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Thailand

Phuket

Thailand's largest island — buzzing beach resorts, limestone-studded bays and a springboard to the Andaman's islands.

Best time
Nov – Apr
Type
Island
Discover

About Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and its most developed — a destination that has traded some of its natural beauty for the infrastructure of a mature resort. Yet rewards remain: Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts rising from emerald water (kayak into cave lagoons inaccessible except at low tide), quieter beaches at Kata Noi and Nai Harn, and Phuket Old Town's Sino-Portuguese architecture. The Phi Phi Islands are an easy day trip.

Highlights

  • Phang Nga Bay sea kayaking (James Bond Island)
  • Big Buddha hilltop statue panoramas
  • Patong beach and Bangla Road nightlife
  • Kata Noi and Nai Harn quieter beaches
  • Phi Phi Islands day trip snorkelling
  • Phuket Old Town Sino-Portuguese shophouses
Photos

Phuket in photos

Turquoise water and white beach off a small island near Phuket
Sunset over the islands off Phuket
Casuarina trees framing a sunset over the sea, Phuket
Phuket
Photo by Siarhei Nester on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Max Avans on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Kirandeep Singh Walia on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Ali Kazal on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Phakchira Sukcharearn on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Yurix Sardinelly on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Kirandeep Singh Walia on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Siarhei Nester on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Maksim Romashkin on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Daniel P on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Leo Wang on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by gokudo man'yūki on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Jom on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Daniel P on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Fatih Turan on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Siarhei Nester on Pexels
Phuket
Photo by Ruslan Masharipov on Pexels
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Where you'll stay

Where you'll stay in Phuket

Live map of hotels and villas around Phuket — powered by Stay22. Pan, zoom and compare live prices to pick your base.

Stay

Hotels & rentals around Phuket

Pan, zoom and compare live prices — every stay in one map.

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Best beaches
By the sea

Best beaches in Phuket

The 7 shores actually worth the trip on Phuket — ranked, with the vibe of each and where to stay nearby. Tap a card to fly the map to it.

  • Freedom Beach, Phuket Secluded © Bob Phillips (CC BY-SA 3.0)

    Freedom Beach

    A powder-white cove hemmed by jungle cliffs, reached only by longtail boat or a steep, sweaty trail.

    Best for escaping the crowds

    Stays near this beach →
  • Kata Noi Beach, Phuket Family © Jacek Lesniowski (CC BY-SA 3.0)

    Kata Noi Beach

    A short, quiet bay with soft sand and calm dry-season water, backed by one big resort and green hills.

    Best for families and swimming

    Stays near this beach →
  • Nai Harn Beach, Phuket Swimming © ADwarf (public domain)

    Nai Harn Beach

    A clear crescent bay at the island's south end with room to swim, a lagoon behind and few jet-skis.

    Best for swimming in a bay

    Stays near this beach →
  • Karon Beach, Phuket Long sandy © Kasidith Rachaoros (CC BY-SA 4.0)

    Karon Beach

    Nearly three kilometres of squeaky white sand, wide and uncrowded, with a steep drop into the surf.

    Best for long beach walks

    Stays near this beach →
  • Surin Beach, Phuket Sunset © Jpatokal (CC BY-SA 4.0)

    Surin Beach

    A short, chic stretch below Phuket's priciest villas, with pounding shore break when the swell is up.

    Best for sunset drinks

    Stays near this beach →
  • Ya Nui Beach, Phuket Snorkelling © Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

    Ya Nui Beach

    A tiny rock-flanked cove near Promthep Cape with a little reef to snorkel in the calm season.

    Best for easy snorkelling

    Stays near this beach →
  • Patong Beach, Phuket Party © Ryomaandres (CC BY-SA 4.0)

    Patong Beach

    Phuket's loud main beach: jet-skis, deckchairs and parasails by day, Bangla Road's neon by night.

    Best for nightlife and action

    Stays near this beach →
Explore

Explore the area

Phuket · Around the island · 1 island · 7 beaches · 1 attractions

© OpenFreeMap · OSM · terrain Mapterhorn
Do

Local attractions & tours

Skip-the-line tickets and small-group tours in Phuket — compare across our partners.

Plan

Trips in Phuket

Day-by-day itineraries that take in Phuket — routes, timings and what to book.

When you'll go

When to visit Phuket

November – April

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