As the biggest island in Thailand, Phuket is a treasure trove for travel. Blessed with cascading waterfalls, delicious food, and some of the most incredible beaches on Earth, it’s the tropical paradise dreams are made of. Whether you just want to swim, enjoy the bustling nightlife, or try out its world-class cuisine, you won’t run out of things to do in Phuket.
Don’t know where to start? Here are 18 cultural experiences, amazing places, and aquatic adventures to try when you’re in Phuket:
- Be charmed by the beauty of Phi Phi Islands
- Have an adventure at Hanuman World
- Go on the James Bond Island Day Tour
- Have a spa day
- Watch the sunset at After Beach Bar
- Join a cocktail workshop
- Go shopping at the night markets
- Ride a yacht to Coral Island
- Explore the Bang Pae Waterfall
- Attend a cabaret show
- Go on a hike at the Khao Sok National Park
- Discover the highlights of Phuket
- Ride a canoe to the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay
- Visit an elephant sanctuary
- Party at KUDO Beach Club
- Go diving at Racha Islands
- Enjoy a meal at the Three Monkeys Restaurant
1. Be charmed by the beauty of Phi Phi Islands
See the shooting location for Leonardo DiCaprio's The Beach film. Credit: sana_ali_78
There’s a reason why Phi Phi Islands are some of the most iconic destinations in Thailand. The archipelago’s panorama of crystal clear waters and stunning rock formations is a sight to behold. Have a beach day to remember as you swim, snorkel, or sunbathe on its white sand beaches.
Make the most out of your time at Phuket and go on a Phi Phi, Maya Area, Khai and Bamboo Island Snorkelling day trip. Complete with hotel transfers, a beachside lunch, and snorkelling gear, enjoy the sunshine and stunning sights without worrying about planning.
2. Have an adventure at Hanuman World
Combine natural beauty with exhilarating ziplining fun at Hanuman World. Credit: karrolykke
Have a thrilling time at the biggest zipline park in Thailand! Why walk through a rainforest when you can zipline from one treetop to another? Head to Hanuman World for a jungle adventure to remember. Get a bird’s eye view of the lush greenery as you ride through the 16 lines and take a stroll through the skywalk.
3. Go on the James Bond Island Day Tour
See where the James Bond film, “The Man With the Golden Gun,” was filmed. Credit: heatherjanee_
Just a stone’s throw away from the northeastern shore, visiting James Bond Island is one of the best things to do in Phuket. Find ethereal lagoons and captivating caves hidden in its depths as you explore its shores, as well as the surrounding islands of Panak and Hong.
For a convenient way to explore the islands, join the James Bond Island Day tour. Enjoy scenic boat rides from one stunning island to another and learn about its natural gems from your expert guide. With lunch and transportation included, you’ll only have to bring your cameras and fave swimsuits.
4. Have a spa day
What could be better than enjoying a massage with a view?
Tired from hiking, swimming, and island hopping the whole day? Treat yourself to a spa day at the Oasis Tropical Retreat Spa. Pick between a facial, foot reflexology treatment, a classic Thai massage, and many more. The cherry on top? The gorgeous ocean view right outside the window of the treatment rooms.
5. Watch the sunset at After Beach Bar
Enjoy the bar’s impressive booze and views. Credit: _itcomesinwaves
Enjoy some downtime from all the island fun with some drinks at the After Beach Bar. As its name suggests, it’s best visited after a day at the beach around sundown. Its location makes it the perfect place to sip on cocktails as you’re watching the sunset.
6. Join a cocktail workshop
Beat the heat with some boozy drinks.
If you can’t get enough of delicious drinks, why not attend the Chalong Bay Rum Cocktail Workshop? The distillery has won international awards for its rum, making it the ideal place to learn how to make refreshing and fruity bevvies. With a pro bartender by your side, you’ll learn how to make tasty mojitos and piña coladas in no time.
7. Go shopping at the night markets
Take your pick among the markets’ wide array of food and goods. Credit: thirtysomethingtraveller
With plenty of markets across the island, you can shop ‘til you drop in Phuket. Enjoy snacks as you shop for souvenirs at the Phuket Weekend Market, the largest one in the island. Head to the Chillva Market if you want to bring some bohemian influence to your wardrobe. There’s also the Phuket Walking Street that features stunning Sino-Portuguese buildings and great shops.
8. Ride a yacht to Coral Island
Take the plunge at Coral Island’s aquamarine waters. Credit: maihoaly2607
Feel like a VIP as you ride a catamaran yacht to Coral Island during sunset. Locally known as Koh He, it boasts white sand beaches and turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. Decide how you want to spend your day at the island: you can try your hand at fishing, snorkel to see the underwater treasures, or sunbathe by the deck.
9. Explore the Bang Pae Waterfall
Go on a hike through the jungle and get rewarded with a dip in the pool of water at the bottom of the falls. Credit: colekauai
Besides lazing around the beaches, one of the can’t-be-missed things to do in Phuket is to hike to one of its stunning falls, like the Bang Pae Waterfall. The stunning falls are easy to reach and only take around 15 minutes, so you can even bring along the kids if you want. Just make sure to wear good shoes since the walkway can be a bit slippery.
10. Attend a cabaret show
Be wowed by the fiery performers and the colourful costumes at Simon Cabaret Show.
End your night on a high note with the Simon Cabaret Show. Get your VIP tickets on Klook to watch the passionate performers and vibrant set designs from the front row. With state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, you’ll have an unforgettable experience at the theatre.
11. Go on a hike at the Khao Sok National Park
Go on a jungle trek at the national park. Credit:saoirsebarry
Find yourself surrounded with nothing but dreamy vine-covered trees, giant bamboos, and massive rock formations when you hike at the Khao Sok National Park. Choose between different scenic trails like the Ton Kloi Waterfall or the Chieo Lan Lake Trail. For something easy, follow the trail to the Wat Tham Panthurat Temple.
12. Discover the highlights of Phuket
No visit to Phuket is complete without a visit to the Big Buddha. Credit: alice_georgia__
If you’re running short on time, one of the best things to do in Phuket is to go on the Phuket Discovery Tour. Enjoy convenient transfers to the island’s finest sights like the Big Buddha and the Wat Chalong Temple. Explore the Old Town to see historic buildings before climbing the Khao Rang Hill, where you’ll get a panoramic view of Phuket.
13. Ride a canoe to the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay
Enjoy unobstructed views of the bay from a boat. Credit: cris_angelov
Situated on the Strait of Malacca, Phang Nga Bay is teeming with incredible natural gems. From picturesque little islands and lush forests to dramatic cliffs and hidden lagoons, there’s something incredible to discover in every corner. But what makes the bay special is its stunning sea caves, where you’ll find limestone formations and emerald waters.
14. Visit an elephant sanctuary
Learn how to feed elephants properly at the sanctuary.
Come face to face with gentle giants at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Learn the story of the sanctuary before getting the chance to pet and feed the rescued animals. You can even join a mud spa with them! Then, reward yourself with a sumptuous Thai meal, complete with vegetarian options.
Keen to learn more about ethical elephant sanctuaries in Phuket? Here’s everything you need to know before you go:
15. Party at KUDO Beach Club
Have a pool party to remember at KUDO Beach Club. Credit: kudobeachclub
It’s not just Bali where you can enjoy a good, beachside party. The nightlife in Phuket is also nothing short of amazing. One of the best party spots is the KUDO Beach Club, where you can dance the night away while enjoying the awe-inspiring views of the Patong Beach from the second floor.
16. Go diving at Racha Islands
Dive into the deep waters of Racha Islands and explore its treasures. Credit: valentina.davydova
With colourful coral reefs, untouched waters, and diverse animals, it’s no wonder why diving is one of the best things to do in Phuket. If you can’t choose from Phuket’s endless list of diving destinations, you can’t go wrong with the Racha Islands. With over ten dive spots and great visibility, this makes it a great option for beginners and advanced divers.
17. Enjoy a meal at the Three Monkeys Restaurant
It’s not just good food. The visuals of the Three Monkeys Restaurant are off-the-charts as well. Credit: ttammyts
Combine great food with stunning tropical decor and what do you get? The Three Monkeys Restaurant! Located inside the Hanuman World, the restaurant’s features are designed to blend in with the vibrant jungle. On top of the visuals, it also offers delectable Southern Thai dishes like prawn salads with tom yum paste, spicy banana blossom salads, and grilled mushroom curry.
Written by: Alyssa Dela Cruz
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