Phuket is a popular place to visit in Thailand. But I have also found that Phuket is often misunderstood. When I tell some of my friends that I am planning a trip to Phuket, I’d receive mixed reactions ranging from “lucky!” to “Why would you go there?”
Like anywhere in this world, Phuket is not for everyone, but at the same time, it has something for everyone. Want to avoid the party scene? No problem. Don’t want to haggle while shopping? No worries. The island of Phuket is so much more than Patong Beach. In fact, the island itself is so big that there is plenty to do and see, plus there are many hidden gems.
You see, Phuket is beautiful. It is an island surrounded by beautiful turquoise colored water and filled with lush green nature, with a culture and a Sino-Portugese history. Best of all, Phuket can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.
Here are my top 10 reasons why you should visit Phuket.
Table of Contents
- Because… Phuket has Many Beautiful Beaches
- Because… Phuket is a Haven for Sailing
- Because… Phuket has many Islands to Explore
- Because… There are many options for Snorkelling & Diving
- Because… Thai food is delicious
- Because…. Phuket has a beautiful Sino-Portugese History
- Because… A day at the spa is affordable
- Because… There are plenty of spots to watch the Beautiful Sunset
- Because…. You can experience top notch Resort & Villa Living
- Because… Phuket has some stunning views
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Because… Phuket has Many Beautiful Beaches
Long stretches of white sandy beach with turquoise blue water – that is what you’ll get in Phuket…and there are many to choose from. I believe that some of the more beautiful beaches can be found in the northern part of Phuket, from Surin Beach onwards. I say this because I find them to be less crowded, the beaches clean and the waters so enticing to swim in.
Because… Phuket is a Haven for Sailing
With its calmer waters, the Andaman Sea that surrounds Phuket island is the perfect spot for sailing. Whether you are just learning or are already a pro, there is something for everyone here. If you are planning to learn how to sail, then Phuket is an excellent spot to learn. It’s affordable, and there are plenty of excellent companies (such as Sunsail) to put your skills to the test.
And if you don’t want to do any work, fear not – you can join a sailing tour. There are various packages available, but I recommend sailing for at least 3 nights so that you can explore the beautiful islands that surround.
Because… Phuket has many Islands to Explore
There are so many islands that surround Phuket – some more well known, and some hidden gems that you’ll get to explore on a sailing trip. And it’s easy to explore, because there are many tours offering day trips out to the islands. If you want a more intimate trip to explore the islands, then I recommend doing a few night sailing trip.
Because… There are many options for Snorkelling & Diving
Whatever level you are in the realm of snorkelling and diving, there are options all around Phuket. It is beautiful and worth exploring the diversity of life that exists in the water that surrounds Phuket.
Many tours offer day trips out to the islands, which usually will include a few hours of snorkelling. If Diving is more your scene, there are numerous diving centres around the islands to book diving trips.
Because… Thai food is delicious
Ahhhh Thai food, it is one of my favourite cuisines, and there are plenty of options for good Thai food all around the island at every price point… from cheap street food to fine dining options. Just take your pick! And if Thai food is not your thing, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes offering a more international cuisine.
Because…. Phuket has a beautiful Sino-Portugese History
The old part of Phuket Town is filled with a rich Sino-Portugese history. Just stroll along Thalang Road, Krabi Road and Dibuk Road to see some beautiful architecture in the buildings and shop houses. Many are so well maintained and are rich in colour. There are also plenty of lovely restaurants and cafes to Nyonya style Thai food.
Because… A day at the spa is affordable
It is possible to get a good 60 minutes Thai massage starting at 500 THB (A$20). Spa treatments around Phuket can range in price from low to high, depending on what you are looking for.
If you want all the bells and whistles, there are some amazing spas that will blow your mind. Just check out the Cool Spa at Sri Panwa or The Spa at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa at Karon Beach.
If you are looking for a good spa on the cheaper side, then there is that too. Check out Thai Carnation or Namaste Massage, both in Laguna.
Because… There are plenty of spots to watch the Beautiful Sunset
One of my favorite things to do when I visit any place is to watch the sunset. It is a relaxing way to reflect on the day that you have just had and peacefull watch the day turn into night. There are so many vantage points along the west coast of Phuket to catch the sunset, including the many stretches of beach along the coast line. If you love watching the sunset, then a must do is sunset drinks at Baba Nest.
Because…. You can experience top notch Resort & Villa Living
Ahhhh you know what one of my favorite things to do is while on a tropical holiday? Staying at a beautiful resort or villa. And there are plenty of options all around Phuket for top notch resorts and villas, which provide a real bang for your buck for what you get.
Don’t believe me? Check out some of my experiences:
Mövenpick Resort & Spa in Karon Beach
Sri Panwa Resort at Cape Panwa
Because… Phuket has some stunning views
Phuket is an island filled with many hills. This means several vantage points around the island, which lets you soak in stunning views of the Andaman Sea and surrounding islands.
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I'm Soraya, travel & food blogger and sunshine chaser at Hello Raya. You know that travel bug? I have been well and truly nipped, infinite times.This is my online nook to share my lifelong experiences of travel & food in hopes to inspire you to explore our beautiful world. 24 Comments on 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Phuket (Thailand)
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I’ve never been to Phuket, but Thailand is hight on my list. I never thought about sailing in Phuket before, but sounds aweosme. My boyfriend is into sailing, so this could be a good way to convince him to travel there. He is not a fan of the heat. 🙂
Sailing in Phuket is absolutely stunning. The best time of the year is between November and March for sailing here.
Wow, the views are really gorgeous. I’ve never been to Phuket but as much as I read about it and see beautiful pictures I’m getting convinced that the first place I’ll visit in Thailand will be Phuket. Very nice post, thanks for sharing it!
Thank you Lusine! I am sure you will enjoy Phuket
Beautiful photography in this post! I love that spa days are so cheap here, too! It really makes me want to up and move to Thailand for a little while to save some money and enjoy the massages and food!
Haha I love the cheap spa days too!
These are great reasons for visiting the island. Admittedly, I am one of those people who disregarded Phuket because I thought it would be too much of a crowded party place. I had no idea the island was so big and that getting away from the crowds is possible! The area looks to be incredibly beautiful and Surin Beach looks like a dream!
Me too! I avoided coming for a long time, until last year. Since then, I have spent so much time in Phuket and love it!
I never made it to Phuket but I heard many great things about it. From both party people as relaxing families. I never heard about the Sino Portuguese history though, it looks very intriging!
It is really special. I was really surprised too by the history!
I have been to Phuket and all over Thailand. I’ll never get enough of Thai food and I didn’t pay more than $10 (before tip) for an hour massage. It’s amazing!
Ok, you had me at snorkeling & the food! Lol. Naturally with that view at the Villa, I had to check out your other posts. I’m feeling alllllll of this!
Okay, I am convinced 🙂 Need to go to Phuket soon!
I would like to visit Thailand and Phuket is definitely a good place to start. Honestly when you started off the blog post before I saw the pics, I already had an opinion!But after reading and admiring the pics, it is a fantastic place to visit! Great pics!
I was in Phuket in August (it’s actually where Harry and I met the day after my birthday!). I liked it, but the universe was dead-set on having me just relax rather than actually see exciting things around Phuket. I wish I had been able to check out the islands!
Nice post. I love Thailand. Hope to get back one day. Thanks for sharing!
Its been awhile since I’ve been to Phuket. I did love the JW Marriott we stayed in and I remember it was so cheap. It was amazing, especially the pools and the spa. We did go to the Patong beach area one night and wasn’t so impressed with that.
Sold! My only concern is that I have a serious nut allergy and I know Thai food has a lot of nuts. Do you find that people serving food speak english well enough to help me avoid my allergen? I would love to go to Asia, but I need to figure out where to go to eat safely!
Great pics. I have not considered visiting Thailand but I might reconsider. The water looks great
Our friends gang has been planning Phuket for so many years now. But it has never materialised till now. The photos are so tempting and I definitely would love to go here in the near future. What recommendations do you have for the quieter beaches?
YAAASSS!! I love Thailand! But I’ve only visited the islands (Koh Samui and Koh Phangan). Dying to get to Phuket. Great post!
Nice post we came to Thailand 12 Months ago and we liked so much we decided to make it our home for the time being. Very happy we did so the land of smiles has so much beauty.
I have been to Thailand twice and both times I planned to go to Phuket, but both times I did not go, because my plans changed.
I hope I can visit Phuket sometime soon 🙂 looks lovely.
x
Thank you! I hope you’ll get to Phuket some day. It really is quite beautiful!