Diving and snorkelling
Day boats from Chalong reach Racha Yai (easy bays, ideal for first dives), Racha Noi (deeper, with currents), and Shark Point, Anemone Reef and the King Cruiser wreck between Phuket and Phi Phi. Phuket is a major centre for dive courses. From mid-October to mid-May, liveaboards of two to five nights sail to the Similans and Richelieu Rock, where whale sharks and manta rays are possible but never promised. Snorkelling from the Phuket beaches themselves is modest.
Muay thai
The lane known as Soi Ta-iad in Chalong is lined with training camps, health-food cafés and gyms. Most accept beginners for single sessions or by the week, with two sessions a day. Stadiums in Patong stage fight nights several times a week.
Food
Phuket’s cooking blends southern Thai, Hokkien Chinese and Malay influences. In the Old Town try Hokkien noodles, moo hong (braised pork belly), dim sum breakfasts and o-aew, a shaved-ice dessert. Seafood is best at simple places in Rawai and along the east coast.
Safety
- West-coast beaches have powerful rip currents from May to October, and people drown every year. Never swim when red flags are flying, however calm it looks.
- Jet-ski rental disputes are a long-running problem; photograph any craft before use or avoid them.
- Use only licensed dive and boat operators, and check that life jackets are on board.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on coral — see responsible travel.
Combine your trip
For a closer look at the island itself — every beach compared, where to stay by area and how to get around — see our Phuket travel guide.
Phang Nga Bay rewards more than a single boat day. Our Phang Nga Bay guide explains the sea caves and tides, James Bond Island and overnight stays on the Koh Yao islands.
Phuket is also the main gateway to the wider Andaman Sea. To plan onward ferries to Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta and the islands further south, use our Andaman Sea island-hopping guide.
Sample plans
2 days: bay and beach
Day 1: Phang Nga Bay by big boat or sea canoe, with the hongs and James Bond Island. Day 2: morning surf lesson or snorkel trip, an afternoon in the Old Town and sunset at Promthep Cape.
4 days: active Phuket
Add a dive or snorkel day at the Racha Islands and a land day: an elephant sanctuary in the morning, ATV and zipline or a muay thai session in the afternoon, and a fight night in Patong.
7 days: Phuket and beyond
Add a Similan Islands day trip in season, then two nights in Khao Sok or on Koh Phi Phi before returning — or a week’s training at a Chalong muay thai camp with weekend boat trips.
