhibits are vibrant, lively and interactive and indeed a pleasure to watch for young and old alike, no wonder then that it attracts more than 300,000 visitors per year. It is located at southernmost tip of the Cape Panwa and is surrounded byy breathtaking scenic beauty.

Location: Mueang Phuket District

Timings: Open daily, 08:30 AM  – 6:00 PM

Price: The approximate price for an adult is 100 THB and for a child  50 THB